Becoming a ride leader

• You don’t have to be a highly experienced rider & know lots of routes to become a ride leader.

• See full guidance for ride leaders on Cycling UK Website, in linked article: (In particular, see the Leaders Standards Handbook) https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/ride-leaders-toolkit

• Should you be interested in leading rides & require some assistance please speak to a committee member or ride leaders for their guidance.

• See the website & the members Facebook group for ride routes / GPX files or ask other ride leaders.

• Ride Leaders are covered by the Cycling UK Insurance. This covers you for liability whilst acting on behalf of the club but does not cover personal injury. This does not cover riders that are not leading the ride. In order to be covered by this insurance, the ride must be advertised beforehand on the DRR official channels (the Wednesday night Wobble and Saturday Social are covered as they are always in the calendar so no need to create a separate ride for these). You must be a paid up member of the club in order to be covered by this insurance.

 

Advertising Rides

• Rides should be advertised either in the ride calendar on the DRR website or in the DRR private members Facebook group (or both).

• Ideally include the following information: Starting point, type of ride, ride difficulty, rough distance, any other useful information such as parking, will there be stops for snacks or should riders bring snacks along.

 
Before The Ride

• Work out a route your group is likely to enjoy, taking into account: distance; terrain; traffic; refreshments; toilets; points of interest; weather; ability of the riders; and any other factors.

• If possible, ride the route beforehand, ideally near to the date of the event, and point out any specific hazards or details at the start. Provide an alternative route where appropriate.

• Plan routes away from busy roads / trails where possible. Explain road etiquette or specific difficult sections in advance, whilst emphasizing riders are responsible for their own safety at all times.

• Be prepared to vary the ride if any of these change.

• Decide how you will navigate: GPS (Garmin, plotaroute, OutDoorActive (OS maps), Strava for trail planning.), maps, local knowledge, or a combination of all of these?

• Advertise your ride.

• For social / wobble rides, where there is likely to be a selection of different rides, each leader to describe pace, distance, direction, technicality etc of their ride so riders can choose the most appropriate ride for themselves.

• If the group is too large or too wide a range of skills, consider splitting the group into 2 groups. Ideally no more than 15.

• If leading a technical ride, ensure all riders have suitable bikes and the necessary equipment, such as a dropper post.

• If adverse weather is forecast, riders should be warned before the start about such conditions. If extreme weather is forecast, organisers should consider cancelling the event and informing riders in adequate time.

 
What To Bring

• Maps or GPS unit.

• Selection of small tools, pump, inner tubes, tyre levers, puncture repair kit.

• Mobile phone, fully charged.

• Cards or coins for phone box – in some areas there may be no signal.

• First aid kit? [Question: Should these be provided by the club?]

• Ride Leader does not need to be first aid qualified but would be useful to carry a first aid kit (not mandatory). You should be first aid qualified to administer first aid. [Question: What if there is no one qualified?]

 
At The Beginning Of The Ride

• Find out the names of everyone on your ride – not just for insurance purposes but it’s also friendlier. Ask riders to complete a Signing On Sheet so you know who's on the ride and have a note of their In Case of Emergency contact details. [Question: how should this be handled?]

• Take a head count at the beginning of the ride and check at various key points along the ride that all riders are still present. Ensure no rider is left behind.

• Enlist the help of any experienced riders to keep an eye on newer riders; act as back markers; lead a second group; or even act as ‘human signposts'; at junctions or gates.

• Explain how you will lead the ride: any jargon and hand signals you might use; when and where you will wait for stragglers; how you will deal with traffic and so on but remind each rider they are responsible for their own safety.

• Any riders under 18 years of age should be accompanied by a parent / responsible adult.

 
During The Ride

• Keep the ride flowing smoothly but do stop occasionally and give stragglers a rest before restarting.

• Point out any likely hazards in advance. In the unlikely event of a collision or other incident on the ride, please complete an Accident/Incident Report form as soon as possible. See website for details.

• Avoid blocking roads and trails – choose stopping points carefully.

• Keep an eye on pace - if the group is fragmenting then slow the pace.

• You should lead by example and remain courteous and considerate to all road users and fellow riders.

• You have a duty of care to the riders and the public, so if you think someone may endanger themselves or others, have a quiet word; if their behaviour persists, you are entitled to ask them to leave the ride.

• Should an incident occur during the ride then follow the club's incident policy. See Incident Policy under the About Us section of the club website.

• Call Riders out for overtaking the ride leader. If riders overtake and go the wrong way then it’s their fault.Ensure anyone who wishes to leave the ride is happy to make their own way home.

 
??? At The End Of The Ride

• ???

It is not your responsibility to:

• Make a decision on when to cross a road or junction on someone else’s behalf

• Decide if someone is well enough to join a ride (this is down to the individual and their doctor) unless they pose a danger to either themselves or others.