CCBUG Ride T’s & C’s

Risks

Cycling is normally an enjoyable and exciting activity, and we aim to make it so for all our ride participants. However, like many recreational activities that require physical exertion, cycling carries with it the risk of physical injury. By joining a CCBUG ride ...

"The Rider acknowledges and agrees that participation in cycling is inherently dangerous and that he/she participates in the Ride at his/her own risk. The risks associated with participating in CCBUG rides include but are not limited to the risk that:

the Rider may be involved in a collision with people, animals, vehicles and/or other objects;
the Rider may lose his/her balance;
the Rider may suffer from the effects of heat, cold, wind, rain and other weather conditions;
the Rider may suffer from physical exertion;
the Rider may become separated from the cycling group; and
the Rider may fall from your bicycle,

These risks may result in the Rider suffering harm including but not limited to physical or mental injury, disability, property damage and economic loss, or in extreme cases even death. There are other risks to which you may be exposed.

It is the Rider’s responsibility to ensure that he/she wears appropriate clothing and safety equipment, including an Australian standards approved cycling helmet at all times during the Ride while riding a bicycle."

We highly recommend obtaining insurance to cover these unlikely circumstances. Such insurances are available via the membership of Bicycle NSW or other cycling bodies.

Agreement

By participating in the cycling activities organised by the Central Coast Bicycle User Group, you agree:

That you participate at your own risk
That the agreement for services provided to you by the Central Coast Bicycle User Group does not include any implied or expressed warranty and that the services of the Central Coast Bicycle User Group will be rendered with due care and skill.

To help make CCBUG rides a safe and enjoyable experience, we do ask that you observe the following "terms and conditions" of our rides.

Ride Participants Must

Wear a standards approved helmet whilst riding
Ensure their bike is road worthy and legal (see notes below)
Obey the road rules
Obey directions of the ride leader
Sign on to the ride, noting and accepting the risk warning and providing an off-ride emergency contact
Check the ride details beforehand to ensure they are capable of completing the ride as described, based on distance, elevation gained and planned pace (refer to the Ride Grade page for details)
Bring their own water, any snacks and money required
Be responsible for any children under their care (see Children on Rides below)

Etiquette

The CCBUG Ride Leader reserves the right to refuse any participant from being part of that ride, or ask a participant to leave the ride. This is to help ensure the safety of the rider themselves and/or the other ride participants.
Most rides require some degree of road riding skill and fitness. It is recommended that you contact the ride leader before the ride and discuss any issues you have e.g. ride grade, medical conditions, traffic.
Participants are asked not to ride ahead of the leader, unless the leader has advised a designated section of the ride where this is acceptable. If you ride ahead and get lost, the ride leader is not obliged to try and find you.
If there is a designated sweep, he/she will stay at the back of the group.
Along some sections of the route you may be asked to ride "single file"; this is to help ensure your safety, and to minimise any conflicts with other road/path users. There will be time at the regroups and coffee stops to chat.
The ride leader may ask participants to act as ‘signposts’ at particular intersections. The signpost is to stop there and direct other riders on the correct route. When the sweep approaches and acknowledges the signpost, the signpost may rejoin the ride. When the group is spread out, signposts help maintain the pace and prevent participants from taking a wrong turn.
Participants should ride in a smooth and predictable manner, particularly when close to other riders.
Ensure to call and/or indicate when slowing, stopping or changing direction, and to pass on any calls such as “glass left”, “hole middle” or “car back” – just because you can hear a call doesn’t mean the person in front or behind can. This sharing of information makes for a safer and smoother ride for all.
If a participant wishes to leave the ride they should inform the leader or sweep beforehand.
Don’t expect anyone else on the ride to have the parts or the inclination to fix your bike should it break down. Especially on Medium grade rides or above, you should aim to be self sufficient. All participants should carry:
- Spare tube and/or patch repair kit
- Pump/CO2 and tyre levers
- And know how to use them!

