From October through until April we organise group training rides each Sunday morning in the local countryside (the rest of the year we do not organise Club rides but members amongst themselves organise informal rides via the Club Facebook group as it is generally triathlon race season from May to September so many of our members are racing at weekends). We recommend members to sign up to the Club’s cycling/rides Facebook group for details about the Club’s weekly rides.

There are usually 3 groups which meet at the Clock Tower in Didsbury. Check the Club’s cycling/rides Facebook group for arrangements as the ride leader will post up details during the week before the ride. More detail about each group can be found further down this page.

The rides are a great way to maintain fitness and motivation as well as a chance to meet other members. The programme will be varied to keep things interesting but will focus on steady aerobic riding to help build a good training base with some hill work to make the most of the fantastic countryside surrounding Manchester and at times further afield!

Volunteer to Navigate

Can you help out? To ensure the success of these rides, we NEED volunteers to help navigate them. We need 1-2 navigators for group 1 each week and 1 for group 2. Contact our Cycling Coordinator ([email protected]) if you can help out.
Below is a list of what you have to do if you navigate a ride:

• Plan the route using the gmap-pedometer website (www.gmap-pedometer.com) or a similar tool and ensure you select a route of suitable distance for the group.
• Post the route in the week beforehand on the Club cycling/rides Facebook group.
• Navigate the group safely around the route. Where possible, control the groups speed based on the weather / traffic conditions and the ability of the riders. Try to avoid people being separated. Keep an eye (and ear) open for what’s going on behind you. If you keep hearing things like “EASY” and “OFF THE BACK” – slow the pace down! If you feel the group is too big, split it up and ask for volunteers to lead the smaller groups. Be it due to size or pace. Also have a ‘back-marker’ who stays at the back of the group to ensure no one gets dropped.

Group 3 – Hold onto your pants as it could well be quick! For the fitter, more experienced riders who are able to closely follow a wheel and go through and off at speed. 30+ kmph on flats.

• Range: 50+
• Time: 4+hours

* The navigator is not a coach. No coaching will take place on the open road. The navigator is not responsible for your health and safety before, during or after the ride. The navigator’s role is simply to meet and greet riders at the designated start point and ride around the set route at an appropriate pace.

YOU MUST AT ALL TIMES WEAR A HELMET. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO JOIN A CLUB RIDE WITHOUT A HELMET.

Any accidents, no matter how small, should be reported to the ride navigator who will complete an accident report form.
All riders participate at their own risk and must always ride in accordance with the highway code. Manchester Triathlon Club are affiliated to British Triathlon and British Cycling and strongly advise you to consider the insurance packages offered through their membership schemes. Other types of cycling insurance are available.

What should you wear?

Helmet – Although not law we would require all club members to wear a helmet on all group rides.
Clothing – If you have it and conditions suit wear club cycling kit with pride! Depending on the weather bring suitably warm clothing. This could include:

• Short or long Cycling Bib shorts
• 1 or more Cycling tops
• Gloves
• Hat / Ear warmers to wear underneath your helmet
• Waterproof / windproof jacket
• Shoe covers
• Arm / Leg warmers
• Base layers

Glasses – Though not compulsory for group rides it is advised for people to wear glasses (with appropriate light transmission). Stops bugs and stones from blinding you!

Etiquette

Here are some tips on cycling etiquette that should to be followed for safety. Here are the key ideas:

• Complete a safety check of your bike, helmet and clothing before arriving for the ride.
• Let the ride navigator know when you are leaving, particularly if you won’t be staying with the group for the whole ride
• Keep your eyes open! – The key one is to watch the ride leader and the people closest to you. Going downhill, they may want to slow down. Going uphill, they may stall. Don’t forget, when riders get tired, concentration is lost.
• Be consistent – When group riding the pace should be constant or adjusted smoothly as a unit but it isn’t always the case.
• Teamwork – Give a helping hand, watch for problems (loose straps, loose equipment), and help each other to be safe and enjoy the ride.
• Be Predictable – Group riding requires even more attention to predictability than riding alone. Other riders expect you to ride straight, at a constant speed, unless you indicate differently. If you know the person in front of you like the back of your hand then ride close to their wheel but if you’re not used to riding behind someone or the pace of the line is changeable then keep a safe distance back. Use your own judgment but air on the side of caution.
• Communicate – Use hand and verbal signals to communicate with members of the group and with other traffic.
• Hand Signals – Hand signals for turning and stopping, and parked cars.
• Verbal Warnings – Along with hand signals, verbally warn cyclists behind you of your changes in direction or speed. The lead rider should call out “left turn,” “right turn,” “slowing,” stopping,” etc. Announce a turn well in advance of the intersection, so that members of the group have time to position themselves properly.
• Announce Hazards – When riding in a tight group, most of the cyclists do not have a good view of the road surface ahead, so it is important to announce holes, gravel, grates, and other hazards. Indicate road hazards by pointing down to the left or right, and by shouting “hole,” “bump,” etc., where required for safety. Everyone in a group should be made aware of hazards. However, not everyone needs to announce them.
• Change Positions Correctly – Generally, slow traffic stays left, so you should try to pass others on their right. Say “on your right” to warn the cyclist ahead that you are passing.
• When riding as a group a ‘draft pack’ often forms where each rider takes his or her turn on the front. The time at the front can vary but each person should stick to the time decided for the particular ride then pull off to the right when safe to do so (i.e. Look over your shoulder to watch for traffic) the line should pass on their left and they should re-join at the back.
• It is considered impolite and potentially dangerous to move out of position and ride up the inside of the pack. Riders may not expect you to be there. It also can be dangerous to cut into the middle of the pack when peeling off the front. This is acceptable if planned to “protect” someone or if traffic dictates it is safest and a gap is created for you.
• Watch For Traffic Coming from the Rear – Even when you are occupying the proper lane position, it often helps to know when a car is coming. Since those in front cannot see traffic approaching from the rear, it is the responsibility of the riders in back to inform the others by saying “car back.” Around curves, on narrow roads, or when riding double, it is also helpful to warn of traffic approaching from the front with “car up.”
• Watch Out At Junctions – When approaching junctions the lead rider will alert those behind to the change in speed. Each cyclist is responsible for deciding that the way is clear before entering the intersection, it is the leaders responsibility to dictate the pace so that the group is reformed. (It is a shame to break a group of similar abilities just because the people at the back got caught by the lights.)
• Leave a Gap for Cars – When riding up hills or on narrow roads where you are impeding faster traffic, leave a gap for cars between every three or four bikes. This way motorists can take advantage of shorter passing intervals and eventually move around the entire group.
• Move Off the Road When You Stop – Whether you are stopping because of mechanical problems or to regroup with you companions, move well off the road so you don’t interfere with traffic. When you start up again, each cyclist should look for, and yield to, traffic.
• Ride one or two across – Ride single file or double file as appropriate to the roadway and traffic conditions and where allowed by law. Even where riding double is legal, courtesy dictates that you single up when cars are trying to pass you if the lane is wide enough for them to safely do so.
• Two at the End – For safety and as a courtesy, if the group spreads out, the last two people should adjust their speed to ride as a pair. If either should need assistance they will have a helping hand.
• Follow the rules – Abide by the rules of the road and remain responsible for your own safety for the duration of the ride. The Club recommends you take out insurance cover whilst training as well as racing. More information about BTA membership (which includes insurance cover can be found on their website – www.britishtriathlon.org. Other organizations such as British Cycling and the CTC provide similar cover whilst cycling, so you should decide which is most appropriate for you.