Ilkeston Cycling Club Members Handbook 2017

Please read carefully before becoming a valued member of Ilkeston Cycling Club.

A guiding thought - Napoleon Hill If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you'd like to win, but think you can't It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you've lost. For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow's will: It's all in his state of mind.

If you think you're outclassed, you are: You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before You'll ever win that prize.

Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins Is the one who thinks he can.

Creating amazing cycling experiences Vision, Purpose & Goals Our values Safety & Etiquette Terms and Conditions

Vision Purpose & Goals Our vision is to create a cycling club for our community to feel proud about.

Our purpose is to establish a successful, reliable and accessible cycling club for people in Ilkeston and surrounding areas of mixed abilities, ages and backgrounds.

Our Goals:-

To establish a broad range of cycling experiences including competitive racing, training and social rides, together with Time Trial and hill climb events plus indoor track opportunities.

To continually develop and improve the club on an inclusive basis and create something that all of our members can shape and feel proud to be part of.

To promote a healthy culture centred around discipline, respect, commitment and fun.

To work within our community to add broader value to the town through social rides and fundraising events for local charities.

To establish the foundations for a successful youth academy that will one day see one of it’s members reach the highest level of cycling.

Our Values

Consistent and committed

Reliable and responsible

Excellence is our standard

Accountability and ownership

Make it fun, make it safe.

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s Considerations Communication Consistency Care

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s

Considerations. Preparations before a ride.

It is very important that you prepare for the ride and the conditions you might be riding in. It is essential that the bike is safe and roadworthy - working brakes, inflated tyres and essential parts not loose but tightened. The appropriate clothing is to be worn depending on the temperature and conditions of a ride. It is highly recommended that our members wear a helmet at all times whilst riding and it is strongly encouraged by our committee.

Think about getting home. Whilst our ride leaders will be able repair punctures and assist if there are any incidents, it is your responsibility to plan for the worst case and be able to get home for example your bike breaks down and is unrepairable. You may consider taking your mobile phone in a protective and weather proof case and some spare cash for a taxi or bus home. Issues that can't be fixed on the roadside are rare, but they can and do happen so please be responsible, accountable and take ownership.

Ride leaders will help repair mechanical issues, however it is advised that you up-skill yourself on basic bike maintenance such as fixing a punctured wheel, or re-adjusting your brakes.

Be prepared and carry some of the basic equipment such as a spare inner tube that is the correct size, a pump and repair kit. Most riders will only carry spares to cover their own bikes so be prepared and take ownership of your repair equipment.

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s

Safety is Ilkeston CC ’s number 1 priority when participating in any cycling event. For more detail on safe riding visit the British Cycling website for helpful videos and journals. Ilkeston CC members have combined decades of cycling experience into the 4 C’s to try and make safe riding principles simple and easy to remember.

Clear communication - this is by far the most important aspect of all.

Clear and concise, positive verbal and visual communication is key to any safe and successful ride. Whether that be to warn team members of danger, offer encouragement and show support or to simply get the very best out of a ride both in terms of performance and enjoyment through effective team work. Riding smartly as a team is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a cyclist and it will improve your individual performance and fitness as a direct consequence of working in the pack.

If in any doubt about any aspect of the rides you take part in, please ask your ride leader before setting off. There is no such thing as a daft question and we all friendly people who started out at the same place. Cycling is sport where you learn new things all the time - so please if unsure about anything then shout up!

More tips and advice on effective cycling communication can be found on the following slides:-

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s Clear communication continued - tips and advice:-

Hand signals. Its essential we point out hazards on rides because even in small groups, riders behind the front won't see the road ahead in enough time who avoid danger when riding tightly together. If you are a beginner however it may still be safer to keep both hands on the bars at all times until you get used to riding in a unit. If used correctly hand signals can ensure a smoother. A smoother ride generally means a safer, faster and more enjoyable ride. Try where possible to provide as much advance warning when you see hazards ahead If you see it, point it out or shout it out!

• CHANGING DIRECTION Without a doubt, the most well-known signal, even by children.Your bike does not have indicators on it (yet!). This means you need to let people behind you know where you are going by signaling with your arm. To do so, just extend the arm perpendicular to the body: – Extend the right arm to turn right, or the left one to turn left. This signal should also be used when cycling alone when going around a pedestrian or a parked car. • SIGNALLING A POT HOLE, STONE OR OTHER HAZARDS To signal any hazard that could throw a cyclist off balance, you should point to the ground at the side where the hazard is. That way, the cyclists riding behind you will know that they mustn’t ride on that side. A cyclist that is surprised by a pothole, a large stone or a branch could be thrown off balance and fall… making other cyclists fall behind him. This is also the case for gravel or broken glass. • SIGNALLING TO THE REST OF THE GROUP TO MOVE OVER If a pedestrian is walking along the edge of the road, there is a parked car or you are going to overtake a slower cyclist, extend the arm perpendicular to the body, then place a flat hand behind the back to signal to the other cyclists to move over. • SIGNALLING AN OBSTACLE ACROSS THE WHOLE ROAD Extend the arm towards the ground and swing it from left to right (like a pendulum) to signal a speed bump (or speed hump), railway tracks or a grid. Basically, an obstacle that cannot be avoided even by moving over. In general, on seeing this signal, you should stand up to distribute the weight evenly between the front and rear wheel to avoid pinching the innertube. Before going over a speed hump, this standing position enables weight to be taken off the front wheel (by pulling on the handlebars) then the rear wheel (by pulling on the pedals) to avoid a violent shock. • SIGNALLING STOPPING Whether it’s stopping for a break, stopping at a junction, a red light, taking a leak, or a puncture, raise the hand well above the head. In general, it is useful to shout ‘STOP’ at the same time, to be sure that everyone has understood the message. Do not do what a cyclist once did in a peloton I was riding with, he stopped without warning because he just had to take a leak. Nobody fell, but it was a close call, as he was at the front of 12 racing cyclists!

