Lead a ride

Leading a ROMP ride is pretty easy. There are only a few things to remember and do, which are outlined below. Please read these instructions before you start your ride. Remember that you are representing ROMP and (if it's a regular monthly ride) Western Wheelers.

There are two firm requirements for each ride, necessary to protect both the riders and the club:

• All riders must wear a helmet.
• All riders must sign a waiver.

Before ride day

1. Announce the ride. Send your ride information via the scheduling page or to the ride coordinator at ride@romp.org or by phone by the 10th of the month prior to the ride. The ride will then be listed in the ROMP newsletter and on the ROMP web ride listings. Regular monthly rides are also listed in the Western Wheelers newsletter and sometimes in local newspapers or in Cycle California. Include the following information for the ride:
   • Date of the ride
   • Rating (for help, visit the ratings guide)
   • A brief title
   • Meeting location and time
   • A longer description, including any special notes about gear, food, water, approximate length in hours, etc.
   • Your name, phone number, and email address if you have one
   Note: For rides in MROSD-managed preserves, please submit your ride at least one week in advance to allow the ride coordinator to notify MROSD.
2. Place a message on your voicemail or answering machine, if possible, a few days before the ride, with basic information about the ride (if it is on or rained out, meeting time and location, etc.).
3. Check ride conditions and cancel, if necessary. Rides should be canceled if the trails are muddy and significant trail damage could occur. The general rule of thumb is that if it rains within 48 hours of the start of your ride, at the ride location, you should cancel the ride. Use your judgment – some areas dry quickly and can be ridden soon after rains; others won't dry for weeks after a rain. If you are not sure of the weather and trail conditions in the area, call the local land manager.

On ride day

1. Bring a waiver form and pen or pencil. ROMP has a liability policy which protect the club and ride leaders during rides. To ensure coverage, all riders must sign the waiver form. Forms can be obtained in any of the following formats:
   • Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)
   • Microsoft Word (.doc)
   • Hard copy by contacting the ride coordinator at ride@romp.org or by phone.
   Feel free to photocopy a blank waiver if you need more copies. All riders should sign the waiver. Completed waivers should be periodically sent to the ride coordinator.
   
   ROMP's regular monthly mountain bike rides are listed with both Western Wheelers and ROMP. If you are a Western Wheelers member but not a ROMP member, use the Western Wheelers waiver so that you personally have insurance for the ride. Western Wheelers forms should be sent to the Western Wheelers ride coordinator after the ride. Even if you are using the ROMP waiver, you might want to provide a copy of the Western Wheelers waiver so riders can get mileage credit for the ride.
   
   
2. If desired, bring along ROMP literature such as
   • maps of the route
   • copies of recent ROMP newsletters, available in hardcopy from the newsletter mailing coordinator at newsmailing@romp.org or by phone
   • ROMP brochures, available in in a zip archive and Microsoft Word (.doc) format or in hardcopy from the public relations director at publicrelations@romp.org or by phone
3. If desired, bring extra safety and repair gear such as
   • extra food
   • extra water
   • first aid kit
   • Sawyer snakebite kit
   • cell phone (doesn't always work in the mountains)
   • chain tool, spare tube, or other tools
4. Show up for the ride at least 15 minutes before the official starting time.
5. Give a short talk before the ride. This is very important, since one aspect of ROMP is education. The start of a ride is the perfect time to review etiquette and rules.
   • Introduce yourself.
   • Describe the route.
   • Review IMBA's rules of the trail, including
     • Don't scare other trail users – share the trail.
     • Watch your speed around blind corners.
     • Only ride on open trails.
     • Ride within your ability; be responsible.
     • Don't ride through mud or skid on trails.
     More details of these rules are available in the beginner's guide.
   • Describe any other rules pertinent to the lands you're on, such as the 15 MPH speed limit on MROSD land.
   • Hand out membership information or describe where to find it (www.romp.org or info@romp.org).
   • Discuss the importance of being prepared – got water, food, tools, spare tube, patch and pump?
   • Remind riders to let the leader (or sweep person) know if you're leaving the ride.
   • Remind everyone that they must have a helmet.
   • Add any comments about advocacy or other ROMP events.
6. If the group is larger than fifteen, consider assigning a second leader and splitting the group. MROSD limits group size; leader discretion is advised.
7. Consider appointing a sweep person to stay at the back of the group if there are more than five or six riders or if the group might get spread out (such as on an A- or B-level ride). The sweeper can assist with mechanical problems, help novice riders, and ensure that all riders are at each regroup.

During the Ride

1. For slower or more social rides, regroup at intersections. Warn the group when you're nearing a congested area.
2. In the event of an emergency, stay calm. You'll need to exercise good judgment to best help any victims. In all cases, if you are not sure, take the more conservative route. Don't hesitate to call 911 for assistance.
   • Life threatening emergencies – take best advantage of the rest of the group. Enlist anyone with first aid training to start tending to the victim(s). Fast riders should be sent to call 911 for help. They will need to know location of rider and location and type of injuries. After help has been called, arrange for some riders to meet the emergency vehicles at trailheads, intersections, etc. and guide them in. All riders in the group must stay until emergency workers take all their reports and allow you to leave.
   • Non-life threatening emergencies – determine if the victim can continue on his/her own or not. Use your judgment in determining if the rider should be assisted back to the start of the ride, or if he or she needs emergency assistance.
   • After the emergency is over, write down what happened and who was there. Call the ride coordinator and report what happened. Arrange to get the completed waiver form to the ride coordinator ASAP.

After the Ride

1. Send your completed waiver forms to the ride coordinator. If possible, include mileage and altitude gain for the ride.
2. If you had a good time, lead another ride!