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If you're uncertain about how we ride, you should probably read The Pace first.
We've become very specific on our group ride rules to ensure that everyone has fun and everyone comes home safe. We tried this out in 1999, and we believe it works very well for our group format. We have since debated these rules (in great depth) but, in the end, the rules work well for our group and we will continue to follow them.
These "guidelines" will also be discussed before each ride so as everyone understands the rules that we are going to operate under. Note that these apply to the monthly HSTA rides. Any rides organized by members on the spur of the moment are that group's responsibility and subject to any guidelines they would like to apply.
Ride your own ride.
If you don't feel like going as fast as the others in the group, then don't. No one will be made to feel bad because they want to go slower than others. If you want to go fast, then take responsibility for your actions and join a faster group. I imagine some of the group dynamics will shake themselves out as more of us ride together, but we still need to respect each other's abilities and skills and have fun.
Riding in a group is different from riding alone. You have responsibilities that do not exist when riding alone and you must apply discipline. The most important rule is safety and to endanger no one else.
Ride in Small Groups
To maximize the fun factor, and keep groups working, groups will not be allowed to leave in any larger than 6 people. The recommended size is 4 people. All groups and members within a group will be made aware of where the next stop is and any questions should be raised at this time.
Please pick a correct group for your riding comfort zone. If you feel the group is riding too fast for you, drop to the back and let them go ahead. At the next stop, notify the group leader that you are going to change groups so everyone is accounted for. There is no shame in admitting you are not as fast as the fastest group. Crashing is a shame, and it's expensive. Please, don't push yourself... It won't be worth it.
To minimize passing and the associated dangers, faster groups will leave first followed at couple minute intervals by successively slower groups. At each stop, the first group must at least wait for the following group (not necessarily the entire big ride) so as to verify everyone is safe and accounted for (and riders can drop back if they feel the need) before leaving for the next designated stop point.
Ride in Groups of Like Ability
Riders should pick a group of riders they feel comfortable with and trust, because riding in a group requires some trust in your fellow rider. We ride in a staggered fashion with rider behind never crossing the rear wheel of the rider in front. In the curves, generally we drop into single file and may regroup on the next straightaway. If your own group gets stretched out, wait at any intersection before continuing for the rider behind you to see which way you turned.
Passing Rules
Although faster groups should be in front of slower groups, faster groups can end up behind slower groups. Upon reaching a slower group or rider, the faster group must wait until either the slower rider pulls to the right side of the lane and waves them by and the faster rider may go by to the left of the slower rider.
This also assumes responsibility of slower riders/groups to be polite and wave faster people by but only when they feel comfortable. (for example, on a straightaway, no curves, no oncoming traffic). Alternatively, the faster group may pass the slower rider on a dotted yellow legal pass completely in the other lane.
If you pass on the right, you will be shot at the next stop, count on it.
Once you're done getting lambasted, you'll be asked to leave the group. We take this very seriously, please don't push the issue.
This isn't a Race
The street is NOT a race track. We all like tearing up the canyons as much as the next person, but riders have to remember, the roads are public, they have sand/rocks/oil/crap on them. We're out there with a motoring public, most of them aren't fit to drive.
The group rides will be ridden at the The Pace. Some group's Pace will be faster than others. If you find yourself on the brakes and powering out of corners and blasting down the straightaway, you aren't riding the PACE, you're riding over your head. We're out here to have a good time, respect each other's abilities and come back in one piece.
In the Case of an Accident:
If you are in any group but the lead group, two things need to be done:
- One rider needs to be appointed to go to the next meeting place and inform the groups ahead that there has been an accident (and to get assistance for the downed rider, if need be...)
- Everyone is important in a crash situation: To render first aid, to direct traffic, to help move wreckage, and for the general well-being of the group. Please stay at the site unless you are going to get help (or inform the riders ahead).
- Once help has arrived, then the group can proceed to the next stopping point. Depending on the time frame, new plans/routes might have to be determined.
Have Fun, That's an Order!
We want everyone to enjoy themselves and have fun. That's why we're out here, right? To that end, on the monthly CO-HSTA group rides, Unsafe behavior that endangers others will not be tolerated. Violators of "The Guidelines" will be asked to leave the ride. The overall enjoyment of the group is our utmost concern, and these guidelines will allow that to happen. The safety of the majority is more important than the ego gratification of a few.
Fun for all and all for fun. It takes a long time for a tow truck, or heaven-forbid, an ambulance to make it to some of the places we ride. If someone goes down, it is not only bad for the fallen rider, it's bad for the group in general. We believe that these guidelines and some common sense will allow everyone to have fun and stay upright.
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