Ride Captains Guidance

Ride captains and would-be ride captains, this is your page. Here you'll find guidance on how to fulfill your role. But what exactly is that? Many riders will come with different expectations, for example, some might expect you to be a coach and teach them how to ride in a group. Others might expect you to maintain group discipline, in terms of pace and how the group rotates the lead.
Here in Qatar, our ride captains don't always have the experience or the desire to fulfill these traditional roles. Furthermore, some have expressed reservations about being held responsible for accidents. On the other hand, some captains will expect to lead for the good of the entire group. On this page, we set out the fundamental responsibilities of being a ride captain.

Preparation

  1. Put your driver's contact details into your phone
  2. Rack, pump and first aid kit are provided to support car.
    Your group may have other items such as spare wheels. In summer you may also want to provide a cool box with ice and water.
  3. Rack fitted to support car.
  4. Ensure support car driver knows which group to follow.
    Not all groups have the same driver each week and the driver won't always be experienced. If it is his first time you may need to explain what is expected.
  5. Any or all of these may be delegated to someone else. Share the load! 

Who is new?

  1. Identify those who are new to QCR rides or new to the group. Welcome them and encourage others to be welcoming.
  2. Brief them before or during the ride as appropriate. You may want to cover:
    - 2 abreast riding
    - No overlapping wheels
    - Avoid hard braking and sudden changes of direction
    - Signal any dangers to the riders behind
    - Explain the method of rotating off the front (keep an even pace and no surging)
    ​- Awareness of heat exhaustion

Briefing

What you cover in the briefing will depend on who is new. If there is only one new rider you may cover some elements of the briefing while on the road. Groups with less experienced riders may need to give a fuller briefing than those without.
  1. Route/distance/stops
    The actual turn by turn details are less important than the distance and how far to the refueling stop(s). Any planned changes from the normal route should be covered.
  2. Speed
    Explain average and maximum speed. If your group has fast or free-ride sections, explain where they are and what is expected.
  3. What to do if dropped
    Does your group have a no drop policy or not? Explain use of the support car and not taking its protection away from the group. Suggest riders limit their time on the front if starting to feel tired. Back of the group should pass on the message if someone has dropped.
  4. Procedure for punctures/mechanicals
    Terminatorz and 35z – The group will not stop, the car will sort you out and drive or pace you back to the group.
    32z, 30z and Cookie Club - the whole group will stop when it is safe to do so. The rider with a failure may be asked to abandon the ride and join the support vehicle.
  5. Riding style
    Ride to keep the group together. Don’t accelerate hard when you get to the front. Weaker riders should spend less time or no time on the front. Don’t spend too long on the front - others want a turn too (ride captain should suggest appropriate max distance).
  6. The waiver
    Everyone should have read it but don't assume that they have. Everyone should understand that the ethos or the rides is as a group of friends riding together ALL of whom are responsible for each other's safety.
    As some ride leaders have expressed concern about being held personally responsible in the event of an accident, you may want to quote the following personal statement:

    “You should have read the waiver before this ride. By taking part it is understood that you accept the terms of that waiver. QCR is not a club but rather it facilitates cyclists to meet up and ride. In essence, we are all responsible for each other’s safety and will ride accordingly. As ride captain, I’m here to guide you to the best of my ability but I am not a coach and I am not responsible for you or the actions of the group.”

The rules

The rules are explained on the ride etiquette page.
  1. Check that all riders have helmets
  2. Explain the value of carrying ICE.
  3. Tribars - Bikes with tribars (aerobars) are not allowed. This is a contentious topic but even if you feel they should be allowed, many riders in your group may feel otherwise.

Driver contacts

Cookies: Luxman - 6678 3279
35z: Fared - 3358 7707
30z, 32z and Terminatorz: ​5520 3221 (this is the booking number not the drivers' contact)