Transcript After the Ride - Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club

SCBC Ride Leader Training
August 19, 2013
Alan Sheiner, [email protected], 203-326-0277 (C )
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Meeting Agenda
Ride Leader Training
 Planning
the Ride
 At the Start of the Ride
 Helmet, What to bring/wear to ride
 Rules of the Road
 In Case of Emergency
 After the Ride
 Sign-In Sheet
Speaker
Alan Sheiner
Alan Sheiner
Alan Sheiner
Bob Boothroyd
Alan Sheiner
Alan Sheiner
Larry Ogren
Improve Riding Skills & Conditioning
Cycling Clinics
 Winter Training

Ride Coordinators Break-out session

Q&A
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SCBC Mission
Sound Cyclist Bicycle Club provides
organized rides and other cycling related
activities for our members and the community,
which stress safety, fun and fitness for all
levels of riders.
o
o The club also provides the opportunity for
cyclists to improve their riding skills. The club
is an advocate of safe cycling in Fairfield
County and the State of Connecticut.
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Planning the Ride
o Decide when and where to start your ride. Consider the pace, length and
terrain. Use a cue sheet from the online library, check for accuracy and
updates. Add your name and cell phone number to the cue sheet and plan
to carry your cell phone.
o Post your ride, as far in advance as possible, minimum 4 days prior to
date of ride, so that Rides Coordinators have time to approve the rides.
o Decide time and location of rest stops and make sure the places will be
open w/ bathroom available.
o Know the route. If you are not familiar with the roads, or unsure of road
conditions, drive the course a few days ahead of time. Make sure street
signs are visible.
o Print out cue sheets, Pre-Ride Briefing, accident report form, and sign
in sheets.
o Check the weather. If you feel conditions are unsafe you may elect to
cancel the ride, and posted to @ Chat.
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Planning the Ride
Sign-In Sheets & Accident Report Form can be
obtained from SCBC web site, “member Info” tab
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At the Start of Ride
o Introduce yourself to all riders and hand out cue sheets.
o Announce the ride name and pace. Describe the ride: hills, sharp turns,
road conditions, food stops
o Introduce/welcome person new to club riding and/or new to the ride level.
o Helmets are required. You may also want to check supplies such as tubes
and water bottles.
o Appoint a sweep, especially if the group is large.
o Talk about safety and your expectations for the ride.
o Remind riders to be helpful to and responsible for each other. Remind
Riders this is a Club ride, not a race.
o Lead by example and keep to advertised pace, suggest that faster riders
may go ahead on their own.
o Take a head-count. Make sure all riders sign and complete the sign-in
sheet. Leave within 10 minutes of published start time.
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Helmet
o Always wear a proper helmet when cycling. A properly fitted
ANSI or SNELL approved helmet is the single most effective way to
avoid head injury in a crash.
o The helmet should fit snugly and sit at a level position with all
straps buckled. With straps buckled, you should not be able to fit
more than two fingers beneath the strap.
o Helmets are designed to protect against ONE significant
fall/crash only. Replace your helmet after a significant crash, if it is
broken, old, or worn.
o In Connecticut and at least 19 other states, it is the law that
cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.
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The Bicycle
o
Keep your bike maintained in a good state of repair
o Before each ride, perform a safety check – Be sure your
brakes work
o Maintain a bright red light/reflector on the back of the
bicycle that can be seen for 600 feet, according to state law
o Before each ride, check your tires and inflate them to the
proper amount
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What to wear and carry while biking
o Wear bright, reflective clothing – especially in low light situations!
o Wear clothing that does not flap loosely so it does not get caught in the bicycle
or chain or wheel
o Do not wear “flip flops” which can become entangled in the bicycle mechanism
o Wear protective eye wear – sunglasses or clear goggles – to protect your eyes
from road debris or insects
o Never use headphones while riding – you need to be fully aware of your
surroundings
o Never talk on a cell phone while riding – keep both hands on the handlebar
o Carry some identification on your person – a Road ID ™ is a perfect device for
that
o Don’t carry heavy/bulky items that will cause you to be off balance – use a basket
or rack or bicycle pouch
o Carry water/food with you and keep hydrated
o Ride around dusk, should have white head-light and red tail light
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Rules of the Road
o In Connecticut, per Department of Transportation, cyclists must follow and obey
all traffic laws – ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signs
o Ride on the right side of the road, as far to the right as practical and safe and ride
single file as much as possible
o STOP at all red lights, just as you would in a car
o STOP at all stop signs, just as you would in a car
o Do not ride on sidewalks – this is prohibited in many municipalities for adults
o Use voice and hand signals to communicate with other riders, especially when
you are riding close together, when you are turning, slowing and/or coming to a
full stop.
o Use hand signals to alert motorists of your intention to turn or slow down
o Be alert for hazards in the road – glass, wide cracks, metals, grates, gravel,
potholes, branches, debris, animals – and call or point out to those riding with you
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Rules of the Road
o Check for traffic; scan the road in front of you, behind you, and around you.
o Always try to pass others on their LEFT, and all out before passing.
o The THREE FOOT LAW – motorists passing a cyclist must allow at least a three
foot distance between themselves and the cyclist. Be courteous and allow three
feet when passing a fellow cyclist and call out “passing on your left”
o Be careful when riding past parked cars – allow room for a car door to open and
do not pass closer than three feet past these cars
o Be courteous and always yield right of way to a car or other cyclist unless you
make eye contact and are waved on by the other cyclist or motorist. Always
remember that even if you have right of way over a car and crash, you still lose!
o If you need to stop for any reason, move yourself and your bike off the road
o Always yield to pedestrians , and slow to a walking pace if safety dictates.
o Eat before you are hungry, drink before you are thirsty. Carry water/food with
you and keep hydrated.
