Tips for 1 day organized rides

[SadieKate]

I see lots of posts from newbie riders asking about riding their first organized group ride. It's kind of hard to find the wealth of information that is scattered all over this site, so I thought I'd start this thread in the hope that we can collect the wisdom in one location. I'm not thinking so much of training for the event, but what to do on the day of the event itself.

For instance, at the rest stops load up in the food line and then eat while standing in the restroom line (wish my DH had told me this ).

Your first group ride is not the time to experiment with new foods. If you're not used to eating large amounts of protein during a ride, don't go for the cold cut tray.

Ride only single file. It is safer for many reasons - you don't stick out into the car lane and other riders traveling different speeds can get around you.

Always carry a tube, pump, patch kit and tools. Even if you can't fix the flat, you should have the supplies handy for the friendly person who stops to fix it for you. Then, go learn how to fix a flat!!!

Don't get caught up in the frenzied pace you'll see at the beginning of the ride. Ride your pace and don't worry about the others.

Listen, listen, listen for both cars and bikes behind you! I see more and more groups of 2-4 riders riding abreast and talking so much that they don't hear cars or another cyclist trying to pass.

Before you get to the ride, practice looking over your shoulder for traffic so that you don't swerve.

If someone behind calls, "On your left!", you should move right immediately when possible. Believe it or not, I've seen people on group rides, where they had signed a form saying they were experienced riders, swerve left into the path of the passing rider.

Carry money -- If you have a mechanical, one of the bike shops providing SAG support may have a new tire or part and can get you back on the road.

OK, ladies - enter in all your tidbits of advice! All those things you wished you'd known for the first ride and learned through trial, error and luck.

[DeniseGoldberg]

On the food front - make sure that you're drinking and eating during the ride. Don't wait until you're hungry or thirsty, just take in a little liquid and food, and do it often.

Something else to practice is drinking while you're riding - either from one of your water bottles, or from a hydration pack like a CamelBak. That's a good thing to feel confident you can handle before you're out riding with a bunch of strangers!

[Hill Slug]

I take a few Clorox Wipes in a ziplock bag. These are very helpful in removing grease when you have to put the chain back on....

[Trek420]

SadieKate tips: "at the rest stops load up in the food line and then eat while standing in the restroom line" true true, you want to manage your rest stops efficiently. They are fun, but stay longer than 15 minutes and you'll be cold, sluggish.

what works for me:

1) park the bike, leave my helmet and gloves clipped to the bike. Don't handle food with your gloves. Try to remember where I parked ;-)
2) condense water bottles. Fill one with the other and take the empty one with you.
3) get food and fill the sports bottle. Eat and drink in the porta potty line. Leave your water bottle outside, you'll be done with the food.
4) Wash hands, Top off water bottle, Stretch, on the road again.
5) If it's a hot day I will visit the porta potties again. You can't hydrate if there's nowhere for it to go ;-)

"Ride only single file."

can't agree with you enough on that.

"Ride your pace and don't worry about the others."

It's a ride, not a race, stop, take pictures, enjoy the views, ride within yourself and scrub off some speed so you can adjust for errors especially descending.

Stop and thank the crew/volunteers every chance you get. You can't do this without them.

"Before you get to the ride, practice looking over your shoulder for traffic so that you don't swerve."

yep, yep, find a line in the road or trail and practice staying on it while you look right or left.

If someone behind calls, "On your left!", you should move right immediately when possible. Believe it or not, I've seen people on group rides, where they had signed a form saying they were experienced riders, swerve left into the path of the passing rider.

I slightly dissagree with this. I feel it's my responsibiblity to find a line that is safe, as far to the right as is safe to do also being aware of obsticals on the road etc. Having a knee-jerk reaction of moving to the right each call out may put me in harms way. I get passed...a lot so I've learned to be as far to the right as is safe but if you're passing me it is your responsibility to call out and then pass when it is safe for you to do. It's not my responsibility to move to the right, I should already be there. Especialy on descents altering my angle on a turn could be dangerous. So "on your left" does not mean "I move right".

That brings up another point: point out obstacles, learn hand signals and communicate with others. Call out when passing! Rider ahead of you points out a pothole you should do it too for those behind you. Same thing if you're in the back and you call out "car back" that should be repeated forward.

