Road Ride Safety with Kinross Cycling Club
The guidelines below should be read and followed by all riders who join - or intend to join - road rides with Kinross Cycling Club. They are an indicative guide to ride safety with the club.
For example our faster groups G1 and G1.5 will not always stop to regroup, there may be a presumption the rider.
BEFORE RIDING
YOU are responsible for riding sensibly and cautiously within the rules of The Highway Code to protect yourself and those around you including other riders, pedestrians and other road users.
If you have ANY doubts about your fitness or health, dont ride until you have seen your doctor for the appropriate checks and been cleared as fit. If you feel unwell on a ride, let people around you know immediately and stop.
A good guide for joining a Newcomers' ride is that you should know from experience that you can comfortably ride a distance of over 20 miles at an average of more than 12mph. For an intermediate ride, you should know that you can ride more than 45 miles at an average close to 15mph. Do not join a ride outside your comfort zone to 'see if you can do it' unless you are absolutely confident in your fitness and ability to cycle home once half way out.
Check your bike and brakes regularly. Put problems right BEFORE you start. Learn how to repair a puncture and always carry appropriate tools: a pump, tyre levers, 2 x spare inner tubes plus other essentials such as lights and a mobile phone (NEVER to be used on-the-move).
Wear a helmet AND bright colours. Kinross Cycling Club strongly recommends and advises helmets. Learn how to fit and wear yours properly. If you come along to join a ride without a helmet, the leader of that ride may exercise discretion and not allow you to ride with the club on that occasion. Bright colours are recommended as a dark-clad cyclist may be as good as invisible to a car driver in many circumstances.
In any conditions other than sure-fire good weather, carry a water-proof top. It is better to be too warm than too cold. Gloves/mitts are also essential, as is eye protection. If you fall, your palms need protection.
Take plenty to drink to keep yourself hydrated and carry energy foods either bespoke products, homemade energy bars or items such as bananas. If it is sunny remember you might suffer from sub burn, remember to apply some cream.
If you have ANY doubts about your fitness or health, dont ride until you have seen your doctor for the appropriate checks and been cleared as fit. If you feel unwell on a ride, let people around you know immediately and stop.
A good guide for joining a Newcomers' ride is that you should know from experience that you can comfortably ride a distance of over 20 miles at an average of more than 12mph. For an intermediate ride, you should know that you can ride more than 45 miles at an average close to 15mph. Do not join a ride outside your comfort zone to 'see if you can do it' unless you are absolutely confident in your fitness and ability to cycle home once half way out.
Check your bike and brakes regularly. Put problems right BEFORE you start. Learn how to repair a puncture and always carry appropriate tools: a pump, tyre levers, 2 x spare inner tubes plus other essentials such as lights and a mobile phone (NEVER to be used on-the-move).
Wear a helmet AND bright colours. Kinross Cycling Club strongly recommends and advises helmets. Learn how to fit and wear yours properly. If you come along to join a ride without a helmet, the leader of that ride may exercise discretion and not allow you to ride with the club on that occasion. Bright colours are recommended as a dark-clad cyclist may be as good as invisible to a car driver in many circumstances.
In any conditions other than sure-fire good weather, carry a water-proof top. It is better to be too warm than too cold. Gloves/mitts are also essential, as is eye protection. If you fall, your palms need protection.
Take plenty to drink to keep yourself hydrated and carry energy foods either bespoke products, homemade energy bars or items such as bananas. If it is sunny remember you might suffer from sub burn, remember to apply some cream.
WHILE RIDING
If you are struggling in any way, you MUST let the leader (perhaps via a chain of riders in front of you) know so he can moderate the speed or discuss an easy return route for you, preferably
with a buddy.
Experienced riders will speak up if they see any rider involved in unsafe manoeuvres or careless cycling. If you show yourself unable or unwilling to ride safely, you may be asked to leave the ride.
Riding two abreast in quiet lanes is often OK but you must never aggravate car drivers. Cars will often overtake riders courteously and should be thanked but some may not. Move safely into single file if instructed or if you have any doubts about a car's ability to pass you safely.
