Group Rides & Code of Conduct
Group Rides are AWESOME! You get fitter and faster and will develop and learn a lot.
Newbie? Don't worry, Everyone was once. Come meet some people. Get dropped? Good! Come back next week and make it a little further.
Racer or Ex Racer? The A Group will keep you entertained. And if you can't hang, drop back to a group you can roll with.
There will be groups that form within the first 4 miles by the end of Cat Rock Rd, and things break up even more after Hunting Ride/Sky Ridge climbs, about mile 8.
Bax's Up and Down
Spirited Group Ride, A-D Groups form by attrition.
Avg Speed from 18-23mph, dependent on group, with 3 different routes; 26mi, 34mi and 43 miles:
- Thursdays - During Daylight Savings Time. 2nd Half March -> 1st Week October
- 6pm Roll Out from Shop at 78 Valley Road, Cos Cob, CT 06807 (5:30 start time for 2 wks after and before daylight savings)
- Check Bax Cycles instagram/strava club for start time/cancellation
- Helmet required, Observe all Rules of the Road and follow standard group ride safety/etiquette. See Code of Conduct.
- Participating means Riding at your own risk, on public roads, open to traffic, in a group and riders assume all risks involved.
- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45850779 ("The Classic" Short loop 26mi)
- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45850892 (Medium 34.5mi)
- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46320460 (Long 43mi usually 4-5 weeks in June only)
GROUP RIDE - CODE OF CONDUCT
- ALWAYS wear a helmet
- Do not wear headphones
- No Supertucks
- Never ride against traffic
- Do not cross the yellow line
- Stop for stop signs and red lights
- Follow lane markings
- Honor others right of way
- Use hand signals and verbal communications
- Call out debris and hazards in the road
- Be predictable
- Ride single file with traffic or double paceline where roads allow
- Don't unnecessarily impede traffic
- Always use lights front and back lights to see and be seen.
When riding in a pace line:
- Do not overlap wheels with the bicycle in front of you
- Do not kick your bike backwards when going from seated to standing
- Maintain an even pace and do not allow a gap to be created in front of you
- When rotating off the front, do not stop pedaling until you have moved off the front of the line
- Do not cut into the line unless the rider behind you has approved your move
- If you are last in a rotating paceline, call out "Last" to the rider rolling off the back of the paceline, so they know to accelerate and jump on your wheel.
- If you are sitting on the back of the ride, and not pulling through, make sure you do not interrupt the flow of the paceline
- If you flat, call it out and maintain your line, and if possible gradually slow your speed only after riders have gone around you.
- Be alert to the actions of the riders around you
There is no "Winning" the group ride. Everyone wants a hard and fast ride, BUT the most important thing is being safe.
There is already a great disdain for Cyclists. Your role is not only to ensure you do not contribute to it, but maybe improve it.