Dem's Da rules

PEWSEY VELO CC RIDE ETIQUETTE & CLUB RULES

When riding with the Pewsey Velo Cycling Club, it’s important to remember that you’re riding as a group and not as an individual. Everyone is responsible for riding in a manner that helps ensure the safety of themselves as well as other members of the ride. The club also expects its members to respect all aspects of the code when riding solo, in or out, of club colours.

Every ride will have a “ride leader”, who will help guide the ride. However riders safety is the responsibility of individual riders. All riders are to communicate up and down the “line” if there are messages/directions to be shared within the group.

All riders should at all times act with consideration towards their fellow cyclists as well as other road users – yes we also wave “hello” to other riders when we pass them. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that they follow the Highway Code and are courteous.

Below are some dos and don’t that are aimed at promoting a safe and enjoyable riding culture:

KEEP YOUR BIKE MAINTAINED AND CARRY A SPARE TUBE AND TOOLS

• It is your responsibility to make sure that before joining a ride, your bike is in good working order and you have checked tyre pressure, brakes are working and wheels are aligned
• Always carry a spare inner tube (two for the winter months as you never know), tyre levers and a pump, plus CO2 canisters if you choose.
• Make sure that you have a multi-tool or allen keys with you
• From 23 October until 23 March, your bike must be fitted with effective mudguards and a rear mudflap that extends sufficiently far below the rear axle height to avoid spraying your fellow riders with a mixture of road slime and slurry
• Tri bars are not permitted on any group ride
• Carry a phone and some money/credit card for a café stop/emergencies
• And lastly, but by no means least, make sure that you carry some form of identification in case of an emergency

WEAR SUITABLE CLOTHING AND A HELMET

• Everyone must wear a cycling helmet
• Make sure that you wear clothing appropriate for the time of year
• Carry a waterproof or windproof top/gilet in case the weather is cooler than anticipated

LIGHTS

• It is highly recommended from October to March to have front and rear lights operational on your bike at all times during the day. It goes without saying that you will need to have them at dusk/dawn and night as well

FOLLOW THE HIGHWAY CODE AND BE COURTEOUS

• Never ride more than two abreast
• Ride single file on narrow or busy roads/lanes, or when holding up the following traffic
• Ride on the left hand side of the road. When riding two abreast,, the rider on the right must avoid drifting towards the centre of the road. When the group moves from riding two abreast to single file, it is the responsibility of the rider on the outside to fall in behind the rider on the left.
• Respect traffic lights and pedestrian crossings
• Slow down and pass horses with care. Warn the horse rider when approaching from behind and pass slowly and wide. Ride single file if necessary
• Be courteous and don’t shout abuse or make offensive gestures to other road users – even if you might want to…you are riding as group with Pewsey Velo Cycling Club, and poor behaviour damages the club’s reputation

RIDE AS MEMBER OF A GROUP NOT AS AN INDIVIDUAL

• Look where you are going. Be aware of other riders around you and think about how your actions might affect them
• Ride in a smooth and predictable manner. Avoid making sudden movements like braking or swerving suddenly
• Ride close to the rider in front of you, but only as close as you are comfortable with. Leave a larger gap in wet or windy conditions or if you are less experienced
• Do not ride with your front wheel overlapping the rear wheel of the rider in front, It is dangerous.
• Ride in line with the rider/pair or riders in front of you. Avoid riding outside of the line of the group.
• When on the front, do not edge ahead of the rider next to you. Be aware of the speed they are riding and adjust your speed accordingly
• Within the group, each pair of riders should ride “shoulder to shoulder”. Do not edge ahead or fall back from the rider next to you
• When moving from two abreast to single file, it is the responsibility of the rider on the outside, to fall in behind the rider on the inside
• When pulling out from a junction, or turning into a road, be aware of the riders behind you. Slow down once you have passed the junction/turn to allow the rest of the group to catch up

BE CAREFUL AT ROAD JUNCTIONS

• Stop at all junctions. Don’t jump across when vehicles are approaching as other riders could follow you
• When pulling up at junction, remain as a maximum two abreast. Do not scatter across the road as it blocks cars passing. Equally, do not pass or crowd/swarm around other vehicles at junctions. Wait for them to move away first.
• Riders at the front at a junction should warn of traffic to the right or left and call out when it is clear to move away/across

TAKE TURNS ON THE FRONT

• All riders in the group should take turns on the front "don’t hog the front". A stint at the front should be a maximum of 5 minutes, so everyone gets a go. Unless of course, it’s agreed that one rider will drag the others round for the day!
• It’s recommended that the following procedure is used to change at the front:
  • The rider on the outside at the front pulls forward and over in front of the rider on his left
  • Then the outside line of riders moves forward two positions
  • The last rider on the inside line moves to the rear of the outside line
  • When you get to the front, maintain a steady pace for the group. Do not speed up or surge, as you’ll break the group

MAKE SURE THERE IS A LEADER OF THE GROUP – AND LISTEN TO THEM

• On Pewsey Velo Cycling Club rides, there will always be a ride leader, who knows the way. The ride leader is responsible for giving clear directions, and turns ahead
• If the ride leader happens to be at the back of the group, then it is the responsibility of all riders in the group to make sure that directions are passed forward through the group to the front
• If you are on the front and the group is approaching a junction/turning and you are unsure of the way, you should call back and check directions. Or slow and stop the group to ensure directions are understood

TALK TO ONE ANOTHER

• Riders on the front should shout and point out hazards such as potholes, debris, parked cars etc
• Equally, if there are vehicles approaching the back of the group, it is the responsibility of the riders at the back to shout out a warning
• Warnings should be passed back down/up the line of riders, so everyone is aware of the potential danger. It is everyone’s responsibility to do this
• Please do not ignore shouts made by other riders. Listen to calls that are made and react accordingly

SOME COMMON VERBAL SIGNAL/WARNINGS

• “Car Up/Front” – to warn of a vehicle coming towards the FRONT of the group
• “Car Back” – to warn 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 riders of an obstruction on the nearside of the road such as a parked car, pedestrian or runner
• ‘Hole (left, right, middle)” – this shout, accompanied by pointing to the road with the appropriate hand is a warning that there is a hazard in the road such as a pothole, brand etc
• “Easy” – a request to:
  • Slow down and be careful because there is a hazard head – pedestrian, dog, horse.
  • It is also used when approaching a junction or turning
  • Or because the group is breaking up because the speed is too high
• “Stopping” – self-explanatory and accompanied by either the up and down movement of the outside arm, or holding the right arm vertical
• “Mechanical” – if you have a puncture or mechanical, then use this shout. It is important that you hold your line as you slow down. Don’t brake or serve suddenly.
  • You and the rest of the group should slow down in an orderly fashion, and pull into the side of the road at a safe spot. Don’t just stop and spread out over the road.
• ‘Horse” – we often encounter horses and riders on the country lanes. Horses are unpredictable animals. The rider on the front of the group should shout “Horse” and single that the group is slowing/stopping (see above). A warning shout should be made to the horse rider of “Cyclists behind”. Pass horses slowly and in single file is necessary. And always greet them warmly.