GPC Ride Leader Tips

A well-prepared ride leader can make all the difference in how enjoyable a ride is. This page contains tips and links for doing just that. There are three parts:

Quick checklist.
Links to writeups and checklists developed by GPC members.
Links to ride leader guidelines from other bicycle clubs.

Quick Checklist

This is a quick checklist of what's needed. The documents referred to below explain everything in more detail:

Select an appropriate route (you can choose from our cue sheet collection), and pre-ride it. Know your route.
Submit a ride listing to the ride coordinator before the monthly deadline.
Prepare route maps and/or cue sheets.
Also bring:
- GPC ride signup sheet.
- Spare tube(s), patch kit, pump, emergency toolkit.
- Extra energy bar or similar, in case anyone bonks.
- Cell phone, if you have one, for emergencies.
- Basic first aid kit, as appropriate for the ride.
Arrive 5 minutes early (20 minutes for Novice and Century Prep rides).
Introduce yourself, welcome riders, and explain the route.
Count riders as you leave; make a periodic head count to be sure noone is lost.

Knowhow: Before you lead your first ride, you should, at minimum, know how to change a flat tire, so that you can assist others with this task. Ask someone to teach you if necessary.

GPC Writeups

Developed by the club:

GPC Ride Guidelines. Social understandings, for leaders and riders too.

Contributed by individual members:

Cue Sheet Collection. A wide assortment of cue sheets (route sheets) contributed by many GPC members and maintained by Mark Sapiro.
Novice/Century-Prep Ride Leader/Co-Leader Checklist, by Mark Abrahams. This is a detailed checklist designed for large rides (30 riders or more) with many inexperienced riders expected. However, it should be helpful for new leaders of any sized ride.
Novice/Century-Prep Ride Leader Suggestions, by Mark Abrahams. Suggestions for planning a ride in the Novice or Century-Prep ride series.
Leading a GPC Ride--Some Comments, by Jeanie Barnett. Philosophy, approach, and many details.
Novice/Century-Prep Safety-Session Notes, by Mark Abrahams. Lecture notes used in the "safety-session" or "advice-clinic" which precedes these rides. Also available in PDF format, handy for printing (2-sided) and taking to the session.

Other Bike Clubs' Guidelines

Some bicycle clubs have produced well-thought-out ride leader guidelines:

Seattle Bike Club Ride Leader Guidelines. An excellent 2-page summary of the basics.
Cascade Bike Club Ride Leader Guidelines. A thorough 45-page booklet, currently available in PDF only. (Previously, it was also available in HTML. We have asked the authors about supplying it that way again.)
League of American Bicyclists Fact Sheets. A great resource. Though not specific to ride leading, the info will help all leaders.

This page is maintained by Mark Abrahams, <dma at abriz dot net>.
Comments are welcome, especially for useful additions. Last updated 2002-12-10.

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