PLEASE DO NOT JUST TURN UP AND EXPECT TO RIDE, PLACES MUST BE PRE BOOKED & CONFIRMED WITH BEN A group of like-minded people who simply want to get out! All we ask is that you come along to offer your support and sense of humour to the group and please leave your ego at home. The idea of the group is primarily social - to get like-minded people out for a chat, a giggle (& bike ride) A MUST YOU HAVE TO BRING:
A working MTB (If you don't, we have a great relationship with Long Hanborough Cycle Shop).
A helmet
A Spare inner tube(s)
Multitool
All riders must have an emergency contact on them - either the ICE function on your phone or a written piece of paper in a top bag pocket, jersey rear pocket and someone else in the group must know where this is kept.
A positive attitude!
A sense of humour.
PLEASE SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR HEALTH, SAFETY & GENERAL NOTES
Agree to release of liability at the bottom of this page.
Most of the communication is done through our whats app group which you will be invited to join in due course. No one will get left behind -we start together and we will finish together.
Administration Fee In regards to helping contribute with the time involved running and organising the sessions - If you are brand new to us then we want you to get a true feel about who and what we are about - We would like to offer you the the first 4 weeks from your first visit complimentary to you so we can discuss and any concerns, issues and question you may have. From there - There is an option of £5.00 pay you go. Or, there is an annual fee of £60.00 which covers the date from 1st May 2021-31st April 2022. Should you wish to join later on in the year the fee will be pro-rata accordingly (£5.00 per month until the 31st April 2022) As a thank you, you will receive Project Active branded BUFF when you sign up for the year. Please contact Ben for methods of payment Once you sign up you will be invited to our private what's app group. If your company subscribes to one of our bespoke 'Staff Wellbeing' packages please contact Ben directly to discuss your options. Any questions, then please get in touch.
Please click below for a few handy tips and tricks to get you started
It is essential that your bike is in a safe and roadworthy condition, for example, working brakes. If you are unsure many local bike shops will offer a bike check. The appropriate lighting and high-visibility clothing should also be worn It is British Cycling best practice that helmets always be worn when riding, and we would strongly encourage that you do so for your own safety, and to set a good example for younger members Should there be an incident, please support the ride leader and offer any help you can, whether it be making a phone call to seek help, warning other trail & road users (often the most critical thing to do), or assisting with any injured riders.
All riders must have an emergency contact on them - either the ICE function on your phone or written piece of paper in a top bag pocket, jersey rear pocket and someone else in the group must know where this kept.
RESPECT We ask everyone when riding with to have respect for their fellow riders and other trail & road users:
Ride leaders (or more likely sweepers) will help with mechanical issues, but we would ask all riders to be able to fix basic problems such as punctures. Always carry some spare inner tubes that are the correct size for your wheels, as the ride leaders will be unlikely to have a full set of spares
Please follow the highway code at all times, including stopping at red-lights and riding no more than two-abreast
Please respect ALL other trail & road users including drivers, pedestrians, runners, dog- walkers, and horse-riders. Where appropriate and safe to do so, allow drivers to get past you on narrow roads.
Please get to the rides on time. We will have a short announcement before each ride and then look to get going.
GENERAL GROUP RIDING ETIQUETTE FOR BEGINNERS
Pick the right Group – Rides would be broken into A and B groups (with A the fastest). The website will give an indication of how fast this will be, or how long it will take to ride a certain route, as the hilly routes we tend to ride on around our area don’t always translate to a straight miles-per-hour figure. We will refine these estimates of times for each route as we develop – please bear with us as we get this right and feedback (politely) when we need to change something.
As a general rule, it will be worth starting with a slower group than a faster one. But if you are not used to riding in a group then you might be surprised how many benefits you get from it (approx 20%). By this I mean you will go 20% faster with the same effort.
Each ride will have a leader and “sweeper”.
The leader will not necessarily have to ride at the front but will be familiar with the route and have some cycling experience. Please respect the leaderʼs decision. If, for example, they decide to shorten a route due to weather/light/safety concerns.
The “sweeper” will ride at the back of the group and make sure riders do not become detached from the main group.
Ride two-abreast when it is safe to do so – this way the group is a compact unit that can ride efficiently but easily move to single-file when needed (for example to get past an oncoming car when the road is narrow). On the roads, NEVER go three or more abreast, irrespective of how good the conversation is!
Communication is key to a safe group ride. Roads are full of traffic, rocks, signs, potholes, parked cars, animals, pedestrians, etc. and visibility is limited for the cyclist in a pack. It is important to communicate with the riders in the group of potential hazards by shouting and pointing out hazards.
