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The backbone of
the Almaden Cycle Touring Club is its club rides. But without people willing to
be Ride Leaders, there would be no rides. Any Club member may lead a ride. If
you sometimes feel that there is just not enough selection of rides at the pace
that you want to do, then remember that there is one sure solution - LEAD SOME
RIDES.
There are no classes to take or hard-and-fast rules to follow.
Included here is a grouping of things that would be useful for a Ride Leader.
The Ride Sign-up and Ride Description forms may be downloaded from this page.
In addition, each Ride Leader should download the LAB Cover Letter and the
Insurance Form and carry a copy of the Insurance Form on all rides in case there
is an incident. A copy of the filled out form should be sent to Paul Vlasveld
as he handles the Club Insurance.
Ride descriptions are due 4 to 8
weeks ahead of time, to the Ride Scheduler. Use the ACTC Ride Description Form or submit by e-mail to rides@actc.org. The Ride Schedule
Preview allows you to check your ride as it will appear in the Black &
Blue Bottom and spot errors or submit changes before it goes to the publisher.
There
are many reasons for being a Ride Leader. First is that you know you will be
riding where and when you want. In addition, you will be riding with your
friends, making new friends, and adding to the range of rides offered to the
Club members.
There are many good roads to ride in this area as well as
many destinations for camping, either self contained or supported by a SAG
vehicle.
If you don't know the area too well, then name the ride
something like "Santa Cruz Explorer" or "Santa Cruz Ramble".
That way it's OK if you all sometimes get lost. Try to think of a good ride
title, one that will make people notice your ride and want to come do it.
If
you don't know the exact mileage, then list a higher number. Nobody complains if
the ride turns out shorter, but they DO complain when the ride is longer than
listed. Have an easy to find starting place, preferably someplace with available
water and restrooms. And be sure that it is safe for people to leave their cars
there for the day.
Keep the ride descriptions brief but friendly. Feel
sorry for the poor Ride Coordinator who has to type everything in. People don't
need to know every little detail of the ride.
Show up at the ride start
location at least 15 minutes early. People should be ready to ride by the
scheduled starting time, but give them at least an extra 5 minutes. But it is OK
to remind them that they are late and to make sure it doesn't happen again. If,
for any reason, you can't make it, find someone else to lead the ride for you.
Have
a ride sign-up sheet, and make sure that everyone prints their name legibly.
Make sure that any non-members also sign their name in the bottom section. Mail
the ride sheet to the Club Statistician,
or bring it to the General meeting if it is only a couple of days away.
If
it is possible to get lost on the ride, then you should provide maps. Make sure
that any new riders have a map and know how to use it and what the general route
is.
If the ride is going to be long, have scheduled water and food
stops. Plan on 10 to 15 miles between these stops, but also have scheduled
regroups to make sure that nobody gets lost and that the slower riders have a
chance to catch up with the faster riders. Regroups are at the tops of every
long hill, plus at junctions where the correct turn may not be obvious.
If
your group is large then assign a capable rider to act as 'sweep', one who knows
the route you will be taking and can help any rider who may develop a problem on
the ride.
Remember: the ride is not over until all riders have returned
to the start location or have been accounted for.
ACTC Staff |
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Ride Leader Forms
Insurance
forms need to be carried by each ride leader and used to report accidents on
rides. Contact the Ride Coordinator if
you have any questions. |
Where to Go ?
What to Include ?
What Terrain and Pace ?
Ride Schedule Preview
Other
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