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Safe Riding Recommendations
o Group Size - In general, a group size of 15 or less is ideal. If you
feel that the group is too large, ask if there is another ride leader who
would be willing to lead a second group and split the group in two
o Cross railroad tracks at a 90° angle, this is extra important when
the road is wet.
o Watch for car doors opening in your path.
o Riding after Dark - Rides should not be scheduled to finish (or
start) after dark. However, if you are riding after dark, slow down
and keep the group together. A group of cyclists, each one properly
lit with a headlight and tail light, is much more visible after dark than
an individual rider
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Weather Conditions
We experience a range of weather conditions over the riding season. Some
weather can be hazardous.
• Sun – Long rides in extremely sunny conditions with their high ultra-violet
rays may expose the riders to risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion. Be
aware of the potential and follow the suggestions on rider injury.
• Heat – Heat and humidity will raise the possibility of dehydration. Watch
for these risks and take note of riders with minimal fluid supplies.
• Thunder/lightning – When lightning is imminent take appropriate shelter
until the immediate danger has passed.
• Torrential rain – In heavy rain that affects visibility or causes water build
up on the road you should consider taking shelter. However, standing
around while wet raises the risk of hypothermia, and you need to consider
the lowest risk alternative.
• Cold/high wind – Riding in cold weather and high wind raises the
potential of hypothermia and dehydration. If conditions deteriorate during a
ride, you should consider shortening the route, or until conditions improve,
take shelter.
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Correct Intersection Procedures
Multiple Scenarios:
Cyclist A: When your intention is to proceed straight through a multilane intersection, where
both lanes permit traffic to make right hand turns, position yourself in the left most lane.
Cyclist B: position yourself in the far right lane when your intention is to make a right turn.
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Correct Intersection Procedures
Multiple Scenarios:
Cyclist A: Here the intention is to proceed straight through a
multi-lane intersection and the cyclist is positioned in the
correct lane, anticipating the cars in the right lane turning
right and has moved to the left lane in advance of reaching
the intersection. This way the cyclist avoids having to look
forward and backward at the same time.
Cyclist B: This cyclist, positioned correctly in the left lane,
can make a safe and legal left- hand turn.
Cyclist Group C: These cyclists have positioned themselves
correctly in the left lane, allowing for a safe and legal lefthand turn.
Driver 1: This car can make a safe and legal turn without
Cyclist A becoming involved.
Driver 2: This car can clearly see Cyclist A and should yield
the right-of-way.
Driver 3: This car can proceed through the intersection
behind both cyclists until the cyclists can move out of the
way.
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Correct Intersection Procedures
Multiple Scenarios:
Cyclist A: Here the intention was to proceed straight through a multi-lane
intersection but the cyclist is in the incorrect lane, where it is possible that
cars to the left will turn right, crossing paths with the cyclist. Because of this
unsafe position, the cyclist now has to stop and look forward and backward
to correct the situation.
Cyclist B: Here the intention was to turn left at multi-lane intersection but
the cyclist is in the right lane, where clearly paths will cross with Driver 1.
Because of this unsafe position, the cyclist now has to stop and look
forward and backward to correct the situation.
Cyclist Group C: These cyclists have positioned themselves incorrectly in
the right lane intending to make a left turn. Their path will cross with Driver
4 who is proceeding straight through the intersection.
Driver 1: This car, attempting to make a right turn, must look left and ahead
for other traffic and may not see Cyclists A or B, crossing their paths.
Driver 2: This car, turning left, may not see Cyclists A and cross the
cyclist’s path if Driver 1 should yield to the cyclists, letting them through the
intersection.
Driver 3: This car must wait for the situation to clear but still might cross the
path of Cyclists B making an unsafe left-hand turn.
Driver 4: This car, proceeding straight, may not see Cyclists B if Driver 1
should yield to the cyclist, letting them through the intersection. Also its
path will cross Cyclists Group C attempting to make an unsafe left turn
from the right lane
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Unsafe Riders / New Riders
Unsafe Riders
Unsafe riders endanger everyone around them, ruin the experience
for others on the ride, and give cyclists a bad image.
If you are uncomfortable with a rider’s actions, quietly and politely
explain your concern. If the situation does not improve, ask the
rider to leave the group.
Any serious situations involving unsafe riders should be reported
to the Rides Director, who will then contact the individual(s)
involved to discuss the matter.
