Ride Leader Guidance

Leader Tasks Pre Ride

Arrive at the meet on time (or a little early)
Introduce yourself to all members – especially any new ones
Check out how long riders (new to you) have been with the club (previous rides/experience etc)
If you are concerned about a riders ability to complete the ride discuss this with rider
Check everyone has the route
Give brief overview of the route (distance, elevation, coffee and/or lunch stops)
Let riders know the planned group speed.
- Steady: 13 mph (21 kph) average, flat speed 16 mph (26kph)
- Steady Plus: 14 mph (23 kph) average, flat speed 17-18 mph (28-30kph)
- Intermediate: 15 mph (24 kph) average, flat speed 18-19 mph (30kph)
- Intermediate+: 16 mph (26 kph) average, flat speed 21-22 mph (33-35kph)
- Advanced: 17+ mph (27 kph) average, flat speed 22-25 mph (35-40kph)
Remind riders that this is a no drop ride

During Ride Ensure Riders Follow Rider Protocol

Always obey the highway code
Attempt to ride as a compact group
Suggest when possible riders may want to ride two abreast
Remind riders that if the group gets split (junctions, traffic lights, etc) stop and wait or soft pedal
Remind riders not to ride off the front or away from the group
Ensure riders without route do not miss turnings
Ensure group is off the road when stopped
If a rider cannot keep up or is unsafe to continue with the ride you have the discretion to help them find a station to get home

In the event of an incident/ accident/ concern with a member

Email richmondparkrouleours@gmail.com and text a member of the committee for confirmation of receipt with the details of incident for committee to follow up where necessary
If required contact emergency services as soon as possible
Make sure those not assisting with the casualty are safely off the road
Ensure oncoming traffic is alerted
If required take photos/get drivers ID
Contact committee members (through ride leaders whatsapp) to get emergency contact details for emergency services
Consider whether it is safe to continue ride, if not, plan with group safest way to return home

(Previous ride leader guidance) Ride preparation – Communication – 5 minutes well spent In the 24 hours before departure:

− send a Meetup message to the attendees, –

with your phone number
reminding them to consider whether their emergency contact details might have changed, and to fix that if necessary (at www.rprouleurs.co.uk, under Account)

− review the ride risk assessment provided, and consider whether it has been affected or undermined by the weather

At the meet:

− say who you are

− asking them to let you know if they use an inhaler, EpiPen, diabetes or other medication and reminding them they should bring it if they do

− familiarise yourself with your riders (especially whether they are new or inexperienced). Ride captains should get the full names of everyone in their group – knowing that someone is called “John”, “David” or “Michael” won’t help if someone is lost or has been knocked out – we have quite a lots of Johns, Davids etc

− look to designate a sweeper or a new-rider buddy, who should preferably have a GPS device and the route loaded. They should look after new riders and anyone who is struggling

− identify who has first aid training

− tell people:

where they’re going, how far, how much elevation, any intended halfway stopping point you might have in mind, and identify who has the route loaded on a GPS device
the planned group speed (as a reminder:
- Steadies 13 mph (21 kph) average, 15 mph (24 kph) on the flat
- Intermediates 15 mph (24 kph) average, 18 mph (29 kph) on the flat
- Advanced 17 mph (27 kph) average, 20 mph (32 kph) on the flat)
It’s a no-drop ride
they should let you know of any problems that occur on the ride (mechanical/sickness/exhaustion)

− provide a brief explanation of hand signals if the riders are unfamiliar

− tell everyone to get off the road when we stop

Ride Protocol

− Look to travel as a compact peloton – two abreast, rotating the lead, where possible – the team leader will hold up one finger for change to single file and two fingers for two abreast. Always single-file down steep hills

− Always obey the Highway Code, not least at zebra crossings, traffic lights etc – you are representing the Club when riding as a group

− If the group gets split up (traffic lights, junctions etc.), don’t speed ahead – stop and wait, or soft-pedal

− Always ensure all riders (especially those without GPS devices) don’t miss turnings – you may have to wait

− Whenever we stop, please pull off of the road properly

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

In the event of a serious accident, the Ride Captain should But delegate:

− identify First Aiders to tend to the casualty – follow their advice

− make sure all the other riders are safe

− to the extent there are riders available to do so:

appoint someone to call the emergency services 112/999 ASAP
appoint someone to be with the 112/999 caller to provide location details / what3words
appoint someone to go up the road and warn traffic to slow down
appoint someone to take photos/get driver ID
contact a committee member to get the emergency contact details

− Keep relevant details to pass on to emergency services AND file a written report of the incident on line with info@rprouleurs.co.uk. See end for RPR accident report form

Annex: British Cycling Accident Guidance

If you or a riding mate have a cycling accident, whether on the road or on the trails, do you know what to do and how to get help?

