Lead a ride (Ride Leader Guidelines)

Lead A Ride (Ride Leader Guidelines)

Want to lead a ride? It's easy.

  1. PPTC requires that all ride leaders be members.
  2. Ride coordinators can provide you the information you need to get started:
    • Suggestions for a ride;
    • A cue sheet or who you might contact to obtain one.
  3. Please submit ride descriptions to your ride coordinator at least two days before the due date listed in Pedal Patter.
  4. If you find or develop a route that is not in a cue sheet library, please send it to the cue sheet librarian (you can find this link on the PPTC website).

... now for the details...

Ride leading is exciting, rewarding and available to members only. It is the heart and soul of the PPTC rides program. Ride leaders should be welcoming and attentive to those who are new to rides, whether members or not, as first impressions are important and lasting. The ride leader is the face of the club for all new and prospective members. Up to 7 weeks of advance planning is necessary to meet Pedal Patter deadlines.

Date/Route

Decide your ride classification and contact the appropriate ride coordinator (all are listed on the website) with a suggested date and route for the ride you wish to lead. If you don't have a route in mind and would like suggestions for one, the coordinator and/or the cue sheet librarian will be happy to provide you with a route from a particular start location and of a specific length.

An important purpose of the ride classification system is to allow riders to re-group at rest stops so new or prospective members do not ride alone, except by choice.

A separate leader is required for each class “B” and lower on a multi-class ride, so a co-leader should be found. If you cannot do this yourself, contact the coordinator of the other classification to request a co-leader. This should be easy since you are doing all the pre-ride work and your co-leader just needs to take responsibility on the day of the ride.

Ride Description

Once the date, classification, and route are decided, you then need to submit a ride description to the coordinator by the 5th day of the month before your ride. A standardized format for the first line lists the class, distance, locality, start time, location and weather notes. Example:
B * 45 * MD * 10AM * Poolesville HS (POO) * 50/35%
Terrain indicators, e.g. (F) Flat, (MF) Mostly Flat (MH) or (H) (Mod Hilly, Hilly) may also be used following the ride classification.

Next is the title and body for your ride description. Titles can be time tested, or you can create one for the ride. Then the basics are noting scenery and landmarks, rest stop(s), restrooms if any, other facilities, terrain, special occasions, etc. Specify where the ride pace will fall within the published range. You can invite other ride levels to participate, as long as readers understand how they will conform to the expectations of that classification. Include any other information, including weather restrictions like wet roads, if you are planning a lunch or other gathering after the ride, helmets required, etc. Finally, include contact information – name, [email] phone xxx/xxx-xxxx (follow this format) so that riders may reach you if they have any questions.

Pre-Ride

Because conditions change, it is best to preview your ride via bike or car before leading it, so you can make last minute changes to the cue sheet, or are able to alert riders to detours, road work, etc.

Prepare sufficient copies of your cue sheet. The number needed will depend upon weather conditions and what other rides are offered the same day. Your sign up sheet will be automatically mailed to you by PPTC. If it does not arrive in time, print a copy from web site, and write in the date, ride name and leader at the top.

The Day of the Ride

  • Arrive early;
  • Have your cue-sheets, sign-in form with waiver and a pen available, and ask each rider sign the form;
  • Before the ride begins, ask if everyone signed in and took a cue sheet;
  • If possible, have club brochures on hand for prospective members;
  • Contact the club office at 202/363-8687 or via email to have some sent to you;
  • Introduce yourself to ride participants. Ask if any new or non-members are present, and have them introduce themselves. Ask if anyone is alone, unsure of the ride pace, etc., and if possible find a riding buddy for those who need one.
  • Give a pre-ride briefing: Mention information about unusual terrain, rest stops, hazards, cue sheet tips, etc. State you will be riding at the advertised pace where you will be riding in relation to the group. Remind that everyone should have water, food, and basic repair tools and parts. Emphasize that each rider should carry identification and emergency contact information. Review safe cycling practices: Experience will tell you how much of this is necessary for the group you are leading, but here is a comprehensive list:
    • Observe all traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and red lights;
    • Stay out of right turn lanes when going straight;
    • Do not hinder traffic;
    • As most accidents occur at intersections, ensure safe crossings;
    • Make space for cars to pass in large groups;
    • Let cars know what you are doing, use hand signals on turns;
    • Warn if stopping or slowing with hand signals as well as calling out (particularly important in group rides);
    • Warn if passing on left or right;
    • Call “car back” and “car up” as cars approach and move to single lines when traffic is present;
    • Point or call out potholes, gravel, etc. to those behind;
    • Stay right, and do not pass on hills with limited sightlines or curves – just as if you were driving a car.

