Club Member Spotlight

The Skinny on Becoming an FFBC Ride Leader
Excerpts from presentation by Vanessa McDonnell

Have you been wondering how you might be able to get more involved in your bike club?  Are you looking for a new way to meet people who share a similar interest in cycling?  Have you thought of how a certain ride has been missing from the calendar for a while and how you would love to ride that again with the club?  If any of these questions have crossed your mind, you should consider becoming a ride leader.  Below are a few key points from our Ride Coordinator, and regular ride leader Vanessa McDonnell, on the basics of leading rides.  She assures everyone that it’s fun and can be rewarding in many ways. 


Al Quintana leads his ride to see the Holiday display at Deacon Dave's Casa del Pomba in Livermore during a day ride.

Why become a ride leader?

  • Without ride leaders we’re not a cycling club.
  • The more members willing to lead rides, the greater the variety on the monthly calendar.
  • You get to pick the route and pace.
  • Being a ride leader is great motivation to ride.
  • Being a ride leader makes you a better cyclist.
  • Sometimes you don’t have to pay for your coffee.
  • It’s not difficult!

How to get started

  • Decide on the date and time of your ride.
  • Pick a destination/route.
  • Decide on the pace you want for your ride.
  • Leisurely (up to 10 mph)
  • Touring (10-13 mph)
  • Moderate (13-16 mph)
  • Brisk (16-19 mph)
  • Submit your ride to the ride coordinator using our online tool (preferred) or send email to ridecoordinator@ffbc.org
  • If it’s a short notice ride send an email to the FFBC Yahoo group list.

On the day of the ride

  • Check the weather forecast.  If it looks bad send a cancellation notice to the FFBC Yahoo group list.
  • If the ride is a go, try to get to the start 15 minutes early.
  • Bring a sign in sheet, pen, minor release forms, & accident report form.
  • Have each member sign the front of the sheet legibly.
  • Have non- members sign in on the back of the form.
  • Make sure minor release forms are filled out for all minor riders.
  • Make sure everyone is wearing a helmet.


Club members love to celebrate special occasions with their ride leaders! Lori Sommer's Birthday is being celebrated here in 2012.

Ride Leader Incentives

  • Monthly ride leader drawing at club meetings- one lucky winner receives a $25 gift certificate to Bicycle Garage.
  • Annual Ride Leader Awards


Mike Northrup and Vanessa McDonnell wrestle a bit over the coveted "Ride Leader of the Year Trophy". 
Vanessa ended up riding off with it, since she carried it on the ride bungeed to the back of her bike. 
She had also attached a photo of herself on it, perhaps to keep Mike from claiming the trophy and
having someone in his group have to carry it for him. 

Thank you to all our 2012 Ride Leaders and Future 2013 Ride Leaders!

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