BIKES Ride Leader Tips

Prior to the Ride

Think of a ride you like, a place you’d like to ride to (favorite park or bakery), or a type of ride you haven’t seen listed in awhile. Make sure you ride or drive the route and are familiar with any potential "trouble spots" (intersections, high traffic areas, lack of shoulder).

To list your ride with the club, send a description - including distance, pace and type of terrain - to that month’s Ride Coordinator. The Ride Coordinator is listed in each month’s newsletter. Send your ride in by the 15th of the month prior to the date of your ride.

If you miss the deadline or want to list a ride at the last minute on the BIKES Club website, contact the webmaster at webmaster@bikesclub.org for directions on how to post on our site.

If you are a new ride leader, please let the Ride Coordinator know. We will make sure to have an experienced leader contact you ahead of time and attend your ride to provide support.

Prepare a map or cue sheet of your route. This isn’t required for stay-together rides, but people often appreciate knowing where they are going!

Day of Ride

1. Check the weather before the ride begins. Even if the weather is questionable, you should go to the ride in case anyone else shows up. Also, you can post encouraging (“we’re riding no matter what”) or cancellation (“forget it, it’s pouring”) notices on the website.

2. Bring the BIKES ride leader sign-in sheet and accident/incident form, which you can print off the website and your prepared cue sheet or map. Also bring club membership information, if you have it.

3. Bring your cell phone or money for a pay phone just in case. If you have two ride leaders (or a sweep), having walkie-talkies can also be useful.

4. Before heading out on the road, please cover the following:

	Introductions - make everyone feel welcome
	Route - where you are going, when you plan to make major stops
	Ensure everyone signs the BIKES liability release
	Review group riding: staying together; signaling obstacles; regrouping after hills; waiting at intersections; riding single file on trails and busy roads, etc. (see back of ride sign in sheet)
	Ask if anyone has any questions about the ride before leaving the start.
	If you have a large group and any other past ride leaders present, see if you can get someone to ride "sweep" for you.

During the Ride

1. Keep a proper pace (you need a speedometer). Social should be social (10-13 mph).

2. Periodically check to ensure you haven't lost anyone

3. Signal problems, such as glass or potholes.

4. At food stop, let everyone know length of stop and estimated time of departure

5. Consider what to do if:

	Someone can't keep up or is racing ahead
	There’s a medical emergency
	Flats or other minor bike repair issues (usually the whole group should wait)
	Someone wants to change the ride route
	There’s a change in weather

After the Ride

1. Thank everyone for coming! Invite non-members to join the club.

2. Let riders know about other upcoming rides or meetings they may be interested in.

3. Report the ride miles and attendees to the Frequent Rider Miles Coordinator, ridermiles@bikesclub.org

4. Mail the signed liability forms back to the club president

Most of all...make it safe and fun!

Click here to download The Ride Leader Tips in PDF format.