If you ride with us, we insist you abide by our club rules. You must demonstrate good safe riding practices at all times, exercise good sportsmanship, and exhibit good bicycle handling skills including cornering at speed, holding line, riding in close proximity to others, having good pacelining skills, etc. and other as identified below.  And, you must have read and accepted our Club Waiver and Release of Liability.

Summit rides are not races.  Dangerous moves to advance up in the group will not be tolerated. 

E-bikes, TT bikes, tandems and recumbents are not allowed.

Be Careful, Be Considerate

Subjecting your fellow riders to danger will NOT be tolerated.  Bikes are considered vehicles, just like cars, and are required to obey the same traffic laws.  Do NOT dart in front of cars while making a left or crossing an intersection when only 2 or 3 riders can successfully get across. It’s a natural tendency to follow the rider ahead of you and having to make a split-second decision whether to cross or not places the cyclists behind you in jeopardy.  

Communicate

Communication is the key to safe group rides. Visibility is limited when riding in a group, keep your head up, warn others about hazards, road debris, and potholes, approaching vehicles, and remain alert, avoid abrupt, jerky movements.  Verbalize and make less experienced riders aware of proper peloton protocol.

Paceline Skill is Required

Our rides utilize a double and single paceline structure. Paceline riding is designed to keep the group’s speed consistent and efficient. Those not participating in the rotation of the paceline should ride in the rear.  if advancing to participate in the paceline communicate to riders you may be passing to make them aware of your presence.  Just because someone is a fast rider that doesn't mean they possess good pacelining skills.  

Ride Smart to Ride Safe -- Safety is our number one consideration.

1. Stay alert at all times. Never assume that it’s safe. Keep “reading” the dynamics of the group and micro adjust.  Always leave yourself an out by keeping on opening to one side that you can escape through if there’s a crash or obstacle you have to avoid.

2. Hold your line. This means swerving as little as possible. If you need to, move left or right check to make sure you have a clear opening but don't move unpredictably.  Point out your move to inform your fellow riders of your intentions. If you notice that someone is swerving, he’s probably tired or inexperienced, micro adjust. This is absolutely critical during sprints.

3. Don’t overlap wheels. Overlapping is putting your front wheel next to someone’s rear wheel. This is asking for trouble, because if they move, they’ll bump your front wheel knocking you down. Try to always be behind the bike(s) in front unless you’re passing.  When in a double line stay even with the rider next to you.

4. Don’t look back. Looking back causes even skilled riders to swerve, which can cause a crash.  Stay focused and use peripheral vision to be constantly aware of those around you - and of portential hazards from the sides such as cars entering the road or deer crossings.

5. Relax. Use a relaxed grip on the handlebars, keep your shoulders down (not scrunched up against your neck) and bring your elbows down and in so that they’re slightly bent. Being relaxed allows for quicker reaction time and prevents tension in the neck and shoulders that can lead to fatigue and sloppy, choppy riding.

6. Focus.  Look to the riders ahead of you and don’t make the common mistake of concentrating on the back wheel in front of you. Look up at the shoulders of the riders ahead and occasionally look at the road ahead and the riders up front so you can see what’s going on. Get a peek at the whole picture and micro adjust.  

7. Don’t brake suddenly.  Unless absolutely necessary. If you must brake, do so lightly to reduce speed. You can also slow down by sitting more upright and allowing your chest to create a drag in the wind.

8. Warn others of hazards. Give the group a shout out of any hazards, road conditions, roaming beasts, etc.

9. Pass carefully. Sometimes you’ll see the riders ahead starting to accelerate and you’ll want to jump up to them. Be careful! Make sure you’re not going to get cut off or cut someone else off. Usually, a moment’s hesitation is all it takes to make the move safely.

10. If you are having trouble holding the pace of those around you or are unable to pull through without slowing move to the rear. Fatigue contributes to dangerous riding, so it’s safer to go to the back of the group than to be in the middle of the action if you are unable to comfortably maintain the pace.  Don’t slow suddenly or make other erratic movements.  Tell those around you that you’re dropping back so it’s a safer move.

11.  Use of head/ear phones, aero or time trial bars are not allowed.    

12.  Do not clear your nose or spit unless you are either at the back of the group or you are far enough away to avoid sullying another rider with your snotty discharges.

13.  Keep your equipment in good working order and be capable of changing a flat and handling minor mechanical issues on your bike. 

14.  Helmets are required on ALL rides. 

15.  Obey traffic laws. Do not cross the center yellow line at any time. Do stop at all red lights and be mindful and abide by other traffic laws.

16.  Respect your fellow rider - While it is ok to call out poor cycling behavior, harassing riders is not tolerated.

17. Respect the route - Dropping trash, not allowing cars to pass or otherwise being disrespectful of the areas we ride through can lead to resentment from the public and are not tolerated.