Bo Bikes Bama

EQUIPMENT | Before the ride, make sure your bike is in good, working order and the brakes and shifters are functioning properly and you know how to safely use them. Check your tires for wear and take your bike for a test ride. Make sure your helmet fits properly and can be securely buckled. Your local bike shop is your best resource for making sure your steed is good to go.

GEAR | We recommend wearing gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen to make your ride more comfortable and safe. Sunglasses or clear glasses are recommended regardless of the weather conditions to protect your eyes.

The use of headphones or earbuds, including open-ear headphones like Shokz, are not allowed when riding your bike at Bo Bikes Bama.

If you are carrying extra layers of clothing on yourself or on your bike while riding, make sure everything is securely stored so nothing gets caught in your spokes.

NUTRITION & HYDRATION | Try to drink at least one bottle of water every hour or so – and try to eat small snacks throughout the ride. Do not wait until you’re hungry or thirsty to refuel.

STOPPING | If you’re not comfortable eating, drinking, or checking your map while riding, please stop to do so. When stopping, pull over in a place where you will be easily seen by oncoming traffic (i.e.: not at the top of a hill or in a turn). Also make sure you are off the road a safe distance.

RIDING WITH OTHERS | When riding with other cyclists, you must be aware of everyone around you at all times. If there is any debris in the road or another hazard such as a pothole, loudly announce the hazard to those behind you as soon as you see it. You can also point to potholes, gravel, or debris as you approach in order to indicate to riders behind you which side to avoid.

Although you should avoid it, if you overlap someone’s rear wheel with your front wheel, say so. A quick “Overlapping on the left,” or “right” will do. Remember if you touch wheels, the person in front will most likely be fine, but the person in back runs a high risk of losing control of their bike. If you approach other riders, notify your riding companions: “Rider up.”

SIGNALING | When slowing and stopping, say so loudly enough for riders behind you to hear. You should also use visual cues such as putting your hand down, palm facing back to indicate slowing to other riders or vehicles.

When turning, loudly announce “Right Turn” or “Left Turn” and proceed to indicate this with the appropriate arm signal out to the side to notify other cyclists as well as oncoming cars.

PASSING | When overtaking riders in front of you, notify them that you are about to pass (and on which side– it should be on the left) so as not to catch them off guard.

PACE LINES | We do not recommend riding in a pace line with no previous experience as this requires a very heightened sense of awareness of other riders and of your own riding behavior. If you do so, it is imperative that you clearly communicate verbally and use hand signals to communicate with the riders in your group.

RIDING DOWNHILL | Use both brakes lightly to control your speed as you descend. Remember that your front brake has much more braking power than the rear, so do not use it by itself. If you have to suddenly slow down or stop, transfer more of your weight to the back of the bike. Do not shortcut turns by going into the other lane.

IF IT RAINS | Watch out for painted lines on the road (which can be extremely slick when wet!). Also, don’t lean into turns as much as you might in dry conditions. Be aware that stopping will take more time than in dry conditions.

FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD | Remember to follow the rules of the road:

• • Please stay as far to the right side of the road as possible.
  • Signal turns to others with proper arm signals.
  • At intersections, before proceeding, make sure you have the right of way.
  • Stop at traffic lights and stop signs.

Please be courteous and remember that you represent all cyclists to drivers behind you.

SIGNALING SUPPORT | Remember that the signal to stop a support vehicle is to hold out your left arm, palm closed in a fist.

RIDER NUMBER | All Bo Bikes Bama riders are required to wear the rider number provided in your rider packet at all times during the ride. Your emergency contact person’s name and phone number are printed on the back of this number in the case of an emergency.