Purpose:    The purpose of the ride incentive program is to encourage club members to participate in TCBA recreational rides.

Ride Classes

Established to enable riders of similar abilities to ride together.  Classes are based on average overall ride speed, as follows:

Ride Leaders

• Scout the route and create accurate maps or cue sheets
• Provide notice of the ride in the appropriate club venue.  Information in the notice shall include, but not be limited to, leader’s name and contact information, date/time, starting location, ride class, and approximate distance.  Weather conditions under which a ride will not occur must be stated with specificity.  The starting point must provide adequate parking for a reasonable number of expected riders; if private property is used for this purpose, the ride leader is responsible for securing permission from the property owner or manager.
• Provide a reasonable number of maps or cue sheets for the anticipated number of entrants and ride sign-in sheet.
• With the exception of Class Z rides, ride at the back of the group.  Taking into account wind direction and topography, the ride leader is not required to ride at an average pace that is slower than the minimum designated speed for the ride class.
• In case of mechanical problems, medical problems or injuries, remain with the affected rider until the situation is resolved or help arrives. The ride leader is not, however, required to perform repairs, first aid, or CPR.
• Equitably enforce the provisions of the ride program during club rides and make diligent effort to ensure accuracy of ride sheet.
• Submit completed ride sheet to the Club Mileage Keeper in a timely manner.

Riders

• Choose rides appropriate to their riding ability.
• Arrive at the starting location in time to complete pre-ride preparations by the posted start time.
• Make complete and legible entries on the ride sheet.
• Ensure their bicycles are in a proper state of repair to complete the ride.
• Be able to perform routine on-road repairs.  In case of severe mechanical or personal breakdowns, riders are responsible for arranging their own return transportation.
• Ride in a safe and lawful manner.
• Passive riders (such as those in “buggers”) are not regarded as riders for the Ride Incentive Program.

General Rules

• The Chainwheel Chatter is the preferred means of announcing club rides.  All recurring rides, and most other rides, should be submitted for publication in the club newsletter.  Deadline for submitting ride information is generally the second Saturday of each month for the following month’s newsletter.  Alternatively, rides may be announced on the Called-in Ride Line.  Ride information must appear on the updated ride line for at least two (2) days prior to the ride.  The update schedule and deadlines are set by the Ride Line Coordinator and may vary by season.
• In addition to all of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, rides may depart from locations within Shiawassee county that are south of M-21 and west of M-52 as well as within the city limits of Owosso.  Rides may also depart from the 67^th District Court House in Grand Blanc.
• No club rides shall be scheduled during the general membership meetings or to conflict with the Women on Wheels ride, the 100,000 Meter T-shirt Ride, or club-sponsored social activities.
• Wednesday evening rides of all classes departing from the MSU Pavilion from May through August shall have starting times of 6:15 p.m.
• Rides of the same class leaving from the same general location must be at least one hour different in starting time.
• Helmets are required on all club rides; personal audio devices are prohibited.
• There is only one ride leader and one route per ride.

Incentive Eligibility

• Only TCBA members in good standing may accumulate mileage points.
• Riders earn 1 point per route mile or “home mile” ridden.  Ride leaders receive ride mileage as well as ride leader points (100 points for Class D and M and 50 points for all other ride classes); if there are no other riders, the ride leader receives the ride mileage plus 10 leader points.
• “Home miles” are miles ridden to and from TCBA rides, meetings, social events, or invitational tours based on the shortest and safest distance to these events from the rider’s home.  Home miles are not extra miles ridden “off the route.”
• Mileage credit is only earned by riders and ride leaders who ride the route; ride leaders may deny mileage credit for any rider whose participation on the route is not personally verified.
• If a ride leader fails to participate in a scheduled ride, another rider may assume leadership and will be credited with the leader points.
• The following rides are eligible for full credit under the program
  • Properly scheduled club rides
  • SummerTour
  • 100,000 Meter T-Shirt Ride
  • Women on Wheels Ride
  • DALMAC
  • Northwest Tour
• Mileage credit may also be earned for participation in non-TCBA invitational rides; however, at least 75% of a rider’s mileage points toward an award must come from TCBA-sponsored events.  Invitational rides are tours sponsored by other clubs or non-commercial organizations.
• Members are responsible for documenting participation in TCBA invitational rides or qualifying non-club rides within 30 days of the event on any official club ride sheet.  Entry shall include member’s name, date, events name, and distance.
• Riders are responsible for ensuring their mileage is accurately entered in the club’s database.
• Ride sheets must be submitted to mileage keeper within 30 days of ride, except that all ride sheets must be received by the mileage keeper by the second Tuesday in December.
• The TCBA Board is responsible for equitable enforcement of the ride program.

• Ride Incentive Award Levels