Roadworthy & Legal Bicycle

Is your bicycle roadworthy and legal? Does it have:

Working brakes – check that your brake pads are not worn down and you can stop the bike rolling
- Check your brakes after reinserting any wheels into the frame!
Tyres in good condition (no splits or cracks; no protrusions) and pumped up within recommended limits (check sidewall of the tyre)
Gears change smoothly and when you direct them to
Wheels are firmly attached to the bike (check those quick release levers!)
Frame is not cracked or rusty
Your bike has a bell
If riding at night, dusk or dawn you have a rear flashing red light and a front white light
For e-bikes see more info below.

If you aren’t sure about your bicycles road-worthiness we recommend taking your bicycle to the local bicycle shop well in advance of the ride. Also good to go for a short test ride the day before as you don't want to be disappointed with a busted bike on the day.

Bicycle Types

Most types of bikes, including road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel/cyclocross bikes, e-bikes, urban/cruiser bikes, tri-bikes and flat-bar road bikes, can be ridden for many of the CCBUG rides depending upon the capability of the rider. For example, a typical 45km CCBUG road&path ride on a road bike will require about 20% less effort than riding the same route on a mountain bike.

BMX or trick bikes are not suitable.

Each CCBUG ride event will note the recommended bicycle type (Ideal for:) for that ride.

Some of our rides are on gravel roads and hence a gravel/cyclocross or mountain bike is best, but other bike types with wider tyres may also be suitable (check with the Ride Leader first).

See some bike specific requirements below.

Tri Bikes

With Tri bikes we do ask that when riding in close proximity to other riders that you stay up on the hoods/bar and not on the tri bars just so you can brake quickly if required.
There will be stages of the ride where you can go it alone before a regroup, during which you are welcome to use your tri bars.
This is for everyone's safety.

e-Bikes

e-bikes which comply with state regulations (see below) are welcome on our rides. we do ask that you ride within the group except in sections the ride leader designates as "go your own pace", such as hills or long straight sections before regroups. However, if you do go ahead and get lost the ride leader is not obligated to try and find you.

At the time of writing the current NSW regulations are: An e-bike or electric bike has an electric motor and battery that assists a bicycle rider with pedalling up to 25km/h. It can be:

a power-assisted pedal bicycle (Pedalec) up to 250 watts that requires the rider to pedal in order to activate the electric motor; or
a power-assisted bicycle fitted with a throttle or accelerator up to 200 watts.

Checkout the latest regulations here: E-bikes | Transport for NSW

What to Carry with you!

You need to be self-sufficient. The Ride Leader and other riders will offer their help, but may not have enough money/water or the right spares/tools for your bicycle.

Water & Snack

Carry water with you and drink on a regular basis i.e. don’t wait until you are thirsty. Half a litre per hour is a good rule of thumb; more in summer.

For rides over about 50kms or in warmer months, include an electrolyte type drink for some of your liquid intake. Some of these may be added via tablet or powder into your water.

Topup your water at every opportunity.

Also good to bring a small snack or gue in case you need an energy boost or the planned refreshment cafe is closed.

Bicycle spares & bits

If you have tubed tyres: carry at least one spare tube to suite your tires and a tube puncture repair kit

If you have tubeless tyres: carry a tubeless tyre plug kit

Carry some tyre levers and a pump which matches your valve type (Presta or Shrader) and/or CO2 canisters and adapter.

Also good to carry a basic toolkit or multi-tool, and possibly a small chain to lockup your bike at the coffee shop to prevent the opportunistic thief.

Money/Card & Mobile Phone

Bring some money for refreshments along the way, and your mobile phone in case you need to call the Ride Leader or an off-ride friend/relative for rescue.

If a train is involved in the ride bring along your Opal card or Visa card for fare payment.

Sun Protection

Of course we all need some sunshine to help produce vitamin D. But too much can lead to skin cancers. So ...

