Overall group rules

 

​•    We obey all road rules.
•    We leave on the designated ride times.
•    We are courteous and respectful of all other road users. Avoid verbal confrontations if possible.
•    We wait for riders who have punctures or mechanicals wherever it is practicable and render assistance if necessary. Every rider is responsible for carrying the appropriate spare tube(s), tyre levers and pump, as well as appropriate food and fluids.
•    If a rider is dropped from the last bunch, it is the responsibility of senior experienced riders to ensure that that rider has an escort back home. A tired rider does not go home alone. If you see someone dropped from the bunch, let others know.
•    If there is a base bunch following, it is ok to allow a rider or riders to drop off to the base bunch following, after consultation with him/her. Try and keep the quicker bunch together as much as possible.
•    A typical training ride will consist of 2 columns of riders, riding as side-by-side pairs. When it is time for the leading pair to “roll over”, the front right hand rider rolls over moving to the left side. The next two RHS riders follow taking up the front positions.
•    It is the responsibility of the leading pair to call all approaching hazards to the bunch, and to signal or call them. Major hazards like potholes and sticks should be called out loudly with a position eg hole middle. Hazards include potholes, gravel, water, stationary cars, and slower riders being passed.
•    It is the responsibility of the leading pair to make the “stopping” call on the approach to any road intersections if not safe to enter.
•    If the bunch is split for some reason, it is the responsibility of the split riders to call out to the front riders to slow.
•    When approaching intersections without traffic lights e.g. roundabouts, it is the responsibility of each rider to ensure that it is safe to proceed and to pass that information to following riders with a call of “clear”, or a call of “stopping” or “car right (left)” if there is traffic.
•    When riding on a single lane road, it is the responsibility of the last rider to make the “car back” call to warn the bunch that a car wishes to pass. On many single lane roads it is appropriate to ride in single file, rather than two abreast, depending on traffic and lane width eg Chews Lane.
•    When riding on the front, try to ensure an even pace with no surging, and keep your partner right alongside so that your handlebars are level.
•    Keep it smooth at all times. Nothing induces nervousness in the bunch like riders who change speed and/or direction in a jerky fashion.
•    If you are in the leading pair, continue pedalling on all but the steepest downhill sections, as the draft you create allows those behind you to increase their speed even when not pedalling.

 

Some Simple Do’s and Don’ts

 

•    DO wear a helmet.
•    DO carry appropriate front and rear lights.
•    DO ensure your bike is in good mechanical order.
•    DO ride 2 abreast maximum.
•    DO call out before you stand up in the pedals.
•    DO be alert to your surroundings and keep your head and eyes up.
•    DO carry ID with you and emergency contact information.
•    DON’T “half-wheel” or overlap the person riding beside you, as this will potentially result in others behind you doing the same thing. A very common cause of crashes.
•    DON’T jump out of a pace line if your bunch is being passed by a faster group. ALWAYS wait until the whole bunch has passed before attempting moving onto that bunch
•    DON’T pull out of a pace line to look back down the road, this is very dangerous.
•    DON’T wear earphones.
•    DON’T use aerobars when bunch riding – you simply can’t get to your brakes fast enough.
•    DON’T swarm around cars when approaching an intersection – think of the bunch as a single vehicle
•    DON’T leave a big gap to the rider in front – you will use more energy and possibly force your partner to get into a half-wheeling situation. Stay shoulder to shoulder, handle bar to handle bar when in pairs.
•    DON’T blow your nose out into other riders, be respectful at all times.

 

 

Glossary of Terms

 

•    Rolling Over – When it is time for the leading pair to “roll over”, the front right hand rider rolls over moving to the left side. The next two RHS riders follow taking up the front positions.
•    Continuous rolling - A bunch of riders rolling smoothly and constantly in a chain like formation. There are two columns of riders, one moving slightly faster than the other (around 2km/hr faster). When one rider reaches the front of the faster moving line, they move to the slower column and reduce speed slightly (do not surge off the front, the outside line is the faster line, the inside the recovery line) and start the progression to the rear of the line. If you find the pace at the front too fast, roll to the back with the slower column and hold position at the back of the paceline, calling other riders across in front of you as they prepare to join the faster column.
•    Paceline - A group formation in which each rider takes a turn breaking the wind at the front before pulling off, dropping to the rear position, and riding the others' draft until at the front once again.

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A complete guide to cycling terms | Santos Tour Down Under
 

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