Team DCC: May 2007

Discussion points
(1) training rides (as a group, aim for prompt departure, colleagues/friends can join in, cancel if too wet);
(2) general fitness (probably require something 3x per week);
(3) safety & health (visibility, awareness, riding skills--Nick, insurance cover, BV CD, tuition);
(4) energy & nutrition (water 1L/h, carbs day before);
(5) equipment (bike, helmet, visible shirt, bike shorts, repair kit, cleats, gloves, sunnies);
(6) reimbursement (tax invoices);
(7) Firm's disclaimer (Gab); and
(8) outfits (Tara).

Nick's Riding Tips

GENERAL
• Safety -Wear a helmet. Always, and MAKE SURE IT'S SITTING ON YOUR HEAD PROPERLY!
• Wet weather - remember that your brakes are much less efficient when wet. You will need to keep this in mind, especially if you are riding in a bunch. Also, watch tram/railway lines. Try and cross at right-angles to the lines if you can.
• Cars -don't presume that drivers will do what they are supposed to. In particular, sometimes drivers will give way when they shouldn't (or not give way when they should!) - both of which can put you in danger.
• Ride slow -you need to learn to ride slowly, and get used to unclipping your foot from the pedal -classic signs of beginner cyclists include looking really unstable at slow speeds, and falling over because they haven’t been able to get their foot out of the pedal.
• Being followed -especially on Beach Road, you may find that you have cyclists following very closely behind you (ie. sucking on your wheel), without actually asking you. You need to keep this in mind, and signal if you are pulling over.

BUNCH RIDING
• Be smooth -try and ride as smoothly as possible in a bunch. In particular, don't brake hard unless you have to. It is preferable to try and feather the brakes or keep an eye out for any changes in pace, rather than slamming the brakes on hard. Also, it is preferable not to swerve unless you absolutely have to -another sign of beginner cyclists is someone who swerve wildly to avoid things or simply because they cannot ride their bike properly, rather than keeping an eye ahead down the road for obstacles.
• Listen -especially in a bunch, braking or free-wheeling by riders ahead of you indicates that some-one is slowing in front, so be ready to ease up too.
• Look - don't always focus on the wheel in front. You should always flick your eyes ahead of you to see what is coming up, i.e in case your bunch is catching another bunch, is coming up to a red light, parked cars, etc.
• Signals - bunch riders will usually point to obstacles on the road if they are coming up - ie. pot holes, broken glass, etc. They will also signal if they are coming up to any parked cars, bunches or other obstacles on the left-hand side. It is important to do this, especially if you are at the front of the bunch.
• Overlapping Wheels - try not to overlap your front wheel with the wheel that you're following - otherwise, if they swerve, you'll go down.

HILLS
• Be aware that when a cyclist stands up off the seat, the bike will shoot backwards slightly - into your front wheel, unless you are prepared!
• For little hills such as those you will encounter on Beach Road, it is often easier simply to stomp and sprint over them, if you can. For longer hills, it is preferable to change down into the small chain wheel before you hit them, rather than trying to effect that change half way up the hill.

WARNINGS
You will probably hear five main warnings used in the bunch:
1. "Riders" - this means that the bunch is approaching a group of riders. You may also hear it come from behind you, which means that you are about to be passed by a bunch;
2. "Lights" or "Stopping" - self-explanatory. The bunch is coming up to a red light and is slowing down;
3. "Rolling" - this is often said if a bunch is approaching some traffic lights that are changing, but the bunch continues to move through them. This often happens if a large bunch is going through some lights, which turned Orange only after the first few riders have passed the lights. Note that in a large bunch, some riders further back will slow down/stop - ie. don't presume that the entire bunch is going to roll through a red light, just because some of them have.
4. "Slowing" – if you need brake for some reason (e.g. other than lights).
5. "Car/Truck Back" – when there is a vehicle coming up from behind the bunch.

HAND SIGNALS
1. Show a flat hand – slowing / stopping
2. Point, especially with hand behind your back – about to move right / left (e.g. to pass a slow rider, or a parked car)

CATCHING A WAVE
• If a large bunch passes you, you may decide to tag on to the back. Before you do, make sure that the bunch has in fact completely passed you, as the tail of the bunch can be quite long and drawn out. Also, if you are speeding up to join a bunch that is passing you, you need to be really careful of any obstacles ahead of you -ie. slower riders, parked cars, etc. Give yourself some room, or you end up riding at high speed with nowhere to go.
• When passing another cyclist, be travelling about 5 kph faster, and leave plenty of room behind you when you pull in front of them.

LEAVING A BUNCH
If you are leaving a bunch from the middle of the group, it is preferable to signal that youare pulling to one side and wave riders through, rather than simply stopping abruptly.

Enjoy riding!

Team DCC

Monday, 28 May 2007

First Training Ride

Saturday, 26 May 2007

Pre-Ride Meeting

Training Rides

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