HOW TO BE A RIDE LEADER
Well, another ride season of thrills, fun and excitement is
almost complete and I’ve managed to survive cold weather, early rising on
Sundays, embarrassing falls and tire punctures, and even the task of being a
ride leader on a Sunday CCC ride. For
those who have already done this, I tip my cap to you for your dedication and
sacrifice to make this club the best cycling club in
Here is that list (and I will not do it ten to one, so a
certain
Volunteer Early: Just like your old high school or college speech class, he or she who volunteers early gets it over with first. You might get your selection over with so you don’t have to mull over whether or not you will need to lead a ride.
1. Create the route
1.1. Choose A Familiar Area or Theme for the Ride: Think of a ride route that is of interest to you. You’ll be surprised at how many CCC members will follow you because the route is unusual and different. This is the time for you to be creative (for example, ride to stops with the word “green” in them for a St. Patrick’s Day ride, do a tour of the many Chicago parks, hit all the Chicago 1920s gangster sites, etc.). Remember: novelty + planning = fun.
1.2. Plot Your Route Using A Good Map.
· The City of Chicago Bike maps is at http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html. You may request a free copy at http://www.chicagobikes.org/forms/bikemaprequest.php.
· The Chicagoland Bicycle Map by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation can be purchased at http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=86_0_10_0.
· The Northwest Indiana Bike Map is available at http://www.nirpc.org/PPHome.html. You can request a free copy by emailing nirpc@nirpc.org.
· The Regional Bike Path Key Map is available at http://www.geocities.com/huffmun/R9_Region.html. The fabulous map has links to pictures of the route.
1.3. Type the directions on a cue sheet. You could use an ASCII editor, Miscrosoft Word or a Miscrosoft Excel spreadsheet.
1. Choose an existing cue sheet from the cue sheet library. Contact the Ride Committee a rides@chicagocyclingclub.org for access to this library.
2. Add your ride to our calendar. Go to http://www.chicagocyclingclub.org/rides/rideleader/.
3. Pre-ride Your Route: Go out a week or so before your ride date and take most of that day riding (dress rehearsal) your route. This will uncover any unforeseen road changes, construction problems or route points where vehicle traffic might cause problems. It also offers you the opportunity to inspect the eating and drinking establishments for deciding where the rest stop and ride-ending eatery should be (see why it will take most of the day – assuming you bring cash or credit). Update your cue sheet.
4. Make copies of your cue sheet. Plan for up to 30 participants for Sunday social rides, 20 for others. Any extra copies can go to the Ride Committee to be put in the CCC ride route library. It also helps to remember to bring them with you to the ride.
5. On Wednesday before the ride you will get an email containing instructions and attachments. Print the RideLeaderKit.pdf and Express Check-In.doc. Bring these to your ride.
6. Relax the Night Before the Ride: Do some non-strenuous activities the night
before the ride (like see a movie, attend a show, shoot pool or dress in
motorcycle gear and slam dance at the Exit Lounge on
7. Arrive Early on the Date of Your Ride: This is to allow for ride participants to preview your route sheet and to sign the waiver forms without delaying the departure of your ride. Show up at the starting point 15 minutes before ride start and you’ll do just fine.
8.
Complete Ride Leader Things Before Leaving: The ride leader should introduce his or
herself, describe what the ride is about, and review the signaling, cycling
etiquette and
9.
Finally, ask
for a “sweep” to bring up the rear, and, if you have a very large group (over
20) it doesn’t hurt to designate a “scout” who can scoot ahead to inform the
leader of problems in the pack. Once this is complete, you’re ready to hit the
road.
10.
Be Vigilant But
Have Fun: keep looking back to see that
everyone in the group is within sight of you and make sure to obey all traffic
laws that vehicle drivers must obey. At
the same time, be sure to enjoy yourself – point out the route landmarks to
your newfound friends, make small talk, etc.
It’s your ride and, within reason, you’ll do what you want to do.
11. Mail the Waiver Sheets and Express Check-In
to
Chicago Cycling Club
P. O. Box 1178, Chicago,
IL 60690-1178
Information Hotline: 773 509-8093
12.
Email the cue
sheet to .
13. CANCELING A RIDE: If you know that you must
cancel a ride and the monthly ride schedule has already been given out in the
newsletter, then please follow these steps:
·
Send an email
to chibikeclub@yahoogroups.com
and rides@chicagocyclingclub.org
announcing that the ride is cancelled.
·
Notify Art
Gilfand in order for him to update the phone line. His email is
art@biketraffic.org and his phone number is listed in the membership
directory.
·
If it's less
than 72 hours before the ride then please show up at the start in case any riders
show up so that you can inform them that the ride is cancelled.
Enjoy
the satisfaction of knowing that you improved your leadership skills while
adding to the resources available to
There you have it. Adapt
and change this in a way you see fit to enable you to be an effective ride
leader (or to improve your life, help you achieve perfect oneness with nature,
etc.). But above all else, volunteer,
relax and have fun and you will have done your part to keep this club the best
cycling club in