GPC Banner GPC Banner
  1. Grizzly Peak Cyclists requires all riders to wear approved helmets.
  1. Weather: A 30% chance of rain or showers, or forecasts of extreme hot or cold temperatures in the ride area, will probably cancel the ride. Given such a forecast, a ride leader is not required to cancel the ride, but you should assume cancellation absent information from the leader to the contrary. If the forecast is marginal, or if the weather looks doubtful on the morning of the ride, please contact the leader.
  2. All riders should carry a spare tube or two with a valve length that works in their rim, tire irons, pump (and/or Co2), patch kit, and multi tool, and know how to use them. Riders should also carry some cash, ID, and emergency contact information. Riders on T and faster rides should be self-sufficient.
  3. All riders should have mechanically sound bicycles.
  4. Riders who are uncertain about the pace or terrain, or their ability to find their own way if necessary, are encouraged to call the leader in advance. This is especially important for rides of 50 miles or longer or at T pace or faster.
  5. Riders who know they are slower than the listed pace but show up for a faster ride are encouraged to acknowledge to the leader that they are aware that they are slower and may be dropped, and that they are prepared to deal with that eventuality.
  6. If a rider is unfamiliar with the area of the ride and is concerned about getting lost, they should let the leader know at the start of the ride.
  7. It is the responsibility of the rider to ensure that they don’t get lost by having the route loaded on a navigational device and/or staying with someone who knows the route. Those who ride ahead and miss a turn should be prepared to find their own way back to the group or to the start.
  8. Riders are encouraged to wait at designated regroup points until the last rider arrives and has had a chance to catch their breath. On rides with larger attendance and a greater spread of ride speeds, "rolling regroups" at which groups of similarly paced riders collect and continue on are a reasonable alternative. Slower riders may find it advantageous to start out of a regroup ahead of the pack to get a head start.
  9. Riders who decide to take a shortcut or leave a ride should make a reasonable attempt to let the ride leader know, either directly or through another rider. If this is not possible, the rider is encouraged to call the leader after the ride to say they got back safely.
  10. If all but one or two riders choose to ride faster than the published pace, the group is encouraged to moderate their pace or double back to keep the group together.
  11. Experienced club members are encouraged to make an effort to seek out riders identified during introductions as new to the club's rides and to make them feel welcome.
  12. If someone harasses or threatens riders during a ride, it’s usually safest to ignore that person and ride away, especially if the person is in a vehicle. This guide from the Asian American Federation may be a helpful reference for addressing harassment when it’s not feasible to simply ride away. Riders who witness harassment or discrimination are encouraged to check in with the person who experienced it to offer their support. If a rider witnesses another rider harassing or discriminating against someone (likely unintentionally) they are encouraged to speak to that person directly to ask them to refrain from the harmful behavior and notify the ride leader. This guide from Harvard University may be a helpful resource for speaking to a rider who is causing harm.
  13. Riders are encouraged to support ride leaders in making a ride welcoming and inclusive. Riders are encouraged to look out for each other, make sure no one is riding alone (including ride leaders), and communicate with other riders if they have been hurt or are struggling to keep up.
  14. Riders are encouraged to be aware that the impact of their words and actions may be different than their intentions, and be open to feedback from others. Riders are encouraged to seek consent before making physical contact with another rider, helping another rider with their bike, or sharing advice. Riders are strongly encouraged to refrain from commenting on another rider’s body or appearance.

Notes

While the wearing of helmets is a requirement, the Guidelines are intended to be "guidelines" only. No coercion is intended, nor is it expected that everyone will follow every guideline on all rides, people being people, and life being as it is. However, most of these are based on common sense and general concepts of sociability; they are therefore deemed reasonable and in the interest of avoiding misunderstandings and disappointment by riders and leaders alike. Generally speaking, it is more important to abide by these guidelines on rides listed at slower paces, when the pack is small, and when newcomers are present.

Rider Guidelines 1-11 originated at a special club meeting on ride pace and etiquette held 7 December 1999. Details were worked out at a followup committee meeting on 5 February 2001, and a draft was published on-line and in the March 2001 Wheel Truth, p 16. They were adopted by unanimous vote at the regular club meeting of 16 May 2001.

Rider Guideline 1 was revised and expanded at the regular club meeting of 9 April 2014.

Rider guidelines 2, 7, and 12-14 were updated/adopted through unanimous vote at the regular club meeting on July 12, 2023, after being published in the July 2023 Wheel Truth. Rider Guideline 2 was updated to provide further detail on what to bring to a ride, and Rider Guideline 7 was updated to reflect the use of digital routes. Rider Guidelines 12-14 originated from GPC’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. These guidelines were adapted from Bike East Bay’s community agreements as part of efforts to create a welcoming environment on rides.

Rider Requirement 1 was revised at the October 11, 2023 club meeting to reflect a policy adopted at this meeting to require riders wear helmets on all rides. Previously, this item was Guideline 1 and stated that GPC “strongly encourages” riders to wear helmets.