Definitions
- No drop: Group stays together entire ride, leaving no one behind.
- Casual pace (15 mph): Social ride, low intensity.
- Endurance pace (20+ mph): Moderate intensities sustainable for long
distances (50 or more miles). Drafting and comfort with pack
riding is recommended.
- Race training pace (23+ mph): High intensity riding. All out
climbing and attacking possible. Hard tempo paceline riding most of
ride.
- Cross ride: A blend of pavement and gravel riding. Sturdy road tires
or cyclocross tires needed.
- Ice ride: Snow and ice riding. Studded tires recommended.
Procedure
- A group leader will be assigned in advance, and is responsible for
planning and posting the scheduled route and the anticipated total time.
- Rides depart promptly at 5 minutes after the scheduled time.
- Members are responsible for communicating when riders are dropped
during NO DROP rides, to ensure everyone stays together.
- What to bring: nutrients (at least 1 bar or gel per hour),
water (1 bottle for each hour), spare tube, multi-tool, pump.
- What to wear: See
clothing matrix.
Safety
- Avoid any sudden movements like swerving, braking, or standing to
pedal. In general, keep a steady pace along a straight path on the
road. This is very important for safety.
- Point out dangerous conditions in the road like potholes, gravel,
debris, and glass. Use your arm to the side to point out where the
object will be and ease over to lead followers safely by.
- Communicate both verbally and with hand signals: "right turn!" & arm
extended right or left arm with elbow bent; "left turn!" & left arm
extended out; "slowing!" (hand down facing back); "stopping!" (same hand
signal as slowing); and "car up" or "car back" to indicate auto traffic.
Similar "up" and "back" signals can be used for dogs, pedestrians, and
other riders.
- If you are uncomfortable riding in a pack, ride at the back and
allow others to pull in front of you. Stay as close as comfortably
possible to the rider in front of you to gain a draft advantage.
- Avoid crossing wheels during drafting, unless you are 100%
comfortable with the rider.
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updated
November 29, 2007 10:20:41 PM