Our cycling group has been going since 2009 and its popularity is ever increasing. We have always had guidelines for conducting ourselves on the ride etc, but we have now formalised these into the rules shown below. Please make sure you are familiar with them before you join a ride

Responsibilities of Riders

1. On joining the Horsley U3A cycling group, you should give the Group Coordinators (currently Sue Reeve, Bob Spackman, Jan Dodgson and Mark Blowers) an emergency contact number (normally next of kin) for use during rides and also the number of the mobile phone you will be carrying on the ride. This information will be circulated to the Ride Leaders but not beyond members of the U3A Cycling group.

2. We operate a ride bookings system using the SPOND app and so you need to contact Mark Blowers to become registered as part of the group. This system is also used by ride leaders to communicate particular points about the ride – including cancellation. The road riders have their own SPOND booking system.

3. All cyclists are expected to take their turn at leading a ride. There are now 4 rides, plus EasyRiders, going out on Tuesday mornings. New joiners to the group will not be expected to lead a ride immediately, but once settled in , your name will be added to the list of leaders.

4. You should carry an “In Case of Emergency” card on every ride. This card should state your name, any serious medical conditions such as severe allergies, epilepsy, asthma and diabetes, any significant medication e.g. taking anticoagulants, and the name and contact number for next of kin. This card should be kept in an accessible place such as your cycling top or on your phone. It is important that you keep the card up to date. If you carry an “epi pen”, please let the leader know under what circumstances it should be injected and any other special action that should be taken. A basic first aid kit is also advised for all riders.

5. You should also inform the Group Coordinators and the Leader of each ride if neither Group Coordinator is present, of any serious long term conditions which might require special emergency treatment and any significant changes in your conditions. If based on this information, the Coordinator or Ride Leader feels it is unwise for you to join or to continue the ride, then they should say so.

6. If you have never ridden on the highway before or have not ridden for a long time then we suggest that you familiarise yourself with the latest Highway Code Rules for Cyclists.

7. You should take note of the route proposed, and satisfy yourself you are fit enough to complete the ride safely in all respects, and that your bike is both roadworthy and suitable for the event. Checks before you embark on every ride should include:

• Brakes functioning properly

• Tyres at appropriate pressure

• Wheel rims in good order – particularly if you have calliper style brakes as these will wear the wheel rim walls over time (There is a tell-tale groove or raised dot to indicate if the rim is at the limit)

• That your front and rear lights are working properly

8. You must wear a cycle helmet (compulsory). You should wear a bright top so you can easily be seen. If you do not have a bright top, then front and rear flashing lights are advised. In winter lights are essential

9. We also advise you to bring a bottle of water, a pump and 1 or 2 spare inner tubes. Other riders will try to assist you with any breakdown, but it also helps if you carry some basic bike tools including a multi-tool, tyre levers, a chain connector or chain breaker tool.

10. You are responsible for your own safety on all rides. Please do not allow the social and comradely aspects of group cycling to distract you from watching where you are going!

11. It is common practice for ride leaders, or back markers to warn others in the group of cars approaching from the front or rear of the ride, by calling “car up” or “car back” as appropriate. This is echoed along the string of cyclists. Please make sure that if you need to wear hearing aids, that you remember to wear them in the interests of safety for all!

12. Although cyclists have the same right to occupy the road as other road users, in the interests of good relations we encourage U3A riders, especially when in a large group on a busy road, to:

• Never ride more than two abreast and always ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends, as specified in the Highway Code.

• Leave a gap of 50 metres between each group of 3-4 riders, to enable passing traffic to overtake more easily

• Never to ride 3 abreast

• Ride no less than ½ m from the kerb - this avoids many of the potholes and gives you “wriggle” room if a car passes too

• Be considerate of slower riders – particularly on hills. It is safer to overtake than wobble whilst trying to cycle slowly behind a slower cyclist.

• Know how to use the road a junctions and roundabouts. Do not hug the inside of the lane making it easy for cars to squeeze you off the road. “Own” the lane you are in, and see and be seen.

