Riding in a group - or arranging a large ride

If you are new to cycling and are thinking of arranging a sponsored ride or similar event for fun - or even taking part in your first group event - you may find this article handy.

Riding in a group is easiest if you set down a few rules - hand them out on a sheet so everyone knows them, or include them with sponsorship forms, etc.

Rules are even more important if only a few of you have group experience: you'll be amazed how what adventures you can have without them! Pick and choose what you need from the list below.

Route: Work out your route well in advance and make sure key riders know where you're all going in case you get separated.

Distance/time: If you're planning a leisure ride, tell first-timers they'll be out for a couple of hours (if you say you're doing 20-odd miles, you'll put them off)

Insurance: The CTC covers its members for running CTC club rides, and individually, although non-members taking part are expected to join once they decide they like group cycling. Contact the CTC for more details. If you are not in the CTC, a public liability insurance is advisable.

Helmets, flo jackets, lights and mudguards: Colchester Cycling believes the choice of wearing a helmet should belong to individual riders. If your ride takes you on to busier roads, consider asking each participant to wear a fluorescent jacket. If you are expecting the ride to last until it is going dark, insist that all bikes have working lights. Mudguards are advisable - a bike sans fenders on a long ride can completely spatter following riders.

Crisis! Have an emergency plan: know the shortcuts you can take, have at least a a basic tool kit and pumps with all three valve types - schrader, presta and woods. Every rider should have a spare tube and thier own puncture kit. If you can, make sure one of the group is a cycle mechanic!

Bikes: Each rider should check their bike before they ride, to include pumping up your tyres and testing brakes. If there are inexperienced cyclists, make sure their bike fits them and offer advice, if necessary.

Speed and staying together: Unless you know the abilities of all the riders, promise ride to the speed of the slowest, and stick to it. An alternative to this is to give everyone a map and set rendezvouz points, though bear in mind that the less fit and less able will have less time to rest! If anyone has to peel off early (for another commitment, for instance) decide where on the ride they will be leaving the group. Take people's mobile numbers, if you can. If you have a large ride (15 or more) the leader should appoint a "tail end charlie" to make sure stragglers aren't left behind and to alert the leader of any problems.

Starting time: Say that riders should meet 15 minutes before the ride starts and leave promptly - everyone hates latecomers!

Setting off: Ride considerately and obey the law. Don't ride on footways and don't go through red lights. Irresponsible behaviour can place other riders in danger. You are an ambassador for all cyclists, so don't give us a bad name!

Etiquette: At junctions, try to make sure all your cyclists can get across in one go. If this is impossible, and you have inexperienced riders, wait for them to get across before setting off again. Make it clear there's no rush - you don't want a split-second decision to go wrong.

Stay alert: maintain concentration and avoid swerving. Each rider should maintain a steady line.

Looking back: be aware that this can throw you off balance. Practise tucking you chin into your shoulder to see behind without twisting your body. A good quality cycle mirror will prove invaluable.

Keep your distance: just as in a car, riding into the person in front can be painful! Make frequent checks on all the riders ahead of you, not just those immediately in front. Ride smoothly and avoid hard braking. Allow a three-second gap between you and the rider in front. If you are slowing or stopping, shout it out so the people behind can hear you - even someone touching your wheel can cause a crash.

Overtaking: If you want to move up the line, do an overtake by checking that there is a gap for you ahead, then looking behind you; move well out from other cyclists. Complete your overtake as quickly as possible.

Two abreast: the law allows you to ride two abreast, and it can make riding safer as it will stop most drivers passing at high speed. If you are causing an obstruction, switch to single file (ask the ride leader how he prefers this to be done before you set out, Suffolk CTC ride leaders usually tell riders on the front to speed up as they singling out, and those on the back slow down a little' this creates gaps for the outside riders to slot into. Some drivers don't like cyclists riding side by side - but most of them have an empty seat beside them all the time! It's also worth remembering that a group in single file will be twice as long as one two abreast.

Communicate: Riding in a group impairs visibility so flag up hazards. The traditional British club ride calls are:

• "Oil up": car approaching from behind
• "Oil down": car approaching from the front
• "Stopping": to warn people behind that the group is slowing
• "Gravel", "Sand", "Glass" or "Hole", accompanied by a pointy finger: road hazard