Group Riding

Cycling Guidelines

  • Whilst riding with the Club it is important to remember, you are riding as a Club member and so effectively representing Redhill Cycling Club. You are also riding as an individual entirely responsible for your own actions, your own safe riding and your obligations to your own safety and those around you. 
  • We always recommendation utmost consideration to other road users as well as your fellow cyclists to ensure safety and enjoyment is maintained.
  • Remember your actions or the lack of them have an effect on your fellow cyclists and to that end there are some do’s and don’ts within the Club, aimed at promoting a safe and enjoyable riding culture, that will in turn create an etiquette that all Club members will be familiar with.
  • Remember if in doubt ask.
  • We are all here to help each other.

Group Riding.

  • When riding in a group it is important that you ride in a smooth and predictable manner and concentrate on what is happening with other riders around you. You should try to be aware of the road conditions and terrain at all times - this will help you maintain a steady pace.
  • The Saturday/Sunday runs are a social event. They are not a race. Members should ride in pairs and should be in line with the pair in front of them. This helps the aerodynamic efficiency of the group and helps avoid unnecessary swerving or braking. There is an understandable tendency for riders to take a line to one side of the rider in front of them and to overlap a little. This should be avoided as it causes the group to “echelon” and spread across the road, giving the appearance, when the group is approached from the front or back, that the riders in the group are riding 3 and 4 abreast. This is particularly noticeable going up hill.
  • The Highway Code states that cyclists should ride no more than 2 abreast and on narrow or busy roads should ride in single file.
  • Members should usually ride in pairs in line but single out at appropriate times/places in the interests of safety.
  • Ride close to the riders in front of you for maximum 'drafting' effect but only as close as you feel comfortable with. If you are less experienced leave a larger gap and if the road is wet, or there is a cross-wind, leave a larger gap.
  • Do not ride with your front wheel overlapping the rear wheel of the person in front. If the person in front makes a sudden move, your front wheel could be knocked from under you causing you and probably those around you to crash.
  • Do not ride hands-off in the group; this is an extremely dangerous practice. If you need to take both hands off the bars for any reason then move to the rear of the group before doing so. Putting on or taking off a rain top whilst riding in the group is dangerous and not permitted, if you need to put on/take off a rain top then either ask the group to stop when safe to do so or move to the very back of the group and let the other riders know what you intend to do.

  • When pulling up at a road junction stay in two lines and do not scatter across the road. Don’t pass or crowd around vehicles that are waiting at the junction this only serves to annoy drivers and can be dangerous.

 

Members of the group who have negotiated the junction, should be aware that other members may have had to wait and need time to rejoin so should proceed slowly on the route or find a safe place to wait and regroup.

  • Change to single file as necessary to help cars overtake, especially if cars are finding it difficult to get past on narrow roads.
  • The best way to single out is that riders on the inside should in turn slightly accelerate to allow riders on the outside to in turn slip in behind them. A common reaction to an on coming car is to brake. This should be avoided if possible as it can have a hazardous “ripple” effect through the group.

Members should have a clear and well understood method of singling out.

  • Keep to the left of the left side of the road, this will enable other members of the group (tail-end Charlie for instance) to overtake if needed and also help motorists in overtaking.

  • Don’t make sudden movements in the group, like braking or swerving or suddenly slowing up on a steep part of a hill for example, especially in a large group. As you get out of the saddle or sit down again try to maintain a steady speed.

  • Try to think about where other riders might be and how your actions may affect them. Your action near the front of the group can be magnified many times by the time it reaches the back and can result in a much more dangerous situation than is apparent.

Taking turns on the front.

