Signing up

• Sign up for the ride on the website ahead of time. This will give the ride leader the opportunity to get in touch with you if there is a change of plans (weather, illness, etc.).
  
  
• Show up on time so that you are ready to leave at the designated time.

Your bicycle

• Show up for the ride with a bike in good working condition.
  
  
• Carry items to repair a flat tire.
  
  
• Inspect your tires for wear, small cuts, and foreign objects stuck in the tread.
  
  
• Check tire pressure before ride.
  
  
• Verify that your wheels are secured and the quick release levers are properly tightened.
  
  
• Check for loose parts on your bicycle (seatpost, handlebars, bottle cages, etc.).

What to bring

• You must wear a certified bicycling helmet. It is recommended that you frequently check for cracks and worn straps.
  
  
• All riders are very strongly encouraged to bring (and use) a rear red light to increase rider visibility and safety.
   
• New Jersey State law: "A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or other audible device that can be heard at least 100 feet away, but not a siren or whistle".
  
  
• Always bring at least one full bottle with your favorite hydration liquid.
  
  
• Carry at least one of your favorite snacks.

• Headphones, earbuds, and talking on a cell phone while riding are prohibited on all Club rides. Bone conducting headphones that do not cover, or are not inserted in, the ear are now permitted, but caution in their use (no loud music, no podcasts, no phone calls) is required. The prohibition on all other types of headphones is not discretionary with riders or Ride Leaders.

• Be prepared for weather changes. A foldable jacket, arm warmers, or leg warmers may be useful on a long ride.

During the ride

• Follow the leaders instructions at all times.
  
  
• Alert the ride leader if you observe a rider having a problem.
  
  
• If the ride leader is too slow for you, you’re welcome to leave the ride. However by going ahead you have effectively left the ride.
  
  
• Please notify the ride leader if you decide to leave the ride for any reason. Signed-up riders are accounted for by the leader.
  
  
• If you observe any unsafe or discourteous behavior, gently and constructively remind the offender of the situation, or speak to the ride leader.
  
  
• You must rely on your own judgment for personal safety. If you feel unsafe, drop back or leave the group.

Bringing a guest rider

Members are permitted to bring a guest who is interested in potentially joining the Club.

Follow this procedure for a guest:

• Before the ride, contact the Membership Chair at [email protected] and request a one-month trial membership for the guest. The Membership Chair will email the guest, who will need to register as a trial member. The guest can then sign up for a ride.
  
  
• If the Membership Chair is unavailable, the guest (and inviting member) should come to the ride and provide the Ride Leader with their contact and emergency contact information. The inviting member must follow up with the Membership Chair post-ride to set up the guest’s trial membership.

Only one trial membership per person is permitted. Additionally, for insurance purposes, a guest can only ride one time without a trial or regular membership.

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A club member who regularly disregards BTCNJ safety rules, and/or puts other club members in harm’s way will be asked by the President to leave the club.

 

The club expects all cyclists to follow these best practices on our group rides.

What We Do

• Ride single file whenever there is traffic on the road.
  
  
• Stay as far to the right as is safe and reasonable — and not so far that you have to swerve left into traffic to avoid hazards.
  
  
• Hold your line ride directly behind the rider in front of you. Don't move side-to-side unnecessarily.
  
  
• Maintain constant pedaling. Maintaining a steady pace helps the rider behind you predict your speed.
  
  
• Signal well in advance before turns. Also, audibly communicate your intentions.
  
  
• Look carefully over your shoulder before signaling and pulling out into the lane. The use of a rearview mirror will make it easier to see behind you. Don’t move if cars are in the lane or overtaking rapidly — they have the right of way. Radar is a nice feature, but radar is not sufficient; it does not tell you if a cyclist is on your left and it is not 100% accurate in notifying you about cars.
  
  
• Before you pass another rider, make sure the lane to your left is clear and announce that you are passing with “on your left”.
  
  
• When you move out to pass, have a plan for how you are going to re-enter the line of riders.
  
  
• Come to a full stop at red lights— ALWAYS stop behind last car. Do not pass waiting cars. You can take lane, double file if appropriate.
  
  
• Come to a stop at stop signs. Take turns with cars at four-way stops.
  
  
• Regroup if the group gets separated at an intersection. No one should be penalized for stopping.
  
  
• Move well off the road if the group stops.
  
  
• Use front and rear lights when riding in the dark that comply with NJ Bicycle Regulation 39:4-10 (must be visible from at least 500 feet away).

We Communicate

• “On your left” whenever we are passing. If our fellow rider doesn’t know we are there, they might move to the left unexpectedly.
  
  
• “Car back”. Those in the back of the group/line say it first. Everyone else passes it forward up the line so all are aware. “Car back” means “Single file”.
  
  
• “Car up” when there is a car in the oncoming lane on a narrow road, or a stopped car in our lane.
  
  
• “Slowing” so the person behind us will know to slow down too and not run into us. In addition, use hand signal, left hand down with palm facing to rear.
  
  
• “Stopping” loudly and clearly. (If "Stopping" is said behind you, you might not have to stop.)
  
