A few thoughts on how we ride Beacon Hill

[Plawless]

It was pretty apparent this am that there is lots of potential for crashes etc as we are doing our laps. By the time we get to Beacon Hill I, for one, am absolutely on my limit so I dont need any "extra" pressure based on any safety stuff. So how about a few "rules":

1. If you are passing a rider - give them a WIDE berth. Dont go whipping past grazing their elbows - there is no upside, take it wide and help the folks on your wheel stay safe

2. Before you pass yell out "riders up" or some such to warn the rider ahead that you are coming hard

3. If you hear someone yell "riders up" etc it means that you are about to be passed - so hold your line. Dont go sudenly all wobbly as you try to see who is coming - just go straight!!!

4. If you are riding the loop - ride on the RIGHT!!! This is SUPER IMPORTANT especially after you have finished. As different groups do more / less laps. If you are done and riding in the middle you are begging to crash people that are still hammering away with their heads down.

5. If you are done your laps and about to go left at Terry Fox - do a shoulder check and signal BEFORE you swing left.....someone might be about to pass you.

6. Everyone needs to remember that the ride isnt over until we step off the bikes at coffee. So when you are done your laps KEEP GOING. Dont spread out and take up the whole road. Its dangerous for people behind you and it just pisses off cars. Stay to the right, ride in twos and get to coffee to deconstruct the sprint.

Any others?

Peter

[Lister Farrar]

+1
All good suggestions.

One convention in track riding is when one pace line passes another, the leader of the passing line yells "Stick", which warns the leader of the passed line to stay on the pole line, and not swing up in the banking, and interfere with the passing line. Would that work here?

[JohnT]

All good points Peter. Not to take anything away from the importance of these guidelines, I have to say that it is amazing that we now sometmes have three or four separate sprinting pelotons that have to watch for one another. How cool is that? It's all great practise (fitness and group riding skills)) for the VCL races in the spring.

[BearPope Recruit]

I agree with the points above, and can verify that Peter does follow his own rules! I think #1 to 4 were followed when Peter, Josh, and Shawn + 1 went by me, and it was good to know they were fast approaching. Shawn also gave a shout out of "good work!" in true TS fashion so perhaps that would be a good addition? To encourage each other if you can spare the air to do so! Something that was also a great benefit and added to the comraderie in the VCL races, like John mentioned!