Group Riding Guide
Riding in a group is fun and rewarding provided some basic guidelines are followed. If you are new to riding in a group or just visiting the area, please note some basic below.
Introduction
This Rider Guide has been developed in an attempt to create a safe, social and responsible cycling etiquette in the Douglas Shire Region. The Club encourages not only it’s members to adhere to these guidelines, but also non-members and visiting cyclists to take note of the “local way” and use the same signals, calls and behaviour in order to maintain consistency in group rides and interactions with other road users.
This guide therefore refers not only to organised club rides but also casual rides organised by members, non-members and visiting riders. The terms “rides” and “group rides” in this guide are used to encompass both organised Club ride or casual non-club organised rides.
General Guide
Whilst legal to ride two abreast, the Group Rides always ride single file when on the Cpt Cook Highway. Once off the Highway, many roads allow riding two abreast, but stay aware of other traffic and be prepared to revert to single file if we may hinder traffic flow in any way. Generally it is polite and helpful to ride in single file when traffic is behind the peloton.
Peloton riding and the differing abilities of each rider, means accelerations and decelerations are exaggerated; leaving about a metre between you and the rider in front helps allow for this. In addition, limiting your own accelerations and decelerations can avoid the need to surge or brake suddenly; a key aspect of peloton riding and avoiding the danger of ‘half-wheeling’.
If you’re at the front and want the following rider to take the lead, ease to the left and signal for the next rider to move through, by ”wiggling” your right elbow (see below for common signals). Once you have moved over, ease off the pace to allow the rest of the peloton to pass you on the right without the need to accelerate.
As you reach for your water bottle, you will probably slow down slightly; it’s good practice to hold the water bottle out to the side so that riders further behind are aware.
Don’t overlap the rear wheel (‘half-wheeling’) of the rider in front of you and don’t pass or creep up on the inside. If you find yourself doing this, alert the rider in front where you are (eg call “on your left”).
Local Rides
Most Club and non-club rides in the area would be regarded as ‘social’ or non-competitive. There are regular rides arranged by local riders occurring most weeks. Times and arrangements may vary, therefore its advisable to contact either one of the club members via the contact link on the Club website (www.rrcclub.com.au) or get in touch with the local bike shop who would be able to provide updated information.
Peloton do’s and don’ts
Do: ride smoothly and predictably
Don’t: swerve, surge, or brake suddenly.
Don’t: ride too close to the wheel in front of you
Don’t: overlap your wheel with the wheel ahead of you.
Do: Stay attentive and keep your hands where you can quickly access the brakes.
Don’t: use aerobars unless on the front of the peloton nor use positions that compromise control.
Don’t: brake while turning at intersections. Correct your speed before entering the turn. Speed up on exit
Do: Maintain speed when taking the lead of the peloton - don’t accelerate immediately
New Members or Visitors
When a new member or visitor rides with the group, an experienced local rider should briefly chat with them to confirm their level of confidence and experience and advise them of the expected route, speeds and the protocols in this document. If the rider has hired a bike locally, they are likely to have been provided with a Visitor Guide that contains much of this information.
Communication.
Standard hand signals and verbal instructions are used to alert the peloton to road hazards, other road users, Peloton speed etc. Members should pass these instructions or warnings up or down the group.
Advisory Calls
These are generally used when the peloton is about to turn at a road junction. As the group approaches the turn, the rearmost rider must look behind them for traffic; do not rely solely on any radar device. If the road is clear, the rider should call CLEAR (the call can be repeated by others further forward, particularly in a large peloton) and move into the centre of the lane. The leading rider should signal a turn and move to the RHS of the lane or into the turning lane and the remainder of the peloton should promptly follow them.
Most riders will also look behind before they move to the right and may repeat the CLEAR call.
If there is traffic behind the peloton that prevents the group moving to the right, the rearmost rider should call CAR BACK and remain in position. Once the traffic has passed and the road is clear, the rearmost rider should then call CLEAR as before.
The meaning of these calls are important and for that reason, riders are encouraged to call CLEAR or CAR BACK. The phrase CLEAR BACK should not be used as it may be confusing as some riders hear only the word BACK, leading to uncertainty whether traffic is approaching.
Alerting Calls
BIKE/CAR/WALKER UP A vehicle or pedestrian is approaching the front of the group.
CLEAR No conflicting traffic is approaching. Riders may caveat the call with the word RIGHT or LEFT, particularly at roundabouts, but please note the issue discussed earlier around car back and clear back.
The above calls should be used when the advice is pertinent to the safety of the peloton. As an example, calls alerting the group to a car back when not near an intersection should only be used if a dangerous situation may be developing (eg. a rider ahead has drifted into the lane).
Other Calls and signals.
SLOWING The rider is slowing down; potential hazard or obstruction ahead.
ROAD OBSTRUCTION (Point to where the obstruction is)
This signal may be used to point out various types of obstructions including holes, debris, water, rocks, sudden road narrowing
Calling “ON YOUR RIGHT”: The rider behind you is passing on your right
Calling “ON YOUR LEFT” The rider behind has a slight overtake and is alerting you to where they are.
TAKE OVER THE LEAD
Wiggle the right elbow and ease to the left to indicate the rider behind should come past. Ease off the pace slightly to enable the ride behind to pass without accelerating