Guidance for Ride Leaders

We recommended all club members should read this section.

Club runs are dependent on volunteer members agreeing to lead rides. The club aims to have a steady supply of ride leaders by encouraging members to take their turn planning and leading rides. Most groups have a bank of navigable routes available on Garmin/Strava etc.

Most groups now have a ‘Run Coordinator’ who organizes all rides in a certain category, say Sunday C ride, usually via a WhatsApp Group. The coordinator isn’t necessarily the ride leader, It is the coordinator’s choice whether they actually participate in the ride, as with any other club member.

‘Run Leader’ is the club member allocated to lead an individual ride. Their role is to conduct the ride in a safe manner, to plan the route and to ensure the pace is consistent with the grade for the run. All riders carry equal responsibility for the safety of themselves and fellow riders, this should not be abdicated to the run leader.

The run leader has latitude to shape the ride within the overall run parameters set out above. For example, sharing the lead, sprints, attacking hills, supporting new members/juniors etc. Riders should not be surprised to be on the receiving end of some gentle banter if they regularly attack hills but don’t take their turn on the front during the ride itself. It is recommended that these plans are discussed at the outset of the ride.

Whilst all riders are responsible for themselves and their fellow riders, the leader will undoubtedly feel additional responsibility. As such members are encouraged to support, share the load and not openly criticize if, for example, a wrong turning is taken. Most leaders will welcome individual off-line suggestions that will help them become better leaders.