Safety - The Musts
You MUST wear a helmet whenever you are on your bike. This includes in the parking lot at the
starts and finishes. We require that you have your helmet on your head whenever you are
straddling your bike.
Any rider or volunteer who is found to be using illegal drugs at any time during the tour, or who
is found to be abusing alcohol during the tour, will be dismissed from the tour and sent home
immediately. Also, firearms are not permitted on the ride, except for active law enforcement
officers / agents.
This IS a TOUR, not a race. You should ride at a comfortable pace. No awards will be given for
speed. And you'll miss some the fine scenery along the route and the camaraderie of your
fellow riders.
Carry your personal ID, Emergency Contact Information, Insurance Card and Important Health
Diagnosis at all times.
Obey all traffic rules and regulations: Ride on the right hand side of the roadway. Obey all road
signs, stop signs and traffic signals. Use proper hand signals when slowing, stopping and
turning.
Ride within voice contact of your buddy/ride group.
Each rider must be at the ride start meeting each morning. Safety, route updates/changes and
other features of the day's ride will be covered.
Rules of the Ride
Organize your morning activities to allow us to start on time each morning.
Respect the communities we ride through. Use rest stop or public restrooms, not the road side
or someone's yard. Put any trash in trash bags or bins. This includes flatted inner tubes,
energy bar wrappers and plastic bottles. Leave the roadside as clean as you found it (if not
cleaner).
Ride no more than two abreast when there is traffic around. On roads without a safe shoulder
to ride on, ride single file. Do not impede vehicles unless safe bike operation necessitates it.
Pace lines are a good way to share the riding load. Just be careful, especially if new riders join
your line.
Keep paceline groups to 12 riders or less. Communication in larger groups becomes difficult.
When two pacelines meet, the overtaking group should pass promptly. The slower group
should NOT speed up. Each group should communicate their status clearly during the entire
pass.
Do not use aero bars when riding close to other riders, especially in a pace line.
You are free to stop anywhere along the route. Just keep your average speed above 15 mph.
Riders are expected to average at least 15 mph. If a rider cannot maintain this pace and falls
behind, he/she will be SAGged up to the next rest stop that puts them in contact with other Tour
riders. We cannot safely support riders spread over 30 or more miles.
We will ride only during daylight hours. If we are delayed and darkness falls, riders will be
asked to stop riding and wait to be SAGged to the day's finish.
In the event of hazardous weather (such as lightning), the Ride Management will require riders
to seek shelter. All riders must stop riding immediately and seek shelter. An "All clear" will be
issued when the danger has passed. Do not ride until the All clear is given. If the weather is
deemed severe enough for an extended period of time, the Ride Management may SAG all
riders to a safe location up to and including the finish location for that day.
Good Practices
We recommend that you inspect or have your bicycle inspected for safety and possible
problems a month before the tour.
If you have bike lights, make sure they have fresh batteries in them.
Maintain your personal space as you ride.
Protect your front wheel at all times.
Look back whenever you are going to move left or right. Know what is going on behind you at
all times.
Communicate your intentions before you execute them.
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Turning right/left, stopping, slowing, etc.
Let other riders know where you are - passing left, on your wheel
Call out and point at road hazards for the riders behind you - pot hole left, glass right, etc
Be courteous to all other vehicles. Your actions affect drivers' attitudes towards all cyclists.
It's a good idea to carry some cash with you. There will be stores along the route. You never
know if you might need something to eat or drink.
Although temperatures may be cooler (or not) be sure to hydrate. A bottle every 20 miles is a
good place to start.
You will be on the bike a lot more than usual burning a lot of calories. You will need to eat more
than you usually do. The tour will have some scales. We suggest you use them. If you are
losing weight you will lose endurance. Eat more.
You will be given a route map and cue sheet each day. Please ride the route. It's safest.
Bring clothing for hot and cold, and wet and dry conditions. Weather in May can change quickly
if a rain storm or cold front passes through. Be prepared.