general safety
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:22 am
Hey folks,
Each member has a responsibility to contribute to group safety by 1) honing their own skills; 2) making safe choices on rides; and 3) helping those around them to become better riders. Each year, the club tries to provide opportunities to help members do these things better. Here are some opportunities to consider to help you contribute to group safety.
*March "On-the-fly" group ride coaching (March 15, 22, 29)
In consultation with club coach Lister Farrar, we're trying something new this year. Matt and Brenna (who did Race Games with us last summer) are going to come out on some Friday rides and coach a group (probably C, B2, or B3). They'll give suggestions on how to deal with different scenarios, smooth out paceline transitions, and hold the group together, as well as pointing out things individuals could work on tightening up in terms of safety and etiquette. We'll post more details as we get closer to the dates.
*May Spring Skills Clinic (3-course series: May 14, 21, 28)
Each year we hold a skills clinic for riders who want to up their group riding skills--stuff like emergency braking, pacelines, cornering, touching wheels or bumping other riders while staying upright. This year we're tentatively planning to hold this clinic as a three-Tuesday series on May 14, 21, and 28. It will be coached by our very own Brenna Pauly and Matt Patriquin (they coached last summer's Race Games). Until we post more details, you can consult posts about last year's clinic here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7682
These skills clinics are not just for new riders. People in many fields of work brush up their skills periodically to stay at the top of their game. Group riders are no different. All of us are likely to benefit from
*Ride leader coaching class
Cycling BC is talking about offering a class in Victoria on how to be a good ride leader. Some clubs have formal ride leaders; Tripleshot tends to do this informally. But all rides need at least one person who knows what's going on and what to do in various problematic situations. This class would be useful for many of our members who want to support the group by providing good leadership on rides. We'll post details as more information becomes available. [UPDATE: The course will be May 5 at Camosun Interurban. https://cyclingbc.net/event/nccp-05-05-2019/ ]
Martin
*Ride buddies for new riders
We haven't figured out exactly how to formalize this, but Andrew Neale suggested that we pair new riders up with a buddy when they're out for (at least) their first ride with Tripleshot. This person would run through general etiquette and procedures as well as making sure the person is aware of all turns, sprint zones, gather-up points, etc. We kind of do this informally now, but we want to clearly assign an experienced rider to each new rider at the start of rides (best to do this in the parking lot, but if it's not done there, do it on the road as you roll out with a newbie). If you're interested in serving as a ride buddy, let me know or volunteer to help when you see a new rider show up.
*Every Day Stuff
Most accidents can be avoided with alertness, good communication, and good decision-making. Make sure you're contributing to all of these at all times on each ride.
We've all been on rides where it's a bit of a gong show and we all know those rides are less safe and less fun. We've also all been on rides where the group clicks and works like a well oiled machine. You also may have been on rides that turned from gong show to well-oiled machine thanks to one or more people speaking up and the group--often on the fly or after a hill-top gatherup--fixing whatever was wrong. This scenario is incredibly satisfying but requires people to speak up. Everyone with enough experience to know what's going wrong and how to fix it can become a ride leader in the moment by speaking up. Sometimes the group needs to be spoken to. Sometimes it's one or more individuals. This can usually be done in a way that's constructive, well received, and improves the ride for everyone. Whenever you see something that's not working well on a ride, consider being the person who speaks up. If you're shy or not great at raising your voice, point the problem out to someone you know is willing to speak up.
Ride safe out there. People tend to return from winter a bit rusty, so help the group by polishing your own skills, helping others polish theirs, and taking advice onboard cheerfully.
Ciao!
Martin
Each member has a responsibility to contribute to group safety by 1) honing their own skills; 2) making safe choices on rides; and 3) helping those around them to become better riders. Each year, the club tries to provide opportunities to help members do these things better. Here are some opportunities to consider to help you contribute to group safety.
*March "On-the-fly" group ride coaching (March 15, 22, 29)
In consultation with club coach Lister Farrar, we're trying something new this year. Matt and Brenna (who did Race Games with us last summer) are going to come out on some Friday rides and coach a group (probably C, B2, or B3). They'll give suggestions on how to deal with different scenarios, smooth out paceline transitions, and hold the group together, as well as pointing out things individuals could work on tightening up in terms of safety and etiquette. We'll post more details as we get closer to the dates.
*May Spring Skills Clinic (3-course series: May 14, 21, 28)
Each year we hold a skills clinic for riders who want to up their group riding skills--stuff like emergency braking, pacelines, cornering, touching wheels or bumping other riders while staying upright. This year we're tentatively planning to hold this clinic as a three-Tuesday series on May 14, 21, and 28. It will be coached by our very own Brenna Pauly and Matt Patriquin (they coached last summer's Race Games). Until we post more details, you can consult posts about last year's clinic here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7682
These skills clinics are not just for new riders. People in many fields of work brush up their skills periodically to stay at the top of their game. Group riders are no different. All of us are likely to benefit from
*Ride leader coaching class
Cycling BC is talking about offering a class in Victoria on how to be a good ride leader. Some clubs have formal ride leaders; Tripleshot tends to do this informally. But all rides need at least one person who knows what's going on and what to do in various problematic situations. This class would be useful for many of our members who want to support the group by providing good leadership on rides. We'll post details as more information becomes available. [UPDATE: The course will be May 5 at Camosun Interurban. https://cyclingbc.net/event/nccp-05-05-2019/ ]
Martin
*Ride buddies for new riders
We haven't figured out exactly how to formalize this, but Andrew Neale suggested that we pair new riders up with a buddy when they're out for (at least) their first ride with Tripleshot. This person would run through general etiquette and procedures as well as making sure the person is aware of all turns, sprint zones, gather-up points, etc. We kind of do this informally now, but we want to clearly assign an experienced rider to each new rider at the start of rides (best to do this in the parking lot, but if it's not done there, do it on the road as you roll out with a newbie). If you're interested in serving as a ride buddy, let me know or volunteer to help when you see a new rider show up.
*Every Day Stuff
Most accidents can be avoided with alertness, good communication, and good decision-making. Make sure you're contributing to all of these at all times on each ride.
We've all been on rides where it's a bit of a gong show and we all know those rides are less safe and less fun. We've also all been on rides where the group clicks and works like a well oiled machine. You also may have been on rides that turned from gong show to well-oiled machine thanks to one or more people speaking up and the group--often on the fly or after a hill-top gatherup--fixing whatever was wrong. This scenario is incredibly satisfying but requires people to speak up. Everyone with enough experience to know what's going wrong and how to fix it can become a ride leader in the moment by speaking up. Sometimes the group needs to be spoken to. Sometimes it's one or more individuals. This can usually be done in a way that's constructive, well received, and improves the ride for everyone. Whenever you see something that's not working well on a ride, consider being the person who speaks up. If you're shy or not great at raising your voice, point the problem out to someone you know is willing to speak up.
Ride safe out there. People tend to return from winter a bit rusty, so help the group by polishing your own skills, helping others polish theirs, and taking advice onboard cheerfully.
Ciao!
Martin