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| Back to the main Rides page MARS ride policies and tips Click for Lead-Drop-Sweep navigation. Many bike clubs have highly organized ride schedules, with several rides going on any given weekend to accommodate riders of various levels. These rides are divided by pace, A thorugh E (Very Fast to Very Slow). Those who can't maintain the stated pace don't attend the ride. Unfortunately, there aren't enough of us to permit that luxury. So, we try to run every ride to accommodate everyone who shows up. We rely on everyone's patience and goodwill to make this work. Ride leaders can only do so much...all riders are responsible for their own actions. It's a matter of expectations: It's just as unreasonable for the slowest riders to expect the fastest riders to slow down dramatically as it is for the speed demons to expect the smell-the-roses folks to keep up with them. Fortunately, there's a ride system that allows us to run diverse group rides very easily, called "lead-drop-sweep," and if used correctly prevents slow riders from getting dropped completely while allowing fast riders periodic opportunities to sprint. It also keeps the ride moving between rest stops, without long delays for regrouping. One thing it does not do is force everyone to ride in a pack. That's just plain impossible when some riders are cooking along at 20 mph while others are enjoying themselves at 12 mph. It's best to think of the rest stops as the time to hang out and socialize, not the ride itself...unless you're hanging with someone who naturally rides at your pace. The guidelines as stated here should be followed in order to encourage riders of all abilities to ride together. The rides can be run however the ride leader wishes, however. This is a democracy! MARS Ride Guidelines 1) Nothing is cast in stone. If you have a better idea, send it to the list. Date, time, venue... all are open for discussion. 2) Rain cancels the ride. 3) Please be prompt. Latecomers are on their own. 4) Anybody who rides ahead of the group and gets lost is on their own. 5) The ride leader may choose the navigation method: "Lead Drop Sweep" or route/cue sheets. If cue sheets are used, riders are responsible for finding their own way. If enough people show up and are willing, we could even split into fast and slow groups. 6) Postings will be made to the mailing list starting about one week prior to the ride. Discussions during this time may change ANY aspect of the ride: day, venue (e.g. Morristown vs. GWB vs. Denville), distance... ANYTHING is possible via consensus. 7) Regroupings should happen frequently enough to accommodate the slowest rider. Nobody gets dropped. Nobody gets excluded. No exceptions. This is the responsibility of the ride leader, and we really do try to stick to it. However, it must be understood that riders are ultimately respnsible for their own navigation, and are also strongly encouraged to let the group know if they need anything...a longer break, someone to hang back with them, whatever. We'll make an effort to round up stragglers, but if you get terminally lost and we can't find you, don't expect the rescue choppers to get called out. 8) Riders will be asked to sign a liability waiver before the ride. It's REALLY IMPORTANT to understand that this is NOT the only way to run a MARS ride! If it doesn't suit you, then propose one of your own and lead it however you like! GET INVOLVED! Lead-Drop-Sweep Navigation - How to Keep a Ride Moving |