Club Cycling Etiquette
Club Cycling Etiquette Advice
Club rides
There are many benefits to riding in a group. It is safer, sociable and more energy efficient. By riding in a club, you will benefit from riding with more experienced cyclists and learn about the local area. However there is a fairly simple set of rules to which all riders need to adhere. These rules are accepted good practice and will make the experience for all riders and other road users safer and more enjoyable.
Our club rides are not training runs or races. They are there to provide an enjoyable, safe but fitness-focused cycle ride. Before joining one of our rides, you should speak to a designated club member for an informal chat about your cycling ability. This will enable us to advise you on the best group to cycle with to ensure that you have an enjoyable and achievable first ride. In this club we never leave a rider behind, someone will always stay with you.
When riding with the club you are representing the club. Please consider this with your behaviour at all times.
Be prepared
An important benefit of riding in a group is that there is always help at hand, especially if there are mechanical problems. If you are new to cycling, it is a great help to be with more experienced riders, but you should take steps to acquire knowledge of basic road-side repairs. It is the responsibility of every rider to to be self-reliant and to come fully equipped for the ride.
Ensure your bike is in good working order prior to the ride (see link below)
Ensure your clothing is suitable for the weather conditions. The wearing of helmets is not compulsory but is recommended.
Carry enough water and emergency food supplies
Bring enough money to buy food at cafe stops and always carry ID and a mobile phone if possible
You MUST carry some basic repair equipment. Pump, 2x inner tubes, tyre removers and a multitool.
Riding formation
The usual formation for a group is to ride in pairs in two parallel lines or in single file, depending on prevailing road conditions.
Stay in position, do not make sudden changes to your speed or position as this may compromise the safety of the group.
Try to stay reasonably close to the rider in front without overlapping their back wheel. It is also good practice not to ride directly behind the back wheel of the rider in front of you, but offset your wheel at least 6" either side in case you need to take evasive action. Riding in formation can be intimidating for new riders. If this is a concern, talk to a club member about it, so we can place you safely in the group until your bike handling skills and confidence improves. The point of being in a club is to develop your cycling. We are here to help.
Try to ride at an even speed and try not to allow more than a bike length to develop between you and the next rider. Do not ride in the gutter. There are more hazards in this zone and it leaves little room for manoeuvre if there is a problem. Aim to be approximately one metre out.
Aim to be relaxed on the bike and do not fixate on the wheel in front. It is important to look ahead and anticipate problems rather than try to rely on fast reactions. This is especially important if you are feeling tired or feeling low on energy. It is the responsibility of every rider to be alert and watch out for obstacles such as potholes, drain covers, etc. However, generally riders at the front will always try to indicate hazards and the information relayed backwards.
While riding double is safe, there are times when the group needs to single out. To do this, the inside riders maintain a steady pace and allow space to develop between each bike. The outside riders slow off slightly and fall in behind their partner.
On longer climbs the group may naturally break formation as people climb at different rates. Never ride between two riders in front. Pass on the outside. Never pass on the inside. The lead riders should wait at the summit and the group can reform to continue the ride together.
Any rider needing to stop or slow down should call out a warning first.
Large groups should split into smaller units with enough space between groups to allow traffic plenty of overtaking space
Common instructions
Verbal warnings
Car behind/in front!
Move out! (to avoid parked cars, horses, runners, slower cyclists, pot holes)
Single out!
Stopping!
Look up! (a warning to all riders to pay attention to a particular hazard)
Easy! or Steady! (for some reason the group should slow off)
It is much appreciated by other road users (horse riders etc) if you can call a warning of the group's approach.
Hand signals
Pointing to potholes and other road hazards
Hand in the air - group come to a stop
Wafting hand to the right (move out to avoid stationary or slower road user)
The front riders and a significant number of the group should make directional hand signals to let other road users know when the group is turning
Bad habits
Half wheeling
When riding two abreast, constantly riding half a wheel in front of your partner in order to push the pace is considered bad form. If you are leading the group be aware and communicate to establish a comfortable pace for the group
Falling off the back
If you are struggling with the pace or have some other problem it's best to tell another rider before a large gap develops. The group can then decide how best to deal with the situation.