Hanover ConnectEast Ride for Home – Ridewiser Rider Etiquette
Dual Olympic cycling medalist Rob Crowe has developed the following information to assist riders in preparing for the Hanover ConnectEast Ride for Home.
We highly recommend that you take the time to read through the following information in the interest of rider safety.
Bunch Riding Skills
Riding in small or large bunches can be great fun, as long as riders follow the road rules and use sensible bunch-riding skills.
Please abide by these two road rules on event day:
- no riding in the emergency lane – for your safety, watch out for road-side drains
- no time-trial bars allowed in mass start bunches
Please learn and use these top five bunch-riding skills on event day:
- Always pass on the right
- Beware who you sit behind
- Look ahead
- Maintain safety cushion
- No sudden movements
Always pass on the right - As a general rule on the open road and in this event, riders MUST pass on the right-hand side of others. Give a wide berth to slower riders who MUST take the left-most position on riding lanes.
Beware who you sit behind - Watch out! The rider in front may not have the bike-handling skills you assume of him or her. Beware of riders not riding smoothly and predictably; it’s better to sit behind a rider who looks comfortable and in control, and who uses a safety cushion of space in front of them.
Look ahead - Watch the lead riders as they are the eyes of the group, not the rider directly in front of you. Most accidents come from riders looking down or focusing too close to the ground in front. Heads up!
Maintain safety cushion - Be ready for other riders to forget the skills, and change direction, speed or position on their bikes without warning. Leave one meter gap to those you sit behind & also to those you sit beside.
No sudden movements – Ensure that you don’t suddenly change direction or speed. Others will usually be following you, so guide your fellow riders when you are at the front. To change riding line, give hand signals of your intentions and then drift over gradually.
Rob Crowe, two-time Olympic cyclist, is an educator and cycling fitness consultant for Ridewiser. For information on indoor cycling training, written training programs or other cycling services, phone 9534 7785 or visit www.ridewiser.com.au