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Have Fun and Be Safe!

Rules of the Road

Diagram of a road bike with labeled parts including saddle, seatpost, tire and wheel, rear brake, rear cassette, rear derailleur, chainstay, chainring, crank arm, small chainring, big chainring, clipless pedal, front derailleur, down tube, head tube, top tube, frame, seat stay, front derailleur, handlebar stem, brakes and shifters, fork, wheel hub, drop bars. 
What to Expect

HVCC Rules of the Road prepare you for safe and fun bicycling no matter where you're riding.

❋ Equipment Needs

  • Always wear a properly fitting helmet

  • All club rides REQUIRE riders to wear an approved (ASTM, ANSI, Snell) bicycling helmet

  • After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, visible or not, replace it immediately

  • Carry a spare tube, CO2 device/pump and/or a tube patch kit. All riders should be able to fix a flat tire. If you need help learning how to fix a flat, please talk to your ride leader

❋ Nutrition Needs

  • At least two water bottles

  • Water or sports drink

  • Power bars/gels/fruit

❋ Equipment Restrictions

  • Fixed gear bikes without brakes are prohibited on official HVCC group rides

  • Aero bars are prohibited on all HVCC group rides

  • Headsets, earbuds or similar music devices are prohibited on all HVCC group rides

❋ On the Road

  • Obey all traffic control devices, such as stop signs, lights and lane markings

  • Always use hand signals to indicate your intention to stop or turn to motorists and other cyclists

❋ Be Visible

  • Wear brightly colored clothing at all times

  • At night use a front light, red rear strobe light or reflector, and reflective tape or clothing

❋ Ride on the Right

  • Always ride in the same direction as traffic

  • Use the lane furthest to the right that heads in the direction that you are traveling

  • Ride no more than two abreast and single file on shoulder-less roads

  • Slower moving cyclists stay to the right on flat, downhill and uphill roads.

❋ Ride Predictably

  • Don't overlap wheels

  • 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 position in traffic accordingly

  • Use hand signals to warn other cyclists of anticipated hazards

  • Use verbal cues when passing other cyclists in the group, to warn of anticipated hazards or when passing walkers or joggers on the road:

    • Car up, car back, hole, gravel, slowing, stopping, clear, on your right and on your left are typical verbal cues used when riding in a group.