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s

Clear communication continued - tips and advice:-

Shouts are vital. They need to be clear and ideally short and very sharp. For example if a rider feels there is a danger ahead that requires the group to slow down for then shout “SLOW” rather than “DON’T GO FAST” as many will only hear FAST and the command then becomes confusing and more dangerous. There are some typical shouts you will hear when out on a ride with Ilkeston Cycling Club and over time you will become familiar with them all:-

CAR BACK - there is car approaching from the rear.

CAR UP - there is a car approaching from the front.

HOLE (right, middle or left) - obstacle position to avoid.

CLEAR (back, up, left or right) - used typically at a junction to advise no oncoming traffic.

SLOW OR EASY - drop your pace as there is a perceived hazard ahead, such as changing of traffic lights from green to red, a sharp bend or a blind junction.

GRAVEL - a real hazard to all cyclists. If you hear this then back off steadily.

Never brake sharply or panic when you hear any command from the group, sudden movements are the most hazardous of all.

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s

Consistency. If we all do the right things consistently well, there will be very few incidents.

Please follow the highway code at all times, including stopping at red lights and riding no more than two abreast. Please respect all other road users including pedestrians, horses and vehicles.

Please turn up to rides in good time. In larger groups lateness will not only inconvenience others, ride leaders may also get unduly concerned about your welfare and start making unnecessary enquiries.

On most rides there will be a short announcement and recce before the ride commences. This might be for the benefit of newer less experienced members so please be patient and listen out for key facts about the rides so there is a good collective understanding.

Larger groups may be split into smaller groups based on ability. It is always better to ride in a group that is slightly slower as opposed to slightly faster that your ability. We want to maximises our members enjoyment, however give it time and be confident before stepping into a faster group as only marginal differences in average pace can make a huge difference in terms of the overall intensity and effort needed to keep up on a ride.

Be smooth, be safe. Never over react or panic and avoid hard braking as this is the cause of most accidents. Be alert and be aware of what is going on at the front of the pack to anticipate any dangers. Always leave a safe gap between you and the riders around you and don't overlap the wheels of the person in front as sudden movements may catch you out.

Focus on the rider(s) ahead of you and if you feel unsure, fatigued or unsteady raise your concerns through calm verbal gestures so that the riders around you are aware and can make adjustments necessary to keep the pack safe.

Safety and Etiquette through our 4 C’s

Care. We are a club that has been established through the love of cycling and desire to create amazing cycling experiences for all our members. Here are a few things we expect from each other:-

All riders under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by their parent or guardian. We also advise that members have obtained Level 2 Cycling Standards or equivalent accreditation, however this is not essential. We encourage parents to ride to the ability of their child during group events.

Show respect for each other at all times and be aware of each other's presence on the road. Best practice is to always make a final check or glance over your shoulder to make sure that your next movement will not cause an accident to either yourself or other riders. Motorcyclists call it “the life saver check” for good very good reason and the same applies more so for cyclists who are even more vulnerable on the open road.

The ride leader will not necessarily ride at the front, it is their job to be familiar with the route and direct the course and to guide you according to the ability of your group. Please respect the person leading the ride.

Ride two abreast when it is safe to do so as this will increase presence on the road and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the group.

Remember to relax and have fun, after all this is a sport we all love and enjoy!

Terms and Conditions & Membership Application Details Also Available on the British Cycling Website by Searching Under Ilkeston Cycling Club

Ilkeston CC Membership Terms and Conditions

The information you provide is solely for the use of Ilkeston Cycling Club and will never be passed to any third parties.

The contact details you provide including email and telephone number will only be used to send you important information in relation to the club or in event of contingency cascades.

As a member of Ilkeston Cycling Club we are expected to live by our values and adhere to the Safety and Etiquette of our 4 C’s when representing or riding with the club.

Please read the rider safety policy on the following page.

Riders Guidance Document

- Riders, ride leaders, members of the club and other road users have the right to be treated with respect

during Ilkeston CC activities

- The safety of riders and other road-users must be considered as a first priority on Ilkeston Cycling

activities.

- Should any Ilkeston CC member not be following either of these principles during club activities, then their

action can be reported to a committee member.

- If the committee, or in urgent situations a majority of the Chair, Secretary and Ride Coordinator think that

there is a justifiable complaint, then a member of the committee will be tasked with discussing this with the

individual concerned and highlighting the issues that have been caused (a verbal warning).

- If the individual continues to break these principles, the committee can agree to issue a further warning in

writing/email (a written warning)

- If the individual continues to break these principles, the committee can then agree to revoke the

membership of the individual concerned.

- Following revocation of membership, the rider has a right-to-appeal and can come before the committee to

make their case. The committee may then choose to allow the rider to remain on “final” warning status.

Membership Terms

ILKESTON CYCLING CLUB

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

If you wish to apply for membership of the Ilkeston Cycling Club then please first read and accept the following.

I understand that if accepted, I hereby agree to abide by the rules and constitution of Ilkeston Cycling Club and do agree that neither

Ilkeston CC nor its agents and/or officials shall be responsible in any way for any loss, injury and/or damage occurred to myself whilst on

club activities, whether or not such loss, injury and/or damage be caused by any negligence by the said club or its said agents and/or

officials.

I also hereby agree that I partake of all club activities entirely at my own risk.

I agree that these details may be stored on a computer database, to be used solely for the purposes of club management.

Joining fee for all members in 2017 is £10 only and applications need to be made online via our British Cycling Website link searching

under Ilkeston Cycling Club.

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Thank you for your time and we hope you enjoy your membership with Ilkeston

Cycling Club.