A big ride in the Dales, planning and leading a group ride

Last weekend saw me leading group of riders from Selby Cycling Club around 124km of Dales roads.  We took in some of the remotest and most beautiful areas of the area along with over 2000m of famous climbs and descents. 
Such a venture is not without challenge when alone or a pair, but what about when you invite a group along?
I have planned and led several of these rides and this is what I have found out.

Planning a Route

Buttertubs Pass

I always start my ride planning with a few key highlights - good climbs, cracking descents, fabulous views etc.  I use personal experience of rides in the area and books such as Simon Warren's excellent series of "Climbs" books to help.  Then I sit with Ridewithgps.com and plan the route as best I can.  It is usually now that I start to consider the best start/finish point if it is a drive and ride day.  I will endeavour to avoid major roads as much as possible.  The route length and climbing severity will evolve with the planning.  The ride needs a focus.  This latest ride was focussed on my favourite descents in the area and I chose 4 brilliant extended descents that always make me smile.  I just had to join them up.  I wanted to descend fro Birkdale Common to Nateby, from Tan Hill to Keld, Buttertubs heading north and down Whipperdale Bank to Leyburn.

The café stop is really important.  It needs to be between 1/2 and 2/3 way through the route and ideally a good few km from the next hill as you do not want anybody to be seeing their lunch again on a 15% gradient.  I always look for quality, it is after all a highlight of the day.  For this ride I did some extensive searching online and came up with a suitable pub half way around called the Moorcock Inn.

Timing the Route

Whatever time you think the group will accomplish the ride in, add 20% for first 5 riders, then 10% for each extra 5 riders and that will be nearer the truth.  This extra time is generated by waiting to regroup, waiting for food in the café, mechanical problems and general faffing that occurs with groups.  It is always better to over estimate the time for the ride as this keeps fellow riders in the good graces of their families at home.

Announcing the Ride

Different groups will have different vehicle to announce such rides, SCC use Facebook pretty effectively.  I will post an invitation on the Facebook page some 4-5 weeks ahead stating date, length, climbing, area and a link to the planned route so people can make an informed decision about joining the ride.  I will also be clear about the required speeds and abilities that I will expect from participants.  I try to be as fair as possible to all, I do not want riders to be too different in abilities as this is no fun for faster or slower riders.

Ride Rules

When I announce the ride I will always state the ride rules.  These will be repeated in posts nearer the date of the ride.  My rules are simple and, I think, there for clear reasons:
The group climb and descend at their own pace.  The group will regroup at the top and bottom of every hill.
The group try to stay together along valleys riding at an appropriate pace for all.
Safety and enjoyment are paramount, no rider will put others or themselves at unnecessary risk (eg descending on cross bar) as we will probably be out of phone coverage.

Changing the Rules as you go along

Sometimes it becomes clear that the ride rules need to be adjusted.  In the case of my last ride it was clear that stronger riders needed to be sent down the road to ensure their enjoyment whilst other riders needed to be allowed to set their own pace, once again to ensure their enjoyment.  A meet point was set (lunch café) and the break allowed.  Over lunch, adjustments were made to the route for all and suitable decisions were made for the remainder of the day.  These situations are not uncommon, especially when riding with riders for the first time.

Group Ride Mind-set

If you are riding in a group over challenging terrain such as this you have to change your mind-set.  You may be used to riding at a set speed, looking good in 2 nice lines all nicely spaced wheel to wheel.  This is going out of the window as soon as you get to hills.  The bunch explodes as each claw their way up the slope.  Descending is spaced for safety reasons as confident/competent riders exceed 35mph easily.  All riders need to exhibit more tolerance of other riders, smile when waiting again and be willing to spend more time than is usual chatting whilst stood still.  Enjoy the view and encourage others in the group.
As ride leader I will happily ride at the front, middle or back of the group.  On this ride I was the one who waited for others and tried to ensure that all were enjoying their day.

Safety briefings

At certain points in the ride I impart whatever safety knowledge I know to all participants.  On this ride this included a ford to cross, some steep hairpin bends on a descent and in one case I rode ahead to stop and flag a particularly nasty bend coming off Buttertubs which has claimed lives in the past.  It is of course down to individuals to assess personal risk, but it is my responsibility to warn of every known danger to inform personal decisions.

Another Successful Day

The ride was a success.  We had one fall and broken bike which meant one retirement and a volunteer to assist with transport.  I am very grateful to this volunteer as I could not really leave the ride as leader.  We only went off course once and I seamlessly took us back on course.  Lunch was acceptable, though not up my usual standards and the weather played nice. 

Where shall I go next?