Thank you for volunteering to lead or assist with our bunch rides on behalf of MC.
As a Ride Leader you are representing both the MC Velo Club and MC Cyclery, and our sport in general. Therefore it is important that you conduct yourself in a safe, responsible, and appropriate manner.
Safety of the riding group and you is paramount. By acting as a Ride Leader, you should do your best to run your ride in accordance with the guidelines below.
A well led and swept bunch tends to be a safe bunch..!
If for any reason you the Ride Leader become unwell and cannot lead the ride, this should be communicated as soon as possible. A deputy system should be in place for your ride and your deputy must be informed. If this is not practical, then the ride should be canceled.
Under no circumstances should a ride take place without either a designated leader or deputy. Any riders who set off without an approved Ride Leader, will do so as an unsanctioned MC ride.
Be on time. In fact, be early.
Introduce yourself as the Ride Leader.
Introduce yourself to any new riders (if they do not come forward) and politely find out about their experience etc.
Let the group know what time the ride is scheduled to finish.
Ask if anyone needs to leave early.
Address any safety or other issues at the start.
Review calls or issues from previous rides (good or bad).
Introduce any new riders to a more experienced rider who will ride with them.
Nominate and introduce the group to the Sweep and ensure that the group knows to listen for calls for the back from the Sweep and that no one moves across until they hear this call.
On larger rides (20+) it may also be necessary to Nominate and introduce a “Ride Captain”. This should be an experienced rider that is used to the route and will ride mid bunch to work with the Sweep in passing calls to and from the front, also keeping the group dynamic, pace, and safety together by avoiding excessive gapping.
A bike in good working order.
AU standards approved helmet. No helmet, no ride. No exceptions.
Front and rear lights if riding early in the morning, or at night.
Spare tube, tyre levers and pump or Co2 inflator.
Adequate Hydration and Food.
ID and emergency contact information.
Sunscreen for hot starts & longer rides.
Phone.
A bike in good working order.
AU standards approved helmet. No helmet, no ride. No exceptions.
Front and rear lights if riding early in the morning, or at night.
Spare tube, tyre levers and pump or Co2 inflator.
Adequate hydration and food.
ID and emergency contact information.
Sunscreen for Hot Starts & Longer Rides.
Money for coffee.
Be on time. In fact, be early.
Introduce yourself as the Ride Leader.
Introduce yourself to any new riders (if they do not come forward) and politely find out about their experience etc.
Let the group know what time the ride is scheduled to finish.
Ask if anyone needs to leave early.
Address any safety or other issues at the start.
Review calls or issues from previous rides (good or bad).
Introduce any new riders to a more experienced rider who will ride with them.
Nominate and introduce the group to the Sweep and ensure that the group knows to listen for calls for the back from the Sweep and that no one moves across until they hear this call.
On larger rides (20+) it may also be necessary to Nominate and introduce a “Ride Captain”. This should be an experienced rider that is used to the route and will ride mid bunch to work with the Sweep in passing calls to and from the front, also keeping the group dynamic, pace, and safety together by avoiding excessive gapping
Be on time. In fact, be early.
Ride at the front right side and take control of your group.
Be calm, clear, positive, and definite with your calls and instructions.
Remember, your behaviour sets the tone for the rest of the group.
Obey all road rules and observe red lights.
Be courteous and respectful of all other road users.
Be aware of other large groups of cyclists around and do not assume they will be riding with the same level of care and attention.
If you choose to pass the slower group ensure you do so in a timely and safe fashion, use your sweep to bring the whole group out and with a smooth acceleration make sure the gap is big or long enough by staying out long enough to allow your group past the other group without cutting in too early and cutting other riders off - to quote an old saying “Get away - Stay away” and always ensure you communicate your intention to the rider/s at the rear of the group you are passing Keep the group together - be as consistent as possible at the front with your average speed.
Sudden surges will break up the group easily. When rolling from stationary, try to get to 25kph at a moderate pace (not a sprint) which should enable the whole group to engage quickly and safely.
If a rider is not wearing an approved helmet, they are not permitted to take part in the ride. If they do not have lights and you believe they are required, they are not permitted on the ride.
All riders with flashing rear lights should be encouraged to set these to static or steady before the group departs to minimise distraction and visibility issues to riders behind. The Sweep may of course choose to run a flashing rear light to increase visibility of the group to other vehicles and road users.
Headphones and earpieces are not to be worn.
Mobile phones should not be used when moving. If a rider wishes to take a photo or video of the group during the ride they should only do so safely by moving out and away from the main group and also communicating their intent to the Ride Leader or Sweep.
Commuter or Flat Bar bikes (including Single Speeds) may be suitable for shorter, less demanding rides, trainers and beginners rides etc. but this is at the Ride Leader’s discretion.
Bikes with ‘TT’ or ‘Aero Bars’ may be permitted on the ride but only at the Ride Leader’s discretion and while based on the size and handling / ability levels of the rider, remain generally discouraged when dealing with new or unknown riders.
Indicate properly & let other riders around you know what you are doing.
Signal hazards. If you see a hazard (glass, pothole, stick, etc) that may affect the line or safety of riders behind you, it is your responsibility to signal (by pointing it out) to following riders, with subsequent riders continuing the signal further down the group.
In headwinds it is likely calls for obstructions/hazards etc. will not carry beyond 2- 3 wheels. Remember to use clear hand signals for this (as opposed to shouting) and in good time, for example well prior to potholes / when slowing or stopping.
In mid to strong headwind or cross wind conditions it is highly likely that calls for obstructions/hazards etc. will not carry beyond 2-3 wheels – remember to watch for clear hand signals for this (as opposed to shouting) and in good time, for example well prior to potholes or other obstacles / street furniture & when slowing or stopping.
Be aware of current and forecasted weather conditions. A final glance at the forecast before retiring for the evening is always recommended.
Also bear in mind that weather conditions may not reflect those at the start or on the route and that participants may be traveling from further afield.
Whenever possible try to give at least 1 hour clear notice of cancellation for any reason and please remember some participants may have 30 minutes or more travel time to reach the start.
Whether or not to go ahead and cancel or to ride is at the discretion of the Ride Leader but also involves common sense – for example slick roads but clear local radar would be generally okay, drizzle with potential rain showing on the radar is at best 50/50 and raining with more to come is a definite cancellation. At no stage should a ride be started when conditions are plainly detrimental, which includes consideration of wind speeds and storm alerts.
Be aware of debris post high wind situations and communicate this at the Ride Start if necessary.
In general terms the larger the anticipated turnout for the ride the higher the element of caution should be. It is always better to be safe than sorry - after all.
Once underway. If conditions deteriorate beyond safe and sensible riding at any stage, the Ride Leader must halt the ride and re-assess, generally a safe, slow ride to the nearest place of shelter (preferably with coffee) is recommended.
If the Ride Leader lives a distance from the start or intended route it is useful to have a couple of contacts that live locally and regularly join the ride that can provide more detailed information on the weather situation and assist in making a balanced decision.
Public Rides. The Ride Leader must put the cancellation out via the FB Feed in the first instance this can be communicated to text via text to HC or an early cancellation can be scheduled the evening before when necessary.
MCV Rides. The Ride Leader must put the cancellation out via the MC TeamApp app - adding a comment on the ride and a new post in the Chat.
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