GCBT

Ride Leader Guidelines

GCBT volunteer ride leaders are at the heart of the club.  If you’re interested in hosting a Sunday ride but would like to know what’s involved, these guidelines will give you a very good idea. Don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Touring if you have questions or want to discuss a ride that you’d like to lead.

Planning Your Ride

GCBT has an “organization” or “club” account on Ride with GPS (RWGPS).  Our club rides are planned using this web-based app.  You can design your own rides or check out the club’s route library in RWGPS. If you would like to lead a ride but are not familiar with RWGPS, feel free to contact the Director of Touring.

The ride schedule covers weekends from April to October. Typically, club rides (3 routes minimum) are offered on Sunday, but occasionally a Saturday, a holiday Monday and Canada Day. Check for available dates in the club’s Event Calendar in RWGPS or contact the Director of Touring. Once you have decided on a date for your ride, please notify the Director of Touring with the following information:

• Date of your ride
• Name of your ride
• Type of ride (how many road routes and how many off road routes – minimum of three total)
• Start location of your ride

At this point, the Director of Touring will enter the above information into the club ride calendar in RWGPS to ensure someone else does not ask for that date. The routes can be added closer to the actual ride date.

Ride Details

•       The ride start location should have ample free parking, ideally with restrooms nearby or on route to the ride start. Community centres, arenas and shopping mall parking lots, as well as commuter parking lots, are common starting points.

•       The ride leader will offer a minimum of three routes. A short, medium and long route ranging from 40 to 100km. If an extra-long route is offered, it should be in addition to the other three.

•       Riders appreciate routes that include places that offer food, drink and a washroom around mid-ride.

•       Early in the season, rides generally are shorter and flatter, becoming more challenging as the season progresses.

•       Try to strike a balance of quality of roadways and scenery with traffic levels.  Typically, club rides are on paved roads and trails. However, gravel riding has become very popular and ride leaders are welcome to add dedicated gravel rides to the club calendar. Please note that if a gravel or off-road option is offered, there must be at least two road options as well.

•       Travel your planned routes by bike and/or car within a week of the ride date and adjust if necessary.

•       And finally – post your routes in the club’s event calendar in RWGPS!  If you like, give your ride a catchy name. Remember, reach out to the Director of Touring if you need help.

If you are familiar with your routes and enjoy riding them, you can be certain that other members will enjoy them too.

Prior to the Ride Date

•       Promote your ride! GCBT maintains a member email list – this can be done using the messaging app within the club’s Shopify website. Seek help from the VP Admin if needed.

•       The club strongly encourages riders to RSVP on RWGPS if they plan to attend your ride.  This should give you an idea as to how many riders to expect.

•       Most riders download the routes to their Garmin or phone.  Riders who want paper cue sheets and maps can readily access these on RWGPS, as follows:   

• open your route
• click the More dropdown menu
• choose Print Map and Cue PDF
• the Include Cuesheet box is already checked 
• check the Include Maps box 
• scroll to the bottom and click Set as Official PDF
• it will appear on the route in your event – click and print! 

 On Ride Day

•       Plan to arrive at the start location with time to spare (roughly 30 minutes ahead of the standard 10am start time). Riders often arrive early and it’s a good opportunity to mingle, introduce yourself and welcome new riders. Depending on weather; early or later start times (9-11am) should be highlighted.

•       The club welcomes non-members to come out and Try a Ride with the GCBT at no cost.  However, nonmembers are required to acknowledge GCBT’s online waiver prior to riding by checking out with the Day Rider product under Memberships; there is no charge for this “Try a Ride”.  Normally, this would be done in advance of ride day. If not, a waiver can be completed on the spot, using either the guest’s or the ride leader’s cell phone. The owner of the phone will receive a confirmation email. Alternatively, the ride leader can bring a paper copy and pen to sign to waiver.

•       Ride leaders are discouraged from cancelling Sunday rides. Ride leaders shall attend the start of the ride, even if the weather seems less than ideal. Often weather changes within a day and some riders don’t mind a little rain or wind. However, it’s up to you whether you, as ride leader, participate in the ride or not.

Pre-ride Announcements

•       Shortly before the start of the ride, have everyone gather around.

•       The ride leader to make every effort to accommodate new members. Find the best group for them to ride with and if no one is planning to ride their preferred route, ask around for a volunteer or ride with the new member yourself. By welcoming new members, they are much more likely to ride and join again!

•       Note any changes to the route and any cautions such as construction, tricky intersections, rough roads or sections of gravel.

•       Remind riders that they must wear an approved helmet and obey all traffic laws and signals.

•       Let riders know that there is not a sweep. They need to be self-sufficient, riding a bike in good repair, and riding within their physical limits. Access to a cell phone is advised.

•       Point out at what kilometer mark the routes diverge and at what kilometer mark the lunch stop is.

•       Note the location of places where riders will find refreshments and washrooms.

•       Finally, ask for a show of hands as to who is riding each distance.  Usually, the ride leader participates in the ride, but it is not mandatory.

After the Ride

•       There is no requirement for a ride leader to remain at the start point until all riders have returned.

•       Pictures and pertinent information about the ride are welcome for posting on the club website.

•       Feel free to provide feedback about the ride to the Director of Touring.

•       If you are aware of any incidents involving riders such as accidents or damage to property, please notify the Director of Touring immediately.