Rider Information

The following is applicable to all rides (Sunday L & F, Wednesday L & F) 

If the weather is inclement (32+ or significant rain), it is the responsibility of intending riders to check with the ride coordinator. NB – this is particularly important when start is distant; the coordinator cannot be expected to drive many km to the start point if the ride is cancelled. 

We are currently trialing the following changes. Ride meeting and start times will be later for the cooler / winter months. First and Fourth Quarter meet times are 0845 with a start time of 0900. Second and Third Quarter meet times are 0945 with a start time of 1000. One ride per month will be a Combined ride for both Fast and Leisurely riders which may have different starting points but have the same destination. The Fast Combined ride is shown as FC and the Leisurely Combined ride is shown as LC in the Ride Category on the calendar below. (Will have to look at this) 

Sunday Leisurely rides will be every second Sunday, i.e. there will be only 2 rides per month. Leisurely rides are usually shorter. 

Sunday Fast rides are every Sunday. Faster rides require more stamina. First Quarter and Fourth Quarter : All rides meet at 0845 for 0900 Departure (unless otherwise notified prior to intended ride, or as noted in the calendar description). Second Quarter and Third Quarter : All rides meet at 0945 for 1000 Departure (unless otherwise notified prior to intended ride, or as noted in the calendar description). 

Visitors are welcome to ride at any time with Peninsula Pedallers.  New members must complete 3 visitor rides before applying for membership.  This allows time for the club and the rider to determine whether they are suitable for each other. If a new member then decide to join our club annual fees are $30 for Individual Membership and $40 for Family Membership. 

If you are new to riding or haven’t ridden for a long time we have a Leisurely Group and support can be given where needed. For more experienced riders there is a Faster Group. 

The Club organizers rides on Wednesdays and Sundays as well as some weekends away and other events. All riders are expected to have a bike in good mechanical order and carry a spare inner tube for punctures. Experienced riders in the group can assist with mechanical breakdowns and will help riders to develop basic skills in changing a tyre and making minor adjustments. 

Information for Ride Calendars, Newsletters and various other information can be found on this website. For further information about our club or rides you can call or email any of the people listed under the menu item Contacts. 

This Guide

•    This guide has been developed to help you to prepare for and enjoy safe rides with Peninsula Pedallers. Please remember however that you have the ultimate responsibility for your own safety and compliance with road laws.

•    Always think PENINSULAR PEDALLERS when you are riding as you are an ambassador for the club.

•    Be prepared, be sensible, think of others and enjoy your rides.

•    Be aware that the ride coordinator can cancel or change the ride if the weather is inclement (rain or shine) or other conditions dictate. This includes a temperature forecast that exceeds 32°C. If inclement weather is forecast, the ride coordinator will usually send out emails to keep riders up to date with the status of the ride. However, a rider should take the responsibility to contact the ride coordinator if they are uncertain of the ride arrangements.

Before The Ride

•    Ensure your bike is mechanically sound, tyres pumped, chain lubricated etc.

•    Pack provisions and equipment appropriate to the ride. Peninsula Pedallers recommends you carry a personal first aid kit.

•    Always bring some food irrespective of the destination. Bananas are an excellent food for cyclists.

•    Always bring water, irrespective of the season, temperature, or location of the ride.

•    Always carry a pump, spare tube, tyre levers and a puncture repair kit. (It’s not uncommon to have more than one puncture in a day!)

•    Wear / Carry suitable clothing for the anticipated weather conditions.

•    Always wear an approved helmet (It’s the LAW)

The Ride

•    Be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the advertised departure time.

•    Introduce yourself to the Ride Leader and complete the sign on sheet.

•    Listen to any pre-ride announcements by the Ride Leader and take a note of who is “Tail End Charlie”.

•    Advise the Ride Leader if you need to leave the group before the ride ends.

•    Ride between the Ride Leader and the “Tail End Charlie” unless otherwise arranged.

•    Maintain a safe distance behind the rider in front of you.

•    Riding two-abreast may be legal but it is not always safe. Always ride single file when there are double continuous lines, or a continuous line for your lane. Be guided by the Ride Leader and your common sense.

•    It is important at intersections that you check to see that the rider following you sees you turn. Those behind you might not be familiar with the route.

•    When stopping, ensure you are not a hazard to the rider behind you. Call out “STOPPING” or pull over to the left. Do not obstruct the road or pathway when stopped, think of other users.

•    When pulling out on to the road, ensure you do not do so in front of on-coming riders or traffic.

•    In the event of a problem, advise another rider as soon as you stop. They or the Tail End Charlie can then assist you if required.

•    Always keep roads and paths clear when re-grouping so as other uses are not held up.

•    Do not automatically follow another rider without checking for yourself that it is safe, sensible, and legal to do so.

•    Riders who notice a hazard (glass pothole etc) on the road / track should advise the riders behind them of the pending hazard.

•     Don’t be afraid to ask for help from other club members.

•    Rides are reminded that using a mobile phone while riding is not only dangerous when concentration is important, it is also rude to fellow riders. It is very distracting for those riding with you. If you must take a phone call, pull over to the side, let the tail end charlie know and catch up with the group after the call. Although VicRoads allows calls to be made when the phone is mounted on the bike, they encourage people not to do this.  

Rides on Bike Paths

These rules are in addition to those above. On shared pathways/trails we need to give due consideration to other users. These users may be pedestrians, people using electric scooters, skateboarders, horse riders or fellow cyclists. We do this to show respect to other path/trail users, for the safety of our members and to continue to uphold the good reputation of our club.

Speed

This is set by the leader and is dependent on the conditions. All riders must stay behind the leader.

Single File

On pathways and trails, members should travel in single file and only pass another rider when they have clear view ahead and behind AND it is safe to do so. (See note below concerning communication.)

Bell / Horn

All riders MUST have a working bell /horn attached to their bicycle. Lights are not a legal requirement, but they are preferred for improved safety, especially when sharing roads with cars.

Don't BLOCK the path/trail

PULL OFF THE PATH/TRAIL WHEN STOPPED, so that the path is clear for others to use.

Courtesy/safety

•    Members must show courtesy towards other path/trail users - pedestrians, electric scooter users and other cyclists

•    When approaching other path/trail users (other than horse riders), and who may not have seen you, SOUND the bell/horn well beforehand, to alert them of your presence.

•    GREET other users as you pass.

Horse riders

•    DO NOT APPROACH but STOP and pull OFF THE TRAIL well ahead of the horses.

•    DO NOT ring a BELL or sound a HORN

•    Pass the horses or allow them to pass with MINIMUM NOISE. Speak quietly if necessary or remain silent.

•    Attempt to pass a horse ONLY if it is STATIONARY or WALKING.

Communication

•    When changing pace, CALL - "slowing" or "stopping" to the riders behind and USE HAND SIGNALS.

•    Call "passing" before you pass another rider.

•    Call to alert riders behind of other path or trail users. Use calls like rider up, rider back, or walkers up. (Note on road sections use car up or car back.)

Clothing

Wear bright coloured clothing.