Let’s keep the rubber on the road, the skin on our bodies, and be courteous to other road users. Know our rules of the road and safety best practices.  

General Safety

1. Listen to our ride leaders! Follow the directions of the group leaders, whom we have given the difficult task of herding testosterone-filled cats and communicating specific safety instructions. Consider them your boss for the ride, and see #5.

2. Resist group mentality. Each rider is responsible for his or her own safety, so use your noggin accordingly.

3. Pay attention. Being social is excellent and why many of us ride but pay attention to rider(s) and the road ahead of you.

4. Don’t be gross. Snot rockets, farmer blows, spitting, etc., should be done at the back of the group and away from others.

5. Yield accordingly. When on a trial, mountain bikers yield to hikers, not the other way around. If a hiker moves over for you, thank them! When going downhill, always yield to uphill riders who have the right of way.

6. Don’t be a dick. Remember, you represent the club whenever participating in a group ride or wearing an SPCC kit on the trail. Be nice, smile and wave at grumpy drivers, and be courteous on the trails.

Shared Roadway Safety

1. Be SEEN. Use front and rear lights at all times of the day.

2. COMMUNICATE.  Use hand signals to alert vehicles and roadway users (not the middle finger, if you were wondering).

3. ANTICIPATE.  Don’t assume vehicles see you, and anticipate what they might do accordingly. 

4. Be PREDICTABLE. Don't make sudden movements, and make your intentions clear.

5. Ride single or double. Ride single or doubles as dictated by road/shoulder design, ascent/descent, and as instructed by ride leaders. In general, ride single file on narrow roads while owning the lane. Single file can help to reduce the group's footprint on the road, making it easier for motorists to pass safely. However, single file with a large group can make the line excessively long, making it more difficult to vehicles to pass.

6. Own the lane. Riding to the right of the road doesn’t mean the gutter. If you need the lane, use what you need to be safe. It can be safer to require cars to actively go around you than squeeze through a too-narrow space. It's generally safer to "own the lane" by riding inside the white line on the road. This can help to increase your visibility to motorists, reduce the risk of being hit by an opening car door, and give you more space to maneuver in case of obstacles on the road.

7. Don’t get doored. Always assume the door of a parked car is going to open. Never ride within the opening space.

8. Don’t break the law. Follow the rules and laws of the road. Anything illegal should be stored in Mike McGurl’s jersey.

9. Don’t be a dick. Remember, you represent the club whenever participating in a group ride or wearing an SPCC kit on the trail. Be nice, smile and wave at grumpy drivers, and be courteous on the trails.

Group Riding Safety

1. COMMUNICATE to those behind. Front rider(s), look well ahead and move slowly to avoid objects that pose a threat. As you get closer, COMMUNICATE verbally and/or use hand signals to call the threat. Each rider behind the front rider follows around the threat and repeats the verbal call out and/or hand signal.

2. Stay close, but not too close. 8" to 5 feet.

3. Be PREDICTABLE. No sudden movements, surges, or breaking. Hold your line from left to right.

4. Don't overlap wheels. Unless you enjoy crashing, keep your front tire behind the rider's rear tire in front of you.

5. Lead from the back. Left turns and lane changes should be managed/started from the rear (turns onto Browns Canyon, Democrat, River Road).

6. Rotate LEFT by default. Rotate off the front to the left, and indicate with your right elbow to the rider behind that they should pull through. It’s safer to have one rider in the road as they move back than force the entire group into the road.

7. Rotate into the wind, selectively. In general, always rotate left. However, if you have a strong crosswind, you may have a rider behind you with overlapped wheels to your side. Observe where they are, indicate with your elbow to pull through and rotate into the wind.    

8. Announce when you’re standing.  When standing, your rear wheel typically falls backward into the rider behind you, risking they hit your wheel. Say “standing” to give them a warning.

9. Don’t be a dick. Remember, you represent the club whenever participating in a group ride. Be nice to your fellow riders and other road users and focus on safety. It’s not a race.