General information:

The BFCC is a road bike club. We're different from many other clubs in that we have only one standing ride per week. We've had as many as 70 riders show up for the ride (we always break up into groups for safety). It's a lot of fun riding in this area and we often cross paths on the back roads. Members frequently schedule ad-hoc rides as well.

Please ride with a group near your ability; don't risk spoiling your ride (or other's) by choosing a significantly faster or more skilled bunch.

Be aware that group riding has risks – more than one rider (even the best ones) can be taken out in a crash. Even a minor crash can end your season or impact your life.

Long-standing Club rules:

• Members are to promote a safe riding environment.
• Call out road hazards such as approaching cars & potholes.
• Signal/call out your intentions – passing, turns, & stopping.
• Ride to the right at all times.
• All laws must be obeyed, including stopping at traffic lights and riding single-file when required (or prudent).
• Aero bars are not to be used.
• Members must keep emergency contact information current.
• The Ride Leader reserves the right to remove any rider who presents a risk to the group by offering the rider a "way-home" route.
• The Club reserves the right to ban unsafe cyclists or those that do not adhere to Club rules and promote a safe/fun cycling atmosphere.
• Helmets are required for all rides. No exceptions!

Rules instituted in 2009:

For 2009 the Club elected to join the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). This was done so the Club could obtain liability insurance coverage.

Therefore, we must comply with all standards and guidelines set up by the LAB, most notably the following:

• Each participant on Club rides must be a member of the Club and sign a membership waiver.
• All participants must sign a ride-waiver before every Club-sponsored or
  -promoted ride. Every member must sign every week, similar to the policies that were in effect a few years ago.

The guidelines do allow for one-time guests. After their first ride, guests are required to become members in order to continue to ride with the Club. To abide by the insurance requirements, we must enforce the one-time guest rule and sign-in before every Club-sponsored or -promoted ride.

All members under 18 years old must have a parent complete, sign, and submit the Minor Release section of the membership form, and the weekly sign-in sheet must be signed by the minor's parent every time.

Rules instituted in 2010:

• Minor members (under 18 years old) must have a parent riding in the same group for every Club ride.
• Texting/phoning while riding will result in immediate ejection from the ride.
• Headphones cannot be worn – whether being used or not.