Adelaide Hills Cycling Club
Register Sign in

Every race, every grade

Racing safely

ahcc-hero-tour-of-fleurieu-volunteer-1

Race hard. Race safe.

How the club looks after riders on race day, and what we ask of every rider in return.

See the races

We race on roads where traffic and racing can be safely controlled. This is how the club looks after riders, and what we ask of every rider in return.

What the club provides

  • Small bunches

    Grades are generally 15 riders or fewer. Smaller bunches are easier to control, and easier for drivers to pass safely.

  • Marshals on every corner

    Marshals stop traffic at every corner and intersection on the course, so the bunch can turn safely.

  • Follow cars

    Available follow cars ride behind the grades, prioritising any grade with a junior in it. A follow car warns traffic, and stops to help if someone comes down.

  • First aid

    First aid is on hand at every race, at the finish.

Three rules for every rider

  • Red light on

    A flashing red rear light, the whole race. Drivers see it long before they see you.

  • Never overtake a car

    Including the follow car of another grade. If a car is ahead of the bunch, the race waits behind it.

  • Stay left

    Left of the centre line at all times, on corners and on climbs.

These apply in every grade, in every race. Breaking them can mean disqualification.

  • Call it. Point out holes, and call "car back" and "slowing". The bunch rides two abreast at most.
  • Ride with your grade. Don't take pace from another grade, and let a faster grade through.
  • Listen for the follow car's horn. Two short bursts: a car is about to overtake the bunch, so hold your line and keep left. One long burst: a warning, and it may mean someone in the bunch is doing something wrong. Check your own riding.

Before every race

  • The course is checked for hazards on the morning.
  • Every race runs under a traffic management plan approved by the council.
  • Marshals are briefed on their corners.
  • Riders hear the hazards at the rider briefing.

If there's a crash

  1. 1

    Call it out

    Call it out and slow the bunch. Stay left.

  2. 2

    First aid

    A follow car, or the nearest marshal, calls the finish for first aid.

  3. 3

    Emergency

    In an emergency, call 000 first.

  4. 4

    Recorded

    Every incident is recorded.

Cancellations

Races are cancelled on high fire danger days in the Mount Lofty Ranges district, and in heat or storm conditions. Cancellations go on this site, on Instagram and by email early on race morning.

Report a safety concern

Seen something on a course, or at a race, that worried you? Tell the club.

Report a concern

Riding with the club rather than racing? Read Riding safely.

Facebook, Instagram and their logos are trademarks of Meta Platforms, Inc. YouTube and the YouTube logo are trademarks of Google LLC. Strava and the Strava logo are trademarks of Strava, Inc. RaceMix is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of them.