Our club consists of riders who exercise good sportsmanship, exercise good safety practices and possess good bicycle handling skills including, but not limited to, cornering at speed, holding line, riding in close proximity to others, having good pacelining skills, etc. and others as identified below:

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

Paceline Etiquette

Pace line riding is designed to keep the group's speed consistent and the ride efficient.  Those not participating in the pace line should ride in the rear along with those who have exerted themselves and are not able to hold the paceline speed while rotating.  If advancing to participate in the paceline communicate to riders you are passing to make them aware of your presence.  Be cautious of those around you making sudden or unexpected moves.  Just because someone has strength and can ride at a higher pace that doesen't mean they possess good pacelining skills.

Ride Smart To Stay Safe
Group-ride dynamics are different each and every ride, you take what the peloton delivers!  There will always be micro adjusting as the pace and terrain changes and the pack sprawls and compresses. It is important to be predictable -- ride smoothly, hold your line and avoid unnecessary hard braking.

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, do so gradually after checking the area for other riders and pointing 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 are riding directly beside another rider in a double paceline or you’re passing.

4. Don’t look back. Looking back causes even skilled riders to swerve, which can cause a crash.  This is a dangerous sport, stay focused and use peripheral vision to be constantly aware of those around you.

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. These steps will help you stay relaxed, which 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.  We live in an area where deer are plentiful and pose a hazard.

7. Don’t brake suddenly.  Unless absolutely necessary.  If you must brake, do so lightly (feather) to void sudden changes in 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. Use hand signals and give the group a verbal warning of any hazards, road conditions, roaming beasts, etc. but avoid unnecessary shouting.

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 whipped and are having trouble holding the pace of those around move to the rear.  Fatigue contributes to dangerous riding.  If you are unable to comfortably maintain the pace it’s safer to go to the back of the group than to be in the middle of the action .  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 time trial bars, e-bikes, tandems or recumbents are not allowed on Summit rides -- no exceptions!      

12.  Be considerate when you spit.  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.  Don't expect others to fix your flats or make mechanical adjustments to your bike. 

14.  Helmets are required at ALL times -- no exceptions!

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

16.  Respect the club, the ride and your fellow rider.  Sportsmanship is a must. We do not tolerate anyone harassing club members or intentionally disrupting the ride -- either could lead to termination of membership.

Responsible Social Networking

Use social media responsibility.  Use common sense and discretion when posting to Strava, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Bashing other cyclists in a social forum is considered unsportsmanlike conduct.