In my previous note I expressed my thoughts on group rides, in this note I will discuss ride leaders. Being a ride leader is the most useful task anyone can do for the club, since club rides are our most enjoyed activity. Fortunately, the club has been blessed with many ride leaders recently. While some, like Phil Sulfstede, Jim Shaw, or myself, have led club rides for decades, we are also getting a cadre of newer ride leaders. It is very helpful to have a multitude of ride leaders to spread out the work and generate different routes and destinations. Joe Weber recently put together a ride to Bixby on a great route that Phil or I would probably never have thought of (because we have other great routes to Bixby).
Do you have a favorite route or destination that the club doesn’t visit? Would you like a shorter or longer ride or maybe a different ride pace? You can solve this by volunteering to be a ride leader. You can pick your route, pick the destination, set the pace, along with the meeting time and location. As the ride leader, it is your prerogative to set these items when you assume the responsibility of being the ride leader. Just check with Dan Chapman, the events director (events “chairman”), and he can get you on the calendar.
Being a ride leader does require the proper disposition, patience, and attitude to be enjoyable. However, there are also rewards for showing your fellow members a great route and/or destination. One of the best ways to learn about the local roads is to attend rides led by a variety of different ride leaders. These can provide you with the background to put together your own great ride.
The ride leader has some responsibilities. While a pre-ride meeting is always good, the ride leader should certainly have one if there is a new rider along that may not know the ride rules. Some ride leaders, such as Dan C. or Glenn P., often pre-ride a route to check it out. While this is good, it is not mandatory. However, the ride leader does need to be familiar with the route and be able to generate an alternative “on the fly” modification (perhaps with inputs from those on the ride) if an unexpected, closed road or detour is encountered. The ride leader should have a map along to help with this if needed. It is helpful to have someone riding “sweep” (the last rider) along who knows the destination and can get part of the group there if the ride gets split up. Also, verify that the destination (e.g. restaurant) is open when you expect to arrive.
While the ride leader initially sets the pace, he/she should put a new rider or the slowest rider behind them on the ride. The ride leader can then adjust the pace, if necessary to keep the group together. Keeping the group together is the best way to prevent having the group split up. When I lead large groups, I often pause or slow briefly at stop signs or past corners to allow the group to come back together. You don’t necessarily have to wait for the whole group to come together, just tighten up the pack regularly. This really helps to keep the group from getting separated. Also, the larger the group, the slower the pace will be. Plus, the ride leader must remember that the sweep rider will be running at a faster pace to keep up and set the pace at the front accordingly.
The ride leader should also plan breaks on the ride if it is longer than 1 ½ or 2 hours. Gas stations or parks are good for this and should have restroom facilities. The “potty breaks” are needed by many members, and it also gives an opportunity to shed some layers because the temperature has risen or get a needed drink. If it starts to rain, quickly find a safe place to pull off so people can don rain gear if needed. Perforated riding gear is great in the summer but miserable in the rain.
Sometimes, a member wants to meet the club at the destination. The ride leader should provide his/her best estimate of the arrival time. Unfortunately, this places additional constraints on the ride leader. However, if circumstances require a change or the ride takes a different length of time than expected, it is not the ride leader’s problem that the member wouldn’t/couldn’t ride with the club. Get to the destination when you can and the member that didn’t ride with the club can just deal with the changes.
Please consider leading a ride. If you are unsure of a route, I can get you a variety of routes to various locations you can use as a starting point for your own rides. While these are good routes, don’t hesitate to modify them to add your personal preferences or variations. I recently provided Ted, our tech director, with several alternatives to get to Hardin, IL. While I enjoy leading rides, I also love going on a ride with someone else in charge, especially if it is a different route.
Thanks;
Jeff Ackerman
President – Gateway Riders 6/30/2026