SCBC Ride Leader Training

August 19, 2013

Alan Sheiner, alansheiner@verizon.net, 203-326-0277 (C )

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Meeting Agenda

Ride Leader Training Speaker Planning the Ride Alan Sheiner At the Start of the Ride Alan Sheiner Helmet, What to bring/wear to ride Alan Sheiner Rules of the Road Bob Boothroyd In Case of Emergency Alan Sheiner After the Ride Alan Sheiner Sign-In Sheet Larry Ogren

Improve Riding Skills & Conditioning Cycling Clinics Winter Training

Ride Coordinators Break-out session Q & A

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SCBC Mission

o Sound Cyclist Bicycle Club provides organized rides and other cycling related activities for our members and the community, which stress safety, fun and fitness for all levels of riders.

o The club also provides the opportunity for cyclists to improve their riding skills. The club is an advocate of safe cycling in Fairfield County and the State of Connecticut.

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Planning the Rideo Decide when and where to start your ride. Consider the pace, length and terrain. Use a cue sheet from the online library, check for accuracy and updates. Add your name and cell phone number to the cue sheet and plan to carry your cell phone.

o Post your ride, as far in advance as possible, minimum 4 days prior to date of ride, so that Rides Coordinators have time to approve the rides.

o Decide time and location of rest stops and make sure the places will be open w/ bathroom available.

o Know the route. If you are not familiar with the roads, or unsure of road conditions, drive the course a few days ahead of time. Make sure street signs are visible.

o Print out cue sheets, Pre-Ride Briefing, accident report form, and sign in sheets.

o Check the weather. If you feel conditions are unsafe you may elect to cancel the ride, and posted to @ Chat.

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Planning the RideSign-In Sheets & Accident Report Form can be

obtained from SCBC web site, “member Info” tab

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At the Start of Rideo Introduce yourself to all riders and hand out cue sheets. o Announce the ride name and pace. Describe the ride: hills, sharp turns, road conditions, food stops

o Introduce/welcome person new to club riding and/or new to the ride level.

o Helmets are required. You may also want to check supplies such as tubes and water bottles.

o Appoint a sweep, especially if the group is large.

o Talk about safety and your expectations for the ride.

o Remind riders to be helpful to and responsible for each other. Remind Riders this is a Club ride, not a race. o Lead by example and keep to advertised pace, suggest that faster riders may go ahead on their own.

o Take a head-count. Make sure all riders sign and complete the sign-in sheet. Leave within 10 minutes of published start time.

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Helmeto Always wear a proper helmet when cycling. A properly fitted ANSI or SNELL approved helmet is the single most effective way to avoid head injury in a crash.

o The helmet should fit snugly and sit at a level position with all straps buckled. With straps buckled, you should not be able to fit more than two fingers beneath the strap.

o Helmets are designed to protect against ONE significant fall/crash only. Replace your helmet after a significant crash, if it is broken, old, or worn.

o In Connecticut and at least 19 other states, it is the law that cyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet.

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The Bicycleo Keep your bike maintained in a good state of repair

o Before each ride, perform a safety check – Be sure your brakes work

o Maintain a bright red light/reflector on the back of the bicycle that can be seen for 600 feet, according to state law

o Before each ride, check your tires and inflate them to the proper amount

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What to wear and carry while bikingo Wear bright, reflective clothing – especially in low light situations!

o Wear clothing that does not flap loosely so it does not get caught in the bicycle or chain or wheel

o Do not wear “flip flops” which can become entangled in the bicycle mechanism

o Wear protective eye wear – sunglasses or clear goggles – to protect your eyes from road debris or insects

o Never use headphones while riding – you need to be fully aware of your surroundings

o Never talk on a cell phone while riding – keep both hands on the handlebar

o Carry some identification on your person – a Road ID ™ is a perfect device for that

o Don’t carry heavy/bulky items that will cause you to be off balance – use a basket or rack or bicycle pouch

o Carry water/food with you and keep hydrated

o Ride around dusk, should have white head-light and red tail light

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Rules of the Roado In Connecticut, per Department of Transportation, cyclists must follow and obey all traffic laws – ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signs

o Ride on the right side of the road, as far to the right as practical and safe and ride single file as much as possible

o STOP at all red lights, just as you would in a car

o STOP at all stop signs, just as you would in a car

o Do not ride on sidewalks – this is prohibited in many municipalities for adults

o Use voice and hand signals to communicate with other riders, especially when you are riding close together, when you are turning, slowing and/or coming to a full stop.

o Use hand signals to alert motorists of your intention to turn or slow down

o Be alert for hazards in the road – glass, wide cracks, metals, grates, gravel, potholes, branches, debris, animals – and call or point out to those riding with you

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Rules of the Roado Check for traffic; scan the road in front of you, behind you, and around you.

o Always try to pass others on their LEFT, and all out before passing.

o The THREE FOOT LAW – motorists passing a cyclist must allow at least a three foot distance between themselves and the cyclist. Be courteous and allow three feet when passing a fellow cyclist and call out “passing on your left”

o Be careful when riding past parked cars – allow room for a car door to open and do not pass closer than three feet past these cars

o Be courteous and always yield right of way to a car or other cyclist unless you make eye contact and are waved on by the other cyclist or motorist. Always remember that even if you have right of way over a car and crash, you still lose!

o If you need to stop for any reason, move yourself and your bike off the road

o Always yield to pedestrians , and slow to a walking pace if safety dictates.

o Eat before you are hungry, drink before you are thirsty. Carry water/food with you and keep hydrated.

