Who: Rides are led by most members of our group. The leader plans and helps others navigate the route. Everyone is encouraged to lead rides.
How: The ride leader’s role is to plan and promote the ride, to guide the group, and to the best of their abilities to give advance notice of obvious risks such as fast roads or junctions, and to adjust the pace of the ride so all riders can keep up.
Where: Country lanes and cycle paths where possible to avoid motorised traffic.
Normally start from one of our three main departure points, Two Tunnels portrait bench, Batheaston car park, or the start of the Bath to Bristol cycle path, usually at 9:45.
Route planning: cycle.travel is one good resource many of us use to produce routes which can be shared with the group. Stuck for a route? Try our Ride Route Archive.
Café: Will it seat enough people? Do you need to check it out or phone them in advance?
Publicising the ride: Use the website and WhatsApp group
Website: Once you have agreed to lead a ride on a future date:
1. Click on 'Events calendar'.
2. Login with your password
3. Scroll down and click ‘Add an event’
4. 'Title and description': Enter a short outline of the ride
5. 'Date' - select from drop down list
6. Scroll down and click OK
WhatsApp group: A few days before the ride, post details, preferably with a link to a cycle.travel map. Alternatively, post a ‘gpx’ file of the route.
Request a ‘thumbs up’ from anyone intending to come to gauge numbers.
Maximum number of riders: If numbers exceed 15, ask another member to act as second ride leader either in advance or on the day. The two groups should set off at least 10 minutes apart. If the second group catches the first group, the ride leader should stop to allow the leading group to get well in front.
Backmarker: With large groups, ask a volunteer to be backmarker to make sure no one is left behind.
Busy or fast sections of road: Break the group into smaller separate groups of 4 or 5 so cars can easily overtake.
Rest stops: Stop periodically to let everyone catch up. Always stop well away from junctions and pull off the road if possible, and never block the carriageway.
Weather: If you consider weather conditions are unsafe, cancel or postpone - including on the ride day if required. Notify members using the WhatsApp Group.