(Editor's note: the Ride Leader Guidelines are available in the PPTC reference manual. They are being reprinted here to remind new and experienced ride leaders of the best practices for all rides. The riding season will start up again in earnest in March - resolve to spend February preparing for it! - CAK)

Ride leading is exciting, rewarding and available to members only. It is the heart and soul of our Rides Program. Ride leaders should be especially welcoming and attentive to those who are new to our rides, 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. Advance planning, up to seven weeks, is necessary in order to meet Pedal Patter deadlines. The specific dates for each issue are available on the web site under Ride Schedules/Ride Coordinators heading, or from ride coordinators.

Date/Route
Decide your ride classification and contact the appropriate coordinator with a date and route. If you don't have a favorite ride 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 specific length. Ample lead time allows for better planning. Sometimes there are conflicts with rides, start locations or local events, and there needs to be enough time to make changes.

An important purpose of the classification is to allow riders to re-group at rest stops so that new or prospective members do not end up riding alone (except by choice.) Not being alone mitigates other safety issues: getting assistance for repairs or a medical emergency; not getting lost, not running out of food or water. In the past, rides have been listed with multiple classifications, but there must be a separate leader 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 and they will try to find a co-leader for you. 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 and route are decided on, then you need to submit a ride description to the coordinator. There is a standardized format to follow for the first line that lists the class, distance, locality, start time, location and weather notes. Example: B * 45 * MD * 10AM * Poolesville HS (POO) * 50/35%. Terrain indicators, eg. (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. These can be time tested ones, or you can exercise your writing talents, or a combination. A title is required. Then the basics are noting scenery & landmarks, rest stop(s), if there are bathrooms or not, other facilities, terrain, special occasions, etc. Specify where your pace will fall within the published range. You can invite other ride levels in the body of the text, as long as readers will understand how they will conform to the expectations of that classification (if you will lead from the front or sweep from the back). Include any other info, 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 (via bike or car) your ride prior to leading it, so you can make last minute changes to the cue sheet, or be able to alert riders the day of to detours, road work etc.

Prepare sufficient copies of your cue sheet, generally 30 will be fine, more depending on weather conditions and what other rides are offered on the same day. Your sign up sheet will be automatically mailed to you. If it does not arrive from PPTC in time, make a copy from the reference manual or 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 and waiver with pen available, and have each rider sign the form.
• Compare the number of signatures on the sheet to number of riders: if they don't match, mention it, and remind those who haven't to please do so!
• If possible, have club brochures on hand for prospective members. Contact the club phone at 202/363-8687 or email the PPTC office, to have some sent to you.
• Introduce yourself. Ask if there are any new or non-members, and have them introduce themselves. Ask if anyone is alone, unsure of pace, etc and if possible find a riding buddy for him or her.
• If the group is small, then have introductions all around.
• Give a pre-ride briefing: Mention info about unusual terrain, rest stops, hazards, cue sheet tips etc. State you will be riding at the advertised pace and if you are sweeping or where you will be. Remind that everyone should have water, food, and basic repair tools and parts. Emphasize that each rider should have ID and emergency contact info with them. You could bring some stickers to give anyone who would like one to put in his/her helmet with pertinent info. 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 & red lights.
  • Stay out of right turn lanes when going straight. Do not hinder traffic.
  • Ensure safe crossings.
  • Make space for cars to pass in large groups.
  • Use hand signals on turns.
  • Warn if stopping or slowing with hands signals as well as calling out.
  • Warn if passing on left or right.
  • Call "Car Back" and "Car Up", 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 like in a car.

Although helmets are not officially required by the club, you can set your own policy for your own 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, you may ask someone to sweep. Some leaders circle back and forth, but it is not expected. If there is someone seriously lagging and alone, some guidance may be needed.

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