Winchester CTC Notes for Ride Leaders
Introduction
These notes have been drafted to help new leaders and as an aide-memoire for existing leaders. Before you lead a ride for the first time, please read this document and the Winchester CTC Notes for Riders. Current Ride Leaders and Rides Coordinators will be happy to help you and we can arrange a mentor if you wish.
This document includes links to useful information sources and downloads. There is also a printable Checklist for Ride Leaders, which we suggest you save on your phone, or print and take with you when you lead a ride.
Contents
How to become a Ride Leader
If you are willing to lead rides for the club, do speak to one of our Rides Coordinators. You must be a Cycling UK member and be registered as a volunteer Ride Leader with Cycling UK by the
You will also be added to the Winchester CTC Ride Leaders Google™group, which is used to arrange the Club calendar every two months, and to request Ride Leader swaps.
Additionally, online Ride Leader training is available from Cycling UK. We recommend that you complete this to give additional insight into leading rides but do be aware that the information in these Ride Leader Notes gives club-specific practice. Cycling UK also publishes a detailed Ride Leader Handbook that includes more information about leading rides.
To access the Cycling UK online training:
- Go to the Cycling UK online learning platform
- After registering on their learning platform, you can add the Ride Leader course to your account. You will need your membership number to register.
- To access the course for free, use the coupon code "MG_new_leader_22"
- Please see the how-to guide for more detailed instructions on signing up and accessing the course content.
Preparing your ride
Plan the route
Create a route suitable in distance and difficulty (see Our Rides for distance and pace ranges). Wherever possible use minor roads and avoid complicated junctions although it may be necessary to use short sections of main roads. Mapping tools such as Plotaroute™, RideWithGPS™and Strava™ can be helpful but are not essential.
There is a Route Library on the Winchester CTC website. Other ride leaders can also help with route ideas.
Ride start points
If you wish to start your ride from somewhere different from the usual start points listed on Our Rides, please discuss with the relevant Rides Coordinator.
Refreshment stops
A list of suitable cafes in South Hampshire is on the Winchester CTC website. Contact the venue to check they are happy to accommodate you and let them know approximate numbers and arrival time.
Publicising the ride and use of Ride Winchester
Currently all but the Sunday Faster Group use the Club’s Ride Winchester (RW) booking and notification system. The following paragraphs relate to its use. Faster Group Ride Leaders are asked to speak to their Coordinator.
Ride Winchester (RW) is normally used to provide route information and to generate an email about the ride to the Winchester CTC Google™ group. This is accessed by clicking on the link on the Club Calendar entry for your ride.
There are two YouTube videos to help ride leaders use RW. They can be accessed via the two links below and via the “Help” button in the Leader Edit page in RW.
- Guide to editing rides in Ride Winchester
- Managing rides with Ride Winchester including pitfalls and solutions
If you have any problems with RW, please contact your Rides Coordinator.
What to do if you cannot lead your ride
Email the Ride Leaders Google™ group (
Route changes
In the case of poor riding conditions, it may be necessary to modify your route. See Hampshire County Council severe weather salt routes map for Priority One roads that are usually gritted (shown in red). HCC usually makes an announcement on X (Twitter) on days that the gritting lorries are being sent out: https://twitter.com/hantshighways. This is especially important at the start of rides when roads are most icy.
Ride cancellation
You may decide to cancel a ride e.g. when poor weather makes riding difficult. It is your decision whether to cancel or not, but please discuss with your Rides Coordinator first. If you do need to cancel the ride, please communicate the decision to riders via RW no later than early evening the day before. The Managing rides with Ride Winchester video explains what to do.
At the start of the ride
Introductions
Introduce yourself as Ride Leader, check who is present and welcome new riders. Check what riding experience any newcomers have and introduce them to the group.
Organising the group
Appoint a back marker (ideally another registered ride leader) who has the route and knows where the café stop is. Ensure that you have each other’s mobile phone number.
If the group is large (i.e. over 12) we strongly recommend splitting the ride into sub-groups for the duration of the ride. Appoint another registered ride leader and back marker for each sub-group and ensure you have each other’s mobile phone number. Note: Cycling UK advise a minimum ratio of one leader for every eight riders (see the Cycling UK Ride Leader Handbook)
Give a brief overview of the route to the group, indicating any key information such as planned stops or busy stretches where extra care is needed.
Emergency contact information
Confirm everyone has easily accessible In Case of Emergency (ICE) information with them. See this document for more details on ICE.
