R3CC Rules & Regs

R3 Cycling Club welcomes riders of various levels of ability and skills and will try to accommodate everyone.  New riders will need to identify themselves when new to group riding, are not sure of their abilities, or have any other concern prior to the beginning of any ride.  Become a member

Ride rules are implemented for safety and accountability.

Riders not adhering to the ride rules, creating hazards in the formation, during a club ride, etc., will be warned by a club officer or group leader and depending on the severity of their actions, will be removed from the club ride and shown/escorted to a route the rider can take back. Offenders may be suspended or may have their membership privileges revoked. Although the Club Officers and Group Leaders will do all they possibly can to assist with the safety of the group, it is ultimately the responsibility of each rider to ensure their own personal safety.

• ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR A CPSC approved bicycle helmet which is the latest internationally recognized safety standard for bicycle helmets.  Riders failing to comply will not be allowed to participate in any ride until they have and wear an approved helmet.

• Be a current member of the R3 or sign the club’s liability waiver prior to the start of the ride.

• All riders must have adequate liquid hydration and are encouraged to have food, and repair items like a spare tube and air supply.  Cell phones are also encouraged.

• Helmets are required. No exceptions.

• Always pass on the left.

• No earbuds in ears. (On call members may deploy one earbud.  If you receive a call, safely exit the pace line by gesturing and moving to your right. Move to the rear keeping a safe distance from the group.)

• Attack instead of doing super-pulls. Yes, stop doing super-pulls. Super-pulls are not good cycling and they make group rides more dangerous and frustrating. By attacking instead you practice real competitive cycling. People can choose to follow you or ride their own pace. Super-pulls encourage some riders to go over their limit as they are afraid to let the wheel go.  Super-pulls also create a yo-yo effect on the group as your pace varies. Keep you pulls to no more than 2 minutes. 

• As you're riding through the line, pay attention to the group's average speed and effort. When you get to the front, do your best to maintain those levels and gradually increase the speed. The goal is to keep the pack together, not blow it apart or shell riders off the back.

• Gesture to indicate you are done pulling and you want the next rider to pull through---the preferred method is to flick of the left elbow.  Always exit to the right and resist the instinct to slow down or sit up until you have safely moved out of the paceline. Sometimes you may want the group to pull through on your right, in that case flick your right elbow.

• Everyone should try to pull through. Even if not feeling strong, this creates a cohesive and predictable approach, and is safer and you only have to pull for a few seconds.  If, however, you need to withdraw from the paceline try to do so from the back but call it out so the other riders are not anticipating you to pull through. 

•  If you are leading the paceline, DO NOT RIDE NEAR THE CURB or on the white line. 

• "Leading from the rear." It is crucial, especially in a large group that trailing riders assume control. Usually on group rides the routes are routine and predictable. So if a turn is coming up, say a left turn, riders in the rear should take the lane even before the ride leaders up front so that trailing cars don't pass [and hand signaling to trailing vehicles to not pass as mentioned is useful] and the ride leaders, when they look back, see that the lane is already filled with riders.   

• If in a sprint passing scenario, avoid passing on the right. Likewise, if you are still in the group but could be passed up HOLD YOUR LINE.  Riders may be overtaking you on either side.  If you are overtaking another rider you may call out "HOLD YOUR LINE" or, as is the vernacular on the track, call out "STICK!" 

• When you are pointing out a piece of debris, a rock, crack, etc., be sure to point, don’t throw your arm out.  Throwing your arm out could be construed as a signal to slow down or stop. 

• If you are at the front of the group (first couple of riders), you are responsible for keeping the ride predictable, smooth and safe. The rider in second place should be vigilant and aware that the lead rider will be pulling out and needs to allow space for the safe transition. Avoid the urge to rapidly accelerate when you become lead rider. 

• Sprints are dangerous and the club is not responsible for riders who irresponsibly enter traffic lanes resulting in accidents and/or injury. Always be sure there is no traffic on the road before entering any traffic lane.

•  Aerobars are permitted only as the last rider in the pace line or if you are riding a safe distance in front or in the rear of the group.

•  Signal and call out hazards or debris in the road.

