Cycling Education Committee

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New members to the Club, those just beginning cycling and anyone wishing to enhance current skills may contact the education coordinator at the email address below to schedule a personal orientation tailored to their specific interests. 

One or more of our experienced ride leaders will meet with the requestor and (depending on their interests) may provide a brief discussion of cycling basics, answer questions, demonstrate a few essentials such as flat tire repairs and lead a short demonstration ride in an area with limited traffic and minimal climbs.

Contact Wig Sy at: education@sfcyclists.org

 

Mission Statement:

The goal of the Cycling Education Committee is to increase the safety, enjoyment, knowledge, and skills of SFCC members through informal teaching, consultation, and demonstration.

 

Documents for Download

SFCC Phone Consultation Checklist for New Members.docx

SFCC Demonstrations for New Members at Club rides.docx

Basics of Bicycle Safety on the Road.docx

Bicycle Helmet Fit Guide

Bicycle Website Links

 

SFCC Phone Consultation Checklist for New Members

Contact: education@sfcyclists.org

1. Club Rides
- Group rides scheduled on http://sfcyclists.com/calendar
- Ride leaders email start location and route
- Use emailed GPS link to select rides for distance, pace, and climbing
- Everyone should sign in and signout on Ride LeaderForm
- Obtain route sheet from ride leader at start

2. Equipment Checklist
- Helmet (approved, fit, buckled)
- Tire pressure
- Brakes
- Crank and chain
- Lights (mandatory at night)
- Mirror
- Water bottle& snacks
- Seat bag: spare tubes, tire change&repair kit
- Pump
- Cell phone
- Suitable clothing for weather
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3. Road Rules
- Keep on right side of road
- Single file on most rural roads (do not overlap wheels when following)
- Pass on left of another cyclist
- Observe traffic signals and signs
- Yield at intersections and when turning left
- Yell out upon seeing vehicles approaching (“car back”, “car up”, “car right”, “car left”)
- Point at obstacles in roadway
- Keep aware of motorists and other cyclists and ride with anticipation

 

SFCC Demonstrations for New Members at Club rides

OPTIONAL INSTRUCTION FOR NEW MEMBERS

DEMONSTRATIONS AT A CLUB RIDE

- Changing a Flat Tire

- CyclingSkills in Group Rides (drafting, leading, avoiding hazards)

- Other Bike Handling Skills
(shifting gears, braking, riding in hills, drinking & eating on bike)

 

Basics of Bicycle Safety on the Road

1. Ride defensively: drivers often don’t see you
2. Follow the rules of the road, as if you were driving a car (stop signs apply to bikes)
3. Use hand signals to indicate your turns and stops
4. Wear bright,high-visibility clothing even in daytime
5. Make sure intersections are clear before proceeding
6. Get the attention of drivers (be sure they see you) during potentially dangerous turns
7. Be predictable and signal any change in your lineas soon as possible
8. Look behind you before moving left into the lane of traffic
9. Wave your arm if you are unsure that drivers see you
10. With cars parked alongside of road, take space to avoid a door that may open
11. Do not wear headphones
12. Do not ride on the sidewalk
13. Use blinker lights on your bike or helmet, no matter the time of day you ride
14. Wear a headlamp and a rear light when riding at night
15. WEARING AN APPROVED HELMET IS MANDATORY

 

Bicycle Helmet Fit Guide

We see too many riders with a helmet game so sloppy they may as well leave the lid at home. Follow this advice for proper fit from Randy Swart, director of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in Arlington, Virginia.

1. Place the helmet on your head so it's level front-to-back—when you look up, the front should barely be visible—and not listing to one side.
2. Tighten the strap just enough against your chin so that it pulls your helmet down a bit when you open your mouth.
3. The Y of the strap should fall just below each ear.
4. Adjust so that the lid is snug but not too tight. (It shouldn't move when you shake your head, or leave a mark on your forehead.)

Final Test
Gently push the front of your helmet up and back. If it moves more than an inch, readjust.