Strays Riding Group

Group Captain: Robert Wilt

Group Speed: 10 - 15
Group Distance: 20 - 60

Ride Leaders

  Velvet Yates

The STRAYS is a road TOURING group. The OFF-ROAD form of Strays is called the DUNG BEETLES. The road NIGHT riding form of the Strays is called the FIREFLIES. To ride with the Dung Beetles or the Fireflies, a club member should sign up with those specific ride groups. This will allow you to receive the special emails that announce those groups rides and cancellations. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STRAYS ride locally most of the time, and at other times we take off to ride in distant places. Sometimes we will ride with ride groups from other bike clubs, in their territory. As a touring ride group, we have no pace lines, no wheel sucking, and no racing. We are dedicated to riding with the idea of having fun and getting some exercise, and enjoying companionship and scenery. Our pace is typically in the 10-15 mph average range, and this varies with the terrain and what there is to see on our ride. Pace may be faster when a leader other than Rob Wilt is in charge, but this will be noted in the particular ride. We sometimes stop to smell the flowers and check out the sights. Definitely not a ride for the impatient or hurried. Lance posers and other self-involved egotists should ride with another group. Courtesy and respect for fellow cyclists, and safety are the watch words for Strays. Strays will ride year round. In the hotter months we start our rides early, but as temperatures become more moderate we tend to start our rides progressively later. Overall ride comfort and safety is our consideration, not time.

GENERAL:
Strays is typically a starting point for many serious riders entering the GCC, and many people evolve through the Strays to move on to higher speeds and greater distances, and on to other ride groups. We encourage this for people so inclined. But we also provide a niche for those who have found a comfortable pace and style in the touring mode. Strays will not poke mean spirited fun at your weight, clothing or choice of bike. As long as you observe the safety and courtesy requirements, and can ride in our speed range, you are welcome to ride with the Strays.

CHILDREN:
Children over 16 are welcome to ride with Strays as long as they are accompanied on the ride by their parent/legal guardian who will be responsible for their behavior. After riding with the Strays and establishing their ride maturity, we may make exceptions on a person by person basis as to the need for a parent/legal guardian on future rides. This will depend entirely on whether or not the teenager displays the required maturity, courtesy and safety expected of our adult riders.

RIDE DISTANCE:
Normally we ride about 35 miles maximum, but have been known to ride further occasionally, if the ride group feels up to it.

REST STOPS:
Strays utilize convenience stores and restrooms along the ride. Normally this will occur about every 15 miles. We may stop more often, if possible, when group members desire to do so.

SAFETY:
Strays are also safety oriented; we like to have fun without mishaps. Accidents dampen the spirit of a ride, so we work to avoid them. Please read the League of American Bicyclists 10 Tips for Safe Group Riding.

We REQUIRE all riders to wear a HELMET, no exceptions! We do not allow iPods and similar devices on our rides (these are against the law anyway). We do not allow music machines/ radios or other noise making devices on our rides (exception is for devices intended as traffic warning instruments - such as bells or horns). We do not care what type of bike you ride, as long as it is completely road legal and has the usual complement of normal safety features (brakes, lights, reflectors, etc.)

Inform your leader if you become injured in any way while on the ride.

Inform your leader if you decide to abandon the ride while it is underway.

If you ride off the front without asking for the next turn, we will assume you have abandoned the ride. If anyone chooses to chase you down to find out your intentions. that is their prerogative, but don't assume anyone will do this. If you like to ride off the front you might want to have the leaders cell number in the event you make a mistake and find yourself lost.

MEMBERSHIP:
Our rides are open ONLY to GCC members and other official LAB-sponsored bike club members.

On local rides we will allow a sponsoring GCC member to invite non-club members to ride with us as a guest (one time only), and the guest will be required to sign a release. The sponsoring member is responsible for making sure that the guest is familiar with the requirements of Strays rides since the guest may not have access to the internet or group mail from the Strays.

On away rides (those outside the immediate GCC vicinity), guests are not allowed at all.

GCC membership applications can be available at the start of the ride for anyone wanting to join, to avoid "guest" issues. If you want to join and will need a form please let me know ahead of time, and I will bring a form to the ride start. Preferably however you should sign up to be a member online as we now have Paypal for this purpose.

IMPORTANT:
Join the Strays ride group online if you plan to ride with the group. That way you will receive ride notices and cancellations via email that the regular GCC group mail does NOT receive. You can also check the status of any ride online at the club website if you don't join, but you might miss a last minute cancellation.

POST RIDE:
Occasionally our rides end with a visit to a restaurant.

E-BIKES:
E-bikes are not allowed on Strays rides, only manually powered bikes.

VIDEO CAMERAS:
Strays welcome riders to bring along their video cameras as long as these are mounted and used in such a way that they do not provide a dangerous distraction and endanger the other ride members. We realize that video cameras may provide evidence in incidents with other vehicles and find their use acceptable for this reason.

STRAYS OBEY THE FLORIDA BIKE LAWS:
Florida Bicycle Association Source
GCC web site laws page

OUR EXPECTATIONS FROM YOU:
Strays expect a bit of self-reliance from our riders, so a willingness to fix your own flat tire is a necessity, as is the proper backup inner tube to fit your tire. Naturally, we will instruct you and assist you as required, but we expect you to take care of yourself. We do not dust our riders, nor do we leave them to expire on the side of the road, as some A rides do. Strays stick together, as we are a sociable group. We are however repelled by the whining needy, and may make exceptions to our rules as needed.

YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY AS AN ADULT:
By showing up to ride with the Strays, you acknowledge your absolute acceptance of responsibility as an adult for your ride behavior, and its consequences, and absolve the GCC and its ride leaders for any and all NEGLIGENCE that occurs on the ride. All efforts are made to make our rides safe, but it is impossible for all eventualities to be foreseen. Riding a bike has potential for serious injury or death even if a maximum effort is made to avoid accidents.

This group does not currently have any rides on the schedule.

When you join the group (in the Members Area) you will be able to elect to receive instant email notifications of group ride postings.

When you join this group, you will be asked to agree to the following:

Things for a Stray to have with them on a bike ride:

Required:

• Helmet (no helmet, no ride)
  
• A spare inner tube in good condition (that is the appropriate size and type for your bike)

• A mirror (helmet or bar end)
  
• A frame-pump / CO2 inflator

• Bike gloves
  
• Cell phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers
  
• A reserve of fluids and snacks / money to buy more
  
• Flashing light, front and rear
  
• Sunglasses / eye protection
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Emergency ID with person to call / allergies / meds, ect.
  
• Medical Insurance card / Personal ID
  
  
  

  Group membership is open to all Gainesville Cycling Club members. To join, sign in to the Members Area, go to the Ride page, and click on "Join A Group" just under the "Group Membership" heading.