Wait for riders who have punctures or mechanicals. Pull over where it is safe and practicable and render assistance if necessary. Every rider is responsible for carrying the appropriate spare tube(s), tyre levers and pump, as well as appropriate food and fluids.

If a rider is dropped from the bunch a senior/experienced rider should ensure that the rider has an escort back to the start point. A tired rider does not go home alone. If you see someone dropped from the bunch, let others know.

It is the responsibility of the leading pair to call all approaching obstacles to the bunch and to show them with the appropriate hand to indicate which side of the road the obstacle is on. Obstacles include potholes, gravel, water, stationary cars, and slower riders being passed.

The leading pair will indicate via an arm in the air that a lane change is required. It is then the responsibility of the Sweeper to check traffic and to call the bunch safely “over” or to “wait”. A sideways glance is not enough – a full head turn is a must to check for traffic coming from behind. The bunch must wait for this call of “over” before changing lanes, otherwise continue in the lane you are already in, in single file if appropriate on bigger rides a ‘Ride Captain’ sitting mid Bunch might also be used to assist in passing calls to and from the Front & Rear of the ride.

It is the responsibility of the leading pair to make the “stopping” call on the approach to red/orange traffic lights, or the “rolling” call on approach to green/orange traffic lights.

The “rolling” call is not a blind invitation to those following to proceed through a traffic light. If you are say the 8th pair and decide it is no longer safe to go through the light, then you may stop – but you must then make your own loud and clear “stopping” call to make those behind you aware of your intentions.

If the bunch is split for some reason, it is the responsibility of the front riders to slow for those caught behind

When approaching intersections without traffic lights eg. roundabouts, it is the responsibility of each rider to ensure that it is safe to proceed and to pass that information to following riders with a call of “clear”, or a call of “stopping” or “car right (left)” if there is traffic.

When riding on a single lane road, it is the responsibility of the Sweeper to make the “car back” call to warn the bunch that a car wishes to pass. On many single lane roads it is appropriate to ride in single file, rather than two abreast, depending on traffic and lane width.

When riding on the front, try to ensure an even pace with no surging, and keep your partner right alongside so that your handlebars are level.

Keep it smooth at all times. Nothing induces nervousness in the bunch like riders who change speed and/or direction in a jerky fashion.

If you are in the leading pair, continue pedalling on all but the steepest downhill sections, as the draft you create allows those behind you to increase their speed even when not pedalling.