Ride Leader Pre-Ride Instructions

• Share route’s known road hazards (crossroads at bottom of hills, expected auto traffic, fallen branches, potholes, road debris, etc.)
• State if ride is a drop or no-drop ride 
• State if there will be regrouping at hilltops
• NEVER announce Clear at intersections or turns; each rider must satisfy one’s self that it’s safe to proceed
• Announce clearly when experiencing flat or mechanical problem 
  o    Warn other riders you need to pull over and stop
  o    Pull off road to safe spot when stopping
  o    Pull off road to safe spot when assisting 
• Announce road hazards with loud and simple words  (Hole, Glass, Road Kill, etc.)
• Repeat road hazard announcements so riders behind will hear 
• Keep safe braking distance within group 
• Avoid overlapping/crossing tires
• Allow for gap so passing cars from rear can safely avoid oncoming cars (and not have to swerve into riders) on single lane roads or with large groups
• Do no not brake and do maintain speed if accidentally unclipped; clip back in when able
• Stay alert and attentive always

Ride Group Best Practices

• Strive to ride smoothly and predictably
• Maintain proper line during turns
• Lower speed, but may ride through stop signs when clear in State of Delaware (currently Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania do not have cyclist stop sign yield laws)
• Stop or slow until all riders can catch up—when group is split due to red light
• Use hand signals (Slow/Stop—Hand down; Turns—Point in direction headed; Move Over—Wave hand behind back; Road Hazard—Point down at hazard)
• Use voice for emphasis if necessary (Slowing, Stopping, Right Turn, Left Turn, Obstruction onRight, etc.) 
• Pass signals throughout line to warn entire group
• Announce Car Up, Car Right or Car Left to safeguard group
• Announce Car Back; riders should repeat announcement so entire group hears and understands to:

     o   Move immediately to right in single file
  o   Enable other riders to merge right by allowing space