Most rides include a brief synopsis of the route, noting anything that might be unusual (i.e. a change from normal route, route options, etc.).
Q) What should I name my ride?
A) You can use any name that works for you. There is a limit on the number of characters length so that it fits the format of the ride listing. You can use something generic (like: Tuesday Morning Coffee Ride), or something that includes the area or climbs that will be ridden (like: Mt Tam Ride). There are many recurring rides that reuse the same ride name, or you can change the ride name with every ride. Many ride names have tongue in cheek humor. You should keep them in good taste but otherwise the ride leader is free to choose what they feel will give the riders a sense of what the ride will be.
Q) Why do some rides have co-leaders or sweeps?
A) Some regularly scheduled rides have a leader and co-leader so that there is someone who can lead the ride if the leader is unable, but it is just a preference of the ride leader(s). A sweep is someone designated at the ride start who stays within sight of the last rider on the ride. A sweep is mostly used on rides likely to have a large turnout or with less experienced riders who may not be able to stay with the listed pace of the ride. No ride requires that a sweep be designated, and it is rarely used on billy goat rides.
Q) What if I cannot lead my ride?
A) If you know a few days in advance, the best solution is to put a notice on the e-list that you need a substitute ride leader for your ride. If no one steps up, then it is acceptable to notify the ride coordinator that the ride is canceled (and it is best to change the status to canceled on the stats form).
If on the day of the ride if you’re sick or cannot ride, you should send a notice to the e-list, but some riders might not see it, and try to be at the start to sign people in anyway. If you know someone that is a regular rider on your ride, you could try to text or email them to pass the word at the start that you will not be leading. You should also monitor your phone or email in case you receive a call or email from a rider who has shown up at the start. If you have travel issues getting to the ride, ACTC is a very social club, so riders will adapt to the situation. If you cannot get to the start, or are significantly delayed, the riders might proceed on their own and report their stats when they are done riding.
Q) What if someone has a flat tire?
A) Everyone including the ride leader should be prepared to deal with a bike related problem. The most common issue is a flat tire, and every rider should have the minimum kit to deal with that: spare tube, tire levers, pump or air cartridge, and any tools needed to remove the wheel if it does not have quick release. Every rider is expected to be competent in changing a flat tire. Some ride leaders and other riders are masters at changing tires and will pitch in, some are slow and might need help to avoid delaying the group excessively. As a ride leader, you are not required to be a master at changing flats. Keep in mind that some flats are a slow enough leak that you can deal with them temporarily by just pumping them up. That can get you to a better spot to do the full repair, like a scheduled food stop, or farther away from a busy traffic area. As a courtesy, the ride leader should pause the ride, once they know about the flat, so that the rider can rejoin the group.
Q) What if someone has a mechanical problem?
A) Riders are responsible for maintaining their bikes, but things do happen. If it's the ride leader who has a mechanical problem, he/she can modify the ride on-the-fly to shorten it or remove some difficult portions, but the riders should be given the option of continuing with the listed ride. If a ride leader cannot continue, one of the riders can become leader on-the-road and complete the ride. Courtesy says that that person should be given co-leader credit in that case. If a rider has a major mechanical issue, they need to notify the ride leader of the situation. Based on the situation, the ride leader can adjust the pace to allow the rider to continue, or if the bike is unrideable, help the rider get back to the start. The ride should not be stopped due to a mechanical issue unless all the riders agree that is the best option. The ride leader should not continue the ride until it is clear that the rider with the damaged bike has a means to get back to their car or house. Some options might include calling a friend, Lyft or Uber.
Q) Can I cancel a ride due to the weather?
A) Yes! Many rides are listed with the conditions that will cancel the ride; these include rain, wet pavement, excessive cold, heat, or wind, and poor air quality due to smoke or ozone. With so many good days to ride in our area, there is no need to feel obligated to ride if the weather is not acceptable. There are two options for this situation: the ride can be postponed or it can be canceled. A postponed ride can be rescheduled for a later date within the calendar year. The notices of postponing and rescheduling needs to be sent to the e-list. If the ride is canceled, that also needs to be sent to the e-list and there will be no ride credit for that ride.
