General Information About Our Rides

NFBC offers many opportunities for both on and off-road cycling. We organize about 25+ rides a week with a variety of distances and paces which are listed on our Ride Calendar. All rides count for club mileage unless otherwise noted.  

Except for our yearly signature ride, Endless Summer Watermelon Ride, our rides are free for members. We welcome non-members to join our rides to try us out for up to three rides. We hope they enjoy the experience and become members.  

Our club rules for riders are pretty straightforward. Arrive early enough to set up your bike, listen to the mandatory safety briefing given 5 minutes before the ride. Our rides leave on time and don’t wait for last minute arrivals.  

As a participant on one our rides you will be expected to adhere to the following:  

· IN CASE OF SIGNIFICANT INJURY, ATTEND TO DOWNED RIDER AND CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.  
 

· HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDERS.  
· BICYCLES MUST HAVE BRAKES IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION.  
· RIDE PREDICTABLY AND COMMUNICATE YOUR INTENTIONS.  
· CALL OUT HAZARDS AND DANGERS TO OTHER CYCLISTS.  
· PASS OTHER CYCLISTS ON THE LEFT AND CALL OUT “ON YOUR LEFT.”  
· OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS INCLUDING STOPS SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS.  
· SIGNAL TURNS AND STOPS WITH FLORIDA-APPROVED HAND SIGNALS.  
· DO NOT OVERLAP WHEELS (KEEP FEET BETWEEN BIKES, NOT INCHES).  
· NO EARBUDS, HEADPHONES OR USING PHONES WHILE CYCLING..  
· DO NOT USE AEROBARS WHILE RIDING IN A PACELINE.  

If participating in a pace line, riders are expected to follow our Paceline Etiquette practices.  

E-bikes are welcome on our rides. See our E-Bike Policy.  

Anyone riding on a NFBC sponsored ride must register on-line including agreeing to the Waiver of  
Liability  Waiver of Liability – NO EXCEPTIONS!   

A minor must have parental or legal guardian permission to participate in an NFBC sponsored ride. The parent or guardian must accompany minors age 17 or below on the ride. A separate Minor Release Waiver is provided for this purpose, and must be signed and presented to the ride leader before the start of the ride – NO EXCEPTIONS!   

Any rider refusing to sign the wavier may not participate in an NFBC ride.   

FYI: Our Photograph and Video Disclaimer  

RIDE DESIGNATIONS:  

C, B, B+, A, A+, A++, and S designate the intensity of the ride and suggest a typical pace the group will maintain on level roads with no wind. Rides often split off into several subgroups depending upon the pace.   

C = up to 14 mph, B = 14-17 mph, B+ =  17-19 mph, A = 18-21 mph, A+ = 21-23 mph, A++ = 23 minimum with no maximum mph  

S = Social Ride. The emphasis is on the social aspect of the club, they are no-drop rides and the pace will be determined by the group at the start of the ride.  

If you are new to NFBC rides, we suggest that you start with a pace and distance less than you think you can maintain. You can always move up to a faster pace and/or longer distance on your next ride.   

RIDE NOTICES:  

In then event a ride is canceled, the start time or location is changed an email will go out to all that are ALREADY REGISTERED for that ride. The ride name will be appended on the calendar.  For example "Our Famous Ride ***TIME CHANGE***. A best practice os to register for a ride before leaving from home.   

GENERAL RIDE POLICIES  
 

NFBC rides are group rides and drop rides are strongly discouraged. It is the policy of NFBC that no one rides alone. No route/distance will be considered an official Club ride if it is begun by a solo rider. Should a rider drop back from the group, the Ride Leader should consider safety a major criterion and make an effort to prevent a rider from completing the ride alone.  

 

Rides will have a

  • Fixed start time
  • Fixed start location unless announced via Club social media (Club email or Facebook). Any last minute change in start location or time due to weather, etc. will be announced via Last Minute Ride Schedule Changes Forum by Ride Leader.
  • Fixed distance(s) and route(s). No open-ended distance rides allowed. Ride leader may specify an alternate route/distance on the day of the ride if alternate previously approved by Ride Director and/or posted on website in Ride maps. Ride Leader should obtain general consensus of riders before altering a previously announced route/distance.
  • Specified pace groups. In so far as possible, it is the responsibility of the Ride Leader to insure that all advertised pace groups are available on the day of the ride.
  • Ride Leaders may appoint Assistant Ride Leaders for various pace groups. If so appointed, the Assistant Ride Leaders should be credited as an additional Ride Leader.