Although helmets are not required by the club, you can set your own policy for your rides and deal with any rider without a helmet as you see fit. Set a good example ALWAYS. Wear a helmet.

You can never be sure who will come on any ride. Every ride draws some riders who are faster than the advertised class because they like the location and/or distance. Tell them lead off and otherwise do not worry about them. You are not responsible for keeping close tabs on everyone, but you should have some sense of how people are doing. This is usually done by natural regrouping at rest stops. If you are going to the front of the group, you may ask someone to sweep from behind. Some leaders circle back and forth, but it is not expected. If someone is seriously lagging and alone, some guidance may be needed.

Encourage others to lead rides or to join the club. Give names of those who you feel might be interested to the ride coordinator so they may be contacted.

In Case of Emergency

If you come upon an accident on a ride you are leading or another ride knowing how to administer first aid and how to seek proper follow up care can help prevent a trivial injury from becoming a catastrophic one. The first thing to do is assess the situation. Based upon the degree of seriousness of the injury, and how many others stop to help, here are some pointers:

  • Make sure that no one is in danger of being further injured;
  • One member of the team should assess the injuries. If a doctor or someone certified in CPR/first aid is present, they should perform these duties. For anything more than a minor abrasion, call 911. Sometimes, head injuries are not evident immediately. While waiting, administer first aid:
    • Secure the victim's head and neck. Someone may just need to hold the head. Never remove the helmet. Moving the neck if it is injured could lacerate the spine and cause paralysis;
    • Don't move the victim until their condition has been assessed;
    • Don't give any food or water until the condition is known;
    • Ask questions to determine if the victim's mental status is impared;
    • If the victim can communicate, ask where pain is and whether the neck or head hurts. Even a mild concussion should include a hospital visit;
    • Check for broken bones or obvious bruises;
    • To treat road rash, first gently remove dirt, glass, and other debris from the wound and wash it with clean water, if possible. Add antibiotic ointment, if available. Apply a bandage if you have one, otherwise leave the wound alone;
    • If a wound is gushing blood, apply direct pressure with a jersey or glove. Note that it takes 15 to 20 minutes for a blood clot to form.
  • Another team member can direct traffic around the accident if necessary.
  • Yet another team member can get important information:
    • If the accident involves a motor vehicle get the driver's name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, license plate number, make of car, insurance company name and policy number. Get names and contact information for witnesses. If police come to the scene, get the police report number.
  • Write down as many details of the accident as possible.

Heat injuries are also serious. If you come upon a rider who appears to be having heat related trauma, call 911. Move the victim to a shaded area, remove outer layers of clothing and begin spraying the victim with water to reduce the victim's body temperature.

If an accident or emergency occurs on your ride, contact a member of the club's Executive Committee no later then the next morning to report it. Provide the victim's name, the police report number if there was one, and the status of the victim to the best of your knowledge.

Post-Ride

Though not mandatory, it is a good idea to stay at the ride start/stop until all riders have returned.

Mail in the sign in sheet with your comments and summarize what happened. You only need to send in your cue sheet if it's new or revised, with a note indicating which.

Comments and/or corrections email Deb Reynolds