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First club ride
If you are about to embark on your first club ride with the Cranks it might seem a bit intimidating, but we have experienced riders to help you on your journey. We all started out new at some point, so turn up and say “Hi” to the other Cranks and you will be made very welcome.
Club safety guidelines and rules for group riding insist that a helmet is worn by all riders. Fixed wheel bikes and triathlon bar extensions add increased risk to riders and others and are therefore not allowed in a standard group road ride. For information, legal electric bikes are allowed on club rides.
If you are new to group riding, below are some guidelines to help you pick up the essential group riding skills.
Riding in Pairs
When riding in a group, we normally ride in pairs, with the pair being roughly 1m apart.
On wider roads this formation makes the group compact and easier for cars to overtake. The group can then easily move to single-file when needed.
To ride safely in a group, it is important to ride smoothly, not to overreact and avoid harsh and sudden braking.
Try and look through the group to what is happening ahead on the road.
Hold your line, don’t overlap wheels and most importantly, relax!
Communication
Communication is key to a safe group ride. Roads are full of hazards and visibility is limited for the cyclist in a group. It is important to communicate the presence of these hazards to other riders in the group by calling or pointing out various obstacles. This is done using recognised calls and hand signals.
Hand-Signals
It is not imperative that all the cyclists in the group point out the same hazards or signals, but the front pair of riders always should.
If you are a beginner or unsteady, then it is far safer for the group if you 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).
Hand signals used by Mickey Cranks
Turning Left or Right
Hold arm out straight in direction of turn. Do this early so that the signal can be passed down the group and so you have both hands on the handlebars before turning.
Slowing
Palm level to ground, hand raised and lowered. Call out “slowing”.
Stopping
Palm of hand held steady facing rider behind. Call out “stopping”.
Obstacle
Arm bent behind back, elbow making an arrow pointing to large hazard on one side of the road to be avoided where an ‘overtake manoeuvre’ is required (e.g. parked car, runner in road).
Potholes
Point to substantial hazards on the road surface with one finger. Call out if significant or numerous hazards (e.g. lots of potholes). It’s best to do so by indicating the side ie. “holes left” or “holes right” or “holes middle”, depending on which route you plan to take around the obstacle (in Oxfordshire, you’ll have lots of practice at this!)
General road hazard
All fingers outstretched, pointing towards hazard in road – gravel or loose surface. It’s best to shout “Gravel” to fellow riders as this poses a very significant hazard if having to brake or turn.
Wide hazards
Point to the hazard such a speed bump, cattle grid and move your hand in and out.
Mechanical
Arm straight up with hand spread out (if safe to do so) – also, call out “mechanical” or “puncture”.
Single file
Arm straight up and index finger pointing up (if safe to do so) – also call out “single file”.
Rotate riders
Hand in air making circling motion – intending to rotate from the front to the back of the group
Calls
As well as using hand signals, you will often hear riders calling out the following:
"Slowing"
Used when approaching a junction or obstacle such as a parked car.
"Stopping"
Used when approaching a junction or obstacle such as a parked car.
"Car Front"
Used to indicate a car is coming towards the bunch from in front on a narrow road.
"Car Back"
Used to indicate a car is coming towards the bunch from behind on a narrow road.
"Holes"
Used when the road has too many potholes to point to or it is unsafe to point to a pothole. The side where the pothole lies can be called with “holes right” or “holes left” or “holes middle”.
"Passing"
Used to indicate when a car is passing the group.
Further guidance
For more details on riding in a group, see our documents on ‘Club Riding Etiquette’ and ‘Advanced Group Riding’ in the ‘Policies and Downloads’ section of our website, or check out the following web pages:
Club ride disclaimer
Mickey Cranks Club is insured via British Cycling for its normal activities. Club Officers and Officials are also insured when acting on the Club’s specific instructions.
It is important to understand that individuals participating in Club activities do not have the benefit of the club’s insurance. All riders take part in club rides at their own risk.
All individual participants are therefore strongly advised to obtain third party liability insurance as a Member or Premium member of British Cycling or as a member of Cycling UK .
You are responsible for your own and others safety.