Don't assume everyone's seen or heard it. The info should always be going forward or backwards from you.

[aka_kim]

I'll add:

• Do not pass on the right, period.
• At stop lights, stop behind the riders in front of you. Do not go up on the sidewalk to the crosswalk and cut in front of everyone else when the light changes.
• Do not say "Duh" when someone says "On your left."
• "On your left" is said as either a courtesy or a warning, depending on circumstances. It means either move right or hold your line.
• Ride like a good car driver. Hold a line, no sudden stops, no cutting others off, signal your intentions or hazards.
• Learn to clip in without looking, so you won't be a hazard to riders behind you when starting from a stop.
• Ride a pace you think you can maintain for the distance.
• Have fun!

[SadieKate]

If someone behind calls, "On your left!", you should move right immediately when possible. Believe it or not, I've seen people on group rides, where they had signed a form saying they were experienced riders, swerve left into the path of the passing rider.

I slightly dissagree with this. I feel it's my responsibiblity to find a line that is safe, as far to the right as is safe to do also being aware of obsticals on the road etc. Having a knee-jerk reaction of moving to the right each call out may put me in harms way. I get passed...a lot so I've learned to be as far to the right as is safe but if you're passing me it is your responsibility to call out and then pass when it is safe for you to do. It's not my responsibility to move to the right, I should already be there. Especialy on descents altering my angle on a turn could be dangerous. So "on your left" does not mean "I move right".

Trek, I agree with you on this point -- you just said it better. The critical piece is that you need to be sure you are riding to the right are far as is safe. The rider that is riding just barely to the right of the moving traffic and oblivious to everything. . . . grrrr. The rider who wants to pass has the responsibility to say "on your left", pick a safe time to pass, and not get a nasty comment from the passee.

[Trek420]

SadieKate sed "Trek, I agree with you on this point"

of course you do, great minds think alike

but seriously folks if there's a nice generous bike lane/shoulder I like to be about in the middle or edge of the right third. Leave room for *everyone* to pass. I find if you're too far right that's where all the road debris is and I get flat after flat after....

also

* have your bike tuned and adjusted before a major ride. That is NOT what the volunteer mechanics are for.

* don't litter power bar wrappers, gu wrappers. They were light enough to carry full, stick the wrappers in a pocket or carry a zip lock bag for them.

* hang up the cell phone and ride.

* have fun

[Dogmama]

I call out basically so that the pass-ee isn't startled when I'm suddenly next to her. It's my responsibility to pick a safe line, even if I have to go into the traffic lane.

Sometimes people don't ride as far right as possible because they're afraid of road trash, being pinned against the curb, etc. I respect that. It's nice if they move but not required.

Joggers, walkers, or bicyclists who look inexperienced, I yell out "GOOD MORNING" when I'm still behind them so they know I'm there. Then, I wait a few seconds to see how they react before I pass. Most of the time, people thank me for announcing my intentions. (Of course, all bets are off for people wearing headphones...)

[SadieKate]

* hang up the cell phone and ride.
* have fun

Can I talk on the phone briefly if it is from the back of a tandem and I'm orderering take-out? Of course, order would include riders in the immediate vicinity.

[Trek420]

SadieKate "Can I talk on the phone briefly if it is from the back of a tandem and I'm orderering take-out?"

If you're on the back of a tandem I imagine you can make reservations for the post ride dinner, brush your teeth, read a book...whatever you want. Right V?

[coolbeansbikes]

If someone behind calls, "On your left!", you should move right immediately when possible. Believe it or not, I've seen people on group rides, where they had signed a form saying they were experienced riders, swerve left into the path of the passing rider.

I slightly dissagree with this. I feel it's my responsibiblity to find a line that is safe, as far to the right as is safe to do also being aware of obsticals on the road etc. Having a knee-jerk reaction of moving to the right each call out may put me in harms way. I get passed...a lot so I've learned to be as far to the right as is safe but if you're passing me it is your responsibility to call out and then pass when it is safe for you to do. It's not my responsibility to move to the right, I should already be there. Especialy on descents altering my angle on a turn could be dangerous. So "on your left" does not mean "I move right".

To me, "On Your Left" means "Keep Your Line (because I'm gonna pass you, and don't want to scare you in to swerving like crazy just 'cause another bike's nearby)"

~ beanie