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Starting a Ride

    Pre-Ride Preparation
  • Arrive early to coordinate pre-ride activities.
  • Formulate your pre-ride speech ahead of time so you know what you are going to say.
  • Be sure sufficient parking is available. If necessary designate someone to direct riders as to where to park if it is not immediately apparent.
  • Be available to answer questions about the ride, mileage, food, etc.
  • Be sure maps are handed out by yourself or a designated individual. When handing out maps, ask if the rider is a member and if not get them to sign the waiver.
  • If it is not obvious that a rider will be wearing a helmet, tell them the NSC requires helmets.

    Starting the Riders
  • Provide a pre-ride speech. This has to be short but effective. See this example.
    • Introduce yourself and welcome everyone in behalf of NSC.
    • Safety Talk - Reinforce safety issues. Where applicable, cite any known safety issues on the ride. Reinforce safe riding principals:
      • Obey all vehicle laws.
      • Pay attention to road conditions, traffic, and other riders.
      • Signal intentions verbally and with hand signals.
      • Call out road hazards and overtaking or oncoming cars.
      • Ride Information - Be very brief. Cover only major points of interest and major problem areas. Remember only a few points can be retained so make them count. Show a sample of the arrow so everyone will know what it looks like.
    Ride Start
  • If the group is small, announce the start and let riders filter out.
  • If the group is large, stagger the start to avoid congestion. Let the faster riders start first. Allow several minutes between groups.

    At the End
  • Try to account for all the riders that started. Some riders may simply ride home if they live close to the route. Look for empty cars in the parking area. If a rider remains out much longer than expected recruit help from other riders and backtrack the route by car. DO NOT KNOWINGLY LEAVE A RIDER STRANDED.
  • Police the area after most of the riders have returned.
  • Send filled out waiver forms to the Ride Coordinator or President.

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