heater guidelines reminder

[Zia Velo]

I'm sending out this reminder of some of the guidelines related to the heater. Some of them are obvious, some of them were implicit and now they are explicit.  PLEASE TAKE NOTE TO ITEM i) as it relates to the 0 km start point. 

David R.

1) We will do a quick safety message at the
beginning of the ride.  Please step up and say something if you see someone not following these safety guidelines. Police each other. Some of the rules will be covered, to include:

a) Start time is departure time, NO EXCEPTIONS.  The ride will depart
at 1730 (5:30 PM) until there is enough light in the evening and at
that time, we will move the start to 6PM (first Wednesday in May). We leave on GPS time, so
don't be upset if we roll out of the parking lot while you are getting
water, fixing a flat, getting you bike out of the car, etc.  There is
no malice, it's just the way it is.

b) NO HELMET, NO RIDE!  Period!!!

c)  No aerobars in the peloton.  For some this is an unpopular rule,
but it is in place for the safety of the riders.  If you chose to ride
the Heater with aerobars, you MUST be at the VERY BACK of the pack,
and  stay there.  This is non-negotiable, and is in place due to the
close proximity of the riders on this ride, the very high pace, and
the inherent inability to handle a bike in the aero bars as well as a
standard road bike.  These are the same reasons aerobars are not
allowed in mass start USAC events.

d) This is a ZiaVelo cycling training ride.  As such, many of the
riders in this group are ZVC members.  We certainly respect the safety
of all, but do not want to hurt our own teammates particularly.
Please, please ensure that you don't let your desire to be competitive
lead to reckless decisions.  Remember that we are riding for fun, and
be cognizant of others.

e) This is an intentional drop ride.  You flat, you are dropped.  You
have a bad day, you are dropped.  You have a good day, you still may
get dropped!  There WILL BE ATTACKS!!!  Every effort will be made by
some to attack, attack, and attack again, until this ride splits
apart.  Hang in there, you will get better as a result of the Heater
Again, no malice, just training.

f) If you do not know the course, you should not be on the front.
This is a no holds barred ride.  If you take a wrong turn because you
don't know where you are going......see you next week.

g)Watch for dogs, call out holes, protect the riders safety behind you.  IF dogs, cars, etc. are present and as a result the pack is split, courtesy says
regroup!!!  Don't take advantage of others misfortune!!!!  This behavior will cause risks and can lead to chaos.

h) In almost all past years we have  had some VERY poorly (read non-racers, unfit,
inexperienced, newbiew, etc.) prepared riders attempt the Heater
Many only lasted through the warm up, about a half a mile!!!  This is
not a ride for someone just starting out in the activity of cycling.
The average pace for the Heater is in the neighborhood of 26 mph, with
bursts that can exceed 35 mph at the end (or during attacks).  This is not for a casual or recreational rider.  Please do not invite folks
out that will hate the atmosphere of a highly intense road ride.  This invitation for an unprepared rider makes the newbie disenchanted with group. We are
not unfriendly, this is a training activity for
those that like to race, and ride very fast and hard.

i)  Roll out from the Spotted Dog is neutral, as is the first quarter or so mile south on Snow road.  Attacks are permitted after we pass the Union Intersection.
This waiting until 0km start is done to ensure that everyone in the group is together and with the peloton at the start of the ride.

j) Follow the rules of the road, and watch out for your fellow riders, and their safety. YELLING "Car back" is the most important thing to help.