250 likes | 476 Views
Cycling Safely and Group Ride Etiquette. Cycling Safely and Group Ride Etiquette. Group Ride Overview and Benefits Group Ride Etiquette General Safety Guidelines Area Group Rides Questions / Answers. Cycling Safely and Group Ride Etiquette Group Ride Overview and Benefits.
E N D
Cycling Safely andGroup Ride Etiquette Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride Etiquette • Group Ride Overview and Benefits • Group Ride Etiquette • General Safety Guidelines • Area Group Rides • Questions / Answers Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Overview and Benefits Why do cyclists ride in groups? • Safety and visibility • Camaraderie / fun / fellowship • “Pushes” you to improve • Mechanical assistance • Racing is done in large groups • “Touring” is done in large groups Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Overview and Benefits Misperceptions about group riding: • Isn’t drafting “cheating?” • Aren’t I more likely to be involved in an accident in a group setting? • Don’t groups generally “frown” upon new riders joining the group? • What if I can’t “hold” the advertised group ride pace? • As a triathlete, isn’t group riding counterproductive to my training? Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Overview and Benefits Bottom line benefits to group riding: • Pick the right groups and you WILL improve your performance • You’ll definitely become a more knowledgeable and safer rider • Groups are visible! • You’ll be fully-prepared for mass organized rides • You’ll meet new friends Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Maintain a group-rider “mentality” • YOU are responsible for the stream of riders behind you • Stay cool, calm, relaxed and observant • Be predictable. No sudden movements! • Pedal smoothly and in a straight line (“hold your line”) • Look “through” the rider in front of you Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette General group ride guidelines: • Pick the right group ride for you • Observe and follow group “protocol” • Pace / speed limits • Single vs. double paceline • Rotation • Respect the ride start time • Respect the designated ride marshal(s) Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette General group ride guidelines: • Be prepared, but be willing to share • Never ride on your aerobars in a paceline • Hands ALWAYS on your bars • Ride no more than two abreast • Minimize “gaps” Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Group ride communication etiquette: • Use hand signals to indicate: • Turns • Slowing • Stopping • Road hazards • Runners, riders • Flats Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Group ride communication etiquette: • Use clear and audible verbal warnings: • Turns • Slowing / stopping • “Heads up” to hazards / traffic • “Runner up,” “rider up” • Traffic circumstances • “Car up” • “Car back” • “Car left”, “Car right” • “Clear!” Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Group ride “positioning” etiquette: • Pulling • Pulling off and drifting back • Pulling through; smooth acceleration • Re-entering the paceline • Calling in • Sitting in • Off the back Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Getting “dropped” in a group ride: • Happens to everyone • Know the course, sprint zones, and short-cuts • Minimize your chances: • Avoid “red-zone” pulls • Know your limits • Keep gaps closed • Watch for gaps ahead of you • Stay “tight” in corners • Avoid drifting back too slowly • Understand the “accordion effect” Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette Other group ride safety tips: • Touching wheels • “Soft”, controlled breaking • Entering corners and turns • Handling a flat tire or mechanical mishaps • Over-taking a runner or slower bike • Out-of-the-saddle considerations • Eating and drinking in the paceline • Avoid looking back in the paceline Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGeneral Safety General ride safety tips: • Properly-fitted helmet, positioned FORWARD • Glasses, regardless of conditions • Gloves • Lights, front and rear • Mechanical supplies • Speedometer in group rides • Quick inspection weekly • Food, water, cell phone Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteGroup Ride Etiquette and General Safety Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteArea Group Rides Ride Information Sources: • Naples Velo “flyers” • NaplesVelo.com • Local area shop flyers Choose a ride consistent with your ability: • Pace/speed • Distance Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteArea Group Rides “Beginner” ride: • Monday 6:15pm, the Bike Route Easy / recover pace rides: • Monday, 6:15pm, the Bike Route • Monday, 7:00am, the Beanery • Tuesday, 6:30pm, Naples Cyclery, B ride • Thursday, 6:30pm, Naples Cyclery, B ride Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteArea Group Rides Moderate / tempo rides: • Wednesday, 7am, the Beanery • Friday, 7am, the Beanery • Saturday, 7:30am, 5th Ave. parking garage • Sunday, 8am, Lowdermilk Park Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteArea Group Rides Fast, “race-pace,” no speed limit rides: • Tuesday, 7am, the Beanery • Tuesday, 6:30pm, Naples Cyclery, A ride • Thursday, 6:30pm, Naples Cyclery, A ride • Saturday, 7am, the Beanery (North, South) • Sunday, 7am, the Beanery Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteArea Group Rides Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Naples Velo
Cycling Safely and Group Ride EtiquetteFinal Thoughts Observe, learn and become a role model Blend group riding with solo riding efforts Step out of your comfort zone, introduce yourself Get stronger and enhance your cycling performance Naples Velo