Welcome to Petersfield Bicycle Buddies on this webpage are many points of guidance on how to have a safe and enjoyable ride with other sociable buddies. 

The following points are the important 'small print' we would ask you to take onboard.

Anyone joining PBB rides do so on the understanding that they:

• abide by the guidelines described in this document

• act responsibly and adhere to the rules of the road and countryside

• accept that the role of the leader is solely to indicate the route and it is their own responsibility to:

  • ensure that all manoeuvres are carried out safely

  • determine they are fit and healthy enough to participate

  • maintain their cycle in a safe, legal and rideable condition

  • accept that Petersfield Bicycle Buddies, the leader or other riders cannot be held responsible for any personal injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability during the ride.

Riders must be considerate to all other road users and remain aware of the road traffic situation at all times. They should be aware that large groups of riders may present a frustrating barrier to motorists and should ride considerately enabling road traffic to pass with minimal delay.

Images may be captured during the ride which could be used for publicity purposes. It is your responsibility to tell the photographer if you do not wish to be included in these and if necessary withdraw from the photograph.

Please review the Choosing, Joining and Ride Etiquette information before signing up to any ride.

Its is Your responsibility to ensure that your health, stamina and equipment are suitable for the ride. 

To help you choose the most suitable ride for you, all rides will be posted on SPOND with sufficient information to help you make the right choice. If you feel there is something missing, please add a comment or message the leader for clarification.

To sign up for a ride on SPOND:

• Click Attending or Not Attending  to indicate (please do not ignore), you can change our response at any time.

The ride text on SPOND will normally include:

• Route Information

  • The start point and any meeting instructions

  • A Route description 

    • This may optionally have images of the route, the elevation profile and or a GPX file for use with mapping software.

  • Terrain

    • Rides may be routed on Road, Tracks or 'off road', guidance will be given on expected surfaces, the suitability of your bike is your decision.

  • Distance in miles 

  • Total Elevation gain (feet or metres)

  • A description of any particularly steep or long hills

  • A Ride Grade or Rating for difficulty on scale 1 to 5 (5 being extreme)

    • 1 -  flat, no hills, less than 20 miles

    •  2 - Limited Hills or Distance ~15m

    •  3 - 2 hills and/or approx 20 miles

    •  4 - Steep hills and/or over 20 miles

    •  5 - Extreme hills, 30+ miles

• The expected Pace (moving speed on the flat)

  • • This could be about 7 MPH for slower (described as gentle or leisurely) rides 10 for medium and above 12 for faster rides

      • We never leave anyone behind (and always wait at the top of hills) !

      • The overall speed will be lower dependent upon the number of stops, hills and other conditions.

• Environment:

  • • Weather cannot be accurately predicted but guidance may be provided on plans if forecasts are not good on the day.

    • If the plan is to ride at night or poor light conditions are expected the need for lights will be stated.

• Safety:

  • Any other aspects of the plan the leader feels may be significant in ensuring a safe ride will be stated if possible on SPOND 

    • However, these may not be known until the start or during the ride. The Leader will brief the group ahead of the ride starting and you should be prepared to withdraw or curtail the ride if you are unsure about your fitness or safety at any time.

• We expect riders to conform to all traffic regulations.

  • Know the Highway Code. Key Extracts from 2022 Update

To help keep you safe and confident when riding with PBB, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the following guidance:

• Signalling:

  • All riders should signal an intention to turn right or left and not leave it to just the Leader and/or back marker.

  • Look over your shoulder before starting, stopping or changing position to ensure it is safe to do so.

  • If you need to stop for any reason, call out "stopping" before you slow down. Stop close to the verge.

• Positioning:

  • Ride in single file on busy roads and under circumstances where it would otherwise be dangerous for vehicles to pass (defer to the leader's judgement).

  • Never ride more than two abreast, except when passing. If riding alone within a group, ride behind the inner rider of a pair.

  • Keep your distance from the cyclist in front, especially when riding two abreast; you or the person next to you may need to cut in suddenly.

• Traffic:

  • Take care on lanes, looking over hedges and listening for approaching traffic. When riding the outside position of the leading pair, hold back on the approach to blind corners: there may be traffic approaching.

  • Take extra care when the call "car front" or "car back" is heard. PASS THE MESSAGE ON to those in front or behind. Change to single file riding when vehicles wish to pass or as advised by the leader or back marker. If there is traffic behind which is unable to overtake, split into smaller groups or pull in to help it pass.

  • For dangerous road surfaces (potholes, gravel etc.) call out as appropriate and point with the left or right hand. For other hazards (for instance, walker, jogger, dog, parked car etc.) call "on the left" or "on the right".

  • When in a group of more than about eight riders SPLIT UP to allow motorists to pass without undue difficulty or danger. The groups should be about 50m or four car lengths apart so it is quite clear to following motorists that there is a gap into which an overtaking vehicle can draw if another vehicle approaches from ahead. (If the gap gets too big the second group may miss a turning.)

  • If a vehicle is clearly having difficulty overtaking, for instance down a narrow country lane, PULL IN at a convenient passing place to allow it to overtake.

  • Use cycle lanes where practical and appropriate.

  • Be courteous to all other road users.

• Communication:

  • If you get lost or left behind, STOP and WAIT, Phone the Ride leader (Number will be on SPOND).

  • Normally, except where otherwise advised, do not overtake the Leader. It is accepted that riders will use their own preferred pace on long uphill's, If you do go ahead, wait at the brow of the hill. Do not pass the next junction as the group may be going other than straight ahead. 

  • Pass the leader's messages down the line so that everyone follows suit.

  • After junctions, each rider, if not last of the group, should check that there is still another rider following, and, if not, either wait at the junction or notify the leader.

  • Members wishing to leave the group must notify the leader to avoid their being treated as a 'missing persons'.