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CLUB POLICIES

  • All riders must wear a helmet.
  • Riders must have a white front light and a red rear light if they ride within 30 minutes of sunrise, or 30 minutes before sunset.
  • Neither the Club, its Ride Leaders, nor its Executive, assumes any responsibility for lost or injured riders.
  • The Club promotes events in accordance with the Acceptable Use of the KVC Calendar policy.
  • Guests are welcome to try a Club ride, but must complete the applicable waiver form beforehand.

RIDER RESPONSIBILITIES

  • A rider should have the following on each ride:   
    • a copy of the ride route (print or download to mobile device);
    • a spare tube, repair kit and pump;
    • sufficient hydration and nutrition; 
    • photo identification with their address and their health card; and
    • Emergency Contact information.
  • Riders should know their cycling abilities and be able to ride at the posted speed. No rider will be abandoned during a ride. If a rider struggles during a ride, the Ride Leader may suggest a plan for the rider to return to the start point, and recommend more suitable Ride Categories for future rides.
  • All members should verify their Club Profile upon membership renewal, including their Emergency Contact information.
  • In the event of an accident, the KVC Accident Report must be completed. If unavailable, all details need to be reported to the Ride Leader.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is essential to a good ride. Make sure you point to and call out hazards and traffic situations to others. Those in the mid-pack should pass these calls back so everyone is aware. 


DON'T BONK


"Bonk is a funny name for a terrible feeling, when suddenly there’s nothing left in the tank, the legs turn to jelly, and getting to the finish or just back home becomes an altogether supreme effort of will."  
(bikeradar.com)

Energy Deficit

Cycling, even at a slow or moderate pace is great exercise and with exercise comes the expending of energy.   When that energy isn’t replenished, you may end up in a deficit, where every pedal stroke feels laboured, you are excessively tired, and your focus may no longer be where it should be.  Food and hydration play an important role in managing your energy requirements and will help prevent Bonking.  

Food

To avoid an energy deficit, it is good practice to eat small amounts of food relatively often during a bike ride, especially if you plan on being out for longer than 2 hours, or will be riding at a very high intensity.  Foods such as cereal bars, bananas, energy bars, candies, rice cakes, pastries or sport specific foods, like energy chews and gels, are good choices to consume while riding.  Each rider will need to experiment to determine what foods work best for their riding style and what their stomach can handle. 

Hydration

It is also very important to stay hydrated on the bike, even in the winter months.  A general rule of thumb is to consume one water bottle worth of water, electrolyte mix or sports drink every hour and to drink a little at a time and often.  Don't wait until you are thirsty to start drinking.  Various factors, such as level of exertion, temperature and wind, may require you to drink more or less liquid.

There is a lot of information on cycling nutrition and hydration on the internet. For a thorough assessment of your dietary needs, consult a nutritionist or doctor.