- About Tour
- Riding
- Safety
- Fundraising
- Volunteering
- Teaming Up
Cycling Etiquette
-
Riding safely in groups requires communicating with the cyclists around you. Use and be aware of cycling language, such as “on your left” and “car back.”
-
“Car Back” A car is approaching from behind.
-
“On Your Left” Someone is overtaking you from the left. Allow room to pass.
-
Learn more cycling lingo here.
-
Respect fellow cyclists and their level of experience. Most participants are recreational cyclists. The Tour is NOT a competitive race; it is a fund-raising event to help Texans living with multiple sclerosis.
-
Faster cyclists: give slower riders time to react. Do not swerve and “chop in” on their front wheels when passing them.
-
Slower cyclists: stay to the right side of the road at least one foot from the edge and give faster riders room to pass on the left without crossing over the yellow stripe or mid-line of the road.
-
Point out and call out any road hazards. These include potholes, drain grates, railroad tracks, stray animals, opening car doors, sticks or stones, parked cars, etc.
-
Pedal down hill when you are at the front of a group. Cyclists dislike having to ride under brakes.
-
Do not overlap wheels with the cyclist in front of you. A slight direction change or gust of wind could easily cause you to touch wheels and fall.
-
When climbing hills, avoid following the cyclist ahead of you too closely. Many riders lose their momentum when rising out of the saddle on a hill which can cause a sudden deceleration. A rider who is following too closely may touch wheels and fall.
-
When one cyclists passes another, both the passer and the passee have responsibilities.
- The passer has the responsibility to communicate the intent to pass with “On Your Left” and to wait for safe passing conditions.
- The passee has the responsibility to listen, hold a steady speed and line, and to go to single file to make room for the passer to get around.
-
If more than one cyclist is passing, the first should announce the number of cyclists passing.
-
Ride defensively, in consideration of your fellow riders.
-
Don't use Aero bars in a group.
-
Watch out for yourself. Do not depend on other riders to spot hazards.
-
No matter what your pace is, do not be in a hurry at the start. Use good passing etiquette and allow enough room for faster cyclists to move ahead.
-
Ride your ride at your pace. Be considerate of slower and faster cyclists around you. Don’t ride above your ability. Let the group go if the pace feels too fast.
-
If a group has trained together, the slowest rider should set the pace. The Tour is supposed to be fun and it is definitely more fun with a group of friends. Friends don’t let friends ride alone.