• Please do not cycle ahead of the leader. Cyclists who go ahead of the leaders could well get lost if the leader turns off the route!

13. Let the ride leader know via SPOND, or a phone call, if you have signed up for the ride but are unable to attend for any reason.

14. The pace of each ride is set by the ride leader, not by the slowest person. People who fall behind, on hills typically, will be given time to catch up from time to time, top of hills for instance. When you  review the published routes please consider your current state of fitness ( have you had a long holiday and need an easier ride to get back to form?), before deciding on which route to cycle. It is important that everyone enjoys their ride, but please remember that if you are constantly slowing a group down you will potentially spoil the enjoyment of others.

Similarly, once the pace is set by the leader please remain behind them unless released on a steep hill on the basis of 'each to their own pace, see you at the top'. We do appreciate that ebikes struggle to go at crawling speed on hills like Combe Bottom.

The Tuesday rides are not 'competitive', but are meant to be enjoyable rides providing an opportunity for social interaction and maintenance of fitness. 

Should you find that the pace of the Tuesday rides is on the slow side for you and you wish to get fitter, or simply go at a faster average speed, then perhaps you should consider joining the RoadRiders who go out twice weekly, Mondays and Fridays.

 

Responsibilities of the Ride Leaders 

15. For each ride the Leader should specifically consider:

a. The weather forecast, especially if adverse. The Ride Leader should consider cancelling or delaying the ride if adverse weather is forecast - heavy rain, high winds, freezing or near-freezing temperatures – see below.

b. The current state of repair of the roads and tracks to be covered.

c. The route proposed, including coffee and refreshment stops and comfort break points.

16.Once the route is chosen, the Ride Leader should send a description of the ride to Mark Blowers who will load it up onto SPOND. Ride options are released at 5 pm on the Thursday preceding the ride in case of the Tuesday rides, and on Wednesday in the case of the Friday intermediate road ride. The description should include:

a. The route

b. Riding conditions including weather forecast, and any challenging climbs and terrain.

c. Proposed stops

d. An estimate of the distance and time to be taken

e. Recommended type of bike(s).

17. The Ride Leader must carry an emergency contact list of all riders (see paragraph 14), take note of any medical conditions notified by ride participants, and act accordingly (see paragraph 3 above).

18. At the start of a ride the leader must appoint a “back marker” and remind riders of ride protocol:

• At any junction, or fork in the route, where the route is not obvious, the second rider must stop to direct subsequent cyclists.

• Leaves suitable gaps between groups of 3or 4 cyclists on main roads

19. Keep tags on whether riders are lagging behind and make sure sufficient stops are made to enable everyone to regroup.

20.  Make sure stops to enable regrouping are at a sensible location – particularly not at a junction, rather a short distance after, or some distance before.

Responsibilities of the Group Co-ordinators

21. The Group Coordinators will keep a diary of proposed rides and leaders. This list and any subsequent changes will be circulated to all members by email.

22. The Group Coordinators will send an up to date list of all members’ emergency contact details to Ride Leaders before they are due to lead a ride.

Policy in the event of Freezing or Near Freezing Conditions

23. In common with most local cycling clubs, the Horsley U3A cycling group policy is that we will not go out if the temperature is at 3 deg C or lower at 9am. Should the temperature be forecast to rise significantly a decision will be made whether a later start time is appropriate/wanted.

24. The ride leader will update SPOND should any last minute changes be made

25. Riders may then choose to ride as individuals but not under the auspices of Horsley U3A. Public liability indemnity will not be available for such unofficial rides.

26. Leaders and riders should be aware that, on mornings when it has been close to but above freezing, ice can still be present on exposed bridges and on minor roads that are shaded from sunlight. Wherever possible, riders should stop and walk over potentially icy bridges, and leaders should keep watch for any ice patches and advise people to stop and walk until it is safe to ride. Solid metal drain covers can also retain an icy service.

 

November 2023