Ride With Ramblers
Participant's Responsibilities before that first ride
Please refer to Risk Management section and in particular the Club Ride Etiquette. These policies were designed to enhance both your enjoyment and safety.
Like any other outing, one needs to be prepared. Check the ride distance, have you ridden this far recently? If not, perhaps a "trial" bike ride, of even part of the distance a few days before the ride would be prudent. A moderate level of cycling fitness is required to ride with the Ramblers.
Your bike should be in a decent state of repair, i.e., tires pumped up, chain and moving parts oiled, and inspected to ensure there are no loose parts. In your check, you should follow the A,B,C and D rule:
A is for air
B is for brakes
C is for cranks / cassettes
D is for the "drop" - lift your bike 15 cm or 6 inches off the ground and drop it (catch it so it does not fall), while listening for any clinks, clanks or rattles which would signify loose parts and potential hazards. Your local bike shop is a great place to get your bike tuned up.
Your ride will go more smoothly if your bike is properly adjusted for your height, well lubricated and your tires are pumped to the recommended pressure.
On ride day, arrive early and ask an experienced cyclist to have a look at your bike; we all have learned this way in the past. It is amazing that with a few minor adjustments and riding tips on say shifting for the hills and braking will enhance your overall experience. Ask, and we will be pleased to help.
The ABC Check
Recommended Gear
Ok, so you are going for a 3 to 5 hour day ride with a group of NS Ramblers. You know that everyone in the group is or will be self sufficient for the day. That means you will be able to look after your personal safety, your physical needs and the needs of your bicycle for the day. Looking after your physical needs is a no brainer Food and water will power the engine of your bicycle. The engine is you.
Personal Safety:
Wear an approved bicycle helmet.
Know and follow rules of the road.
Ride single file.
Carry Identification with contact numbers and names
Carry your Health card because you never know.
Map of the route. Know where you are going
Jacket, lightweight for rain and/or wind.
Hydration:
Carry fluids. Water is best. Drink before you get too thirsty. Your body loses fluids even on a cold day.
Snacks:
Gel packs, energy bars, bananas, your own fruit/nut/candy mix or a sandwich are all good for
snacking on. Nibble something at least every hour to keep your energy up.
All of your bicycle’s needs should have been tended to prior to leaving home. Chains should be lubricated. Brakes have been adjusted. Nuts and bolts have been tightened. Tires are inflated. Despite your due diligence, things will happen on the road and tools will be required to fix them.
Tools and Equipment:
This is what you carry in your saddle/pannier bags.
A Multi Tool with hex wrenches up to 8mm, including a Philips and flathead screwdriver
A Chain Tool (your chain type) used to repair/replace/remove chain links
A Spoke Wrench to tighten spokes. Loose spokes are usually found when fixing a flat.
Zip ties and some Duct Tape. Red Green’s fix for everything.
Spare Inner Tube for your wheel and tire size to replace your first flat of the day.
Patch Kit to fix your second flat tire of the day. Either this or carry a second spare inner tube.
Tire Levers come in a pack of three but only two are actually needed.
A Mini Pump with both Presta and Shrader valve heads.
Rubber Gloves to keep your hands and everything else you touch free of grease, dirt and grime.
Crescent Wrenches, small, but large enough to fit on your wheel axle nuts if you don’t have
quick release wheels.
There are people who carry more tools and equipment, but at a minimum you should not leave home without the items listed here. Also, if you have one and most people do, carry a fully charged cell phone.
Saturday Rides
Every Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM +/-, mid-April to mid-November (not in the rain)
Mostly secondary paved roads; some trails
35 - 60 km
Average speed: 16-20 kph
Flat to rolling terrain with occasional 'steeps'*
Group size: 15-45 riders
Within 90 min drive of metro
Pedal Assist Ebikes are welcome
*Ride Schedule indicates the Climb Ratio (CR) for each ride in metres of total ascent per kilometre traveled. Range is from 5 (easy/flat) to 14 (challenging/hilly).
