Introduction
This section presents some simple guidelines and tips to help leaders deliver a safe, inclusive and enjoyable ride. Safety is the highest priority. A few points to kick off:

Ride Leaders are experienced riders, but they are volunteers, not professional guides. It is for individual riders to take full responsibility for their actions and to also use their own judgment as to what is best for their own and the group’s safety in any situation. However, as a Ride Leader you must, if appropriate, override unsafe decisions about actions made by others.
As a club member, the club and the Ride Leader have liability cover for the organisation and management of a ‘club ride’, Individual participants are not covered by the club insurance and so are advised to become a member of British Cycling to ensure they have the benefit of individual third party (public) liability insurance.
It may be helpful to have an experienced ride leader as a “mentor” during your first few rides as leader. Feel free to ask as almost all the clubs’ leaders will be happy to help.

Before the ride:

Plan the route: Try to design scenic routes using roads with low traffic volume, ensure the mix of hilly and flat riding suits the group’s capability and avoid or manage hazards (junctions, etc.). The ride leader can share the route for those with navigation devices, but this is at the discretion of the ride leader. Many rides will simply be following the ride leader.
Contact the planned ride destination (coffee stop) to reserve space and advise of likely numbers.
Use the club Facebook page and WhatsApp groups to remind and/or update members on ride details and any late changes due to weather or other reasons.
Ensure you are aware of and take into consideration any medical conditions that have been voluntarily declared by individual ride members. Note is it the responsibility of individual members, if they so wish, to make any relevant medical conditions known to the ride leader.

At the start:

Be at the starting point in plenty of time to greet riders.
Welcome new riders and introduce them to the group
Make sure that any under 18 riders have at least 2 adults in their group.
Before setting off, split the ride into smaller groups if numbers are high – club guideline is 8 to 10 maximum per group. This will require nominating a helper(s) to lead the additional group(s), leaving a safe distance between the groups to make it easier for traffic to safely navigate around riders. The helper leading the second group should know the planned route.
Brief riders on any known hazards expected on the ride.
Remind everyone that it is their responsibility to stay alert to and monitor the rider immediately behind them and alert the ride leader or the riders in front in the event of any mechanical or emergency. Most importantly, this is to make sure nobody ever gets inadvertently left behind.
Ensure that all riders are wearing a cycle helmet – no helmet, no ride.

On the Road:

Give clear instructions to the group.
Regulate the pace of ride to that of the slowest rider and be prepared to adjust the route accordingly.
Indicate changes in direction or a stop well in advance.
Check to make sure the group is all present at changes of direction.
Signal and verbally communicate hazards to the group e.g. steep descents, potholes or very bad road surfaces.
Avoid stopping on bends and brow of hills.
Require that bikes and riders are off the road, not obstructing pedestrians, when a group stops by the roadside to resolve mechanical problems and punctures.
Intervene if necessary to ensure the safety of riders and other road users.

End of ride:
Well done – you have got everyone back and you can relax! Well not quite. There are still some final tasks:

Check new riders know their way home and arrange for relevant members to return them to the meet or a point where they are familiar.
In the event of any incident on the ride, contact the Runs Coordinator, Club Secretary or another committee member with brief details. This will allow the club to follow up if any lessons need to be learned from the incident.

Finally:
Leading a successful ride is very satisfying. You are greatly appreciated, by the riders themselves and the wider club. Your focus on the details has meant a lot. Thank you.