Chapters
End
Newcomers Ride · Marshal guide
The single entry point for most new London Dynamo members. You are assessing them, representing the club, and deciding who makes it through.
Time
About 4 minutes
Audience
Ride marshals
Format
3.5 laps · groups of 6
The three purposes
01
On safety, attitude and competence with group riding, in particular through and off.
02
You are an ambassador for the club. Prospective members are deciding if London Dynamo is for them.
03
About the club’s history, the ride offering, events, sportives, and the Helping Out Programme.
You are the club’s first impression. As a Newcomers Ride Marshal you are assessing prospective members AND representing London Dynamo. Take both responsibilities seriously.
What you’ll cover
Chapter 01
Preparation is the difference between a smooth Newcomers Ride and a scrappy one. Get there early; know who is coming.
01
Arrival
You need time to meet prospective members, read the list, and organise groups before the main park ride rolls out.
02
Preparation
The Membership team circulates a list ahead of the ride, often with pace estimates. Use it to plan groups. Do not improvise on the line.
03
Group size
6 is the ceiling for the Newcomers Ride. It gives prospective members plenty of opportunities to practise through and off.
04
Briefing
The Newcomers Ride runs in tandem with the Park Ride. One of you gives the main briefing to the whole club; the rest make sure every newcomer is listening.
Chapter 02
Three topics must be covered before you roll out. Use your own words, but cover all three.
01
Topic 1
A bit of history. The ride offering. The regular event rides, the sportives, and, importantly, the Helping Out Programme.
02
Topic 2
Be upfront. This is an assessment ride. They are being judged on safety, attitude and through and off. Equally, this is their chance to decide if the club is right for them.
03
Topic 3
The core skill being assessed. Explain the rotation clearly before rolling out. Many newcomers have never done it. A brief on-bike demo at the start helps more than any verbal description.
Chapter 03
3.5 laps of the park. Small groups. Plenty of practice. Know when to pause.
01
Format
Standard format. Gives each prospective member meaningful time in the rotation and enough road to assess them properly.
02
Group size
Keeps the through and off rotation manageable and gives every rider frequent turns on the front.
03
Coaching
If the group needs reminders on through and off or general group riding, use the first lap regroup point to reinforce. Do not hesitate. A good pause beats a messy second lap.
04
Assessment
Throughout the 3.5 laps, assess each rider on: ability to hold pace, reading the road, signalling, steady line through the rotation, attitude to the rest of the group.
Chapter 04
Dropping a new rider is not an option. Here is the protocol, and it is non-negotiable.
01
Rule
If a rider cannot hold the pace of even the slowest park ride group, dropping them is not acceptable. They are a guest of the club.
02
Step 1
Get the rest of the group to ease off while you handle the conversation.
03
Step 2
Frame it as a kindness, not a failure. Arrange to meet them at the café at the end of the ride.
04
Step 3
Tell them they are currently off the pace of the slower end of the club. If they still want to join, and you judged them to ride carefully, you may still recommend them to the Membership Secretary.
Chapter 05
The end of the ride is part of the assessment, for both sides. Do not rush off.
01
Feedback
Speak to every prospective member individually. Be direct. Do not leave people wondering.
02
Judgement
If a rider is unsafe or lacks the basic skills for the Saturday park ride, say so. Politely suggest they try again another day to get more practice. Better an honest ‘not yet’ than an unsafe rider in the park ride.
03
Handoff
Refer successful names to the Membership Secretary, who contacts them about progressing their membership.
04
Hospitality
Every prospective member gets a hot drink on the club. Send a receipt screenshot to the Treasurer for reimbursement.
05
Ambassadorship
Your job is not done when the wheels stop. Talk more about the club. Answer questions. You are still the club’s first impression.
Module summary
Every prospective member hears a clear briefing. Every rider gets direct feedback. Every pass goes to the Membership Secretary. No one gets dropped.
Chapters recap
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Bookings are now open for the 7th November & 5th December 2026. Click below to learn how to join, explore our Helping Out Programme, and register for the next Newcomer Ride.