Summary: As some of us will be racing in a larger group in Ras Na Mban than we have experienced before we asked Paddy Doran to put together a few safety principles that might be helpful.

Safe Racing

Paddy Doran

While crashes and falls are a natural hazard of bicycle racing, the aim must be to minimise the number of crashes and severity of the consequences of any crashes that do occur.

There are a number of things that riders can do to improve safety while still being totally competitive. I realize that a lot of this may be very basic to some of the more experienced riders, however I think everyone can gain by addressing the safety issues.

Taking Personal responsibility

This includes your behaviour during races, following the race rules, maintaining your bicycle in good condition and development of good technique for bunch riding.

The bicycle

Both brakes should work well, brakes should be adjusted close to the wheel rim so that in emergency braking your brake lever does not go right into your bars when applied.

Learn how to use both your brakes for emergency stops as well as general braking.

Gears should be well adjusted so that they are smooth on the sprockets and particularly that the chain does not jump on the sprockets, which can cause a fall.

The quick release on the wheels should be firmly adjusted.

Brake levers should be adjusted so that you can safely reach and apply them whether you are holding the drops or tops of the bars.

All bicycle part should be tight and well adjusted. Regular checks should be part of your race preparation.

If you ride tubular tyres they should be well stuck on to the rim and regularly checked.

Other Traffic

Bear in mind that the roads are open to other traffic. And even though race organisers and the Gardai do a very good job warning and controlling oncoming traffic this is the biggest danger to your safety when racing.

No matter how good the race traffic control system there is always the possibility of a car straying accidentally into the race. For example a car coming out of a house after the marshals and race police have passed. The driver might not even be aware that there is a race on the road. Or the scenario that has happened with serious consequences for riders on a number of major races in Ireland, and other countries. This is where a driver is just impatient or stupid or a combination of both and ignores race marshals and drives on into the race.

Keep to the correct side of the road particularly on bends. This is where you are at your most vulnerable. You should take personal responsibility here and under no circumstances ride around blind bends on the wrong side of the road.
Anticipate – ANTICIPATE – ANTICIPATE
Especially because of the fact that we generally race on open roads riders should be anticipating what’s happening further up the road at all times to allow for time to react to situations. This should save a lot of jamming on of brakes.

Call out for potholes parked cars etc and take evasive action with plenty of time to spare. This saves riders flicking around obstacles and riders behind them making contact with the pothole or car.

When cycling in a group, anticipation and early evasive action is essential to avoid sudden unexpected changes in direction, which are often the cause of accidents. Clear signals and clear communication between riders is essential during events.
Examples
A:    A good example as riders glance behind to check that it is safe before they move out then signal and gradually move out to pass the parked car. This is a smooth action, which if clearly signalled is very safe.

B:     This is a very dangerous manoeuvre as the riders are too close to the car before they begin to move out to pass it and they must turn very sharply which can cause chaos in the group. This manoeuvre also puts the cyclists into danger from other traffic which may be approaching or overtaking them.   

When following wheels ride slightly to the side of the rear wheel that you are following to avoid hitting it if the rider in front of you freewheels or brakes.

Relax
When you want to move up in the bunch wait until its safe to do so. There is usually opportunity to do this when the road widens out etc.

Have a quick glance behind to see that it’s safe to change direction and signal to other riders before you do change direction when riding in a group.

Ride in a straight line. This is particularly important in sprints where it’s dangerous enough without people switching.

Look where you are going at all times. At the speed you travel when racing even taking your eyes off the road for a second can mean the difference between you missing a car door opening, a dog running out on to the road or someone stepping off a footpath.

Be generous with other riders when it comes to safety issues. Give way to let other riders move in or out when there are obstacles other traffic etc.

When the race is finished
Be aware that there is race traffic and other cyclist’s may be finishing seconds or minutes behind you so be careful as you slow down and stop. Stop well beyond the finishing line, if at all possible avoid doing a U turn to go back to the judges to find out where you might have finished in the race.

Cooperate with the race organisers and help them to clear the finish area. They usually have enough to be doing at the finish without being distracted by riders who have finished. This is especially dangerous when a group of riders stop just beyond the finishing line and block following team cars, which then become a serious hazard to other riders sprinting in to the finishing line.

Enjoy the race