Longbridge Cycling Club​

Ride Etiquette

 

The etiquette below is to ensure that all riders get the very best out of every ride.

 

1. The ride leader will keep the pace of the group, please try not to overtake them. Should you do so, in the event of singling out to allow for passing cars, please resume your position in the group as soon as safely possible.

 

2. Should you choose to ride alongside the ride leader (or any other rider), please make sure that you ride side by side with their bicycle, and not slightly out in front. Half wheeling a rider is not only rude (as it means talking to someone's back),  it also indicates that you are trying to dictate their pace, and the continual attempts to correct the difference by the rider tailing, can have a devastating effect on the overall group pace or otherwise on an individual riding within the group.

 

3. Should you find the pace too fast, please so down so that the ride leader becomes aware and can adjust the pace accordingly.

 

4. Only ride 2 abreast when it is safe to do so and be prepared to single out when necessary.

 

5. Where possible keep a steady line and always indicate (as much as possible in advance) any need to slow down or stop, by shouting 'slowing' or 'stopping' to avoid dramatic consequences to anyone riding behind you. Please point out hazards where helpful and give clear signals to those behind to indicate turns etc, if you feel safe to do so.

 

6. Please remain as conscious as possible at all times that you have riders around you and be prepared for the occasional, unintended, absent mindedness or unpredictability of others.

 

7. Please take your turn to ride at the back and equally do not continually hog the front of the group as such behaviour can leave the leader and the 'tail end Charlie' isolated from the rest of the group.

 

8. Should the ride leader move to the back to aid a rider who might be struggling, the responsibility of keeping the pace is immediately passed to the person left at the front. Should you find pace setting too difficult, please drop back and ask for someone else to take lead.

 

9.  Follow the requirements of the Highway Code for cyclists.

 

10.  Treat other road users with courtesy.

 

11.  Please discreetly let the ride leader know if you have concerns for another rider. Some riders will struggle on to save face, but it is much nicer if we can ease someone's suffering by slowing down, taking an extra tea break, or splitting the group to send stronger riders and/or those with deadlines ahead. Remember, we can all have a bad day.

​

No exceptions will be made for children riding with the group.

 

Electric bicycles within the group.

 

Longbridge cycling club was set up predominantly with push cyclists in mind and although we are happy to share our rides with electric bike riders, such riders will be expected where possible to stay behind the ride leader with the following considerations…

 

1.Riders on a traditional push cycle may struggle on hill climbs and the presence of someone bragging about how easy they are finding it may cause justifiable group friction. Whilst it makes perfect sense to go ahead of anyone crawling up a steep incline, it is expected that riders with such a privilege should quietly make their way to the top of the hill and wait for others to gather and then assume their position within the group at the first instance. It is also advisable that riders check with the ride leader for any turns that may come before the hill top as push cyclists will be advised not to take chase. It is considered courteous for stronger riders to support those who may struggle so, in this case, any advantage will be encouraged to be put to good use.

 

2. On descents…push cyclists will often have the advantage on down hills and are encouraged to use such advantage where safe to do so. Electric cycles will soon catch up although all riders will always stop to re-group at any turns or should it appear that the electric bike rider is not making ground.

 

3.Know you bicycles capabilities. Riders of electric cycles will need to take into account the length and presumably the amount of climbing involved in a ride to make sure that their machine has the ability to go the distance. Push cyclists should never be delayed due to someone not having enough battery power to continue.



​