1. Bike MS Safety Clinic 2017 Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour This Exit
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2017 Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour

2. Bike MS Safety Rules Bike MS follows all California Vehicle/Bike Code laws and include the following rules:
Wear a helmet – NO EXCEPTIONS!
No headphones allowed.
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
Pass only on the left.
Never ride more than 2 abreast so that other traffic can pass (including other cyclists).
Give hand signals when stopping or turning.
Cycle with traffic.
Ride friendly! Show respect for others and the communities through which we will ride.
Bike MS Safety Rules (2 Minutes)
Go over each rule.
Please explain that some Bike MS rules do differ from the state laws only to better the quality and safety of our Bike Tour.

3. Rider Responsibilities
Pedestrians and Cars
Be predictable
Expect them to be unpredictable
Watch for car doors swinging open
Stay calm and be friendly
Signal their presence to other riders
Pedestrians always have the right of way
Riding Techniques (2 Minutes)
Go over each technique and use possible examples to explain the reasoning behind certain techniques.

4. Riding Techniques Be Alert Watch for cars turning right
Watch for cars exiting driveways
Look back before passing or merging
Call out, “on your left” before passing
Watch your speed
Look for movement inside parked cars, a face in the side mirror
Group Riding Techniques (3 Minutes)
Go over each technique and use possible examples to explain the reasoning behind certain techniques.
Please explain that group riding techniques are very important to be aware of as there will be 2,499 other cyclists along the route.

5. Group Riding Techniques
Communicate (voice and hand signals)
“Slowing” “Stopping”
“Car Back” “Glass”
“On Your Left” “Pothole”
“Gravel” “Tracks”
“Sand” “Runner Up”
“Bump” “Clear Back” – do not use!
(don’t put your life in
someone else’s hands)
Please show each hand signal.

6. Group Riding Techniques Cont’d
Ride to the Right (fast riders will pass on the left)
Keep your head up, look down the road past the rider in front of you
Maintain a steady speed and predictable line
Do not draft behind motor vehicles and do not ride too close to other riders or overlap wheels
Adjust your safety zone to the current road conditions

7. Riding in Wet Weather Braking – leave more space
While we hope that sunny California stays that way, we will ride the Tour rain or shine!
Braking – leave more space
Slick Surfaces – avoid painted areas & metal covers
Face splatter!
Expect more flat tires
Riding in Wet Weather (2 Minutes)
Braking:
Allow for longer braking distances.
Dry the wheel rims by applying the brakes ahead of time. Even if the ground is not slick, wet rims will reduce performance.
Brake more gently on slick surfaces and use the front brakes.
Slick Surfaces:
Turn and accelerate more gently to prevent sliding on slick surfaces.
Be Prepared:
Pay special attention to metal and other slick surfaces, such as manhole covers, painted traffic markings, wet leaves and oil slicks.
After riding in the rain, re-lubricate your bike chain to help prevent rusting.
What to Avoid:
Avoid riding through puddles when you cannot see the bottom. Puddles can often hide deep potholes.

8. Assistance on the Route
Rest Stops with Bike Mechanics & Medical support
Ride Safety Marshals on the route
Route Marshals/Local Police
CARES/MARC vehicles
Take off helmet when in need of
assistance
Assistance on Route (2 Minutes)
Rest Stops: Rest stops are located at least every 20 miles. Rest stops provide snacks, water, bathrooms, medical assistance and bike mechanics. It is important to use caution when entering and exiting rest stops.
Ride Marshals: Ride Marshals act as Safety Ambassadors by sharing cycling advice and encouraging safe cycling behaviors. Ride Marshals may also perform the role of first responders at accident scenes along ride routes and identify unsafe cyclists to ride officials. In addition, Ride Marshals are often willing to provide basic assistance to riders who may experience problems, such as flat tires, along the route.
Route Marshals/Local Police: Route Marshals are strategically placed in key areas along the route to help direct participants in the correct direction. Local police also may be placed along the route to help in directing traffic.
CARES/MARC Vehicles: CARES/MARC are the official Bike MS SAG vehicles. Anytime throughout the route a SAG vehicle can be flagged down to provide assistance to a participant.
Medical Support: Is along the route, at each rest stop and at each start and finish location.
Bike Mechanics: Bike Mechanics are located at each rest stop and each start and finish location to provide basic bike mechanics.

9. Hot Spots City of San Clemente – stop signs
Bike trail into Trestles – pedestrian traffic
San Onofre Campground – 15mph limit & stay to the right
Camp Pendleton – SINGLE FILE
Roads in La Jolla
Descents at Lake Hodges (narrow bike lane, rocks, and cross winds)

10. Pre-ride Bike Check (Before EVERY ride!)
A – Air
proper inflation, tire wear, loose spokes
B – Brakes
brake cable tightness, brake pads
C – Chain, Cranks, Cassette
Lube chain, fluid gear shifting, worn gears
Quick Check
quick releases tight, warped rims, frame fatigue, bolts tight
When in doubt, take your bike into one of our
participating bike shops ( for
a free safety check
Pre-Ride Bike Check (2 Minutes)
Show the participants how to do an ABC Quick Check. Let participants know that they can find information on the quick check in the red safety brochures.
Make sure each participants does an ABC Quick Check before leaving on the ride.

11. What to Wear HELMET!!! Stiff shoes Cycling clothes Eye Protection
Gloves
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Skull Cap / Dew Rag
Jacket / Vest
Gloves:
Protection for the ulnar and median nerves located on the palm of the hand.
Comfort for longer rides.
Protection in case of a fall.
Arm/Leg Warmers: Provide warmth and protection in cold weather.
Skull Cap/Dew Rag: are designed to fit comfortably and snug, and be worn underneath your helmet. Fabrics are made of wicking fabrics designed to expel excess heat in warm weather, and trap body heat in cold weather.
Eyewear:
Protects your eyes from wind, insects, debris and UV rays. Interchangeable lenses are a nice feature.
Please let participants know that it is usually cold in the mornings of the tour and usually warms up throughout the day. Light jackets that may be easily stored are a good idea.

12. Hydration / Nutrition
Plan on drinking 4 – 8 oz. of liquid every minutes (more on hot days)
Consider using an energy drink
Fill up / top off your water bottles at every rest stop, even if they are not empty
Consider a backpack hydration system (Camelback)
Hydration/Nutrition (2 Minutes)
Hydration: The Bike MS Tour can be a challenging event.  It is important to be well-hydrated before, during and after the ride.
On all rides you should drink 4-8 ounces of water or carbohydrate drink every minutes.
Drink more if it's hot, humid or you're really riding hard.
On rides more than 2 hours in duration, carbohydrate replacement drinks empty more slowly from the stomach, so the total amount you drink should be increased to 5-10 ounces every minutes. 
These energy drinks will help increase your performance, reduce cramps and lessen the possibility of heat stroke. Bike MS Tour rest stops are placed at regular intervals to provide you with plenty of opportunities to eat and drink.
If you find that you experience one or more of these symptoms: extreme fatigue, the inability to recover your energy or frequent muscle cramps, seek assistance from our SAG (support and gear) vehicles or medical crew you may have the early signs of dehydration.

13. What to Carry with You Sunscreen / Lip balm Tools
Spare Tubes Patch Kit Multi-tool
Pump or CO2 Tire Levers
Energy Bars, Gels, Water, Electrolyte replacement
Picture I.D. (required)
Copy of Insurance & Medical information/meds
Cell Phone (only use when stopped)
Backpack/Saddle Bag
Money & Credit Card (for emergency use)
What to Carry (1 Minute)