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Safe Riding Recommendations

o Group Size - In general, a group size of 15 or less is ideal. If you feel that the group is too large, ask if there is another ride leader who would be willing to lead a second group and split the group in two

o Cross railroad tracks at a 90° angle, this is extra important when the road is wet.

o Watch for car doors opening in your path.

o Riding after Dark - Rides should not be scheduled to finish (or start) after dark. However, if you are riding after dark, slow down and keep the group together. A group of cyclists, each one properly lit with a headlight and tail light, is much more visible after dark than an individual rider

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Weather ConditionsWe experience a range of weather conditions over the riding season. Some weather can be hazardous.

• Sun – Long rides in extremely sunny conditions with their high ultra-violet rays may expose the riders to risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion. Be aware of the potential and follow the suggestions on rider injury.

• Heat – Heat and humidity will raise the possibility of dehydration. Watch for these risks and take note of riders with minimal fluid supplies.

• Thunder/lightning – When lightning is imminent take appropriate shelter until the immediate danger has passed.

• Torrential rain – In heavy rain that affects visibility or causes water build up on the road you should consider taking shelter. However, standing around while wet raises the risk of hypothermia, and you need to consider the lowest risk alternative.

• Cold/high wind – Riding in cold weather and high wind raises the potential of hypothermia and dehydration. If conditions deteriorate during a ride, you should consider shortening the route, or until conditions improve, take shelter.

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Correct Intersection Procedures

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Multiple Scenarios:

Cyclist A: When your intention is to proceed straight through a multilane intersection, where both lanes permit traffic to make right hand turns, position yourself in the left most lane.

Cyclist B: position yourself in the far right lane when your intention is to make a right turn.

Correct Intersection Procedures

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Multiple Scenarios:

Cyclist A: Here the intention is to proceed straight through a multi-lane intersection and the cyclist is positioned in the correct lane, anticipating the cars in the right lane turning right and has moved to the left lane in advance of reaching the intersection. This way the cyclist avoids having to look forward and backward at the same time.

Cyclist B: This cyclist, positioned correctly in the left lane, can make a safe and legal left- hand turn.

Cyclist Group C: These cyclists have positioned themselves correctly in the left lane, allowing for a safe and legal left-hand turn.

Driver 1: This car can make a safe and legal turn without Cyclist A becoming involved.

Driver 2: This car can clearly see Cyclist A and should yield the right-of-way.

Driver 3: This car can proceed through the intersection behind both cyclists until the cyclists can move out of the way.

Correct Intersection Procedures

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Multiple Scenarios:

Cyclist A: Here the intention was to proceed straight through a multi-lane intersection but the cyclist is in the incorrect lane, where it is possible that cars to the left will turn right, crossing paths with the cyclist. Because of this unsafe position, the cyclist now has to stop and look forward and backward to correct the situation.

Cyclist B: Here the intention was to turn left at multi-lane intersection but the cyclist is in the right lane, where clearly paths will cross with Driver 1. Because of this unsafe position, the cyclist now has to stop and look forward and backward to correct the situation.

Cyclist Group C: These cyclists have positioned themselves incorrectly in the right lane intending to make a left turn. Their path will cross with Driver 4 who is proceeding straight through the intersection.

Driver 1: This car, attempting to make a right turn, must look left and ahead for other traffic and may not see Cyclists A or B, crossing their paths.

Driver 2: This car, turning left, may not see Cyclists A and cross the cyclist’s path if Driver 1 should yield to the cyclists, letting them through the intersection.

Driver 3: This car must wait for the situation to clear but still might cross the path of Cyclists B making an unsafe left-hand turn.

Driver 4: This car, proceeding straight, may not see Cyclists B if Driver 1 should yield to the cyclist, letting them through the intersection. Also its path will cross Cyclists Group C attempting to make an unsafe left turn from the right lane

Unsafe Riders / New RidersUnsafe Riders

Unsafe riders endanger everyone around them, ruin the experience for others on the ride, and give cyclists a bad image.

If you are uncomfortable with a rider’s actions, quietly and politely explain your concern. If the situation does not improve, ask the rider to leave the group.

Any serious situations involving unsafe riders should be reported to the Rides Director, who will then contact the individual(s) involved to discuss the matter.

