How we ride

Members are provided with a comprehensive manual to help them enjoy safe cycling and understand our expectations whilst riding. We also seek to achieve high standards of behaviour from members.

To provide a little more information what follows is an outline of the rules and processes we adopt. In truth these are not only for our own benefit but for those other road users who sometimes find us a little irritating. We have a good reputation amongst the wider community of Thame and hope to maintain that into the future.

 

• The ride leader will set the tone (and the pace!) of the ride and will provide a briefing at the beginning of that ride. He or she will ensure riders are riding (single or double, never more) in a safe and consistent manner.
• The ride leader is responsible for everyone’s safety and it is therefore important that their authority (sparingly applied) is accepted.
• The rider at the front is responsible for setting the pace. If we are riding double the front left rider takes that role. Such a position requires an awareness of the agreed ride pace and the ability of all riders to maintain it.
• All riders have a responsibility to ride as requested and take care with their own cycling. The Highway Code is the basis on which we operate.
• Each ride group is limited to 10 riders and this may mean that sometimes all the riders cannot be accommodated or we split into more than one group. It is very rare that a rider misses out on a ride.
• We use various signs to indicate poor road surfaces, obstructions or other hazards. All riders should participate in this “early warning system”. It is also particularly important to notify the ride leader if a cyclist is struggling to keep up or suffers a mechanical. It is worth repeating that we never leave anyone behind.
• Riders often leave the ride before its conclusion, e.g. to go a quicker way home. The ride leader must be informed so they do not have to mount a search party!
• We hope to foster an atmosphere of mutual respect to others within the club and those we encounter on our rides. We, as a club, will respond to criticism from those outside of our club. As importantly we take very seriously, and will deal with, any activity by members which amounts to harassment, discrimination, bullying or other inappropriate behaviour.