11. GROUP CYCLING BEHAVIOUR
                                                                                                 
The club rides are run as social and training events, not as races. Obey the rules of the road and maintain a civil approach to the public, including drivers. Each rider in the group is individually responsible for their own safety. Still, the ride will be safer and more enjoyable if the actions of other riders can be more easily predicted. Therefore, our club has a set of riding etiquette guidelines. All regular riders on our club runs should be aware of this code of conduct and help “newbies” by informing them and showing them the ropes.
 
11.1 RULES OF THE ROAD

 

• Traffic lights – Red, amber and red/amber all mean stop (none come with “except cyclists” exclusion).
• Keep left signs and bollards – it means exactly what they say, keep left.
• Stop signs at junctions – Don’t have a glance then sprint across, this endangers riders and drivers, and the chances are the rest of the group will have to stop, and you will only end up waiting for them.
  

11.1.2 RIDING IN A GROUP

Group riding requires a good level of discipline. Other riders in the group must be aware of what is happening to ensure predictable riding and good communication. Therefore, we have a club riding etiquette, which can be viewed under the Club Runs section of the main menu. This includes details of the specific shouts used by cyclists to warn of hazards. For a safe and pleasant ride, please familiarise yourself with the etiquette and ride in line with the requirements.

11.1.3 Club Rides in groups

The club has structured itself in a way that enables its members to progress through training and planned rides. These rides have been carefully designed to help develop riders of all abilities. All ride details will be structured before any ride starts, with clear instructions provided in the pre-ride brief. For the team and riders to benefit, it is expected that all members follow instructions; failure to complete tasks/instructions may result in a rider/member being disciplined. Repeated failure to follow instructions will mean a member being expelled from the club.

11.1.4 Actions on club rides

Any rider turning a club ride into their own training ride is not acceptable; this behaviour is not in the club ethos as "working as a team". A member has plenty of other times/days to do their own training; they can add extra miles to train before or after club rides if they wish. Club rides are designed for ABR and its members. Members who continually make breakaways at the front or who keep breaking up the group will also be disciplined/warned.

11.1.5 Breaking off from the group ride

Members may split off from the group if they are unable to complete the whole planned ride. This should be agreed with the rider leader before the ride starts. A clear signal should be given to the ride leader when a member breaks off, so they know how many people are still in the planned group ride. Although break-offs are allowed, if a member repeatedly does this on several group rides solely to add extra training, the club may not view this favourably and may take action against that member.

11.2 GROUP STRUCTURE
 

• No more than two abreast and single file on busy or narrow roads or if holding traffic behind
  
• Usually ride in pairs in line with the pair in front, but single out when necessary.
• Don't echelon and spread across the road (this appears to be 3 and 4 abreast to vehicles approaching from the rear)
• If the group is holding traffic up from behind, it is advisable to pull to one side to let the traffic clear. This makes the road safer for the group.
  

11.3 GROUP SIZE

The optimal group size is 10 riders; groups of 20 or more have the following problems:
 

• Communications break down
• More difficult to single out and negotiate road junctions
• Confuses motorists, particularly when cutting back in after overtaking
• The club strongly advises that large groups should split into smaller groups
  

11.4 COMMUNICATIONS

Good communication throughout the group is essential, learn the shouts and use them loud and clear and pass them on through the group:-
 

• “Car back” car approaching from the rear,
  
• “Car ahead” car approaching from the front
• “On the left” obstacle on the left, e.g. parked car, pedestrian, etc. (call often accompanied by placing the left arm behind the back)
• “Hole” warning of a hole in the road, the call is accompanied by pointing to the obstacle. This shot can be adjusted to suit other obstacles such as branches, horse droppings, and bricks
•  When approaching horses, a clear shout "cyclist" to the approaching horse riders gives a good warning
  
• “Easy” slow down and pay attention; this could be for a hazard, the group breaking up, etc
• “Stopping” is self-explanatory, but avoid sudden braking and bunching up
• When changing direction, let other riders know with a warning that is both verbal and visual

11.5 READING THE ROAD

The communications referred to above should not be relied upon as the only source of input:-
 

• Concentrate just the same as you should when driving a car and anticipate!
• Be aware of road conditions and assess the probability of incidents (read the road, the pros do).
• Adjust riding to suit (adjust pace, gaps between riders, and one or two abreast).
• On blind bends and crests of hills, if you can't see oncoming traffic, don't assume there isn't any.
  

11.5.1 ROAD JUNCTIONS

Particular care must be taken at road junctions:-
 

• It has already been mentioned that stop signs should be obeyed.
• Groups should remain orderly and avoid bunching at the mouth of the junction.
• Riders, who have negotiated the junction, should check whether others have to wait; if so, ride at a speed where they can re-join quickly.
  

11.5.2 SINGLING OUT

Members should have a clear and well-understood method of singling out:-
 

• riders on the inside should, in turn, slightly accelerate to allow riders on the outside to, in turn, slip in behind them.
•  The instinctive reaction to an oncoming car is to brake. The braking severity increases throughout the group, making it difficult to single out a rider and potentially taking them down. Avoid it if possible.
  

11.6 GOING TO THE FRONT

In a group of riders of similar ability, it seems only fair that all members should take a turn at the front, especially when riding into a strong wind. However, in groups with less able riders or those experiencing problems, it is perfectly acceptable for them to opt out of a turn on the front, allowing stronger riders to work for the group's benefit.

It is recommended that riders use the following procedure to change over at the front:-
 

• Clearly tell the group that there is to be a change at the front.
• The rider on the outside at the front accelerates and moves over in front of the nearside rider.
• The outside riders then move up one, and the last rider on the inside will move to the outside to reform into pairs.
  

The other method for singling out, where the two front riders move apart and the group rides between, requires greater care because, while the two riders move to the back, a section of the group remains four abreast. This should only be attempted on quiet lanes with sufficient space.

 
 
11.7 HILLS

11.7.1 Pay attention to hills when climbing:-
 

• Avoid bunching and riding more than two abreast
• When standing on the pedals, maintain an even pace by pushing harder on the initial stroke (slowing has the perceived effect of moving backwards into the rider behind and can cause collisions)
• Be aware that others may not be too skilled at the above and leave space where possible
  

11.7.2 When descending:-
 

• The right line obviously helps when descending, but not at the expense of safety; the wrong side of the road on blind bends is unacceptable.
• It's not a road race on closed roads, your luck will run out one day and causing a car to swerve is putting the driver and your club-mates at risk.