  • It seems only fair that all members of the group should take a turn at the front, particularly when the group is riding into a strong head wind or other adverse weather.
  • It is recommended that all members use the following procedure to change at the front.
  • Firstly clearly tell the group that there is to be a change at the front. Then the rider on the outside at the front accelerates and moves over in front of the nearside rider. The outside riders then move up two positions and the last rider on the inside will move to the outside to reform into pairs at the rear.
  • The alternative method of the front riders moving apart with the group moving between them means that the group is riding 4 abreast for a considerable time and should not be used.
  • Don’t hog the front. You may think that you are helping the rest of the group by staying on the front for a long stretch but in fact that is not always the case. The only way Club members will improve their cycling is by taking a fully active part in the rides and riding on the front is one of the disciplines that all should take part in.
  • Try to do only a mile or less on the front, (less if you are not so fit) then change, that way every rider gets a turn without overdoing it. It also ensures that the group stays together as the rider at the back is constantly changing
  • When at the front of the group don’t half-wheel the rider next to you (that is don’t ride with your front wheel always slightly ahead of him/her). This is not only anti-social but also causes the pace to rise as the rider who is being half-wheeled tries to keep up with the other rider thus destroying the whole ride.

Safety.

  • It is required that every member shall make sure that their bike is in good working order before each ride. In particular make sure your brakes work effectively and that your tyres are not wearing thin, worn tyres cause unnecessary punctures and a potential hazard in a fast-moving group.

Keeping the bike clean, especially in the winter, helps maintain your bike in good order. Don't forget, if your bike breaks down through poor maintenance then you could be causing an unnecessary hold-ups to your fellow Club members.

  • Every member must carry a functioning pump, at least one spare inner tube and some basic tools and don’t forget some money for the teastop and emergencies.

  • Efficient mudguards and mud flaps should be used on club rides in wet weather.  

  • All bikes must be equipped with 2 independent braking systems, one front and one rear, operated by levers from the handlebars.

  • It is recommended that tri-bars should not be fitted for club rides or training runs and, if fitted, should not be used.
  • The use of mobile phones whilst riding in a group is not allowed, please feel free to carry a mobile for emergency use. However, making and receiving calls whilst riding in a group can be dangerous. If you carry a mobile phone do not stop suddenly if it rings. Warn the riders around you before pulling in --- slowly.

 

Clothing.

Cycling specific clothing is not absolutely necessary but is desirable. RCC  encourages its members to wear Club clothing, as this presents a good image to the general public and potential Club members. In any event, wear clothing that is as aerodynamic as possible.

It is a good idea to carry a waterproof /windproof cape in the winter even if rain is unlikely; a windproof can help keep you warm if the weather turns colder than you thought. In the winter it is generally better to be too warm than too cold.

Communication within the group

It’s important that information is passed quickly and clearly to all members of the group. Some shouts and signals are standard.

“Car down” or "Car front" This warns of a vehicle coming towards the FRONT of the group.

“Car up” or "Car back" This warns of a vehicle coming towards the BACK of the group.

“On the left” This shout often accompanied by putting the left arm behind the back warns following riders of an obstruction on the nearside of the road. This may be a parked car, a pedestrian etc.

“Hole [left | right | middle]” This shout accompanied by pointing to the road with the appropriate right or left hand is a warning that there is some hazard in the road. This may be a pothole, a branch, a brick, horse droppings etc. Always point down so that it doesn't get confused with an intention to turn.

“Loose” This shout indicates a loose road surface such as gravel, mud or broken tarmac and is accompanied by shaking a hand over the road.

“Easy” This is a request to slow down and be careful, for example because there is a hazard ahead, a dog, some walkers etc. This shout is also used when approaching a junction or if there is a problem within the group, or because the group is breaking up because the speed is too high.

“Stopping” This is self explanatory. The group should avoid sudden braking and spreading across the road.

“Puncture” or "Flat" If you have a puncture (or a mechanical problem) then use this shout, it is important that you hold your line as you slow down, don’t swerve or break suddenly, then the other riders can overtake or slow down in an orderly fashion and pull in to the side of the road at a safe spot and get off the road. Don’t just stop and spread out over the road.

“Horse” We often encounter horses and riders on country roads. Remember horses are unpredictable animals. The rider on the front of the group, as well as warning the group with a shout of “Horse” should shout a warning to the horse rider of “cyclists behind”. Then, making sure that the horse rider is aware that we intend to pass, the group should then pass slowly and wide. Don’t forget to keep riding slowly so that the group can reform.