• The group offers regular rides for all standards of cyclists and all types of bikes (including ebikes).
• Our rides vary in length, pace and ascent from short social rides to faster and longer rides for slightly more adventurous members, they all include a coffee stop and are quite social occasions! 
• Rides are arranged for Tuesdays and Thursdays and there are usually two or three rides to choose from. Members volunteer to lead rides and they are all advertised on our calendar (see below). 
• We rely on our members to offer to lead rides and we encourage new members to volunteer to eventually become a leader - but only if they feel confident to do so.
• All applications to join and any queries should be made by phone (07922 106576) or email (dalederer@hotmail.com) to the convenor. The group welcomes riders from other u3a groups -please contact the convenor.  All riders must be a u3a member but newcomers can join us for a trial ride before joining if they wish.
• We encourage cyclists to wear a helmet, and high-visibility clothing.
• Please scroll down to see our levels of rides, rides calendar, riding etiquette and full risk assessment. 

Our Rides

We organise our rides in a series of levels, so everyone knows what to expect.

Level 1 – Short, up to 20 miles at a gentle pace (c.8-10mph) with few, if any, hills. May include some good quality tracks. coffee stop included!

Level 2 – Medium rides of 20 -30 miles at a relaxed pace (10-12mph). May incorporate some minor ascent (<300m) May include some good quality tracks. Coffee stop included.

Level 3 – Slightly longer 30-35 miles and a little faster (11-12mph) rides. May include some moderate ascent (200-400m) and some good quality tracks. Coffee stop included.

Level 4 – Longer (40-60 miles) and faster rides (13-14 mph ). Mostly flat but may incorporate some moderate ascent (300-600m). Coffee stop included and again, there might be some tracks but, if so, notification will be made. 

Level 5 – Longer (40 -60 +miles), faster (13-14+mph), and including some significant ascent (800-1500m). Coffee stop included. If any tracks involved notification will be made.

Members are free to join any ride if they feel confident to do so and we encourage members to chop and change between levels if they wish.

Calendar

There are some “rules of the cycling road“ that we expect all members to follow. This will ensure that we all have a safe and well-structured ride.

1. Always wear a helmet and hi-vis or at least, bright clothing. 
2. Never undertake on the left of other riders – they may need to veer left suddenly.
3. Please stay behind the leader at all times apart from climbing a hill where you should go at your own pace but wait at the top for everyone to catch up.
4. Be aware that you are responsible for your own safety. Never cycle so close to other riders that you cannot spot the many potholes that we encounter every day.
5. If you are following two riders cycling abreast always allow space for the outside rider to come back to the left if he/she needs to.
6. We ride in groups of up to 8. This can mean that if everyone is cycling behind each other (with enough room to spot potholes!) the length of the peloton is too long for traffic to overtake. Please ensure that there are never more than 4 riders in a line. Rider number 5 should leave at least a four-car length gap to allow cars to overtake in two stages.
7. Forming up line-abreast at a junction to turn either left or right can lead to a scramble when the way is clear. Please remain in a toe to tail line.
8. Always carry a first aid kit and, at least, a spare inner tube for your bike. There is usually (but not always!) a willing fellow cyclist who has a tool kit, pump and experience of mending a puncture, but he/she may not have a suitable inner tube for your bike. Be prepared to take a taxi or call for help if mechanical issues cannot be rectified at the roadside.
9. The leader cannot guarantee a return time. If a rider needs to be home for a certain time he/she must take responsibility themselves and leave the ride early if necessary.
10. In being a member of the group, you agree to ensure that your contact and emergency contact details are up to date and to them being shared with ride leaders.

ROLE OF RIDE LEADER

Please remember that our ride leaders are all volunteers and are just members of our group. They are not responsible for your safety – You are!! Please be forgiving if wrong turns are made or they are unable to mend your puncture or provide you with an Elastoplast for your cut finger.

1. Their first duty is to upload to the calendar (or ask the convenor or friend to do so) the details of the ride they are offering with as much early notice as possible. Such details include the level of ride (see above), length, pace, estimate of height gain and whether any off road tracks are involved. 

2. Secondly, the ride leader should email the whole group (using the latest email list provided by the convenor) with details of their ride a few days before the date requesting those who wish to join to reply. They may request offers for a second leader if numbers exceed 8. The ride will close once 8 (or 16 if two groups) have responded. If numbers are large then consideration must be made as to the capacity of the chosen coffee stop and, perhaps, booking ahead may be appropriate.

3. The leader should carry a list of all his/her rider’s emergency contact details.  In this regard, the convenor will issue all leaders with a complete list of the whole group’s emergency numbers.  

4. If the numbers exceed 6 the leader should appoint a backstop to ensure no rider gets left behind. During the ride the leader should regularly ensure all his riders are still following!

5. At the start of the ride the leader should make riders aware of any specific known steep hills, dangerous junctions or poor road conditions.

IN ALL CASES THE RIDER IS ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.

Risk assessments

Risk Assessment

No.	Hazard	Control Measures
1.	Rider's equipment	Riders should regularly ensure their bikes for safety including efficiency of brakes, tyres, pedals, steering and all nuts and bolts.
2.	Rider's health, fitness and competence	Riders should ensure they have the appropriate level of fitness, stamina and competence for the ride that they wish to join. Where necessary many rides include short distances on busy main roads and riders must be confident to deal with this. Riders should carry sufficient water to remain hydrated.
3.	Road and track conditions	Our roads contain many potholes which present danger to cyclists. The leader may point out potholes, but it is the individual's duty to constantly watch out for these. Potholes are the most common cause of cycling accidents. The danger can be worse on unpaved tracks.
4.	Other riders	Another major cause of accidents is cyclists crashing into one another. Such accidents may be reduced by being careful and considerate and by following our guide to rider's etiquette (see above).
5.	In case of accident	The rider should ensure their helmet is in good condition and consider wearing cycling gloves to protect hands in case of a fall. All members should carry with them a first aid kit- including sunscreen in summer.