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TCBC Ride Considerations and Safety Rules
1. TCBC Ride Considerations:
- Helmets: Properly fastened ANSI or Snell-approved helmets must be worn on all TCBC rides. (see bicycle tips on helmets)
- Bicycle: Have your bicycle in good mechanical condition. We recommend at least an annual tuneup. Mountain bikes are required for MB rides.
- Protective glasses: Recommended for all bike rides
- Clothing: Wear clothing appropriate for the day's weather conditions. Cycling shorts or tights and cycling gloves greatly increase your comfort. Mountain bike rides may require more protective clothes. MB riders may encounter abrasive brush, bushes, tree branches. Muddy terrain may be common on MB rides.
- Hydration/Water: Drink lots of water before you ride. Carry water or sports drink with you on the ride and drink frequently. There will most likely NOT be water available on mountain bike rides - bring at least two full bottles for MB rides.
- Food: Bring quick-energy food with you on the ride. Dried fruit, bagels, energy bars, and bananas are all quick-energy foods.
- Tools: Carry at least the following on your bike: tire levers, a pump, spare tube, patch kit. (add a chain tool and a multi-tool that includes allen wrenches and screwdrivers for "MB - A" rides)
- Traffic Laws: Obey all traffic laws and safe riding practices.
- At The Ride: Arrive early enough to allow time to get yourself and your equipment ready, sign the registration sheet, and (if you are not a member) pay the leader the trip fees. All bike trips list the time the trip actually departs from the starting area.
- General: Bring money, identification, sun screen (as needed).
- Day Trip Fees: No Charge for TCBC members (included with membership), $2.00 for non-members. $4.00 for each non-member family. Pre-registration is not necessary unless stated. If you have any questions, check with the leader for specifics.
2. Ride Safety Rules:
TCBC has a very good ride safety record and we want this to continue. The following rules must be followed on TCBC rides. Only riders following these rules are welcome on TCBC rides. If you have questions about these rules, talk with a TCBC ride leader, a TCBC Leader Liaison, or a member of the TCBC Board of Directors.
- Obey ALL traffic laws - ALL the time!
- Stop at stop signs - even when no one else is around!
- Stop and wait at red stop lights until they turn green!
- Don't ride beyond your ability. You do not have to keep up with the "pack."
- Make sure your bike is in good, safe condition for riding - BEFORE the ride.
- Personal Listening Devices (mp3 players, iPods, bluetooth earbuds, headphones, etc..) are not allowed on TCBC rides.
- Know which brake handle is for your rear brake.
- Use more braking force on your rear brake - Do not use only your front brake.
- Ride no more than 2 abreast - Ride single file in heavy traffic.
- Ride as far to the right as safe and practical. On a two-lane road, block a lane ONLY if that is the only safe way to proceed. Then, clear the lane ASAP.
- Communicate to other riders by loudly saying - car back, on your left, stopping, slowing, pothole, sand, glass, right turn, left turn, etc.
- Communicate with hand signals for turning, stopping, road hazards, etc.
- Point at obstacles showing the riders behind you where the obstacles are.
- Wear a properly fitted and fastened ANSI or Snell-approved helmet.
- Don't confront motorists - get the license number and description and report to police.
- Mountain bike riding is inherently different than road riding. Experienced TCBC road riders new to mountain biking should select TCBC Mountain Bike rides that are at least one ride classification lower than they normally ride "on road rides".
- Mountain Bike rides will abide by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) "Rules of the Trail":
- Ride only on open trails.
- Leave no trace.
- Control your bicycle.
- Always yield trail.
- Never spook animals.
- Plan ahead.
- Mountain bike rides should be cancelled in wet conditions to prevent trail damage and erosion.
- Mountain bike rest stop, check point locations, and the approximate time for each are to be agreed upon before the start of the ride.
- On MB-B and MB-C rides, if someone is missing from the group, the leader or designee should go back and find them.
A club night ride is where any portion of the ride occurs after sunset or before sunrise. Night Rides are to be at a leisurely “C” (10mph avg. speed) or “B” (14mph avg. speed) pace. Ride leaders are responsible for ensuring that the riders stay together as a group. Night Rides are intended to be social in nature; therefore they should be mapless. Maps would be acceptable for portions of the ride that occur before sunset or after sunrise. The maximum distance to be ridden on a Night Ride is 25 miles. Each bicycle operated on a Night Ride must be equipped with an operating headlight and taillight. All lights must meet minimum Minnesota statutory requirements. Since most Night Rides use trails extensively, bright headlights are essential. Two leaders (one front and one rear) are required on all Night Rides. Night Rides are to be identified in the Event Schedule with either an “N-C” or an “N-B” designation.