Riders under 18
If there are any children or riders under 18, confirm with them and their accompanying adult that they have complied with the conditions described on Our Rides as a signed parental consent form is normally required.
During the ride
Ride Leader’s position
You do not need to ride at the front of the group all the time. It is good to check regularly that all the other riders, including newcomers, are ok during the ride.
Rider etiquette
All riders are expected to follow the safety and etiquette points in Winchester CTC Notes for Riders, which is designed to maximise the safety of groups. Riders who repeatedly ignore your instructions as ride leader and/or the safety/etiquette points in the Notes for Riders may be asked to leave the ride.
Ride management
On leaving town or on busy/narrow roads, it is advisable to split into smaller groups with about four car lengths between them, to allow cars to overtake safely.
As Ride Leader, you can ask riders to ride in single file or in smaller groups where sensible to do so. For further information see the Winchester CTC Notes for Riders.
Signals and junctions
Convey information using hand and verbal signals. See the Notes for Riders which contains a list of recognised signals including how to approach and pass horses.
Give clear instructions when approaching major roads, roundabouts, fords etc. Riders take individual responsibility at junctions, but you may give guidance such as “clear”, “stop, car from left”.
Establish eye contact with drivers waiting at or approaching the junction to encourage them to give way.
If the group has to split when crossing a junction, wait somewhere safe to reassemble.
Keeping the group together
Allow pauses to enable slower riders to catch up and give time for everyone to take a drink and adjust clothing.
To avoid rides becoming too spread out, ask riders who go ahead to wait at the next junction. Ensure that all riders are comfortable with the pace and ask riders to slow down if necessary.
Pausing the group
If you need to check the route or regroup, pause the group where it is safe for everyone to do so, avoiding road junctions, bends and other road hazards. Warn riders before stopping and keep the carriageway clear at all times.
Riders struggling with the distance/pace
If it is obvious early on that a rider cannot manage the pace or distance, you or the back marker may suggest that they return to Winchester while still on familiar roads and do encourage them to try one of the shorter or slower rides another time. Later on in the ride, it may be possible for another leader to take slower riders on a short cut. We do not leave riders behind, but working with other leaders, this situation can usually be handled so that everyone enjoys the ride.
Punctures/mechanical problems
The Ride Leader is not responsible for roadside repairs. All riders are advised to carry at least a spare inner tube, tyre levers and pump. Allen keys and multi-tools are also useful. Only undertake repairs where it is safe to do so, away from junctions and bends. If the problem can be dealt with quickly, you may decide to keep the group together. Otherwise, split the group so that the ride can go ahead, with at least one other person (ideally another leader) remaining to help the rider sort the problem. Exchange phone numbers and ensure they know the route.
What to do if there is an incident or accident
Incidents/accidents are rare on club rides, but it is useful to know what to do if there is one. Please read the invaluable advice in the Cycling UK article: What to do if there's a crash or other incident on a group ride, including the recommended actions in the case of an emergency.
We suggest you print and take with you, or save to your phone, the Winchester CTC Ride Leader Checklist which lists the information you need to collect for later reporting to Cycling UK. There is also a Cycling UK download Reporting an Accident/Incident.
In summary:
- Remain calm and make sure you are safe.
- Make sure that other riders are safe.
- Make the area safe: position a rider on each side of the incident to warn traffic to slow down or stop.
- Call the emergency services if required and be prepared to give your location. Wait until help arrives.
- If another vehicle is involved, call the police.
- Reassure the casualty. If they are conscious, ask who they would like to be contacted. If not, try to locate their Emergency Contact (ICE) information which could be stored on their phone lock screen, on a tag, or piece of paper in the saddlebag.
- Ask where the casualty is being taken / job number so you can inform the emergency contact.
- Take photographs and collect the information that will be required when reporting it to Cycling UK.
- It may be sensible for another Ride Leader to take the rest of the group onwards while you and others helpers remain with the casualty.
- If necessary make arrangements to store their bike for later collection.
- If the rider wishes to carry on, check the bike is roadworthy.
- Decide whether to continue with the ride. It is sensible to have a café stop soon after to re-group and recover.
Reporting an incident/accident
After the ride, please liaise with the
Ending the ride
Towards the end of the ride, make sure that everyone knows where the ride ends. Ensure that everyone who wishes to get back to the start point is accompanied if they wish.
Usually, some riders will peel off to make their way home on approaching Winchester. Do make sure you are aware if anyone is leaving the ride before the end point.
If the weather deteriorates, you may decide to shorten or change the route. In this case, consult with the group and ensure everyone is aware of the new arrangements.