Basic Safety Rules for the Road
1. Ride on the Right
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Ride on the right side of the lane, a few feet from the edge.
- Slower moving cyclists stay to the far right.
2. On the Road
- The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists.
- Obey all traffic control devices (i.e. lights, signs and lane markings).
- Always use hand signals to indicate your intentions to stop or turn.
- Talk to your fellow cyclists. Let them know “CAR BACK,” “ON YOUR LEFT (when passing),” or “STOPPING.”
- Never wear headphones.
- Ride single file to allow traffic to pass.
- Never ride more than two abreast.
- Pass on the left only.
- RIDE FRIENDLY! And respect the communities that we ride through.
3. Always Wear a Properly Fitting Helmet
- Ensure that the helmet fits snugly and sits squarely on top the head, not tipped back.
- Riders must wear helmets anytime they are operating a bicycle.
4. Ride Predictably
- Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars.
- Check for oncoming traffic before entering any street or intersection.
- Anticipate hazards and adjust your position in traffic accordingly.
5. Be Visible
- Wear brightly colored clothing.
- Make eye contact with motorists to let them know you are there.
6. Cycling Etiquette
Riders must follow the rules of the road, but it is just as important to follow these tips and practice cycling etiquette:
- Ride in a straight line; don’t weave.
- Cross railroad tracks at a right angle.
- Try to make eye contact with drivers before turning.
- Glance back often and always before moving right or left.
- Watch out for yourself. Don’t depend on other riders to spot hazards.
7. Riding in Wet Weather
While we hope that the weather will be sunny and fair throughout the Ride, we still ride even if it rains. Follow these techniques to stay safe in case of wet weather:
- Allow for longer braking distances.
- Dry the rims by applying the brakes ahead of time. Even if the ground is not slick, wet rims will reduce performance.
- Brake more gently on slick surfaces and use the front brake less.
- Turn and accelerate more gently to prevent sliding on slick surfaces.
- Pay special attention to metal and other slick surfaces, such as manhole covers, painted traffic markings, wet leaves, and oil slicks.
- Be ready to put a foot down for balance.
- Avoid riding through puddles when you cannot see the bottom—a puddle can hide a deep pothole.
- After riding in the rain, re-lubricate your bike chain to help prevent rusting.
Eat, Drink and Ride
Eating and drinking right is just as much a key element of training for and riding in the MS Bike as the number of miles a rider spends on a bike. The best way to take charge of your body is to use common sense.
However, always consult your physician before starting any training program. It is important to be well hydrated before, during and after a ride. If you do not drink enough fluids, dehydration will result, causing nausea, muscle cramps, chills, and lack of motivation. Dehydration could lead to heat stroke, a serious medical condition. To prevent dehydration, we recommend you use the following general guidelines: On all rides, you should drink 4 to 8 ounces of water or a carbohydrate drink every 15 to 30 minutes. Drink more if it's hot, humid, or you're really riding hard. On rides over two hours in duration, carbohydrate replacement drinks empty more slowly from the stomach, so the total amount you drink should be increased to 5 to 10 ounces every 15 to 30 minutes. These energy drinks will help increase your performance, reduce cramps, and lessen the possibility of heat stroke. In addition, energy bars will help you avoid the famous "BONK" that many cyclists experience on longer rides. You should eat 3 or 4 energy bars on long rides.
It should be noted that over hydration (Hyponatremia) does happen so riders should adhere to the information above as best they can.
Hyponatremia: (over hydration): When more fluid is consumed than can be excreted, over hydration occurs. The blood vessels overfill, and fluid moves from the blood vessels into the spaces around cells, causing swelling (edema).