EETC Winter Bike Rides

These take place between October and March on Sunday mornings (except for Cross Country and other special training events). They are not coached sessions but there will be a ride leader who will choose the route.

The rides are generally between 2 and 3 hours in length, the longer rides taking place after Christmas. Each ride will have two leaders to allow a second group ride for a shorter distance and/or pace if necessary.

Equipment

The most important piece of equipment you have is yourself so look after it :-). The best way to ensure this is that you have a safe bike, wear a helmet and ride safely on the road. The following items should be checked on your bike as soon as you can and NOT the morning of the cycle:

· Brakes – No harm in investing in new brake blocks

· Cables – Brake and Gear cables

· Tyres – Ensure they are in good condition, check for nicks and weakness likely to cause puncture, if you are repeatedly getting punctures replace them!

· Chain – Oiled and running smoothly

· Gears – Check that are not jumping or causing chain to slip off

· Bars – Ensure they are straight and tight

· Water-bottle cage – Get one if you don’t have one.

· Saddle – Have you got the height checked for you?

· Bar End Plugs – Ensure they are tight in the bars

Clothing/Equipment

The best approach to take is to wear a few layers that can easily be removed. The most important layer is the one next to your skin.. This will help to keep the moisture of the body preventing you from getting cold if you have to stop. A helmet is essential and no cyclist is allowed start without it.

List of recommended clothing/items:

· Gloves

· Light Rain Jacket

· Padded Cycling Shorts / leggings

· Helmet

· Warm Footwear

· Water Bottles on your bike

· Enough food for non-stop 2 hour riding - energy bars/bananas

· Puncture repair kit, pump, spare inner tube

Group Riding:

Riding as a group is a great experience however you are responsible for your actions and safety; it is essential that you adhere to the highway code and must be respectful of other road users and the rest of the group at all times so we all get around safely for that reason you are expected to familiarise yourself with the following safety points and put them into practice on training rides:

• Don’t cycle more than two abreast and only do so where it is safe (not on busy roads or narrow lanes)
• Do not overlap your front wheel with the back wheels of those in front of you
• Always keep your hands on your brakes
• Stay alert, don’t follow the person in front blindly
• Don’t undertake, pass on the right only when safe to do so
• Don’t follow the group through traffic lights if they are not green, the group will wait or slow down so you can catch up
• When informing other riders that it is safe to take off from or roll through the lights, say “Clear”, not “Go”, as this can be easily misheard as “Whoa” or “No”
• Avoid unnecessary adjustment of your bike or drink bottle/phone/food etc while in the pack
• Ride in a gear that allows you to quickly adjust your cadence (speed of pedals) and pace
• Make sure your brakes, gears, clips, chain and tires are in good condition before each ride
• Indicate with your hands if you intend to slow or turn. It is customary to use the hand opposite the direction you are turning, crossing it across your back so that anyone behind you is sure to see it.
• If a car is behind and wishes to overtake, the rider at the back should call out to the group then, when it is safe, signal the car through. Other riders should continue normally and not signal the car through because they don’t have a clear view of the whole group.
• When stopping ensure you do not cause an obstruction. Do not stop 2 abreast and get off the road immediately.
• Assume that cars will NOT stop for you
• Tri Bars are permitted within the rides but should only be used when cycling at the front of the group because they don’t allow for emergency braking.
• If you see any member of the group transgressing these rules please don’t leave it to others to tell them. If you receive such advice then please act on is because the impact of what you are doing may not be obvious to you.

Before each ride note the ride leaders mobile phone number, if you do retire and decide to go home early notify the leader.

Lead rider phone numbers are published on the website - http://www.east-essex-tri-club.co.uk/CycleRides2010.htm

Finally... enjoy yourself and don't forget the coffee at the end!!