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INFORMATION FOR NEW RIDERS

ABOUT YOUR BIKE

All our riders use road bikes on club runs (popularly known as racing bikes), other types of bike are slower and if used on a club run you could struggle to keep up.

 

Your bike should be roadworthy and well maintained:-

  • Check tyre pressures before each ride.

  • Check tyres for damage and wear after each ride (replace if necessary), being miles from home with an unrepairable flat doesn't make for an enjoyable ride for you or other riders.

  • Check brake block regularly, remove any grit as it will damage your rims and replace pads when worn.

  • Get even slightly buckled wheels trued or they will quickly deteriorate.

  • Saddles are designed to be horizontal, poorly adjusted saddles are bad news on a long ride.

 

Your bike equipment:-

  • Never use tri-bars on club runs.

  • For wet rides bikes should be fitted with mudguards to prevent spraying other riders with dirty, gritty water (it's not pleasant).

  • Don't use the biggest chainring with the biggest rear sprocket or the smallest chainring and the smallest sprocket.

 

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU

  • Club runs stop at a café so you will need to take some cash for a drink and a sandwich or cake.

  • Carry at least one spare tube (two preferably), tyre levers, pump (a mini pump is fine) and suitable size allen keys.

  • Take a drinking bottle filled with water or energy drink, dehydration will stop you in your tracks.

  • On longer rides, many riders take an energy bar or banana in their back pocket, it's not only cars that can run out of fuel.

  • Carry a compact rain jacket, riding when wet increases wind chill and saps your energy.

 

RIDING IN A GROUP

Group riding requires a good level of disciplines, it is essential that other riders in the group know what is happening with predictable riding and good communication, we therefore have a club riding etiquette, which can be viewed under the Club Runs section of the main menu. This includes details of the specific shouts used by cyclists to warn of hazards, for a safe and a pleasant ride please familiarise yourself with the etiquette and ride in line with the requirements.

 

WHAT TO WEAR

  • Clothing specific to road cycling will be the most comfortable, you can spend a fortune on some of the kit but it isn't essential. The club has it's own specific kit available from our suppliers kit website, please log in to the members only section of this website for webb address and password. We also has occasional kit nights where samples of our kit and sizing garments are available. Alternatively very economically priced items that are perfectly adequate for beginner are occasionally available from Aldi or Lidl.

  • For winter riding you will need a good wind-proof jacket. Don't have bare knees in cold weather, use long cycling tights, 3/4 length tights, knee warmers or leg warmers (whichever you prefer to keep your knees warm).

  • It is strongly recommended that you wear a cycling helmet.

  • A gilet is a great piece of kit, it can be carried in your saddle pack or back pocket and can protect against changes of temperature.

  • Always wear something on your hands, in winter gloves are appropriate but in summer wear track mitts, if you come off you will inevitably break your fall with your hands and gloves/mitts provide protection from “gravel rash”.

 

INSURANCE 

 

Through its membership of British Cycling, Coventry Road Club (CRC) has Liability Insurance related to club activities, committee members and other officials of the club, members acting on the instructions of the committee, and certain non-member participation. 

 

Please note that Individual Club Members are specifically excluded from the British Cycling insurance policy. Participation in club rides and other events is at your own risk and you are strongly advised to obtain Liability Insurance cover. 

 

British Cycling has confirmed that club runs are a “ride of individuals” who are each responsible for their own actions and for obeying the law. Being on a ride with the CRC does not remove your individual responsibility and liability. Likewise offering to lead a ride does not make you responsible for the actions of others.

 

Obtaining the required insurance is easy, and is normally done by taking out membership of the organisations listed below, which also help support cycling in Britain (though other providers do exist).

 

  • http://lvrc.org/membership_benefits.asp
  • https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership
  • http://www.ctc.org.uk/membership