Tuesday, August 08, 2023

New Ride Leaders - Suggestions for Planning or Choosing Routes

 Recent responses from Wayfarers to lead rides has been rather lukewarm - particularly from the A group. If you haven't led, or uncertain about how to plan a ride, help is at hand. The Committee has just signed-off a comprehensive Guidance Note 'Planning Wayfarers Rides - Suggestions on Planning or Choosing a Route for New Ride Leaders'. You can also find this on the Information Hub on the web site.

The Note begins with advice on being registered as a ride leader, and guidance from Cycling UK on the role and responsibilities as a leader. Planning a ride with, or without GPS, is covered, together with links to different navigational devices and systems.

The Note then summarises some eleven Ideas on planning a route - applicable for new and experienced leaders alike. These Ideas include where to find and copy existing routes from club sources, together with suggestions on how to vary a route. Using pub or tea stops for route planning is mentioned, as well as basing rides on familiar routes. Rides with a particular theme is suggested. Following other riders GPS downloads, or published GPS routes, is another idea.

As well as finding routes from within the club, it suggests other local cycling clubs are a good source of information on routes to follow. In addition, reference is made to the extensive range of both printed and electronic routes, including from CUK, other cycling organisations, councils and bodies. Finally the Note mades reference to a host of 'Event' routes that your route could be based on. 

I hope this Note will inspire you to lead rides. Please contact me if there's anything unclear in these suggestions or if you spot something that isn't quite right.

Thanks.


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