T R A I N I N G R I D E S Turn Sheets turnsheet template download submit Waiver of Liabiltiy MS Word Format PDF Safety Speech EmergencyInfoCard.html Answering Machine Script Lunch Order Sheet [xl] what to bring to a trainingride Heat / Cold Index creating community C A L E N D A R upload new calendar E D U C A T I O N so you're leading your first ride Route Planning Turnsheet Template (excel 98) TRL equipment Bike Anatomy 10Commandments.htm r i d e r - t i p s h e e t s carbo.html ElementalEating.html FirstAidKits.html FluidIntake.html Group Riding.htm HillClimbingTurnBack.doc Pedal Circles.html Stretching.html TimedividedbyEffort.html WHATHILLS.doc C O M M U N I C A T I O N S send e-mail to all TRL's list of all TRL's name / phone / email meeting minutes disclaimer	Route Planning Workshop   How to map out a new ride working from a map So you have an idea for a route and you want to map it out. First you need a map of the area you are riding in. For this I recommend a Hagstrom Road Atlas, but any detailed map of the area you wish to ride should be OK. First, find the map legend for your map. It will explain the map scale, a distance conversion from inches on the map to miles on the road, and explain the colors and markings it uses for different types of roads (Highways, Unimproved (read DIRT) Roads, etc.). This is important to know because there are some roads you can’t take bikes on and some that you just won't want to. It will also show you symbols for Hospitals ,Train Lines, Parks, and other features marked on the map. Get a piece of string and mark off mile distances on it so you can run it along your route. This will help you get an accurate distance while following the twists and turns of the roads on the map. Find your starting point on the map . Then find the place or places you wish to go and where you wish to finish. The rest is just playing connect the dots keeping track of your roads, turns, and approximate distances on a piece of paper or the Scout a Ride section of the turn sheet template. This is not your final turn sheet! You need to actually ride or drive the route to make sure it is viable as a training ride.
	Pre-riding your route Maps are great to get an idea of the directions you want to use but this is just the first step. Next and most important is getting out on the route and seeing how it rides. This can be done in a car but I prefer to do it on a bike. You will get a better idea of how the terrain of the route you chose affects your actual ride ("The map didn’t show that hill!") and it will give you an idea where best to have rest stops. It also will give you a more accurate idea of the time needed to cover the distance. Take your turn worksheet and the map and follow the directions you have laid out. Actually being on the road with the map is helpful if you have to make any changes to the route. You have street names at your fingertips and if you have to make any detours from your original route you are not doing it blindly. Although maps like Hagstrom are updated every year or so, summertime is roadwork time, and you never know until you ride the route if all your roads will be usable or safe. When you are riding the route keep in mind what type of ride you want to lead. For a beginner ride try to keep to less challenging terrain if the ride is going to be long. If you are thinking of leading a moderate or advanced ride, distance and terrain become less of a concern but it might affect how you plan rest stops. As you cover your route make any adjustments to your worksheet and keep accurate mileage. Keep track of comments on the route, also. Mark down warnings, hazards on the route, and visual markers to help your riders follow the turnsheet and know what is coming next. Having it all written down makes imputing it easier especially if someone else will be doing it. Keep an eye out for things that might come in handy. Mark down the location of bike stores, police stations, hospitals, and extra rest stops. Finally, as you are pre-riding your route, learn where the train stations and bus stops are if you are not already familiar with the area. Your riders will come to you with their problems and you are the one that needs to know how to get them home if they are unable to continue riding. If you are in an area that is far away from public transportation try to find a number for a local taxi or car service. You don’t have to pay for it, but in some areas there is no other choice to get a rider home unless you plan to have a car sweep your ride.
	Final Turn Sheets After you have done your pre-ride and have your final worksheet complete you can input it into the Turnsheet Template. The Template is used to give all the turnsheets a unified design and to be sure you have all the relevant info on your route. The turnsheet is your rider’s actual set of directions if they become separated from your ride. They need to be as accurate as possible. A rider with your turnsheet should be able to complete the ride on his/her own. The template will ask for information on start times, distance, starting places, and leads / sweeps of the ride. It should have your cell phone, beeper, or emergency numbers in case a rider needs to contact you. You should try to keep your turn sheets to one page long if possible. If not, continue it on the back of the page. If you have room and would like to, you can personalize the back of the turnsheet with a map of the route or a diary of the ride for the rider to fill out and keep.   Rest Stops The number of rest stops and the distance between them is determined by the type of ride you are leading. As you plan your route you should put a rest stop every 15 to 20 miles at the outside. More frequent rest stops are needed if it is a novice-beginner ride or the weather or terrain merit it. Use your pre ride to help plan appropriate stops. It sometimes helps talk to people at possible rest stops. If you are using official buildings such as Schools, Fire or Police stations, or a private building for a water/bathroom break, get permission from them in advance. A large group of riders will not always be welcome without notice. Follow that rule also if your route plans to use public transportation. Some trains or ferries limit the number of bikes allowed on board. Find out in advance. Try to plan rest stops were your group can move into a park or away from store entrances and roads. How you handle your rest stops could decide if you can continue to use them. Be aware of store or park hours or schedules.   Start/End of Ride When planning the meeting place for a ride you are looking for a place that has certain key features. - Space where you can gather a large number of people and bikes. - Access to bathrooms and water. - Close to Public transportation and/or safe public parking. - Near places to buy food or equipment for bikes. When starting rides in the city this usually isn’t a problem. The farther you start your rides from the city this becomes more difficult. Keep in mind traveling time and public transportation schedules when planning start times. The end of a ride should be considered also. - Will there be water and bathrooms open at the end of the ride. -If your ride does not end where it began can your riders get back to the start or home from the finish. People are tired after a ride. Try to make it as easy as possible for them to get packed up and leave. If there is transportation back to the start of the ride involved, make that known in the ride description on the calendar.   What kind of ride do I want to run? Beginner - Novice rides that average under 10 mph. Shorter rides on flatter terrain. Beginner + - Rides that average 10-12 mph. Flat or rolling terrain. harder climbs on shorter rides. Moderate - Rides average 12-14 mph. Longer rides with rolling or large hills. Moderate + - Rides Average 15-17 mph. Any terrain. Any distance Advanced - Experienced cyclists. Rides average 17+mph. Any terrain. Any distance