The following guidelines and suggestions are intended to summarize the expected behavior for participants of CSP Express club rides to help ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.  We encourage riders to project a good public image and responsible riding.  Riders should exhibit considerate behavior towards other riders, pedestrians and motorists showing respect, courtesy and responsibility.

·         Safety is a major consideration for CSP Express club rides.

·         All riders must wear a helmet.  Riders should also carry personal ID, medical information,  medical ID, emergency contacts and a cell phone.

·         Make sure your bike is properly maintained and that you carry spare tubes, tube inflators, tire levers, wrenches and tools.  Learn how to change/repair a flat.

·         Ride at a steady pace, accelerating and decelerating smoothly within the group speed guidelines

·         Use hand and verbal signals for slowing, braking, turning or other road, motorist or pedestrian hazards.

·         Be aware of your surroundings, cars and riders, have a plan in mind to avoid emergencies.  Don’t panic in unexpected situations

·         Ride assertively anticipating hazards and taking the space you need on the road to avoid them.

·         Abide by traffic signals (red and yellow lights) and be very cautious at stop signs and yield signs.

·         Slow down prior to intersections, traffic circles and stop signs etc. to allow time for the proper group decisions.

·         Pacelines can be single file or double file depending on road conditions and group size

·         Do not overlap the front wheel of your bicycle with the rear wheel of another bicycle

·         Maintain a safe distance from the rider in front of you

·         When you are done pulling at the front of the paceline signal “tap out” , then rotate to the back

·         The next paceline leader should maintain a smooth and steady speed to allow the last paceline leader to jump onto the back of the paceline

·         In a paceline, conversations should be limited to keep the “yo – yo” effect to a minimum on the paceline.  If you need to talk move to the back of the group

·         Each paceline should keep with the pre-identified speed parameters

·         If you want to “break out” do not do so from the front of the paceline during your pull but instead pull out to the left of the paceline for a sprint.  The other paceline riders should close gaps and maintain speed

·         Allow ample time for the entire group to negotiate obstacles and intersections

·         If the group inadvertently splits, riders in the forward group should find a safe place to stop or slow down considerably to reform the group

·         After intersections, be sure the group is reformed before resuming the group paceline speed

·         Don’t leave the group without notifying other riders or the ride leader

·         Rides and routes are set up so that multiple groups follow the same route so that if you are with a forward group and tire, you can slow down or wait for a following group to come along and pick you up, bring you back to the finish