CAPRI WHEELERS CYCLING CLUB RULES
Capri strives to promote a safe and enjoyable cycling environment for all its members in the company of other cyclists. Upon signing the Capri Membership Application form a prospective member does so on the explicit understanding that on being accepted as a member he/she will :
1. Hold no Capri member, official, staff member or visitor or any office bearer
of the Club responsible in any manner or form for death, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person as well as theft, loss or damage to any equipment, property or personal belongings of whatsoever nature occurring during Club outings or activities howsoever caused, by or alleged due to the negligence of the Club or any person mentioned above, or arising from any other manner or cause irrespective of the nature thereof.
2. At all times wear Club colours. This facilitates identification on the road by the Club’s pickup vehicle in case of breakdown.
3. Maintain his/her bicycle in a roadworthy condition.
4. Ride in a responsible manner, obey all traffic signs and obey group leaders designated by the ride committee on the day of the ride.
5. Not offend any other road user by shouting or making obscene gestures.
6. Keep with the group that he/she joined on the morning of the ride. If he/she wishes to change to a slower or faster group whilst on the ride, he/she will inform his/her ride leader of this intention and advise the group leader of the new group of the transfer.
7. Stop when a group stops for whatever reason. All cyclists must stop until the ride leader signals that the group may continue.
8. Wear a helmet at all times on the ride.
9. Wear an ER 24 band at all times on your person on all Club rides.
10. Carry a spare tube and pump and be able to change a tube should the need arise.
11. Practice the following riding etiquette and conduct:
§ Be predictable – ride in a consistent manner – keep in line. Do not swerve or move unexpectedly.
§ Indicate – learn accepted cycling hand signs and use them
§ Call out hazards – the rider in front is responsible for the one following
§ Keep and even pace – do not brake or slow unexpectedly – be aware that there is a compounding effect in the following pack.
§ Stand without dropping back – call before standing off the saddle and take care not to lose speed doing so.
§ Do not hit the brakes – look ahead what is happening on the road and in the bunch and anticipate the moves by the cyclists ahead of you.
§ Keep adequate distance to avoid overlapping – be defensive to avoid being brought down.
§ Obey the rules of the road – conduct oneself with the same consideration as one would expect from any other road user.
§ Stop at all red traffic lights, stop signs and uncontrolled intersections. - If you are leading a group do not cross an intersection even if the light is green unless you are sure that the whole group will be able to cross safely before the light changes.
§ Use the “buddy” system – every rider should, at the start of a ride, ask another rider to be his “buddy” for that ride. Each rider should then insure that his/her buddy is not left behind.
12. Ensure that he/she is able to ride at least 70 kilometres. It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that he/she rides with the group of the correct strength.
13. It is illegal to ride two abreast but traffic officers overlook this provided it is done safely. Only ride two abreast where the road is quiet, there is a tarred verge and/or a double lane. No stopping in the road.
14. A cell phone should be carried at all times and in the event of a breakdown or getting lost you must have the van number at hand. In an emergency you can phone 084 124 (ER 24).
15. Gloves and glasses are important and recommended protective wear.
16. If the group you are with have to wait more than twice for you to catch up, you are obliged to fall back to a slower group.