  
• “Walker up” so fellow riders know to move out and give a pedestrian or jogger some space. In addition use hand signal, left hand down, waving horizontally.
  
  
• “Hole”, “Bump”, “Branch”, “Debris” to warn riders behind us of a hazard. In addition use hand signal by pointing to hazard.

What We DON’T Do

• Don’t pass on the right because we cut off someone’s safe lane, and they don’t expect it. If it becomes absolutely necessary (for instance the rider is in the far left portion of the lane) it is imperative to say “On your right”.
  
  
• Don’t call “Clear!” at an intersection because conditions can change rapidly – each rider needs to make their own decision about when it’s safe to go. Instead, say: “I’m going”, “Going through”, or “Rolling”.
  
  
• Don’t signal to drivers that it’s safe to pass the group because conditions change rapidly, and riders in front of us might suddenly move out into the lane. (This is also a legal issue; rider could be liable if there was a crash.)
  
  
• Don’t wear headphones or earbuds that cover or are inserted in the ear, because we won’t be able to hear when fellow riders communicate with us or hear vehicles. Bone conducting headphones that do not cover, or are not inserted in, the ear are now permitted, but caution in their use (no loud music, no podcasts, no phone calls) is required. The prohibition on all other types of headphones is not discretionary with riders or Ride Leaders. 
  
  
• Don’t use your cell phone while riding. If you must answer a call, safely pull over and stop.
  
  
• Don’t let your front wheel overlap (laterally) with the wheel in front of you because, if they move to the side, you’ll go down.

Recommendations

• Do not pass on a downhill because riders who are descending may move laterally without warning to avoid a hazard, and they won’t be able to signal in advance. If it becomes necessary to pass, it is imperative that you say “Passing on your left”.
  
  
• Wear bright colored clothing. Do not wear all black. You need to make your-self highly visible.
  
  
• Use a rearview mirror. This will allow you to see behind you without taking your eyes off the road. In addition to looking in the mirror, do a double check looking over your shoulder when changing lanes.
  
  
• Daytime lights will make you more visible but refrain from using a flashing red rear light set to a high brightness level as it will have a negative effect on the vision of the rider behind you.
  
  

Be safe out there! Have fun!

We want to thank the Westchester Cycle Club for granting us permission to use this edited version of their “Guidelines for Group Rides”.

In the actual schedule, clicking on the various parts will generally provide more information. More information about ride categories and terrain (how hilly or flat) is provided after the picture (scroll down). Click on the image for a larger version.

E-Bikes eligible to participate in BTCNJ group rides must be low-speed pedal-assisted (the bike does not move without pedaling and assistance ceases at 20 mph (Class 1) or 28 mph (Class 3).

It may not utilize a throttle, meaning that it must be a Class 1 or Class 3 E-Bike.

In addition

• E-Bike riders may participate in all group rides but should use good judgement in choosing the ride categories suited for the rider.
• E-Bike riders who participate in group rides are responsible for knowing and following the rules for rides, with particular emphasis on observance of the prescribed ride pace.
• The role of ride leaders remains unchanged. They are responsible for ensuring that all riders are made aware of the ride rules and their responsibility for obeying them as well as established traffic laws. Ride leaders are not responsible for determining whether a rider is using an E-Bike or what class of E-Bike a rider may be using.
• Just as with riders on traditional bikes that participate in group rides, ride leaders have the authority to speak with any rider of an E-Bike, if, in their judgment, they feel that rider is compromising the safety of others on the ride.
• Just as with riders on traditional bikes, this authority includes making the E-Bike rider aware of what they are doing incorrectly and to request that the E-Bike rider maintain a position at the back of the group ride or even leave the ride, if deemed warranted to ensure the safety of others.

The times indicated are when the group meets. The rides "roll" (depart) 15 minutes after the listed time. This gives people time to set-up (check their bikes, add air to their tires, etc), and sign-in.

The rides are "loop rides" (almost always) where people meet at a location and return to the same location at the end of the ride. Often, there's a stop at around the middle of the ride for lunch or a snack (unless the ride is short, like, <= 20 miles in length). People usually drive their car to the start location.

A BTCNJ club ride has a leader, who the other riders follow. Some BTCNJ rides have a sweep (a coleader) who follows the group to keep track of any riders who might be having issues staying with the group (maybe, due to a mechanical problem). Riders are expected to be inbetween the leader and the sweep.

Typically, a Ridewithgps link is posted, which provides a cuesheet (a PDF of the streets to turn on that can be printed) and a file to download to a Garmin (or other) GPS device. Some rides have a link to a cuesheet PDF on our website.

Note that leaders are not all the same person: different leaders will have different styles in how they lead a ride. If a particular leader's style doesn't work for you, try a ride led by someone else!

There are a few basic things that make a ride "harder" or "easier": (1) the speed you ride at; (2) the distance you ride; (3) how hilly or flat the ride is (also called "elevation gain"); and (4) the surface you are riding on (paved, unpaved, trail).