On the road

If you’re riding on your own, carrying some form of ID and an unlocked mobile phone with an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number stored in the contacts. These are all key items in the essential ride kit that you should carry every time you head out. This will significantly assist the emergency services or anyone stopping to assist should you have an accident and lose consciousness or are seriously injured.

If you have an accident but don’t think you’re seriously injured, make sure first that you and your bike are clear of the road and traffic.

If there is a vehicle involved, and the driver has stopped or there were any witnesses, exchange details, including registration numbers, in the same way as if you had been involved in any traffic accident.

Use the camera on your phone to gather any information or evidence from the accident scene. If you were using a video camera, make sure you’ve stopped it so that the recording of the incident doesn’t get accidentally overwritten.

If you have any doubts about whether you’ve been injured, especially if you hit your head, go to your nearest Accident and Emergency or Minor Injuries department to get checked out. If you suspect you may have suffered a head injury, call an ambulance straight away and do not attempt to cycle any further.

Report the accident to the police as quickly as possible. Any delay is likely to lessen your case if a claim of prosecution is to be made. If you or your bike, have been damaged and you’re a British Cycling Member, contact British Cycling for legal support.

If you’re riding with a group and someone has an accident and is injured, or you witness another cyclist getting injured, follow the next simple steps:

Firstly, consider your own safety, the safety of other members of your group, the on-going safety of the casualty and the safety of other road users as you don’t want to make the situation worse. Use other members of the group to ensure that other road users are aware of the accident scene. This will ensure no further accidents occur. Make sure that all injured parties are safe from further harm.

If you suspect any injury to the spine, try your upmost not to move them.

Find out if anyone in your group or at the scene has any first aid qualifications and follow their instructions or, if you hold a qualification, follow the procedures you learned.

Contact the emergency services. Dial 999 or 112. Even if your network hasn’t got coverage, you still may be able to make a 999 call. Be prepared to give them details of your location, what happened and any information you’re able to provide on the casualty. If you are concerned about the condition of the casualty and no-one has any first aid knowledge, the emergency telephone operator will be able to talk you through what to do. Make the casualty as comfortable as possible until the emergency services arrive and ensure they are kept warm.

Off-road

If you’re mountain biking, you’re more likely to be in a location where it could take a significant amount of time for the emergency services to reach you. This means that carrying the appropriate kit, having a working knowledge of first aid and how to call for help is even more important than on the road.

Whether you’re riding on your own or in a group, it is good practice to always leave someone information about approximately when you expect to be back from your ride and details of where you intend to go. That way, if you do not return at the expected time, they will be able to alert the emergency services.

If you’re on your own and are unable to move, make yourself as comfortable as possible using your first aid kit, spare clothing and foil survival blanket. If you have a mobile telephone, keep it switched on.

If you have a mobile phone call 999 or 112, ask for the police and then for Mountain Rescue. Do not ask for an ambulance as this will delay help getting to you. Remember, even if you don’t have a mobile phone signal on your network, you can often still make an emergency call as it automatically connects to other networks in range.

Have the following information ready:

– A six-figure grid reference of your location and any information about the terrain that may be relevant to a rescue team.

– Details of your injury.

Register your mobile to be able to text message the emergency services as, in remote areas, there sometimes won’t be a strong enough signal to make a call but a text will often go.

If you are unable to make any sort of contact using your phone, three blasts on a whistle is an internationally recognised signal for assistance. Pause for one minute and repeat the signal until you get a response. Many rucksacks have a whistle as part of their chest strap or carry one separately. If you haven’t got a whistle, follow the same protocol but with shouts or, if at night, flashes with a torch.

If you’re riding in a group and someone has an accident or you come across a casualty on the trail, first ensure you’re not endangering yourself or others by approaching them.

Find out if anyone in your group or on the scene has a first aid qualifications and follow their instructions or, if you hold a qualification, follow the procedures you learned. A number of first aid courses are specifically tailored towards outdoors and adventure activities. If you ride regularly, you should seriously consider attending one.

Follow the advice above for calling for help, making sure you have the necessary information about your location and the casualty. You may decide if you’re unable to make contact with the emergency services and are near to a trailhead, road or village, that sending someone for help is the best course of action. Be aware though that you don’t want to create additional casualties and it may be better for your group to stay together.

General riding alone

Whether you are riding on or off road, register your mobile telephone with a locating service such as: Find my iPhone, Find my Samsung.

Let others at home know the details and login. This way, if you are not back, they will be able to log in to a computer and try to locate you. This may well prove crucial in getting help to you in those important first few hours.

Even during daylight hours, ride with a rear light on your bike. This will maximise the opportunity for other road users seeing you well in advance.