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