BTCNJ categorizes road rides (paved) using a letter (A, B, C, D, etc) to indicate the general speed. Mountain and gravel bike rides (on unpaved paths or trails) are categorized similarly. The "terrain" (how hilly the ride is) is also indicated.

Some experience is usually required to really understand how this works.

If you are new, pick a ride that you expect to be fairly easy (and on the short side). If it's easier than you like, it's simple enough to pick a harder ride the next time. (Starting out with a ride that is too hard will likely be frustrating to you and the other riders in the group.)

Keep in mind that you are riding with a group (not merely in a group). That means it's important to pick a level that is appropriate (for you and the other participants).

BTCNJ uses the following designations (letters, basically) to categorize the expected average speed of rides in our schedule.

Keep in mind that the average speed on flat terrain is often higher (+2 mph) than the average shown below.

Note that the meanings of the A, B, C, etc. qualifiers for gravel or mountain bike rides don't match the meanings for road rides.

For the categories B and above, Ride Leaders are not obligated to wait for stragglers as long as the advertised pace is not exceeded and directions are provided with a GPS route or cue sheet, unless the ride is advertised as a no-drop ride. 

For the categories C*, C and D, Ride Leaders are obligated to wait for stragglers and to assist those having mechanical difficulties, that is, rides in these categories are no-drop rides. 

Category	Description
A*	Average speed 19+ mph - For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
A	Average speed 17 - 18.9 mph - For strong/experienced cyclists. Stops every 30+ miles.
B*	Average speed 15.0 - 16.9 mph - Average speed on flats 17.0 - 19.0 mph. For Strong cyclists. Stops every 20 - 25 miles.
B	Average speed 13.0 - 14.9 mph - Average speed on flats 15.0 - 17.0 mph. For solid cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C*	Average speed 11.0 - 12.9 mph - Average speed on flats 13.0 - 15.0 mph. For average cyclists. Stops every 15 - 20 miles.
C	Average speed 9.0 - 10.9 mph - Average speed on flats 11.0 - 13.0 mph. For average cyclists. Stops as needed.
D	Average speed Under 9.0 mph - Average speed on flats 10.0 mph. For newer, less-experienced cyclists. Frequent stops.
Vr	Virtual - Online programs like Zwift.
Fa	Family - For Families. Frequent stops, child friendly.
All	Event - An event that provides multiple rides in more than one category.
NR	Non-ride event.
GB	Gravel Bike Hard - Challenging gravel riding (not flat, not smooth, not short). (Don't pick this if you are not an exper­ienc­ed gravel bike rider.)
GC	Gravel Bike Moderate- Moderately hard gravel rides (longer/faster than MD; easier than GB).
MB	Mountain Bike Hard - Single track with challenging surfaces, rocks, roots, logs, and technical terrain. Extended ascents and challenging descents. (Don't pick this if you are not an experienced mountain bike rider.)
MC	Mountain Bike Moderate - Single and double track trails with uneven surfaces and minimal obstacles. Gradual and moderate climbing and descents.
MD	Unpaved Easy - Wide unpaved paths with a flat, obstruction-free riding surface and little change in elevation. Suitable for hybrids and wide-tire bikes as well as mountain bikes. This is for easy (not overly fast) rides. Step up to MC or GC for harder/longer rides.

 

"Elevation gain" is the total amount of climbing (typically, spread among multiple hills).

The Terrain Class for a ride is determined using the average elevation gain per mile. To get this number, divide the elevation gain in feet by the length of the ride in miles.

For example, a 50 mile ride with 2,600 feet of elevation gain gives you a rate of 52 feet/mile, which is Moderately Hilly. A 50 mile ride with 1,750 feet of elevation gain gives you a rate of 35 feet/mile, which is Rolling.

Terrain Class	Elev. Gain Rate    (feet/mile)	Description
Flat □□□□□	0-25	Minimal gear shifting required. 0-1,250 ft per 50 miles.
Rolling ■□□□□	26-45	Some small hills. "Farmland" ups and downs. 1,300-2,250 ft per 50 miles.
Moderately Hilly ■■□□□	46-55	Numerous climbs with no "killer" hills. 2,300-2,750 ft per 50 miles.
Hilly ■■■□□	56-75	Numerous long and steep climbs. 2,800-3,750 ft per 50 miles.
Very hilly ■■■■□	76-100	3,800-5,000 ft per 50 miles.
Mountainous ■■■■■	100+	+5,000 ft per 50 miles.

 

Don't avoid hillier rides

New riders often try to avoid hills. Given where the club typically rides, that strategy isn't going serve you well (about 20% of our rides are "flat"). Leaders really don't care how long it takes riders to get up hills and the common practice is to wait ("regroup") at the top of the more difficult climbs.

It's certainly reasonable to start out with easier rides. But working towards being able to ride hillier rides will give you more opportunities to ride.

Elevation gains are estimates

The gain determined by a cycle computer tends to be a bit higher than the estimate that RWGPS computes. This can be due to small bumps that RWGPS misses.

Cycle computers that use barometers are considered to give better estimates.

Keep in mind that elevation gain doesn't directly consider grade (steepness), which has a large impact on how hard a ride is.