New/First Time Riders
Check in with each of the new riders periodically to ensure that
they are getting along all right and that the pace is comfortable for
them.
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Too fast, Too Slow and Lost Riders
Faster riders who ride beyond the advertised pace and accelerate
the pace of the ride should be asked either to ride at the advertised
place, or offered the opportunity of riding ahead of the group without
the benefit of the Ride Leader. You may suggest regrouping at a
food stop, or other regrouping point.
Assess how the slower riders at the back of the group are doing
and determine how much slower they are than the advertised
pace. If the difference is significant, suggest these riders ride on
their own or find their way back to the start. Try not to leave anyone
behind or lose them. However, you need not go back and look for
anyone who is unable to ride at the advertised pace. (An exception
might be new riders who misjudged their ability to ride in a given
group. Some Ride Leaders will give first time riders one chance)
You may want to have someone ride at the back of the group to
encourage and keep track of the slower riders. For more information,
see “Use of a sweep” later in this section.
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Mechanical Failures
If someone has a mechanical failure, you will need to assess if you
should pause the ride to enable a repair or let the ride continue
immediately. This will obviously depend on the level of the ride and
the issue experienced.
You can:
• Check with the riders to see if anyone has the skill and parts to
make the repair.
• Determine the location of the nearest bike shop.
• Determine if the rider will make the repair and follow or rejoin
the ride.
• Determine if the rider has the means to return to the start point
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In Case of Emergency
o If rider has a serious injury, call 911.
o Give comfort and reassurance, but do not move rider.
o Signal traffic so that injured rider is protected from oncoming cars.
o Call rider’s emergency contact. If rider is to be transported to hospital,
inform emergency contact of the location.
o After the ride, follow up to find out condition of rider and offer assistance.
o Fill out an accident report and send to the treasurer.
o IF the Accident Involves Another Party, follow the above. Consider the
need to call the police. Ask any rider who observed the accident to
complete an accident report after the ride. Collect information from any
other parties involved or any witnesses
o Assist riders with health issues. If a rider cannot continue for health
reasons, make sure that rider is safe and gets home or to the hospital.
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After the Ride
After the ride has finished check the sign in sheet to make sure that
everyone has returned safely.
Thank riders for coming along and ask for any comments or suggestions.
You should call any rider who was injured or lost during the ride or do a
follow up call later or the next day if the rider is unavailable or cannot be
contacted at the time.
Within a day or two, mail or upload the liability waiver to the address listed
on the back of the waiver and include an Incident Report if you encountered
any events of special note (accidents, troublesome riders, threats from
passing motorists).
Using the information on the liability waiver: If a rider calls you to ask for
the phone number of someone else on the ride, do not give out that
information. Instead, take the name and number of the person making the
inquiry, call the other rider, and pass on the inquirer’s name and number.
After your ride, sign back onto the rides schedule and fill in the
information on sweeps, if used, and the number of riders that showed up.
This information is important and is used for the club’s insurance policy.21
Sign-In Sheet
o The Sign-In Sheet is intended to be used for:
1) After the ride, the ride leader to make sure everyone returned safely
2) In case of emergency contact information
3) Protects the riders to the insurance carrier – it is the proof that they were on the
ride, if that were to be called into question.
4) Guests are covered for one ride per policy period – in our case the policy period
is the calendar year.
o Riders should sign into his/her level RL sheet, with complete
information
o If no Ride Leader for your level, the best practice is to sign into another
level RL sheet
o Each level/Ride Leader should bring the sign-in sheet on the ride with
the riders riding the respective ride.
o Even if you do not sign up but have accident, you are still covered since
the ride is a listed club ride
o Non member or Guest Riders are covered for one ride per policy period
– the SCBC policy period is the calendar year.
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Ride Leader Training and Cycling Clinics
o Ride Leaders Training meeting – 8/19 @ Norwalk City Hall, 6-9pm
o Periodic Meet & Greet with New/Potential RLs @ Starbucks
o Cycling clinics – August - November
 Group riding skills
 Cornering skills
 Off Season Training Seminar
Date
Clinics
8/11, Sunday
Group riding skills
8/25, Sunday
Cornering skills
11/7, Thursday (tentative) Off Season Training
Start time
Start location
Ride
9:00 AM
Westport RR Station (Post Early Bird) Early Bird Route
9:00 AM
Middlesex School
Friday / Wed Evening route
6-9pm
Norwalk Town Hall
None
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Winter Training
Winter training seminar is set at Norwalk City Hall on November 7th
Seminar subjects:
o What to wear riding in cold weather
 Winter outfit fashion show modelled by our own SCBC riders!!
o We will invite professional trainers to speak on variety of indoor
training topics : Winter Training Calendar, Overload & Recovery, Detraining,
Core Strengthening, Nutrition and Weight Control , etc.
o Westport Y spin class - 18 bikes, using Sufferfest video series
o Indoor Cycling sessions @ discounted rates @ various cycling
training facilities – TBD (details will be posted to SCBC site)
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