Rider Manual

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

Rider Manual

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. London Dynamo have been granted by The Royal Parks the only licence available to organise a group ride in Richmond Park. We are obliged to abide by fixed protocols enshrined in the licence.

The Rules of Riding in Richmond Park

  1. A maximum of 8 riders per group and never more than 2 abreast.
  2. Every group must have a leader and riders should follow their instructions.
  3. Riders should warn about hazards ahead, either with hand signals or audible calls.
  4. If you need to shout near other park users, preface the shouted instruction with, “Dynamo” to avoid the impression you are shouting at them.
  5. Pause rotation and adjust pace on the approach to roundabouts and be ready to give way.
  6. Do not overtake other cyclists close to roundabouts: they may be turning right without signalling.
  7. Single out when negotiating cycle gateways.
  8. Give way to pedestrians and horse riders if you see them waiting to cross and it is safe to do so.
  9. When overtaking, single out if space is tight and indicate verbally and with hand signals before filtering around or through traffic if it is safe to do so. 
  10. When overtaking, please give the overtaken cyclists 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.
  11. 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. Do not try to squeeze through narrow gaps. 
  12. 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

  • At least one piece of club kit must be worn.
  • Please make sure your bike is well maintained and you have a spare tube and pump.
  • You must wear a helmet on this ride.
  • Please abide by our Group Riding & Etiquette Guide.
  • Tri-bars are forbidden.
  • Please dress appropriately for the conditions.

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 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 never be above about 10 riders but the group size may need to be smaller on some routes with narrow lanes, particularly gravel routes.
  • 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 downloaded from our Route Book.
  • Always keep a well-maintained bike (gears, brakes, wheels, tyres, etc).
  • Always carry spare inner tubes, tyre levers, pump, 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.
  • Wear appropriate kit for the time of year. Try to wear at least on bit of club kit to make it clear you are London Dynamo rider to other riders but it is most important to be warm in cold conditions.