- All riders take part at their own risk.
- Turn up on time with a full tank.
- Sign your name and contact details on the Ride List.
- Please listen to the Ride Brief, so you know what is required of you.
- Take great care if overtaking within the line as most members will not expect to be overtaken. Not all riders have advanced passes, so be patient with them.
- However, some may prefer being led by experienced riders rather than followed.
- Ride with the safety of every other road user in mind.
- If you wish to make a detour/leave before the end of the ride, tell the leader before you start or at a stop en route. Please don’t just disappear — we will worry!
- Telephoning the ride leader before the ride helps with planning (particularly when severe weather threatens and the ride may be cancelled).
- Ride cancellation decisions are the responsibility of the ride leader (e.g. anticipating severe weather). He/she will make arrangements to attend/cover the advertised starting place to ensure no SAM members are left uninformed.
- Non-SAM partners/friends/guests are welcome at rides and must be introduced and briefed about the following system.
The Drop-off System
- Ride Leaders will announce in the brief if the Drop-Off system is to be used.
- If numbers are low, the leader may decide to use the Follow The Leader system.
- With the Drop-Off system, every run has a Leader and a Sweeper.
- Leaders and Sweepers are volunteer guides, all ride at their own risk.
- Once under way, major deviations will be marked. Riders do not need to keep in sight of each other, enabling all to ride at their own speed (within reason).
- Deviations are marked through leaders indicating to the rider behind him/her to stop, thus marking the junction/roundabout exit, etc. Each marker must pull up safely and indicate the way to the group (by hand or auto signal).
- Once the last rider has come through the marked point, the marker watches out for the sweeper who will slow and indicate for the marker to rejoin the route before following him/her. The marker must then set off in a safe manner.
- Everyone in turn becomes the ‘marker’ if not leading or sweeping.
- Keep your headlight on (this makes it easy for ride leaders to see you).