Safe Riding TipS

Remember that safety is a group effort. Keep the group safe to keep yourself safe.

Don't ride into standing water due to the prevalence of stress cracks and fractures of local streets due to extreme temperatures. It's important you see the pavement in order to avoid hazards.

Emphasize pointing/calling out hazards and making sure all in the line are aware of the hazard. 

Be cautious when taking your hand off the handlebars to point out a hazard. Physically point only if you can safely navigate the hazard yourself. Protect yourself when warning fellow riders of the hazard.

Be sure you cross cracks and stress fractures at as steep angle as possible to avoid the possibility of your tire falling into the hazard. 

Keep both hands on the handlebars while crossing a hazard. 

Avoid swerving to miss the hazard. Keep your movements small and under control.

Do not ride up next to a rider in front of you and “half wheel” them, by having half of your front wheel next to half of their back wheel.  If they swerve and hit you, you will go down and they will not even know you were there.  

If you see mud and sand runoff, avoid if possible. The runoff could hold moisture and remain slippery even after streets appear dry. 

Remember that painted lines and symbols on the streets can be slippery if wet. Avoid the street markings or cross them at a slower speed when approaching an intersection or turning. 

For evening rides, bring fully charged lights (front and rear) in case it's overcast and it darkens prior to sunset. Let's be sure to be visible to motorists. We are approaching sunset by the time most of our evening rides finish. Lights will be required in September but a mechanical could push a group ride return past sunset.