Tuesday Evening Rides
Every Tuesday 6:45 PM - 8 PM +/-, May to August (not in the rain)
Mostly trails; some city roadways
~15 km
Average speed: 12-15 kph
Mostly flat terrain
Group size: 10-15 riders
Dartmouth and Halifax locations
Pedal Assist Ebikes are welcome
Rambler Ride Etiquette
A defining characteristic of Rambler rides is that they are group events, intended to provide an opportunity to experience the countryside and our fellow riders, not just the cycling. We like, for the most part, to stay together regrouping as necessary to accommodate different riding paces and to take the time to enjoy the journey. Sometimes our 'stops' (usually food-related) are the most enjoyable parts of the event.
We accomplish this by having a group coordinator (normally the Ride Coordinator or RC) that leads the ride, setting the route and the pace, and a designated sweep that ensures that no one gets left behind. The formal 'ride group' consists of all riders including and between the group coordinator and the sweep.
There are times when riders may wish to leave the formal ride group for various reasons by either going ahead of the group coordinator or dropping behind the sweep. In order that the group coordinator and sweep can perform their intended roles, we ask that any rider wishing to leave or rejoin the ride group inform either the group coordinator or the sweep as they do so. Those that leave the ride group should understand that the RC may make changes to the ride in progress and will do so without consideration of those who have chosen to ride independently of the ride group.
When there are a large number of riders, the RC may decide to establish more than one ride group by identifying a second group coordinator and sweep. This may be done to accommodate different pace expectations or equipment and route options. Riders should feel free to change groups at any time but should inform the group coordinator or sweep in each group as they make the change.
Communication is essential. The following are in ride announcements that ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
Car Back: Tells riders ahead that a car is approaching from behind
Car Up: Tells riders a car is approaching from the front
Single Up: Riders need to be in single file
Walker/Runner up: Pedestrian in the road or trail ahead
Hole: Warns riders of broken pavement that can cause damage or a fall
Slowing/Stopping: Warns riders about change of speed. Prevents tailgate crashes
On your left: Lets others know you are passing. When passing uphill, be courteous and
considerate to those working harder than you. Idle chit chat coming from a stronger rider or an E-
bike rider might not be welcomed.
While Rambler rides are generally appropriate for all reasonably fit and capable cyclists, the speed of the group is ultimately established by the slowest riders. We therefore expect that riders will read the ride description and classification to determine if they will be comfortable participating on any given ride. In order not to unfairly impact on the enjoyment of the majority of the group, in the event that any riders are not able to maintain a reasonable minimum pace on a given ride, at the first regroup, the group coordinator, in consultation with the sweep, may suggest that one or more riders leave the ride group and ride independently.
Tour Frequently Asked Questions
Unless indicated there is no sign-up. Tour leaders will usually reach out to the group close to the trip to get an idea of numbers.
If there is a limit of riders that can attend, the leader will indicate when they send out the notification for the tour.
Typically, the Tour Leader will hold a get-together on the evening before the first ride to review the week's schedule of rides and/or events, as well as to answer any questions people may have. It can also serve as a good social evening for everyone to meet one another.
Social media such as WhatsApp may be used to communicate with riders during the tour. Participants will be notified.
The Tour Leader will collect the names, phone numbers and emergency contacts of attendees. This provides a method of contact in the case of changes or an emergency during the tour. Sharing of contact numbers among attendees is highly encouraged on every Rambler ride but even more so on multiday tours.
Participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation. Members may get together and share accommodation, eg. Airbnb. In some cases, the leader may make arrangements to hold a block of rooms or get a reduced rate for accommodation, on a first come first serve basis.
The default is that participants will be on their own for evening meals/entertainment.
Tour leaders may offer evening meal/entertainment suggestions or arrange for group meals, but this is up to the individual tour leader.
The RC will provide links to all “Ride with GPS” daily routes. Participants are responsible to print or download the routes.
As for any ride, participants should be self-sufficient (food, water, tire, tube, etc.).
It is a good idea for participants travelling solo to buddy up with someone for safety. However, this is the individual’s responsibility, not the tour leader.
As with any ride, ensure you have read the ride description and classification and assessed your ability to handle the conditions.