Either apply sunscreen to bare skin before the start of the ride and/or bring a small container with you to apply/reapply during the ride.

Also try covering up more of your skin using:

- long sleeve jerseys or arm sun covers (summer weight or winter weight)

- long leg skins or similar

And don't forget your head! Most helmets have vents which the sun can use to radiate your skull. Consider a head tube or cycling cap - but NOT a baseball cap as the little button on the top (the squatchee) can scalp you if you fall off your bicycle.

Cancellations

Unfortunately from time to time we do need to cancel rides due to bad weather or illness.

If you are planning to join a ride please keep watch for updates or cancellations on the ride info on our Facebook page.

If in doubt please call the nominated Ride Leader.

Riding tips and Techniques

The following are some simple techniques that go a long way toward preventing and minimising the consequences of mishaps that can happen while riding.

Be vigilant. We all like to be relaxed and chat with our fellow riders beside us. It’s one of the joys of riding in groups. Just don’t rely on following the person in front and for them to do the right thing. Pay just as much attention to what is going on around you as though you were on your own.
Ride smoothly. Avoid sudden stops, swerves or changes in direction.
Maintain a straight course on straight roads and paths - don't swerve about!
Check for yourself and indicate before you change lanes; at any time a rider or other vehicle may be beside you or behind you without your knowledge.
Remember that other road and path users should do as they indicate – but sometimes they don’t.
Look ahead and ride a line that minimises the need to swerve or brake should the unexpected happen.
Stay clear of car doors – at least 1 metre. Avoid riding too close to the left when approaching intersections or driveways and ride near the middle of the lane where the road is too narrow for a vehicle to pass you safely.
Scan the pavement ahead for raised sections, ruts, cracks or debris.
Plan escape routes in anticipation of the unexpected happening. You should always have at least one way out of a situation, preferably two or more.
Adjust your speed to the conditions. If it starts to rain, slow down as your brakes may not work as quickly.
Avoid cutting corners or going wide – there may be someone just behind/beside you.
Signal your intentions:
Call out ‘PASSING’ when passing other cyclists.
Call out ‘STOPPING’ when stopping, ‘SLOWING’ when slowing down.
Ring your bell when approaching pedestrians (even if they may not hear it due to ear phones)
If you see hazards like potholes or broken glass in your path:
- try go around by a reasonable margin – the rider behind may not see it in time if you miss by just a few mm.
- Call out “Hole left” or “Glass middle” to warn others of the hazard. If you can, point down to the ground on the side of the hazard, keep your elbow straight, wave your arm back and forth
On shared paths: Slow down, ring your bell and call out ‘PASSING’ to other path users. Try to leave at least 1 metre when passing.
When stopping for a mechanical or rest, do it in a spot where you can take your bike and yourself off the path.
Consider using cleated shoes-pedals as these help you stay connected to the bicycle (feet don't slip off) and allow for more power to be applied to the pedals.

Riding with new people

Many of you will already know the above requirements and etiquette, but new riders may not. If you see someone riding dangerously or blatantly breaching any road rules, please advise the ride leader or sweep of your concerns. They can raise this concern with the participant during a regroup, break or after the ride.

Also, please leave a bit extra space around a new rider as they may not be use to riding in a group or may not have the same skills as others on the ride.

Children on Rides

Children are defined by the law as anyone under 16 years of age. Any child must be accompanied by a responsible adult on a CCBUG ride.

In order to help children gain valuable riding experience in a relatively safe and managed environment, CCBUG have designated some rides as “child friendly” where children over a certain age may ride their own bicycle.

13+ - this ride is suitable for children 13 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

10+ - this ride is suitable for children 10 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

7+ - this ride is suitable for children 7 years and over to ride their own bicycle.

No – any children must be on a tag-a-long bicycle or trailer directly connected to the adults bicycle.

Experienced children riders may join our rides by prior arrangement with the ride leader. An adult or guardian must accompany the child or in some circumstances must sign a waiver prior to the ride.