CLUB RIDE ETIQUETTE AND GUIDELINES

We are always looking for ways to make RLSCC even better and you, our members, have suggested various things we can do to improve ride organisation, communication and execution. These Ride Etiquette and Guidelines are designed to help keep our members safe and ensure rides are enjoyable for everyone.

CLUB ADVERSE WEATHER POLICY

In the event of a Met Office Red or Amber weather warning OR where the outside temperature is 3 degrees Celsius or less, all club rides will be cancelled. Members may choose to continue to ride at their own risk but any planned club-sanctioned rides will not go ahead. This applies to all disciplines.

RIDE ADVERTISING

All official schedule or led club rides should be advertised through one or more of the following channels:

The RLSCC web site - typically on the Club Calendar.
Facebook - in the RLSCC Members Facebook group. Planned pace, distance, difficulty and route should be included. Where possible, this will be post at least 2 days before the ride. A "teaser" for the ride may also be posted on the Friends of RLSCC Facebook group; for Beginner/Introductory or other "open" (non-member) rides should include sufficient detail for guests to determine if the ride will suit their ability.
RLSCC WhatsApp Community channels - either in the appropriate WhatsApp group for the ride type or on the General channel. Details of pace, distance, difficulty and route should be included.

EQUIPMENT/BASICS

For all rides where the riders joining are not club members or are beginner riders, some basic advice should be given to them by the ride navigator/organiser. Below is a rough guideline of what this advice should entail:

A helmet is to be used by all attendees – no exceptions.
Quick overview of how to ride in a pack including but not limited to;
- Hand signals and verbal communications for things such as “holes, gravel and cars”.
- Managing pace - avoiding half-wheeling and keeping the group together.
- Last rider is key - always be aware of the group and communicate required pace changes to riders in front so riders do not get dropped (for "drop-rides", e.g. the Bash, the nature of the ride should be clearly communicated before the ride starts).
A quick maintenance check for bike safety to ensure it is in a suitable order for the ride

We also recommend the following:

Suitable lights for all rides conducted during low light and/or darkness
Mudguards for wet weather or damp road rides to save fellow club members being inconvenienced

RIDING ETIQUETTE

Riders must not put others at risk and are expected to adhere to the the highway code and the laws of the road at all time. Courtesy and respect must be shown to other rides and members of the general public at all times. Set a good example for others and represent the Club, and wider cycling community, in the best light. No Strava segment, technical run, or similar is worth causing an accident or injury. Remember: it's just a bike ride.

These principles apply to any ride organised by RLSCC Members through Club channels; including ad-hoc, and one-off, informal rides. Anyone who repeatedly puts any other riders at risk and does not demonstrate the Club’s Values will be spoken to by the Ride Organiser and/or reported to the RLSCC Committee for follow-up action.

As with most rides, attendance can vary, making the group sizes quite large and difficult to negotiate for navigators as well as other road users.

The lead rider(s) must make decisions with the safety of the whole group in mind.
Do not do anything that puts others at risk (e.g. stop at a junction if in doubt about gaps in traffic, yield on corners if not clear, etc).
It is suggested that groups are kept to between 6-8 in number with 10 as the maximum
Ensure each group has large gaps between to allow safe passing by other vehicles. Ride start to be staggered so not all groups are leaving at the same time.
Split between rider ability or preference (e.g. speed, distance, technical ability).
Ensure everyone in the group is aware of the nature of the ride and comfortable with arrangements (e.g. is the ride non-group; regular regroups at junctions or hill tops; pace-line, chain-gang or regular group; etc).
For MTB rides most of the route will be off road and the group riding together. However, when sections of busy road need navigating, split into smaller groups with gaps between each to allow cars to pass safely.

Depending on ability and experience of riding in groups it is suggested that

Ride 2 abreast on roads with two or more clearly marked lanes.
Ride single file on roads with no markings.
Riders to be aware of other road traffic or users of the trails and move accordingly to allow safe passing.
Common sense applies to the above points and rider discretion to be used.

Protect the more vulnerable road users at all times, announce your presence (use a bell or call out a greeting) especially if approaching from behind. In particular keep in mind the following road users you may encounter on a ride:

Horse riders - call a greeting from a distance, slow down, give plenty of room. Covering any flashing front lights can also help if approaching from the front.
Joggers - be mindful that headphones may be in use and a louder signal may be needed.
Walkers - if approaching a walking group they may be engrossed in conversation so a louder greeting may be in order.
Other cyclists - give space when passing (in either direction) and don't forget to say "hello".

The most important thing to remember is: use common sense and look after each other. Respect your ride organiser's decisions at the start of the ride and support them where needed. Riding with the Club is, first and foremost, about fun, community and enjoying our bikes together safely.

These guidelines will be reviewed at regular intervals and are subject to change at discretion of the RLSCC committee.