Ride Guidelines

The Essentials

BBC’s mission is to “build a diverse community around high-performance, recreational cycling.”

So that we can all get there together, please be mindful of the following:

  • Helmets are mandatory.

  • Basic group riding skills are key.

  • Share the road with everyone.

  • Be inclusive and friendly.

Ride Guidelines—The Basics

Welcome new and returning members!  You probably already know part of the Berkeley Bicycle Club’s mission is to “build a diverse community around high-performance, recreational cycling.”  So that we can all get there together, please be mindful of the following:

  • Helmets, properly fitted and in good condition, are mandatory while riding.

  • A face covering is optional while riding. Please adhere to local requirements for masking and/or distancing at stops.

  • Basic group riding skills, including riding smoothly and predictably, the use of hand signals, and riding in pacelines, are key.  You should be comfortable riding around others.  Asking questions and studying others always helps, but, ultimately, it’s down to practice, practice, practice.

  • Share the road. There is very seldom any need to fully block the road. It is almost never necessary to ride more than two abreast. You should always be prepared to “single-up” (ride single file) to make space.

  • Standard road bikes are the best choice for group rides. Whatever bike you use, please do not use a TT or “super-tuck” position while in a group. Group riding dynamics require quick, predictable reactions.

  • Group rides often stretch out but typically regroup at the top of climbs or at major intersections. Ask if you are unsure where exactly as it can vary based on the route and participants.

  • Be self-sufficient. Take care of your equipment. Carry water, food, money, tubes, tools, maps. Our rides are not always no-drop (except the Introductory Ride). If you become separated from the group, you may need to be self-sufficient in making your way home.

  • Our rides are inclusive and friendly. Please always treat others with respect. This includes everyone on the ride and all those with whom we cross paths on the road. We are a community founded in positivity and inclusivity, and our behavior on all rides—solo and group rides—should reflect and reinforce this. Abusive, hateful, or intrusive language or actions will not be tolerated.

Ride Guidelines—The Finer Points

  • Part of BBC’s mission is to build a diverse community around high-performance, recreational cycling.

    • Recreational means we all have fun.

    • High-performance means we all get better.

    • Diverse Community is the “we”, working together, with positivity and inclusivity.

    • With hundreds of members, we are sure you can find a group ride to suit your pace and style. If you do not find one, please create one.

  • Learn and use hand signals which indicate hazards, turning, passing, slowing, approaching vehicles and peds, etc. When in doubt, use your voice.

  • Most group rides form pacelines, meaning riders are very near each other. If you are inexperienced or uncomfortable riding in a group or a paceline, please let the others know so that they can support you. You’ll need to communicate and manage your personal bubble around other riders.

  • At some point everyone is new to a group or a ride and needs to learn the group’s habits. We pride ourselves on being friendly, inclusive, and helpful. Please introduce yourself and ask question. When in doubt, ride in the group or at the back.

  • An intact paceline defines an inclusive and friendly group ride. Ride the pace of the slowest rider, maintain the distance to the rider in front of you, and keep the effort (as opposed to the speed) even at the front. Surging and swarming at the front, while not always unwelcome, defines combative group rides and races.

  • Share the road. There is very seldom any need to fully block the road. It is almost never necessary to ride more than two abreast. Small groups will sometimes need to “single-up” to make space. With large groups, a double file (and thus shorter) line is usually easier for cars to pass. The law states that slow moving vehicles need to use turnouts when a line of 5 or more cars forms behind them. That includes cyclists.

  • Be prepared with fuel and hydration. Most group rides usually have only one coffee/snack stop. Please plan accordingly.

  • Be self-sufficient. Take care of your equipment. Be sure your electronics are properly charged. Carry water, food, money, tubes, tools, maps. While we strive to keep the group together, our rides are not always no-drop (except the Introductory Ride). If you become separated from the group, you will need to be self-sufficient in making your way home.

  • Unfamiliar with a route? Not sure you can keep up? Please let someone know. They will try their best to make sure you know your way home, just in case.

  • There are so many Dos and Don’ts. Here is just a sampling:

    • Do heed your Ride Leader/s.

    • Do offer help when it is needed. Follow up only when help is accepted.

    • Do call out warnings. Calls such as “Car up” or “Stopping” or “Single-up,” etc., need to be communicated down through the field of riders.

    • Do keep pedaling over the top of hills.

    • Do follow traffic laws.

    • Do look ahead and anticipate.

    • Do not stare at the wheel in front of you.

    • Do not “half-wheel” or lap wheels.

    • Do not wear headphones.

    • Do not stand up to pedal when there are riders directly behind you.

    • Do not clear your nose in front of anyone.

    • Do not touch others.

    • Do not drift away from a group without alerting someone.

Weekday Rides

  • Weekday rides do not always regroup as people are often on a timeline to get to work. Ask if you are unsure.

  • Weekday rides usually do not have a mid-ride coffee/snack stop, especially early morning rides.

Introductory Rides

  • Introductory Rides are no-drop rides. “No-drop” means no one gets fully separated from the group. The group may occasionally stretch out, but it will regroup.

  • Recruit a ride buddy. If you do drop back, your ride buddy will know to look for you.

  • Ideally, the group will stay together and arrive at the destination at the same time. Ask the ride leaders to slow the ride down if you cannot keep up.

For Those New to Group Rides

  • During group rides there are certain responsibilities expected of both Leaders and Riders. Leaders are responsible—more or less—for suggesting routes and regroup spots, and for establishing an agreeable ride pace. Riders are responsible—more or less—for having the equipment, skills and fitness needed to keep pace with the ride.

  • Learn how to draft. Find other skilled riders to follow and ask questions about how to draft more effectively. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.

  • If you are having difficulty keeping up, rather than stay at the back, try to stay in the middle of the group. That way, if other riders pass you, you are more likely to stay in or near the group.

  • Recruit a ride buddy. If you do drop back, your ride buddy will know to look for you.

  • Look ahead by riding just to one side of the rider in front of you. Anticipate what those in front of you will do. Do not stare at the wheel in front of you. That is a sure way to touch wheels.

  • Learn to anticipate the pace and be prepared to work harder when the going gets tough. This usually means looking ahead and keeping tabs on the whole group. Then select the right gear, push the pedals harder and/or pedal more quickly when you must. At times it will mean breathing at a rate where it is harder for you to form complete sentences.

  • Familiarize yourself with the route. Be prepared for the terrain and mileage of the proposed ride. Ask the group leaders for details, or use any ride app (Strava, Map My Ride, Ride with GPS).

For Those Leading Large or Out-of-Town Group Rides

  • Choose routes with ample meet-up space, as few turns as possible, adequate rest stops, and options for riders to shorten the ride.

  • Please try to provide the group with carpooling options, maps and notes about the route, anticipated pace, and re-grouping policies and places.

  • Make time for a safety and group ride briefing before the ride starts.

  • Try your best to lead from or near the front. Ask others to take turns “sweeping” at the back. Recruit additional ride leaders as needed.

  • Try to limit large groups to a maximum of 20 riders.

  • If necessary, split a large group into smaller groups with leader/s for each. Space them 10 min apart or more.

  • Be aware, when a group gets too large, among other things: time spent at rest stops dilates with many people queuing to use the facilities; it can be difficult for cars to pass safely on narrow roads; communications and other happenings at one end of the group often go unnoticed at the other end.