Guidelines for Route Masters

GUIDELINES FOR ROUTE MASTERS

Plan your route before leaving home and ensure the roads will be suitable for the weather conditions.
As a route master you should arrive at least 15 minutes early so that there is someone to welcome new riders.
Appoint an experienced rider as a back marker at the start of the ride and have regular contact with them throughout the ride.
Count number of riders for your group. The optimum group number is 14 please use your discretion and common sense when splitting the group size, if there is a need to split the group in two and find a competent member to lead one of the groups. Set the groups off with a reasonable time gap on the same route
Ensure your riders know they must observe all rules of the road and assure them that you will wait if the group gets split at junctions or traffic lights. They must not just follow the group out from a side road or go through a red traffic light.
Lead assertively and at the advertised speed of the ride. Don’t let stronger riders force the pace. If riders want to go faster than the advertised speed they should leave the ride and join a stronger one next week.
Ride no more than two abreast and single out when requested by the route master or back marker. The rider on the outside drops behind the rider on the inside.
The route master should attempt to keep the group together on the flat and regroup at the top and bottom of hills.
Be familiar with your route and warn riders, especially new or inexperienced riders, about tricky descents especially in wet weather. Also warn about pot holes, poor road surfacing and excess mud.
If the back marker does not appear within a few minutes at a regrouping point, retrace your steps to find them – there could have been an accident or mechanical.
Riders who go on ahead up the hills should be told to wait at the top to regroup. Please allow the last riders to catch their breath and take a drink when they get to the top of hills. Have regular stops to regroup, if necessary.
Overtake stationary or slow moving traffic on the outside where possible and don’t weave in and out of the vehicles.
Walk away from arguments with other road users but where possible take the registration number of dangerous drivers and report incidents to the police.
Inform new riders about rider etiquette, ie not riding up the inside of riders.
In the event of an accident/incident requiring emergency services, appoint another rider to lead the group back (if they are familiar with the route) and stay with the casualty, keeping as many other riders with you as you need.
Some cafés like to be alerted about large numbers turning up so please be polite and ring your venue the day before and let them know. This can also be useful for finding out if some of the larger venues have any special events and will be really busy
Please report any issues or concerns to the club info@middevon.cc
Please acknowledge other riders on the road with either a wave or a nod and a smile. It is important that MDCC is seen as a friendly club that sets a standard. Also remember that the other cyclists may also be club members or potential club members. This also sets a good example to our younger riders about how to behave on the road
Please note all riders ride at their own risk and the club accepts no liability for your personal safety.
Riders are advised that if they have sustained a recent head injury, they should seek medical advice before participating in any organised Club activity