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Cascade Training Series: Newcomers
CTS rides are different than our regular daily rides and there are special procedures necessary to ensure all riders get the most out of the training. All riders should be familiar with and follow the following procedures:
- Arrive in time to sign-in, join your pace group, and be ready to ride at least 5 min. before the Start Time.
- Please attach the appropriate color tape/ribbon to the TOP of your helmet.
- While riding on a Cascade Daily Ride, the Cascade pollicy is that a cyclist must turn off and put away any headset or ear bud(s) connected to any electronic device capable of receiving, transmitting or playing a broadcast or recording. Distractions such as music players and radios are not permitted. If necessary to check, use or answer a cell phone or pager, the cycist must first pull off the road or trail and stop.
- These are “Stay together” rides, which mean that the leader will stop if the overall group is split by a traffic light or stop sign (DO NOT RUN LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS), and will re-group at the top of hills. However, except for the Red group, we will not wait for those with mechanical problems or for straggling riders who obviously belong with a slower group. Be prepared to fix your own flats and have a plan (cash, phone numbers) for dealing with more serious breakdowns.
- If you are not comfortable with the pace, fall back or move up to another pace group. If you cannot sustain the slowest pace, 10-12 mph on the flats, return to the start. This is the minimum pace that is necessary to complete STP and other event rides in a reasonable time. Remember that the pace at the back of the group is frequently higher as the group expands and contracts.
- While there are no official food stops, there will be at least 15 minutes at the periodic restroom stops for food consumption for those not comfortable eating while riding. Fruit bars, energy bars, and bananas are easy to carry and should be brought to the ride as there are no stops for food purchase.
- Do not ride in front of the leader unless given the OK to do so--or unless moving up to a faster group. The leader needs an unobstructed view of the road/trail ahead.
- Leave a full bike length between riders (NO DRAFTING OR PACELINES unless leader authorizes).
- Single-file ALWAYS on Trails
- Single-file on roads unless a very low volume road. When passing a slower rider, always pass on the left, first looking behind before pulling out, saying “on your left”, and (especially on hills) passing quickly.
- On some roads, we may divide groups of more than 12 into sub-groups of 6-10 with a minimum of 3-5 car-lengths between sub-groups to facilitate passing by cars (exceptions: low volume 4-lane roads or when encountering a sequence of traffic lights). Stay in your groups.
- On narrow roads/lanes, for safety, your leader may move out from the road edge to ride in the middle of the lane. Follow their lead.
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