Your Ranking

You need to have a ranking in order to take part in a Sunday Club ride. To see how to get a ranking promotion, scroll down or click here.

To obtain a provisional ranking, please attend one of our Saturday “Meet the Members” laps sessions at which you will be assessed by the Event Host and given a provisional ranking.

Here’s what the rankings mean:

STEADY
1. You know how your gears work; you can perform simple checks on your bike to check that it is in running order; you can change an inner tube; you have your bike serviced at least once a year.
2. You can ride consistently at 16/17mph on the flat; you can do the OFFICIAL 100Climbs No14 Box Hill segment in under 10 minutes 30 seconds and can complete the Tour de Richmond Park segment in under 26 minutes.
3. You do not yet draft other riders but you are able to keep a constant distance of no more than one metre from the rear wheel of the rider in front.
4. You copy the directional hand signals given by the lead rider and point out potholes and obstructions in the road.
5. You look behind regularly to check that the person behind has not dropped back and call “Man down!” to let the riders in front know that they need to slow down.

STEADY+
1. You know how your gears work; you can perform simple checks on your bike to check that it is in running order; you can change an inner tube; you have your bike serviced at least once a year.
2. You can ride consistently at 17/18mph on the flat; you can do the OFFICIAL 100Climbs No14 Box Hill segment in under 10 minutes and can complete the Tour de Richmond Park segment in under 24 minutes 30 seconds.
3. You do not yet draft other riders but you are able to keep a constant distance of no more than one metre from the rear wheel of the rider in front.
4. You copy the directional hand signals given by the lead rider and point out potholes and obstructions in the road.
5. You look behind regularly to check that the person behind has not dropped back and call “Man down!” to let the riders in front know that they need to slow down.

INTERMEDIATE
1. You know how your gears work; you can perform simple checks on your bike to check that it is in running order; you can change an inner tube; you have your bike serviced at least once a year.
2. You can ride consistently at 18/19mph on the flat when riding within a peloton (or for 5 minutes on the front); you can do the OFFICIAL 100Climbs No14 Box Hill segment in under 9 minutes 30 seconds and can complete the Tour de Richmond Park segment in under 23 minutes.
3. You are comfortable riding at one metre from the rear wheel of the rider in front – sometimes closer when you are confident of the other rider’s riding skills.
4. You look behind regularly to check that the person behind has not dropped back and call “Man down!” to let the riders in front know that they need to slow down.
5. You copy and use appropriately the following signs/calls:
– calls of “Car up!” “Car back!” “Man down!” “All up!”
– directional hand signals and signals for pulling out, slowing down/stopping,
– pointing out potholes and obstructions in the road
6. You occasionally take the front for short spells and check behind as you do so to make sure you are not riding away from the rider behind.

INTERMEDIATE+
1. You can perform simple checks on your bike to check that it is in running order; you can change an inner tube; you have your bike serviced at least once a year.
2. You can ride consistently at 20/21mph on the flat when riding within a peloton (or for 5 minutes on the front); you can do the OFFICIAL 100Climbs No14 Box Hill segment in under 8 minutes 30 seconds aend can complete the Tour de Richmond Park segment in under 21 minutes 30 seconds.
3. You are comfortable riding at one metre from the rear wheel of the rider in front and sometimes draft the rider in front when you are confident of the other rider’s riding skills.
4. You look behind regularly to check that the person behind has not dropped back and call “Man down!” to let the riders in front know that they need to slow down.
5. You copy and use appropriately the following signs/calls:
– calls of “Car up!” “Car back!” “Man down!” “All up!”
– directional hand signals and signals for pulling out, slowing down/stopping,
– pointing out potholes and obstructions in the road
6. You take your turn on the front
7. When taking the front, you check behind to ensure that you are not riding “off the front”

ADVANCED
1. You perform simple checks on your bike to check that it is in running order; you can change an inner tube; you have your bike serviced at least once a year.
2. You can ride consistently at 22/23mph on the flat when riding within a peloton (or for 5 minutes on the front); you can do the OFFICIAL 100Climbs No14 Box Hill segment in under 7 minutes 45 seconds and can complete the Tour de Richmond Park in under 20 minutes.
3. You are comfortable drafting at one foot from the rear wheel of the rider in front when you are confident of the other rider’s riding skills.
4. You look behind regularly to check that the person behind has not dropped back and call “Man down!” to let the riders in front know that they need to slow down.
5. You copy and use appropriately the following signs/calls:
– calls of “Car up!” “Car back!” “Man down!” “All up!”
– directional hand signals and signals for pulling out, slowing down/stopping,
– pointing out potholes and obstructions in the road
6. You take your turn on the front.
7. When taking the front, you check behind to ensure that you are not riding “off the front”.

In order to obtain a ranking promotion:

1. Record on Strava the SEGMENT TIMES relevant to the ranking to which you wish to be promoted as indicated above.

2. Obtain a RECOMMENDATION from your last ride leader. Ask him/her to email me a report on your performance on Sunday Club rides in relation to a) your stamina; and b) your communication skills and group riding etiquette.

RIDE LEADER RECOMMENDATION
The Report from your last ride leader will address the following points:

1. Does the rider communicate well within the group by calling appropriate warnings (“Car up!”, “Car back!”, “Man down!” etc.)?

2. Does the rider use the recognised handsignals to indicate directional changes, pulling out, slowing down, stopping etc?

3. Does the rider point out potholes and other dangers in the road?

4. Is the rider able to maintain a constant distance from the wheel of the rider in front (on the flats)?

5. Does the rider regularly take the front?

6. If so, does the rider do so smoothly or does he/she ride “off the front” (ie. overshoot and ride ahead of the group)?

7. What group riding skills does the rider need to work on?

Please note that if you obtain a ranking promotion, you will no longer be able to participate in rides for your former ranking unless a co-host is needed for the event and you agree to backmark and assist slower riders.