With The Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep - KDCS offers an exciting selection of cycle rides throughout the local area and beyond. There are social gatherings including slide shows, talks and supper evenings and members are kept up to date with cycling news and issues through this web site, emails and our Facebook pages. KDCS are an affiliated group of Cycling UK.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

CODE OF CONDUCT – FOR RIDERS AND RIDE LEADERS

This year has seen the relaunch of the Kendal and District Cycling Scene and one of our priorities is to ensure that we are able to arrange a full programme of rides for members and guests to take part in. Whilst Peter Raffle is the rides programme co-ordinator KDCS relies on volunteer ride leaders to actually plan and organise the specific events. Brief details of each ride are provided in the rides list but it is very much down to the ride leader on the day to ensure that arrangements go to plan. These rides have been successfully taking place for a number of years now and whilst it is very rare for things to go wrong it is essential that all leaders and riders conduct themselves in a responsible fashion. This is for the safety of everyone and will ensure that all those taking part have an enjoyable day.

It is not our intention to overburden you with rules and regulations. However attached below are a few basic principles of decency, manners and common sense that have been used by club cyclists for over 100 years and if adhered to will help to ensure that KDCS rides continue to be a success. Please take a few moments to read over them before you set off. If you have any concerns or have difficulty understanding what they mean the ride leader will be happy to assist you. Have a good day out and enjoy yourself.


ADVICE FOR ALL RIDERS

  1. Ensure your bike is roadworthy, is kept in reasonable repair and when appropriate carry lights.

  2. Carry a simple tool kit /spare inner tube that will allow you to fix common problems such as punctures, loose fittings etc.

  3. Dress appropriately and be prepared for inclement weather by carrying waterproof clothing. Although not compulsory wearing an approved helmet of the correct size can reduce head contact injuries.

  4. Although club runs generally have coffee / lunch stops at cafes / pubs you may wish to carry a drink / snack with you.

  5. If you feel unwell or suffer mechanical problems please advise the ride leader as soon as possible. Please don’t suffer in silence.

  6. Don’t ride more than two abreast unless overtaking and be prepared to change to single file when traffic is approaching or if the ride leader advises you to do so.

  7. Try to ride smoothly, keep a reasonable distance from the rider in front and avoid braking without warning.

  8. Shout warnings and signal other riders if you see danger ahead. Be prepared to stop safely.

  9. Should the group be split please be prepared to slow down or find a safe place to stop in order to allow the group to reform.

  10. If you wish to leave the group please inform the ride leader as you may end up being treated as a missing person and inconvenience others.

  11. Take care on lanes, look and listen and be careful when approaching bends / blind corners.

  12. Do not overtake the ride leader unless he directs you to do so.

  13. Be courteous to other road users.


ADVICE FOR RIDE LEADERS


  1. When planning rides where possible chose a route which avoids main roads, ensure you are familiar with the route including the location of coffee and lunch stops, toilets etc. making sure they are open. Identify any points of interest and have in mind the distance you intend travelling and the approximate timings for stops etc.

  2. Ensure that riders / bikes do not cause an obstruction at the meeting point. Appoint a back marker who should be given details of the route, stops etc.

  3. Before the start of the ride, introduce yourself and any back markers, welcome any newcomers and provide brief details of the intended route, refreshment stops etc.

  4. Once underway be prepared to warn riders of any difficulties ahead including dangerous road surfaces, traffic problems, obstructions and hazards, horses, difficult road junctions etc.

  5. Be prepared to deal with any unexpected emergencies, breakdowns etc. and remember to travel at a pace that considers the less experienced or slower rider. This may entail asking a rider to wait at junctions for slower riders to ensure no one is left behind.

  6. Carry spare tubes, repair kit, coins / card for the public phone or a mobile phone if available.

Steve Warner

Membership secretary

Friday, July 07, 2006

CYCLING ETIQUETTE - A GENERAL GUIDE

Ever wanted to know what the Tour-de-France riders are saying to each other as they pedal gently through the undulating Pyrenees?

Well, read on!

When you hear (or say) This: It Means:

OTHER ROAD USERS APPROACHING

“CAR UP” (yer bum!) Car coming up from behind - shouted to people in front of you.
“CAR DOWN” (yer throat!) Car approaching from ahead - shouted to people behind you.
“OIL UP/DOWN” Lorry version of Car Up and Car Down.
“HORSE UP/DOWN” Horse version of Car Up and Car Down.
“SINGLE OUT” Form a single file to make it easier for another vehicle to pass or to pass another obstacle.

OBSTRUCTIONS

“ON THE LEFT” Shouted by leading riders. The group is approaching an obstruction on the left - could be a walker, animal, or approaching rider.
“ON THE RIGHT” Like ON THE LEFT - but the other side!

THINGS TO AVOID RUNNING OVER

“POTHOLES” Pothole below - wave your hand over it, to alert following riders.
“GLASS” Glass below - wave your hand over it, to alert following riders.
“BELOW” Like pothole or glass, if you can’t think of the right word.

OVERTAKING OTHER RIDERS

“ON THE INSIDE” If you are about to overtake another cyclist, shout this if you are going to pass on the inside (i.e. the nearside, left in this country). If you hear this, let the other rider(s) pass.
“ON THE OUTSIDE” If you are about to overtake another cyclist, shout this if you are going to pass on the outside (i.e. the offside, right in this country). If you hear this, let the other rider(s) pass.

AT ROAD JUNCTIONS

“CAR LEFT” Beware - a vehicle is approaching from the LEFT.
“CAR RIGHT” Beware - a vehicle is approaching from the RIGHT.
“CLEAR” OK to carry-on - but ALWAYS LOOK just-in-case !
“GOING LEFT/RIGHT” Ride leader talking to someone alongside, who may not be able to see a hand signal.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

“PUNCTURE” Shout this in case of any type of breakdown - passed up the line, the ride leader will get the message!
“EASY” Shouted by riders who are being left behind by the ride leader, OR by person in front if he is slowing down.
“STOPPING” Shouted by riders who are stopping - so riders in front AND behind know you are stopping. DON’T FORGET to listen-out for this one.
“OFF THE BACK”Rider in e.g. the middle of the group, shouts ahead to ride leader on realising that someone is being left behind.

HINTS FOR RIDE LEADERS

Keep an eye - and ear - open for what’s going on behind you - if you keep hearing things like “EASY” and “OFF THE BACK” - slow the pace down a little!

Ask someone who looks conspicuous to ride at the back - preferable slightly to the offside so you can see them clearly. If your tail-ender vanishes you know something’s amiss!

Keep a spare map or instructions with you. If you feel the group is too big, split it up and ask for volunteers to lead the smaller groups. A group size of less than 10 is comfortable, 20 starts to get unmanageable.

HINTS FOR RIDERS

The key one is - WATCH THE RIDE LEADER! It’s not unknown for the ride leader to stop and check directions, and even giving the proper warnings collisions have been known to occur.

If stopping at any time PULL OVER TO THE NEARSIDE - think - would you stand in the middle of the road if you hadn’t got your bike? Don’t forget, even if you are on the grass, the back wheel of your bike may be sticking out.

Give the person in front room. Going downhill, they may want to slow down. Going uphill, they may stall.

And don’t forget, when riders get tired, concentration is lost.....