Every Triathlon and Cycling group/squad/club have different rules they follow when riding in groups on the road. If you attend any of our Group Rides on Saturday’s or Sunday’s, you MUST read and be aware of the following rules.
Group Riding Tips
Group sizes will be no more than 12-15 riders. If a group has more athletes than this, the group will split into two or more groups.
Coaches are in attendance on rides but cannot ride with every rider, and it is nearly impossible to keep a group together for an entire ride.
You need to be aware that there WILL be times you will be on your own. So you must know where the group is heading, where meeting points are and know how to get home and be responsible for your safety and those around you.
In your group, there will be a number of experienced road cyclists, who are expected to impart road cycling knowledge and safety rules to other riders of less experience where necessary.
Ride details can be found in the Tri-Alliance Newsletter each week, so ensure you read all the details. This is your responsibility.
Traditionally, rides departing Elwood Surf Life Saving Club will have varying groups of abilities and distances. These include 20km, 40, 60, 75 and 100km round trips.
Tri-Alliance recommends talking to your coaches or mentor if you are unsure what distance you should be riding.
Before each ride, a coach will provide a ride briefing, outlining the purpose of the ride and what to focus on during the ride. Ride briefings will be held 10mins before the designated start time of the ride.
It is recommended you arrive early to ensure you a ready to leave at the designated start time.
- Athletes who are riding in our group rides MUST attend the ride briefing by the designated Coach PRIOR to the group ride.
Coaches provide a brief and guideline before the ride, however athletes should be aware that they will not be able to remain with the whole group the whole ride. It is your responsibility to pair (buddy) up with riders of similar ability.
If you are unsure, a coach can help buddy you up. Remember, every athlete is out there to train so it is difficult to keep the entire group together for the whole ride.
NOTE: For our beginner triathletes, there is a group of short course athletes who operate a ‘no drop’ ride, meaning that the group stays together at all times, taking turns to lead the group throughout various portions of the ride. These rides are great for our beginner triathletes, or those whom are in their first year as a Triathlete who don’t have previous road cycling experience. These rides are typically between 20-40kms.
For our beginner triathletes, there is a group of short course athletes who operate a ‘no drop’ ride, meaning that the group stays together at all times, taking turns to lead the group throughout various portions of the ride, whilst learning the rules and safety of road cycling.
These rides are great for our beginner triathletes, or those whom are in their first year as a Triathlete who don’t have previous road cycling experience. These rides are typically between 20-40kms in distance, and average approximately 25km/h between Elwood and Mordialloc.
If you would like to join this group, please ensure you speak to a coach or a mentor.
Tri-Alliance requires our athletes to advise a family member or friend that they will see on the same day where they are riding and what time they expect to return. This is a common rule of practice we encourage all athletes to adhere to.
Preparation prior to a ride is paramount, and it is something that Tri-Alliance encourages all of our athletes to adhere to.
To help avoid morning panic, it is a good habit to check your bike the night before, ensuring that your tyres are pumped and that you are equipped with working front and rear lights – which are compulsory on early morning rides.
Added to this, it is recommended that you carry a spare tube and puncture kit, a multi tool and ensure you have nutrition prepared.
Ensure that you have prepared your kit, the same way in which you pack for a triathlon the night before a race.
That means, you’ve got got comfortable cycling knicks and a Tri-Alliance Jersey, which is required on all Tri-Alliance group rides. You can purchase a jersey off our TriShop and it can be brought to a training session for your convenience.
Along with your kit, ensure you have two drink bottles ready to go, a jam sandwich, gels or a handful of nuts.
Avoid dairy or anything that may upset your stomach in the morning that will force you to have a toilet break mid-ride.
Ensure you have read our information on Bike Safety and Cycling Etiquette. It is your responsibility to understand and be aware of these road cycling rules prior to any group ride.
From the beginner through to the advanced, you must be aware of your obligations of safety and responsibility on the road.
The following is a quick checklist prior to your group ride. Bring these items along with you; if you are unsure of what you need to carry, or where these items can be found or purchased, please speak to a coach or mentor.
- Front and rear lights (no rider will be allowed to ride without lights)
- 2 x spare tubes (no less)
- 2 x C02 canisters and valve OR hand pump
- Sufficient food/nutrition (you should eat approx. every half hour)
- 2 x water/hydration bottles
- Phone and money (you can store this in your jersey pocket)
- We recommend athletes wear a RoadID Bracelet
- Dress according to the weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing choices. So make sure you check the weather before leaving home