Thank you for wanting to lead a NEER ride!
NEER is a collective of avid cyclists and people who want to spend time with others while enjoying the fun of adventures, health from cycling, and fulfillment of connection. Thank you for wanting to extend NEER’s offerings through leading a ride!
Please email the following information to connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com and we’ll put your ride on the calendar! We reserve the right to say no or ask you to change something if a conflict of date or concern over the route exist.
When: Time and date you want to start the ride. We’ll verify your ride doesn’t conflict with our calendar of already-planned NEER rides.
Route: Please send a link to the route. When is the last time you rode it? Is there any chance it doesn’t work? The route file will answer our question of how long the ride is in terms of distance. If you have ridden it, how long did it take you to complete it? A few notes about a good route:
Routes should have been ridden at some point by you to confirm it’s rideable.
If you received the route from someone else, credit needs to be given to the creator.
Route notes should accompany the route. Safety notes, comments about anything that people should know ahead. Route notes only need to call out the important safety stuff, we don’t need a long description of every turn or anything like that since no one will remember this level of detail.
Terrain: Describe the terrain and any issues/challenges people need to know about. People are usually fine with a tough section if they’re warned about things in advance. Surprises often don’t go over well unless the ride is couched as an “adventure.” What tire sizes do you feel are appropriate for the ride? Special equipment people should bring?
Who should come: What are the requirements for riders? Minimum/maximum pace guidelines, bike handling ability, etc? Drop or no drop format? Remember: no drop means someone way off of the back needs to not get dropped. It’s okay to host a ride that is a “drop” ride. Expectation setting is important for attendees.
Food/bathrooms: Are these available at the start/end and during the route? If so, where? The route should have a circle drawn into it to lead people to the front door of any planned stops.
Your contact info: We won’t share your contact info on the website for the general public, but on the pre-ride email, we will tell people how to contact you during the ride. Be sure your phone is turned on and up so if someone calls you, you can receive the call. We will share RSVP information of all who sign up for the ride so you have everyone’s name and phone number. You are trusted to not share this information with anyone.
What your responsibilities are as a NEER Ride Leader
Most of this is obvious, but we need to say it anyway and it’s important to think through these bullets to be sure you’re up for the job!
Be friendly and welcoming to every rider who comes to the ride.
If someone comes to the ride who isn’t on the list of those who RSVP (that we send to you ahead of the ride), insist that the person sign the liability waiver before riding or that person needs to leave.
We make sure that everyone who has RSVP’d to the ride has signed a waiver so this should already be taken care of for everyone who has RSVP’d.
If someone shows up with the wrong equipment or there are red flags surrounding that person and you don’t know what to do, call Patria (413-461-7433). You are under no obligation to ride with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable for any reason.
If there’s a crash on the ride, it’s very important to be sure rider(s) involved are okay before continuing on and that bikes and equipment are okay too. If someone’s helmet or head has hit the ground, that person may not continue to ride. Walk with him/her to a safe place where they can wait for a ride and you can continue on. Call Patria if you don’t know what to do and want guidance.
All medical emergencies: DIAL 911. You need to feel comfortable calling emergency services if it’s needed. If you’re not sure of the medical condition of a rider, call 911 and have the professionals who arrive in an ambulance determine the best course of action. You are under no obligation nor should you make any medical determinations. Let the professionals do this.
Our insurance will require a Crash Report to be filled out and submitted to them the next day for any crashes that happen regardless of severity. Information we need you to collect so that we can fill out this report is the following:
INCIDENT INFORMATION
Date of Incident:
Time of Incident:
Location of Incident: _________________________________________________________________________
Where and how did the accident occur?
Describe the injuries, if any (part of body injured, right or left side, etc.):
Was first aid treatment provided on site? YES NO If YES, by who? _________________________
Did the injured person seek professional medical treatment? YES NO UNKNOWN
Witnesses: Who witnessed it who had RSVP’d on the ride.
Witnesses: If there were others involved or who witnessed it who are not NEER, be sure to collect their names and contact information. We have contact info for all NEER members.
Who responded to the incident? Include all parties – such as paramedics, police, security, coaches, etc.:
Please provide a detailed description of surroundings where the incident occurred, including facility condition,
weather conditions, etc.
Other comments
As a Ride Leader, NEER insurance covers you as a leader and participant in the ride. It’s a good reason to lead a NEER ride (rather than an uninsured ride).
If, after reading this, you decide that leading a ride isn’t for you, no worries! We’re happy to lead a ride of your favorite route or area, just let us know what it is.
If leading this ride costs you money, we’re glad to reimburse your expenses. Sometimes we gift things to ride leaders and we definitely offer something of value after you’ve led 3 or more rides. We contact you privately via email about the perks.