New/First Time Riders

Check in with each of the new riders periodically to ensure that they are getting along all right and that the pace is comfortable for them.

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Too fast, Too Slow and Lost RidersFaster riders who ride beyond the advertised pace and acceleratethe pace of the ride should be asked either to ride at the advertisedplace, or offered the opportunity of riding ahead of the group withoutthe benefit of the Ride Leader. You may suggest regrouping at afood stop, or other regrouping point.

Assess how the slower riders at the back of the group are doingand determine how much slower they are than the advertisedpace. If the difference is significant, suggest these riders ride ontheir own or find their way back to the start. Try not to leave anyonebehind or lose them. However, you need not go back and look foranyone who is unable to ride at the advertised pace. (An exceptionmight be new riders who misjudged their ability to ride in a givengroup. Some Ride Leaders will give first time riders one chance)

You may want to have someone ride at the back of the group to encourage and keep track of the slower riders. For more information,see “Use of a sweep” later in this section.

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Mechanical FailuresIf someone has a mechanical failure, you will need to assess if you should pause the ride to enable a repair or let the ride continue immediately. This will obviously depend on the level of the ride and the issue experienced.

You can:

• Check with the riders to see if anyone has the skill and parts tomake the repair.

• Determine the location of the nearest bike shop.

• Determine if the rider will make the repair and follow or rejointhe ride.

• Determine if the rider has the means to return to the start point

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In Case of Emergencyo If rider has a serious injury, call 911.

o Give comfort and reassurance, but do not move rider.

o Signal traffic so that injured rider is protected from oncoming cars.

o Call rider’s emergency contact. If rider is to be transported to hospital, inform emergency contact of the location.

o After the ride, follow up to find out condition of rider and offer assistance.

o Fill out an accident report and send to the treasurer.

o IF the Accident Involves Another Party, follow the above. Consider the need to call the police. Ask any rider who observed the accident to complete an accident report after the ride. Collect information from any other parties involved or any witnesses

o Assist riders with health issues. If a rider cannot continue for health reasons, make sure that rider is safe and gets home or to the hospital.

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After the RideAfter the ride has finished check the sign in sheet to make sure that everyone has returned safely.

Thank riders for coming along and ask for any comments or suggestions.

You should call any rider who was injured or lost during the ride or do a follow up call later or the next day if the rider is unavailable or cannot be contacted at the time.

Within a day or two, mail or upload the liability waiver to the address listed on the back of the waiver and include an Incident Report if you encounteredany events of special note (accidents, troublesome riders, threats frompassing motorists).

Using the information on the liability waiver: If a rider calls you to ask forthe phone number of someone else on the ride, do not give out thatinformation. Instead, take the name and number of the person making theinquiry, call the other rider, and pass on the inquirer’s name and number.

After your ride, sign back onto the rides schedule and fill in theinformation on sweeps, if used, and the number of riders that showed up.This information is important and is used for the club’s insurance policy.

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Sign-In Sheeto The Sign-In Sheet is intended to be used for:

1) After the ride, the ride leader to make sure everyone returned safely2) In case of emergency contact information3) Protects the riders to the insurance carrier – it is the proof that they were on the

ride, if that were to be called into question. 4) Guests are covered for one ride per policy period – in our case the policy period

is the calendar year.

o Riders should sign into his/her level RL sheet, with complete information o If no Ride Leader for your level, the best practice is to sign into another level RL sheet

o Each level/Ride Leader should bring the sign-in sheet on the ride with the riders riding the respective ride.

o Even if you do not sign up but have accident, you are still covered since the ride is a listed club ride

o Non member or Guest Riders are covered for one ride per policy period – the SCBC policy period is the calendar year.

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Ride Leader Training and Cycling Clinics

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o Ride Leaders Training meeting – 8/19 @ Norwalk City Hall, 6-9pm

o Periodic Meet & Greet with New/Potential RLs @ Starbucks

o Cycling clinics – August - November

Group riding skills Cornering skills Off Season Training Seminar

Date Clinics Start time Start location Ride 8/11, Sunday Group riding skills 9:00 AM Westport RR Station (Post Early Bird) Early Bird Route8/25, Sunday Cornering skills 9:00 AM Middlesex School Friday / Wed Evening route11/7, Thursday (tentative) Off Season Training 6-9pm Norwalk Town Hall None

Winter Training

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Winter training seminar is set at Norwalk City Hall on November 7th

Seminar subjects:

o What to wear riding in cold weather Winter outfit fashion show modelled by our own SCBC riders!!

o We will invite professional trainers to speak on variety of indoor training topics : Winter Training Calendar, Overload & Recovery, Detraining, Core Strengthening, Nutrition and Weight Control , etc.

o Westport Y spin class - 18 bikes, using Sufferfest video series

o Indoor Cycling sessions @ discounted rates @ various cycling training facilities – TBD (details will be posted to SCBC site)