DONT brake suddenly in a group if you can avoid it. Watch the road and surface ahead to anticipate, avoid, and warn others of, hazards. Learn from experienced riders how to recognise and point out hazards. Potholes, gravel, oil, branches, debris, pedestrians on the road, parked cars and even bollards can cause accidents if other riders cant see them. It is dangerous to avoid a hazard yourself and not make following riders aware. Hand signals are the best way to advise of oncoming hazards. For example when you come across potholes or debris on the road a hand held out and pointing down toward the street clearly signals to the rider behind you the potential hazard. Shouting sometimes work but is not always as effective due to other road noises.
If you ever start to drop off the back of a group of riders, shout out to make them aware so they can slow the ride down. Likewise, if you see anyone else struggling, let the ride leader and those around you know so the group can slow or stop to assess the situation. Even if the pace is too slow for you, DO NOT zoom off in front or you may get lost and leave a group concerned for you. WAIT at the next junction for the rest of the group and let them know your plans to separate of speed ahead and rejoin later.
Experienced riders will speak up if they see any rider involved in unsafe manoeuvres or careless cycling. If you show yourself unable or unwilling to ride safely, you may be asked to leave the ride.
Riding two abreast in quiet lanes is often OK but you must never aggravate car drivers. Cars will often overtake riders courteously and should be thanked but some may not. Move safely into single file if instructed or if you have any doubts about a car's ability to pass you safely.
DONT brake suddenly in a group if you can avoid it. Watch the road and surface ahead to anticipate, avoid, and warn others of, hazards. Learn from experienced riders how to recognise and point out hazards. Potholes, gravel, oil, branches, debris, pedestrians on the road, parked cars and even bollards can cause accidents if other riders cant see them. It is dangerous to avoid a hazard yourself and not make following riders aware. Hand signals are the best way to advise of oncoming hazards. For example when you come across potholes or debris on the road a hand held out and pointing down toward the street clearly signals to the rider behind you the potential hazard. Shouting sometimes work but is not always as effective due to other road noises.
If you ever start to drop off the back of a group of riders, shout out to make them aware so they can slow the ride down. Likewise, if you see anyone else struggling, let the ride leader and those around you know so the group can slow or stop to assess the situation. Even if the pace is too slow for you, DO NOT zoom off in front or you may get lost and leave a group concerned for you. WAIT at the next junction for the rest of the group and let them know your plans to separate of speed ahead and rejoin later.
AFTER YOUR RIDE
Check your bike again. Any noises? Tyre pressure OK? Does it need oil? Don't wait until next time you are about to start a ride.
Assess how you coped with the ride you have just done. Were you uncomfortable about any aspect of the ride? If so, speak to the co-ordinator of the ride or other experienced riders and discuss issues with them.
Allow yourself time to recover and eat/drink sensibly so you are in the best condition next time you venture out.
Please note: these are guidelines for your safety and the safety of others in the group. They are neither comprehensive nor set in stone. Good riders learn how to maintain and handle their bike well applying commonsense all the time to protect their safety and that of others.
Kinross Cycling Club carries out a full risk assessment each year - This includes many of the potential hazards and dangers for road cyclists and ways of mitigating these. If you believe there are any dangers we have not considered or addressed, please get in touch via the contact form on this website.
Assess how you coped with the ride you have just done. Were you uncomfortable about any aspect of the ride? If so, speak to the co-ordinator of the ride or other experienced riders and discuss issues with them.
Allow yourself time to recover and eat/drink sensibly so you are in the best condition next time you venture out.
Please note: these are guidelines for your safety and the safety of others in the group. They are neither comprehensive nor set in stone. Good riders learn how to maintain and handle their bike well applying commonsense all the time to protect their safety and that of others.
Kinross Cycling Club carries out a full risk assessment each year - This includes many of the potential hazards and dangers for road cyclists and ways of mitigating these. If you believe there are any dangers we have not considered or addressed, please get in touch via the contact form on this website.