•  Do not overlap wheels. If you find yourself overlapping, announce to the rider that you are overlapping “on your right”, or “on your left.” If you feel like you're getting sucked into the rider in front of you, take a light pedal stroke or two to adjust your speed accordingly. Always try to avoid the instinct to stop pedaling. Sometimes larger riders will need to stop pedaling on downhills to avoid overtaking the lead riders.  If this happens, and you find yourself overlapping wheels, announce “on your left”, or “on your right”. An easy (and safe) way to trim speed is to sit up and catch some wind. It'll slow you down a notch without disrupting the rhythm of the line. You can also feather brake: Gently squeeze the brakes while continuing to pedal. You can also scrub speed while shifting up or down as needed to alter your pace.

•  We stop for flats. However, you are expected to have equipment (tube, tire levers and CO2/pump) to change a tube and the know-how to do so within 5 minutes.

• We ride no wider than two abreast. Not only is this the safest way to ride, but it’s the law. Although we proudly assert and defend our rights as cyclists, we try to minimize our impact on motorized traffic.

• Be aware that with hills coming up, some riders will get up to climb and that may result in their rear wheel coming near your front wheel.

• Wait until you are at the rear of the pace line to stand and stretch out. 

• CONSERVE ENERGY- If you feel tired, sit out a few turns until you're ready to take another pull. Simply open a spot for riders to rejoin the line in front of you, or come to the front and immediately pull off and drift to the back. You'll do the pack a favor by staying with them rather than working yourself into the red and falling off the back, which makes the group slow down to let you catch up.

• If you are tired, avoid the natural instinct of dropping your head to make yourself more aerodynamic. This is very dangerous in a pace line and can easily result in wheels overlapping and touching.

Group A 

The fastest pace group requiring riders having an above average skill set for riding in groups under higher physical stress. This group is the fastest group with overall averages of 20-21+ mph with warm-up pace at about 18-20 mph. 

The "A" group is not for individuals who have little group riding experience. Normally there are interval efforts where the pace is increased (22-28 mph) for a period of time or distance as well as various "sprint points" (28+ mph) where those that want to try and push themselves can do so in a semi-competitive effort. Be prepared to take care of yourself in case you cannot maintain the pace or distance of the intended ride. 

If you are “dropped” you may be able to join the "B" group if they are on the same route. There are a couple of re-group points that the group will wait at if necessary, if those that drop are reasonably close. 

Remember the “A” group is not a competition ride and re-group as necessary. 

Group B

Focused on endurance riding and rider development. It is for those that have a moderate to higher levels of fitness capable of maintaining an 18--20 mph pace for 40 plus miles. Have the necessary riding skills in a group environment like that of the "A" group but not at the faster pace. 

The "B" group is not for individuals who have little group riding experience. Normally there are surge efforts where the pace is increased for a nominal period of time or distance as well as various "sprint points" where those that want to try and push themselves can do so in an unstructured semi-competitive effort. Be prepared to take care of yourself in case you cannot maintain the pace or distance of the intended ride. 

If you are “dropped” you may be able to join the "C" group if they are on the same route.

Group C

Focused on general fitness and basic to intermediate riding skills in a group. It is  for those that are starting out in group riding and have the physical fitness level that allows them to go moderate distances and a lower average pace than that of the "A" or "B" groups.  In general, this classification will observe an average speed of 12-17 mph on flat terrain. Rest stops and other periodic breaks are planned.

The “C” group may include newer riders working on developing their skills, pleasure riders, and those have been away from cycling for a long time and want to get back into it without the pressure of “slowing down” the faster groups. This group is a "no-drop" group. You are responsible to let someone, preferably the group leader, know if you are having difficulty in keeping up with the group or are having a mechanical problem. 

In general there is a “no drop” policy for group C.   The goal is not to leave anyone out on their own.  Riders should not overestimate their ability or fitness level. Better to try a group you are sure about the pace than overextend yourself and get dropped.

The “A” and "B" groups may have riders get dropped for a number of reasons based on the higher efforts put in.  It is best to have another rider who has knowledge of the route and more experience stay with the rider(s) that get dropped.  If a rider cannot make it to the next re-group point to join their original group has a few options.

They should continue to the next re-group point or rest stop, whichever is closer and wait for the next group to arrive and finish the ride with them.

Stop where they are and wait for the next group to pick them up.

A club member or two who know the route may be assigned to accompany the rider separate from the group.  This may be necessary for larger groups.