Hand-Signals: It is not imperative that all the cyclists in the group point out the same hazards or signals. As long as a few are then this is normally sufficient (and the leading two always should). If you are a beginner or unsteady then it is far safer for the group to keep both hands on the handle-bars than it is to point things out.
The purpose of these signals is that the riders can continue to ride at a steady pace and can ride around the smaller obstacles without constantly having to brake (and sudden braking causes most incidents).
The thing you are most likely to see is where riders point down in the direction of an oncoming rock/hole. If the two riders both point to the ground between them, this signifies there is a small obstacle (such as a pothole) that they are going to ride on either side of.
If the rider on the left points to their left, it means there is something to their left that they might have to ride slightly to the right of to pass – and if you are behind them then you will have to take the same line if you also want to avoid it! Similarly, the rider on the right might indicate a similar obstacle to their right.
These signals allow the group to ride at a constant pace.
You will also see a ride pointing or waving behind their lower back. If they are pointing right (the most common) then it indicates that the whole group will have to move to the right to overtake a large obstacle such as a parked car.
Shouts – Warnings youʼre likely to hear include:
Car Back: thereʼs a car approaching from the rear of the group ride
Car Up: thereʼs a car approaching from the front of the group ride
Car right or left: the car is approaching on the left of right of the group ride
Rock or Hole: there is a hazard in the road
Walker/runner up: thereʼs a pedestrian on the road ahead Biker up: there is a slower cyclist ahead that we are likely to overtake
Clear: perhaps at a junction, this is called when there is nothing coming and you know you can pedal through
Slow – potential hazard ahead, control speed (but don’t brake sharply to a standstill)
Stop – we are going to have to stop – there is a hazard we can’t ride around Line-out or single-file – asking that we move (whilst still keeping same speed) to single-file to for example let a vehicle past.
To be safe it is important to ride smooth, donʼt overreact, avoid hard braking, be alert as to what is going on up the road in the front of the pack, and anticipate what traffic will do.
Inexperienced riders who panic and touch a wheel may crash or cause a crash. You can avoid problems by practising these simple rules:
Stay alert at all times. Hold your line. Donʼt overlap wheels. Donʼt look back! Relax!
Focus on the rider(s) ahead. Beware of hazards around you. Donʼt brake unless absolutely necessary
Please also note that all leaders and sweepers are volunteers and that you personally also agree to participate at your free will & risk.
You will not be asked to do anything that you do not want to do and are under no pressure to do so.
You must also recognise that the project active instructor/trainer/coach is not able to provide you with medical advice with regard to medical conditions you may have.
You must be aware that any physical activity can be hazardous and there is a risk involved along with potential dangers of all types of cycling.
If you are concerned about any medical issues, please consult a GP before joining us.
Please also note accidents & injuries could occur whilst out on a ride but no ride leader or volunteer can be held accountable or liable for any financial reimbursement or liable action.
The George & Dragon public house also states that we use their car park at our own risk - any damage/thefts to vehicles or bikes are entirely our responsibility.
Ben from Project Active also reserves the right to change the group structure/rider participation if a potential risk is identified to the rest of the group or to themselves.
FUN Let’s not forget that we do this because we love cycling, so let’s do it with a smile on our faces A cheery ” hello” to a passing groups helps spread the fun to everyone else
All of this may sound complicated at first but you will soon get into it. It actually gives a whole new dimension to cycling as it makes it a team event – you have to communicate, support and trust each other, and everyoneʼs safety is in each otherʼs hands. But you will find it one of the most enjoyable elements of riding in our tribe.
I understand that during activities organised by Project Active Ltd which I participate in, certain risks and dangers may arise including but not limited to exercise, fitness & sports in both indoor and outdoor environments. ● This also includes travelling to/in remote areas where external factors such as animals, forces of nature, accidents and illness. ● I recognize that the Project Active staff as a company is not able to provide me with medical advice with regard to my medical condition, If I am unsure about my medical suitability then I will consult my GP before participating ● Staff from Project Active will adhere to current best practice guidelines in the activity offered. ● I am aware that any physical activity can be hazardous and there is a risk involved. I am aware that I am under NO obligation to do anything that I do not want to ● All persons who participate in any activity of Project Active accept responsibility for making their own determinations as to the suitability of the activity and for their own safety, conduct and well-being and agree to participate solely at their own risk. ● In consideration of the right to participate in any activities of Project Active, I, the undersigned, assume the risk associated with these activities and will hold Project Active, it’s and agents harmless from and defend them against any and all liability, actions, suits, claims and demands which could arise from any of the activities and from any loss or injury which I may sustain as a result of my participation in any of these activities. ● This agreement shall also serve as a release of liability and assumption of risk by me and is intended to be binding on my heirs, administrators, executors and all members of my family.
