Choosing a Route

Safety is the deciding factor when planning a route. If you can’t find a safe route, don’t go there. Riding with a group is much different: often slower and more complicated than riding alone. You may have a detailed knowledge of the route, but it is vital to assess your concept from the point of view of a group. When proposing a new route consider the following:

• Traffic volumes vary from weekdays to weekends and factors such as school sports or beach traffic may create unexpected traffic conditions.
  
  
• Many cyclists find high-speed traffic unnerving, especially less experienced riders. Weekend traffic may be less in volume, but it may be offset by higher speeds.
  
  
• What is the condition of the road surface or trail? Are there shoulders, cycle lanes or cyclepaths? What size group can the route safely accommodate?
  
  
• What skill or confidence level would be required to enjoy the ride? Participants (this includes you) should enjoy the ride, not just finish or survive it.
  
  
• Longer, harder rides often start early (6am–8am) especially in summer. These rides attract more committed cyclists who are prepared to rise early. Less experienced riders may not be prepared to start at this hour. However, less experienced riders are often slower and may be out for long periods even though the ride maybe relatively short.
  
  
• Support facilities: water, food, toilet stops and phone coverage are helpful. Again, less experienced cyclists may require more stops and be less prepared with food and water and require more assistance with mechanical problems.
  
  
• Does your route start and finish at the same place? Will it loop, or is it an out and back course? Is public transport available at either end or at any points along the route?
  
  
• Start and finish points should be practical and easy to find. Consider extending or shortening your ride a little to incorporate a better finish or start site.
  
  
• You’ll need to consider suitably safe off road regrouping points along the ride
  
  
• Are there any particular points of interest on the route (eg famous buildings, lookout points, recommended cafes).

Weather Factors

Weather is a major issue when planning a ride. A ride in summer may need to start earlier and/or require more drink/rest stops. Long rides are sometimes better in winter, but the available daylight is shorter.

Rides near beaches are popular, but may be busy and less suitable for novices during summer.

The position of the sun should also be taken into account especially if you are planning an early start to a summer ride.

Wind can have a significant affect on the degree of difficulty and the time your ride will take to complete. If you are aware of a particular wind pattern arrange your ride so you have a tailwind on the way home. Of course this is not always possible, so consider how a headwind may affect tired riders.

For a successful ride it is crucial that the combination of distance, terrain, fitness and confidence/experience required to complete your ride is communicated to potential riders.

Special Features

Finding or including a unique attribute to your ride will help attract participants. Ask yourself if this feature is appropriate for the type of rider you are seeking? For example, a less experienced cyclist may be more concerned about traffic and hills rather than nice scenery.

Give Your Ride a Theme

Giving your ride a theme is often a good way to attract interest and make your ride something special. Some suggestions are:

• Discovery
  
  
• Training/Fitness
  
  
• MTB (off road)
  
  
• Skills
  
  
• Neighbours – ride to another area and join up with another group
  
  
• Night Ride (Lights essential)
  
  
• Food
  
  
• New area
  
  
• Family
  
  
• Commute

Plan your Ride

Once you have developed the concept for your ride, its time to cycle your proposed route.

TIP To understand traffic conditions, conduct your planning ride on the same day of the week and at the same time as the ride you are proposing. Seasonal changes should be considered.

On your ride, consider and record:

• The location of water and toilets.
  
  
• Applicable food outlets.
  
  
• Traffic conditions such as volume and speed.
  
  
• Hazards such as loose surfaces, poor/no shoulders or bike lanes that end suddenly.
  
  
• Junctions, give way, stop signs and right hand turns.
  
  
• Intersections and right hand turns.
  
  
• Timings—note the times you are at certain points/distances along the way. This will help you keep track of how you are going on the actual ride.
  
  
• Identify easily identified places to regroup and other safe places off the roadway.
  
  
• Bail out points and short cuts in case you need to cut you ride short due to time or weather (summer thunderstorms). Public transport access points along the route should be identified.

The observations from your planning ride will form the basis of your cue sheet.

Cue Sheet

A cue sheet is a set of brief notes that will guide participants on your ride.

The cycling ability of your group will influence the amount of information your cue sheet needs to contain.

For example, a group of novice riders will stop more frequently and details of the route can be given verbally at this time.

Longer rides, with less stops and where riders are more spread out, may require more detailed written instruction.

TIP Keep your cue sheet brief and your instructions concise. Double spacing makes directions easier to follow. If you choose to include hazards, these may be in BOLD.

A cue sheet should include:

• Cumulative distances
  
  
• Actions: eg Turn left or Turn right
  
  
• Significant landmarks—make sure they are fixed/permanent
  
  
• Water/food, toilets, cafes, rest stops, trees/shade, lookouts
  
  
• Comments
  
  
• Warnings (not directions) i.e.: caution, slow, busy, danger

TIP Program phone numbers in case of emergencies: food providers, local police, train information into your mobile phone before your ride.

At the end of your planning ride ask yourself: Is the ride achievable and enjoyable for you and the group you are hoping to attract? If not, you need to address the relevant issues and change your proposed ride as required.

Grading Your Route

Categories for the Bicycle NSW calendar are as below. Use a maximum of 3 letters to describe your ride.

E Easy ride
S Slow pace
O Moderate pace
F Fast pace
C Child friendly
T Some Traffic
P Includes cyclepaths (off road)
W Includes cycleways (on road)
X for experienced riders
M Mountain bike required
H Significant hills
U includes unsealed or dirt roads

Text Abbreviations:
CtoC – Call to Confirm
c/w – on road cycleway
c/p – off road cyclepath
Example entry SUNDAY AUGUST 7 CAPPUCCINO RUN Grade: EOP Distance: 25km Group: LBUG Contact: David 9568 2174 h CtoC Starts: 7am Hadley’s Cycles, 37 Griffith Road, Lambton. A circuit of Wallsend, Sandgate and the Foreshore Return Example Cue Sheet (just a rough idea) Parklands Circuit Intermediate Distance In Metres Distance in Kilometres Action Location Comments 0 Start Field Studies Centre 270 0.27 Right Treillage Tower 250 0.52 Straight Road crossing 140 0.66 Stop Bennelong Road Overpass Regroup 30 0.69 Right Path T Intersection 280 1.13 Straight Wooden Bridge 120 1.25 Straight Path Intersection 170 1.42 Straight Near Information Centre Slight veer to left 100 1.52 Stop Information Centre Regroup 60 1.58 Straight Path T Intersection Down hill towards Lake 40 1.77 Right Pedestrian Crossing Extra caution on crossing 90 1.88 Straight Path T Intersection Cross wooden bridge 190 2.26 Right Path T Intersection Cross wooden bridge 130 2.39 Stop Near Roundabout Toilets Regroup 20 2.41 Left Homebush Bay Drive Path 420 2.83 Left Path T Intersection Return to Field Centre 200 3.03 Straight Wooden Bridge 110 3.14 Stop Field Studies Centre Blank Cue Sheet Name of Ride Intermediate Distance In Metres Distance in Kilometres Action Location Comments