Guide for Riders & Group Leaders

An enhanced, interactive version of this guide is available in the London Dynamo Knowledgebase.
A simple guide for each club ride: what to expect, what to bring and how our rides run.

This Rider Manual details the instructions for all riders on our regular rides on Saturdays and Sundays. If you have any questions, please email.

Guide for Riders & Group Leaders

The Saturday Park Ride

Groups ride four anticlockwise laps of the park’s road circuit (approximately 26 miles/42 km) in through-and-off formation. It’s a great way to learn or hone your group riding skills.

Where and when: The ride forms up at the Pen Ponds Cafe car park, so get there in good time. Groups are formed by pace (see the group size rules below). Wait for the marshal to send your group off in turn and do not roll out before you have been called. Start times vary by season: spring (March and April) 7.45 am; summer (May to August) 7.15 am; autumn (September and October) 7.45 am; winter (November to February) 8.15 am. Check the website before you go.

We have strict rules on how riders should ride in the Richmond Park. Careful consideration must be given to other Park users including other riders, pedestrians and horse riders.

The Royal Parks themselves also have a Code of Conduct for cyclists which can be found here.

Our Richmond Park Safety Briefing

A maximum of 8 riders per group (6 in the first group) and never more than 2 abreast.
Every group must have a leader and riders should follow their instructions.
Riders should warn about hazards ahead, either with hand signals or audible calls.
If you need to shout near other park users, preface the shouted instruction with, “Dynamo” to avoid the impression you are shouting at them.
Pause rotation and adjust pace on the approach to roundabouts and be ready to give way.
Do not overtake other cyclists close to roundabouts: they may be turning right.
Single out when negotiating cycle gateways and other narrow gaps.
Give way to pedestrians and horse riders if you see them waiting to cross and it is safe to stop.
When overtaking cyclists, please give the overtaken riders at least a 1.5 metre wide berth and stay out until the whole group plus draft zone has got past before heading back to the left. This is to avoid cutting riders up or forcibly absorbing them into the group.
You may overtake when safe to do so but do not simply follow the rider in front. You must read the road ahead and accept responsibility for your own safety.
If the group splits after an overtake, the leader must re-form the group afterwards. Traffic should not be used to effect a breakaway (even on the last lap) or be the cause or riders being dropped.

Other Considerations

The Park Ride is not about speed. It is about riding together safely, smoothly and efficiently as a group. You will need to adjust your speed according to the conditions such as the presence of deer near the roads, other park users (pedestrians, horse riders, other cyclists and cars) or indeed the weather.
Take particular care in the areas with lots of pedestrians such as near the car parks and cafés.
Look out for horse riders particularly near Robin Hood roundabout. Slow right down when cycling near to them and stop to let them cross the road if you see them waiting. Try to resist the urge to shout “horses” so loudly it actually startles the horses.
Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Be ready to stop if you see them at the side of the road and they appear to want to cross.
If you feel unwell in any way, do not come to the ride.
At least one piece of club kit must be worn (jersey, gilet, jacket, bibs or socks, any one is fine). The only exception is new members waiting on their first order to arrive. Marshals will check kit before your group rolls out.
Make sure your bike is well maintained: check gears, brakes, wheels and tyres before you arrive. Carry at least one spare inner tube, tyre levers and a pump (or CO2). Eat before you ride and bring a bottle.
Helmets are mandatory: no helmet, no ride, no exceptions.
Please abide by our Group Riding & Etiquette Guide.
Tri-bars are forbidden. If yours are fitted, remove them before you arrive or the marshal will not send you off.
Dress for the conditions: layer up in winter, gloves when it is cold, a gilet or jacket when it is wet.

Special Notes for Group Leaders

If you volunteer to be a group leader you must be prepared to direct others.
You must be ready to decide when the group should and should not overtake or to single out.
If you catch the group ahead, please hang back rather than let the groups merge. If your group is clearly stronger, only overtake when there is plenty of space to do so, preferably by letting the other group know you are overtaking.
Similarly if the group behind catches you be prepared to let them overtake and resist the temptation to jump on their tail or give chase.
Communicate with individual group riders if they are not riding smoothly or safely.
If non-Dynamo riders join the group or if other Dynamos take you over the limit of 8 riders, please politely ask them to leave, explaining the rules.
If you receive a complaint from a member of the public please do refer it on to the LD Ride Captain.

Conventions On When You Should and Should Not Drop a Rider

By convention the first 3 laps of the Saturday Park Ride are considered non-drop. The group should go at the pace of the slowest rider unless that rider has agreed to be dropped (and possibly fall back to the group behind). On the last lap, riders are allowed to form breakaways to allow for differences in ability. Accordingly, some riders will drop others.

However, also by convention, Group 1 of the Park Ride follows the above fourth lap rules for all four laps. Riders in group 1 who cannot hold the pace should not be surprised if they are dropped.

There will always be a non-drop group on the Sunday Windsor & Thames Valley Ride, and on the Explorer Ride. This group should move at the pace of the slowest rider. Other faster groups within these rides may potentially drop riders, however it is good manners to discuss this with a rider who is struggling as whether they agree they can be dropped.

Other rides such as the Wednesday Night Ride, the High Intensity Training Ride and the Endurance Ride are considered ‘drop rides’ and if you cannot hold the pace, you can expect to be dropped.

Sunday Rides

The Sunday rides tend to have a less rigid structure than the Saturday Park Ride. Nonetheless, there are some rules and some guidance to bear in mind:

When you arrive, please remember you are one of several groups to be sent out in a 5 min time window. Please wait patiently for the marshal to approach you in turn and send you out.
Make sure group sizes are appropriate for the route in question. Groups should not be so large as to cause a nuisance to other road users or be dangerous to the riders. As a rule of thumb, groups should not be above 8 riders but the group size may need to be smaller on some routes with narrow lanes, particularly gravel routes. If the groups become larger due to latecomers or stragglers from faster groups, be prepared to split the group down to manageable sizes again.
Pick the right pace group. The Steady group is non-drop, with an advertised pace it will not exceed. Faster groups go at their own pace. If you are new to pace groups, read the Non-Drop Guarantee in the KnowledgeBase before you sign on.
If you feel ill in any way or feel unwell, please do not come to the ride.
If you do not not know the route by heart please make sure you have it downloaded from our Route Book.
Always keep a well-maintained bike (gears, brakes, wheels, tyres, etc).
Always carry spare inner tubes, tyre levers, a pump (or CO2), phone, money and some ID.
Carry enough water and electrolyte, especially on longer rides and in the heat.
Other tools such as Allen keys, a chain tool and a magic link are desirable.
Always wear a helmet. Helmets are mandatory on every Dynamo ride: no helmet, no ride, no exceptions.
Wear at least one piece of club kit (jersey, gilet, jacket, bibs or socks, any one is fine) so other riders know you are with London Dynamo. The only exception is new members waiting on their first order to arrive.
Dress for the time of year: layer up in winter, gloves when it is cold, a gilet or jacket when it is wet. Warmth in cold conditions matters more than wearing club kit.

Guide for Riders & Group Leaders