Etiquette for riders

​

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone, we’ve put together a handy guide for riders on events so that everyone has the opportunity to get the most out of being part of PRiDE OUT. We host a variety of bike rides to cater for as many diverse people, bikes and abilities as we can. These may range from 5-mile beginner events right the way up to 60+ mile bike rides ... and everything in between.

 

What to do before and during the event

• Be reasonably sure you can complete the event based on your current fitness, ability and bike type. As a general rule of thumb, you should be able to cycle 25-33% further as part of a group compared to on your own. If you are not sure, please speak to the Ride Captain before signing up to the event

• If you’d like a buddy to speak to and look after you during the ride, please contact the Ride Captain before the event or email hello@prideout.co.uk, and we will do our best to give you a named contact to make the first event that little bit less nerve-racking. We’ve all been there!

• Try your best to attend the event. Whilst we understand life sometimes gets in the way, anyone who cancels last minute or on the day of the event could deny someone else the opportunity of attending. From time to time, everyone gets nervous or feels tired on the morning event, but do your best to persevere. We promise you’ll have a great time if you turn up and we will do our best to make sure everyone feels welcome and included. 

• To ensure you don’t miss the event, please aim to arrive at the start point 5-10 minutes before departure. If you’re running late, please notify the Ride Captain who will try to provide extra time for your arrival. However if you’re very late, reluctantly we may have to start without you, especially if other riders are waiting in cold or wet conditions.

• Make sure your bike is in good mechanical order with tyres pumped up to the correct pressure and oil put on the chain. Be sure your brakes are working safely and that the brake pads aren’t completely worn down.

• If you have a phone or GPS device, you may wish to use the route on the event description and download it for use on the event. This is not essential as the Ride Captain will be navigating everyone around the course, but extra people having the route can be useful in larger groups.

• Check your emails and phone for messages on the night before or morning of the event. In exceptional circumstances the ride may need to be postponed or cancelled, especially if dangerous weather is forecast.

​

​

What to bring

• Puncture repair kit. Alternatively you may wish to bring a spare inner tube and tyre levers which will fix a flat tyre faster. 

• A pump

• A multi tool

• Snacks or food, especially if the ride is longer than 10 miles. Quick and easy examples are nut bars, bananas, jam sandwiches or anything with sugar.

• Cycling bottle(s) filled with fluids

• Eye protection - impact from a bee, grit or even a fly at speed is extremely unpleasant, sunglasses may do if not made of glass and not too shaded.

• Clothing: choose suitable clothes and footwear for the weather forecast and time of year. You will be exercising so lightweight layered clothing is best. Shorts are best even in rain, as they allow free movement of your legs. 

• Footwear - Appropriate to your bike

• Cyclist's Helmet - Not essential, but we recommend you wear one.

• Bag - Not essential, but if the weather is likely to be changeable or you wish to carry supplies and clothing, a small rucksack or pannier bags attached to your bike could be very useful. We don't want you getting cold or wet.

• Sun cream - You just never know with the UK weather!

• Bike lock - Keep your bike safe if you need to visit a shop or we stop for refreshments.

• Bike lights, especially if the ride is likely to take place in low light or wet conditions at any point. Flashing / day bike lights can be useful for visibility and safety, even in bright conditions.
   

​

On the ride itself

You will obviously need to bring a bike; But we advised you also consider bringing the following to ensure you are safe, comfortable and able to complete the event.
 

• To prevent accidents, try to cycle in a straight line and if you need to change position, check it’s clear before indicating and moving

• If you’re riding close to a cyclist in front, avoid allowing your front wheel overlap another rider’s rear wheel in case they change position which could cause a crash.

• Stay behind the leader and go the pace they set for the ride. This is to ensure the groups stays together and no-one gets left behind. If you do want to go ahead of the leader, you should notify the Ride Captain and always wait at the next possible junction or turning point. If you go ahead of the leader without permission, you may get lost.

• If you’re struggling to keep up with the group or you have any concerns at all, please raise them with the Ride Captain as soon as you can. Temporarily you may wish to inform another rider and ask if they can stay with you or inform the leader, if they are likely to see them before you are.

• Avoid any sudden braking or changes in direction without hand signals to warn others.

• When passing vehicles, make sure to leave a 1-metre gap between you and the vehicle incase someone opens a door right in your path.

• Stay together at traffic lights and junctions and always obey the highway code. If separated, the Ride Captain will wait after the lights for the group to catch up.

• If you need to stop, please wait until there is a safe, quiet place where vehicles will have ample opportunity to navigate safely around you.

• When passing riders, navigate on the right and notify them of your presence.

• Keep a safe distance from the kerb on roads to avoid drains and glass. 

• Don’t ride too far away from the kerb unless required to avoid potholes. Allow vehicles to pass with minimal aggravation.

• Warn others through speech or hand signals of potential dangers and hazards such as potholes, gravel, glass and parked cars etc. Don’t forget to say thanks in return.

• And most importantly have fun, enjoy the event and make conversation with your companion riders.

​