Important Information

Introduction

There is usually both a half-day and a full-day ride ride every Saturday morning.  These rides promote a feeling of progression for Associates after receiving their test pass and help all members keep their skills up to date.

All of our rides follow the group riding guidance from IAM (click the link) which is worth a look before you complete the pre-ride admin.

Have a look at the calendar on the Ride Registrations page to see where the planned rides are going to and to put your name down.

Pre-first ride administration

However, before new members can go on one of the organised rides, there is a bit of admin to do first.

You'll need to do the following:

1. familiarise yourself with "How our rides work" below, including the 'drop off' system
2. read the Risk Assessment (clicking on this link will open a PDF in a new window).

Once you've done both of these things, please use the following form to record that you understood and agree to both.

How our rides work

There'll be a briefing just before setting off where the leader will outline the route, the intermediate stop and the final destination. They'll also introduce the back marker.

We keep together using the ‘Drop Off’ system, a short explanation of which is as follows:

• The leader and back marker never change position – they are always first and last.
• The rider immediately behind the leader will "mark" any turn or deviation from the straight ahead route.  This ensures that everyone knows where to turn and we therefore stay together as a group - even if we're spread out. 
• The rider will "mark" the turn by safely stopping in full view of any following riders and indicate the direction to take until the back marker comes along
• The rider then slots into the group infront of the back marker and continues with the ride.
  • How long should I wait and what should I do, a full explanation is in the "Drop off system" section of the FAQs
    

During the ride

• You should ride to the system. Ride for yourself, at your own speed and no-one else’s.
• No overtaking in the group, unless it is for safety reasons.
• When approaching hazards (junctions, railway crossings, traffic lights, etc.), try to bunch up in the group as you stop. Make space for riders who are behind you to filter forward and join you at the front. Remembering to stop slightly staggered so all riders have a clear view and to set off in the same ride order

After a Ride

• Every day we ride, we all learn something, but if you feel you could do with a bit of a refresher on any particular skill we have dedicated Observers who will gladly give you some post-test input to help you on your way.

Planning a ride

• The half day ride takes between 2 ½ to 3 hours to the destination, so between 60 & 70 miles will normally do, bearing in mind the comfort break stop can be ½ hour and the lunch stop around an hour.
• The full day ride can be about twice that, however the rules are not so precise, bearing in mind the T&P stops need to be about 1 ½ to 2 hours, the duration of each is the same as for the ½ day ride.  Alternatively you could have a comfort break before and after the lunch break.

Leader

• Should always wear a yellow Hi-Viz
• You and the back marker should exchange mobile numbers to liaise during the ride, including a strategy for contacting each other.
• You should give a short briefing to the group, 5 to 10 minutes before departure, outlining your planned route, indicating the stop for the comfort break, the timing and possibly mileage.
• Ask if anyone has any personal issues and maybe talk to them privately after the briefing.
• Make sure everyone understands the drop-off system.
• While riding, you will get a feel for how the group is staying together – or not! If you’re riding at 60mph, the riders at the back, as they get further behind, will be tempted to speed to catch up and not lose you. It may be better to ride some roads at 50mph, so everyone keeps in touch.

Leaders' Briefing Check List

1. Start the briefing 10 mins before ride due to start and advise set off in 5mins
2. Describe the intermediate stop, approximate ride length and destination
3. Any known issues related to the route
4. If riding on a Motorway – remind DO NOT MARK JUNCTION, leave at junction XX
5. Identify the back marker to all riders
6. Exchange ‘phone numbers with Back Marker
7. Check everyone is clear about the second man drop off system
8. Remind riders to “bunch up” at junctions
9. If anyone needs to leave the ride, make sure the leader or back marker know
   
10. Remind – ride for yourself

Back Marker

• Should wear an orange Hi-Viz preferably, or something readably identifiable.
• Make sure you know the leader’s ‘phone number and where the intermediate and destination stops are
• As you approach a rider marking a junction, indicate with an arm wave that it is really you, in case other bikes have become mixed up in the ride
• In the event of an incident during the ride, you will come across it before the leader. You should contact the leader as soon as is practicable via phone or text and decide between you, how to proceed.

Check rides

We in Team 5 are really keen that we maintain the right level of skills today as we had when we first passed our test.  To do this we have a system of "check rides" that each member undertakes every two years.  This is really straightforward and the list of things that you're checked against is found here. Don't worry about organising this - you'll be contacted at the right time.