Q) Can I change my ride?
A) It is generally bad practice to change a ride from what you have listed in the ride schedule. There may be extenuating circumstances that make that acceptable, like road closures or weather conditions, but it needs to be agreed to by the riders and any riders that wish to ride the route as listed should be given that choice.
Q) What if riders arrive late for a ride?
A) Sometimes riders arrive late due to traffic delays. It is good practice to wait a few minutes after the posted start time to see if any riders are trickling in, but it is up to the ride leader whether to delay the start until they are ready to roll, or to start without them. Any riders that join a ride in-route should sign in at a regroup or stop. You should carry a pen with you, along with the ride sheet, during the ride. It is good to carry a small plastic baggy to keep the folded ride sheet in so it isn't hit with rain, sweat, chain grease, etc.
Q) What if a rider is riding in an unsafe manner?
A) The ACTC Ride Participation Guidelines state that all state traffic laws must be obeyed, and the Ride Leader should remind anyone of that who is disregarding the law. If the rider refuses or simply ignores, the Ride Leader can ask the offender to leave the ride and in that case they should not be given ride credit.
Q) What if a rider is injured on a ride?
A) As stated in the Ride Leader Guidelines, the insurance forms should be carried during the ride. In the case of an accident, notify the Ride Coordinator and the Insurance Liaison. The First Report of Accident should be completed with as much information as you have, and submitted. If more information is need, you will be contacted. If an auto is involved, try to get the driver and car information in case a police report becomes necessary.
If the rider is injured, call 911 to obtain emergency medical service for the rider. Also, the other form (HSR form) should be filled out as well and given to the injured party to file.
Q) What if the ride leader makes a wrong turn on a ride?
A) Ride leaders miss turns like anyone else. Hopefully it is noticed quickly and the ride can resume on the correct route. The primary concern is that none of the riders get separated from the group due to the missed turn. If riders get separated, the ride leader should attempt to find those riders. The route can be changed if the course error would cause a significant distance or time change for the ride, but all the riders on the sign-in sheet need to have input on the decision if it is a group or no-drop ride.
Q) What if a rider does not show up at a regroup?
A) If the ride is listed as no-drop, then someone will need to retrace the route to find the rider(s) who do not show up at a regroup. The riders may have mechanical issues or made a wrong turn. Even if the ride is listed as a drop or free range ride, it is good to locate missing riders if they aren’t at an expected regroup.
Q) What about leading a ride on remote roads?
A) The Bay Area has some regions that are surprisingly remote given the proximity to major urban areas. These are some of the most enjoyable places to ride, but there are things that should be considered when leading a ride in these areas. For example, cell phone coverage may be non-existent, as it is on the backside of Mt Hamilton. Even the Santa Cruz mountains, with its dense tree cover, can cause loss of cell signal. It is best not to depend on cell service being available.It’s actually a good idea to put your phone in airplane mode to keep it from draining the battery vainly looking for cell towers that aren't there.
Be sure that there are adequate sources of water for the conditions on the ride. Hot weather requires more water to replace sweat loss. Early and late season rides into remote areas are nice because you can avoid heat, but that means that the daylight hours are shorter, so factor that into your ride plans. The RideWithGPS premium plan, available via the club account, will estimate a moving time for your ride based on your ride history. Be sure to factor in stop time for regroups and unexpected stuff like flat tires.
In remote areas it might be a good idea to keep the riders in a tighter group and limit the number of off-the-front and off-the-back riders. You should insist that all riders who do leave the ride tell you where they plan to ride and have them send you an email when they are done riding (email is more reliable than texting). If conditions change, or a rider has problems on a ride in a remote area, it is better to return to the start and ride a different day than to forge ahead to complete the ride.