The TCBA's Ride Incentive Program has been approved without significant changes since 2012. Known differences are the addition of the Ride of Silence and deletion of the Wednesday Night rides.
Wendell, 6 Jan 2015
Purpose: The purpose of the ride incentive program is to encourage club members to participate in TCBA recreational rides.
Ride Classes
Established to enable riders of similar abilities to ride together , classes are based on average overall ride pace (speed), as follows:
| Class | Pace(avg speed on a “level” route with no wind) |
|---|---|
| Class A+ | 19+ |
| Class A | 17-19 mph |
| Class B | 14-17 mph |
| Class C | 12-14 mph |
| Class D | Up to 12 mph |
| Class Z | Over 40 miles at riders' own pace |
| Class M | Mountain bike off-road rides |
Ride Leaders
Scout the route and create accurate maps and/or cue sheet a cue sheet defining the route. A cue sheet which includes point to point miles and accumulative miles will help riders determine that they are on the route.
All rides must start from a public accessible location.
Provide notice of the ride in the appropriate club venue. Information in the notice shall include, but not be limited to, leader's name and contact information(phone number and/or e-mail address), date and time, starting location, ride class, and approximate distance. Weather conditions under which a ride will not occur must be stated with specificity. The starting point must provide adequate parking for a reasonable number of expected riders; and, if private property is used for this purpose, the ride leader is responsible for securing permission from the property owner or manager. Unless the starting point is used regularly, provide a detailed description of the location. For example, Williamstown Township hall is at 4990 Zimmer Rd, 1 mi. S of Haslett Rd, at the intersection of Zimmer and Germany Rds. Rides shall not start from a residence.
Unless the ride notice states a requirement for lights, rides should be scheduled during daylight hours. There should be sufficient time to do the ride at the pace defined by the ride class plus an allowance for planned stops and unforeseen mechanical problems. In other words, the ride should not end after sunset because a rider needed to repair a flat.
Provide a reasonable number of maps or cue sheets for the anticipated number of entrants and ride sign-in sheet .
With the exception of Class Z rides, ride at the back of the group. The ride leader is not required to ride at an average pace that is slower than the minimum designated speed for the ride class.
In case of mechanical problems, medical problems or injuries, remain with the affected rider until the situation is resolved or help arrives. The ride leader is not, however, required to perform repairs, first aid, or CPR.
Equitably enforce the provisions of the ride program during club rides and make diligent effort to ensure accuracy of ride sheet.
Provide and Submit completed ride sheet to the Club Mileage Keeper in a timely manner.
Riders
Choose rides appropriate to their riding ability.
Arrive at the starting location in time to complete pre-ride preparations by the posted start time.
Make complete and legible entries on the ride sheet.
Ensure their bicycles are in a proper state of repair to complete the ride.
Be able to perform routine on-road repairs. In case of severe mechanical or personal breakdowns, riders are responsible for arranging their own return transportation.
Ride in a safe and lawful manner.
Passive riders (such as those in "buggers") are not regarded as riders for the Ride Incentive Program.
The ride calendar year is December
1st
of the previous year
through November 30th
of the current year. For example, Dec 1, 2011 through Nov 30,
2012.
Club rides may be submitted to the Chainwheel Chatter or to the called in ride line. If possible all recurring rides, and most other rides, should be submitted for publication in the club newsletter. Ride information must be submitted so that it appears on the updated ride line for at least two (2) days prior to the ride. The update schedule and deadlines are set by the Ride Line Coordinator and may vary by season.
Rides that take place in Eaton, Clinton,
Ingham, and Shiawassee counties and rides departing from the
67th District Court House in Grand Blanc can be
placed in the Chainwheel
Chatter or put
on the called in ride line.
Any rides outside this area, but starting
within the state of Michigan, do not require Board approval but
must be publicized in the Chainwheel
Chatter.
Other start locations must be board approved
No club rides shall be scheduled during the general membership meetings or to conflict with the Women on Wheels ride, the 100,000 Meter T-shirt Ride,[ the Ride of Silence,] or club-sponsored social activities.
Wednesday evening rides of all
classes departing from Alaiedon Township Hall, (2021 W. Holt Rd,
Mason, MI 48854)
from
May through August shall have starting times of 6:15 p.m.
Rides of the same class leaving from the same general location must be at least one hour different in starting time.
Helmets are required on all club rides; personal audio devices are prohibited.
There is only one ride leader and one route per ride.
Only TCBA members in good standing may accumulate mileage points.
Riders earn 1 point per route mile or "home mile" ridden. Ride leaders receive ride mileage as well as ride leader points (100 points for Class D and M and 50 points for all other ride classes); if there are no other riders, the ride leader receives the ride mileage plus 10 leader points.
"Home miles" are miles ridden to and from TCBA rides, meetings, social events, or invitational tours based on the shortest and safest distance to these events from the rider's home. Home miles are not extra miles ridden "off the route."
Mileage credit is only earned by riders and ride leaders who ride the route; ride leaders may deny mileage credit for any rider whose participation on the route is not personally verified.
If a ride leader fails to participate in a scheduled ride, another rider may assume leadership and will be credited with the leader points.
The following rides are eligible for full credit under the program
Properly scheduled club rides
SummerTour
100,000 Meter T-Shirt Ride
Women on Wheels Ride
DALMAC
Northwest Tour
Mileage credit may also be earned for participation in non-TCBA invitational rides; however, at least 75% of a rider's mileage points toward an award must come from TCBA-sponsored events. Invitational rides are tours sponsored by other clubs or non-commercial organizations.
Members are responsible for documenting participation in TCBA invitational rides or qualifying non-club rides within 30 days of the event on any official club ride sheet. Entry shall include member's name, date, events name, and distance.
Riders are responsible for ensuring their mileage is accurately entered in the club's database. Mileage may be reviewed on the club website's Rides and Tours page(http://goo.gl/ES1sB).
Ride sheets must be submitted to mileage keeper within 30 days of ride, except that all ride sheets must be received by the mileage keeper by the second Tuesday in December.
The TCBA Board is responsible for equitable enforcement of the ride program.
Ride Incentive Award Levels
|
Level 1 |
Current year in miles* (ex: 2007 miles for 2007 riding year) |
|
Level 2 |
1,500 miles* |
|
Level 3 |
1,000 miles* |
|
Level 4 |
500 miles* |
|
Level 5 |
At least 6 club rides |
|
|
* Includes any earned ride leader points. |