Advice for Ride Leaders

This is good-practice guidance, non-legal, rider-focused and not a set of immutable rules

1. Know Your Terrain & Local Conditions

Surrey Hills/Southern UK is generally a mix of chalk, clay, flint, loam, and fast woodland singletrack. As a leader, anticipate how these affect the group:

·       - Chalk & flint become slippery fast after rain—adjust pace and line choice.

·       - Clay-heavy trails (Surrey Hills, QECP) clog tyres and make climbs tougher.

·       - Rooty woodland (Swinley, Leith Hill) demands slower group flow in wet conditions.

·       - Open downs can be windy and exposed—plan regroup points with shelter.

Keep an eye on:

            - Recent rainfall (last 48 hours matters more than the day-of forecast)

            - Trail closures or forestry operations

            - Seasonal hazards: overgrown brambles, leaf mulch, horse traffic, walkers

2. Route Planning for Mixed Ability Groups

Redhill MTB riders are often include a blend of experienced riders, very technically capable riders and newer MTBers. Good practice:

            - Build routes with optional features (drops, technical climbs, root gardens).

            - Include bail-out points every 5–7 miles (in case the planned route suddenly has to change)

            - Plan regroups at natural pauses: gate crossings, viewpoints, trail junctions.

            - Avoid long road sections—use bridleways, byways, permissive woodland trails.

Aim for:

            - A gentle climbs or simpler flowy sections early to warm up the group.

            - Technical features mid-ride when riders are settled.

            - An easier finish so everyone ends on a high.

3. Pre-Ride Briefing (remember you are not a coach or directly responsible for other rider actions just the leader of a group)

Promote good practice without assuming responsibility and make all feel welcome. Call out:

             - “If you’re unsure about a feature, walk it. No shame in that.”

            - “Call out hazards: roots, ruts, loose flint, walkers, dogs.”

            - “If you need to stop, shout up. We regroup regularly.”

And

            - Check in with a rider recovering from injury or building confidence in case they have concerns.

- Make the ride feel welcoming, not competitive.

During the ride encourage riders to share:

            - Any mechanical concerns at any time

            - Note if they are new to group MTB riding or new to particular trails

            - Encourage predictable riding and clear communication.

            - Remind riders to ride within their comfort zone.

            - Walking technical features if unsure.

            - Keep the wider group aware of other trail users.

4. Mechanical Awareness

You’re not a mechanic—but you are a coordinator:

            - Encourage riders to check bikes before rolling out.

            - Stop the group for minor issues (punctures, dropped chains, saddle tweaks).

If a rider has a major mechanical, help them decide:

            - Continue on after a minor fix

            - Bail-out and/or Head back to the start for a major issue

            - Wait for pickup for an unrideable bike

5. Group Management on Singletrack

Where we ride is often narrow, twisty, and busy.

            - Call out the trails and turns on

            - Try to keep good spacing between riders - not too far apart (losing sight), but not too close (to avoid concertina braking)

            - Remind riders to stay right on bridleways and shared paths.

            - Manage overtaking politely—walkers and horse riders always get priority.

            - On new or infrequently used trails discuss the features the riders are going to find

At stopping points

            - Wait for all riders to assemble

            - Ask the slowest riders when they are ready to move off (not the fastest)

            - Encourage riders to wait in safe spaces, off the main path, not blocking the path for other trail users

If the group splits:

            - Pause at junctions.

            - Use a back-marker

            - Verify and if needed gather the group up

8. Ending the Ride Well

A strong finish builds community:

            - Ensure everyone reaches the end point.

            - Check in with newer riders—ask how they found it.

            - Celebrate small wins—cleaning a climb, trying/completing a feature, improving flow.