From the Vancouver Bicycle Club

Here is some information about ride organisation by cyclists in Canada. The ideas are interesting. Their Canadian website is super-organised and they must be very well resourced. Love the idea of meeting at Max's Deli, and how about the Escargot level? do these riders risk being eaten at the end of their ride?

Ride Information from Vancouver Bicycle Club

The Vancouver Bicycle Club schedules rides throughout the year that vary in distance, pace, and terrain.

If you aren’t a VBC member, you are welcome to join us on a few rides to try out the club and meet our members. We encourage you to join after a few rides if you plan to continue participating. See the Join Us page.

Tours (overnight or longer cycling trips) are for VBC members only.
For all rides

* Ride updates are sometimes sent via the VBC forum.
* An approved cycling helmet is mandatory on all rides and tours.
* The VBC tries to provide ride leaders for its rides. If no ride leader is available on a ride day, you can form your own group for the ride.

On each ride

* Obey the rules of the road.
* Indicate road hazards to cyclists behind you by voice or hand signals.
* Be considerate of your fellow cyclists and wait for anyone who gets behind the rest of the group.
* If you must leave a ride for any reason, please let the leader know.
* Be prepared and self-sufficient. Bring tools, a patch kit, and a ride area map.
* And most important: have fun!

Meeting place

Rides start at a variety of places; Max’s Deli (15th & Oak), Uprising Breads (on Venables near Commercial), and the coffee shop at 6th and Arbutus. Check upcoming rides.
Ride Rating Scheme

Most of our rides use a ride rating scheme so that you can select rides that suit your riding style. Weather, road conditions and the strength of the riders will vary with each ride, so use the following rating codes as a guide only. Generally, rides increase in difficulty from Escargot (easiest) to Fast (very challenging). We do not place a rating on our Pie rides since they are for all levels of riders. Mountain bike (MTB) rides do not usually have a rating either.

Escargot rides are leisurely affairs, suitable for novice cyclists or those who want a relaxed pace. A leader supervises the rides and assigns one rider to “sweep.” Both carry basic tools and patch kits. The routes typically avoid most hills and heavy traffic. The rides have plenty of stops and generally travel less than 30 km.

Leisure rides are sociable outings with a leader and sometimes a sweep. Their destination is generally a scenic spot or a restaurant. Riders are encouraged to be as self-sufficient as possible and to carry their own basic tools, pump, and a spare tube. Routes may include climbs and cover a moderate distance of up to 60 km. The group stops regularly to rest or take in a view, and maintains a relaxed to moderate pace of about 20 km per hour on the flats.

Medium rides are for experienced cyclists. Each rider should be self-sufficient. Routes often include significant hills and longer distances of up to 100 km. The group stops occasionally and maintains a moderate pace. Riders can ride at their own speed and we regroup as necessary.

Fast rides are challenging events for strong, fit cyclists who like to push themselves. All riders must be self-sufficient. Routes may take just a couple of hours or go on all day over steep hills. The group may stay together or split up according to pace, meeting at arranged stops. Distances may be well over 100 km. The group stops as needed and maintains a fast pace of 30 km per hour or more on the flats.

Day Tours are essentially one-day duration mini tours. They do not involve overnight trips. Rides lead to out-of-town destinations, such as the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Washington state or other destinations. Reaching the ride starting point involves taking ferries, motorized vehicles, transit, other types of transportation unless they might start from Vancouver proper. Participants are free to choose their own mean of transportation or car-pool.

Day Tour rides are for experienced cyclists. Each rider will be self-sufficient with mechanical issues, food, water and other needs that might arise during the tour. It is not a requirement for the leader/s to provide assistance. The leader/s may provide assistance at their own discretion.

The group may stay together or not, depending on each rider’s ability and personal preference. Routes often include hills and long distances of around 100 km or more. The group stops occasionally to enjoy the sites, have lunch, a snack, a swim, visit the local watering hole or stop to regroup. The group will maintain an easy and steady pace of about 25 km per hour on the flats, sometimes faster or sometimes slower. Riders are free to cycle at their own pace, then rejoin the others later.

The leader will provide a route map, or post one on an on-line map sites for participants to download and print. Riders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the route beforehand and to carry a detailed area map or other navigational tools. Riders who either choose to take a different route or get lost are responsible to find their own way back to the starting point and eventually home.
Helmets are required on all VBC rides and tours.

Here is the web address: http://vbc.bc.ca/

Or, google: Vancouver Bicycle Club

If you use this information to generate procedures for your club, please aknowledge the Vancouver Bicycle Club. Respect fellow cyclists' work and do not plagiarise or use in a "for profit" publication.