Idaho Code | Basic Bicycle Safety | What Ride Idaho Expects From Its Cyclists
What Cyclists Can Expect From Ride Idaho | Riding a Bike in Idaho | Safety Website Links
What Cyclists Can Expect From Ride Idaho | Riding a Bike in Idaho | Safety Website Links
Medical Information is always a good idea to keep on your person when riding. This would include a photo ID, medical insurance card, notice of adverse reaction to medicine, and emergency contact information.
Helmets are required at all times when cyclists are on bikes, whether moving or not! This includes when traveling from camp in to and around the host community.
Helmet Fit:
- Make sure that the helmet fits on top of the head, not tipped back
- Find the smallest helmet shell size that fits over your head
- Helmet pads should not be used to make a helmet that is too big fit your head
- Leave about a two-finger width between your eyebrows and the front of the helmet
- The straps should be joined just under each ear at the jawbone
- The buckle should be snug with your mouth completely open
- In general, the more vents the better; improper ventilation can cause overheating
- Helmets with good ventilation can actually be cooler than riding with no helmet at all
Tools that you may want to carry with you include a set of levers to take the tire off of the rim, a patch kit or extra tube (both is best) and a pump to put air back in the tube after you have replaced it. Don’t forget a bag to carry them in. Additional tools you may want to carry include a spoke wrench, a chain tool and some Allen keys.
Personal First AID Kit
You may want to consider carrying a plastic bag with a couple of First AID basics: band-aids, alcohol wipes, and gloves. If you have a strong reaction to bee stings, you may consider carrying medicine for treatment.
Group Riding
Be predictable:
- In a group, your actions affect those around you, not just yourself
- Riders expect you to continue straight and at a constant speed
- Signal your intention to turn or slow down before you do so
- Use signals
- Use hand signals to indicate turns and point out hazards to others
- Left or right arm straight out to indicate left or right turn
- Left arm out and down with palm to the rear to indicate stopping
- Give warnings
- Ride leaders should call out right turns, left turns and stops in addition to signaling
- Announce turns before the intersections to give riders a chance to position themselves
- Try to avoid sudden stops or turns except for emergencies
- Change positions correctly
- Slower moving traffic stays to the right; faster traffic to the left
- Pass slower moving vehicles on the left; announce your intention to do so
- Announce passes on the right clearly as this is not a usual maneuver
- Announce hazards
- Most cyclists do not have a full view of the road while riding in a group
- Announce potholes and other hazards so others can avoid them
- Call out the hazard and point down to it, either left or right
- Watch for traffic from the rear
- The last rider should frequently check for overtaking cars
- Announce "car back" clearly and loudly
- It is also helpful to announce "car up" on narrow roads or when riding two abreast
- Watch out at intersections
- Leader should announce slowing or stopping at intersections if necessary
- Cyclists should not follow others through intersections without scanning
- Each cyclist is responsible for checking cross traffic; if you must stop, signal
- Leave room for cars
- On narrow road or during climbs, leave space between every three or four riders
- Motorists will utilize the shorter passing intervals to pass the group
- Good relations with motorists is the responsibility of every cyclist
- Stop off road
- When stopping for mechanicals or regrouping, always move clear off the road
- Only if conditions permit should you move back onto the road as a group
- Always yield to traffic in the roadway
- Ride single file
- It is illegal in some areas to ride more than two abreast
- Ride single file between intersections; double up when the group stops
- When taking the lane, double up and take the whole lane
- Drafting
- Following closely behind another rider cuts down on wind resistance
- Only draft off of someone whose riding style or experience you trust
- Always inform the rider in front that you are on their wheel; between 6" and 18" back
- Paceline
- A group of riders drafting off of each other is a paceline; the leader dictates pace
- Front rider must communicate obstacles to riders behind; last rider watches traffic
- Pay close attention to those ahead and behind; be able to react safely and quickly
- Rotation
- Riders in a paceline take turns 'pulling' the group along through the wind
- To move from the front, check traffic, pull out to the left and move to the back
- The second rider is now the leader and provides draft for allotted time or distance
- Signals
- Lead rider must signal debris and hazards in roadway as well as stops and turns
- Point in direction of hazard and announce 'grate' or 'gravel' for other riders
- Rear rider is responsible for signaling intentions to following traffic
- Dangers
- Do not draft on high traffic roads or roads with frequent intersections
- There is very little room for error when riding very close to others
- Crashing in a paceline has a domino effect, which may knock down riders behind you
You may want to consider stretching your muscles before and after riding each day. This will help warm you up before or cool down after a 60+ mile ride.
Visit these websites for suggested exercises:
American Physical Therapy Association
Yoga Poses for Cyclists
