The Ulysses Club Road Safety Committee compiled a list of tips which you may find useful (e.g. when planning your ride to the 2025 National Rally in Armidale) - or for any long ride.
Stay Hydrated - pack a bottle of water and have a drink at every stop – preferably water rather than sugary drinks.
Check your tyres before you leave, and each morning at least.
Take a puncture repair kit and you can never have too many cable ties!
Make sure you carry a spare key!!
Always carry a roll of 50mm 'gaffer' tape - often handy when things start falling off or rattling loose (this applies equally to the bike and the rider!)
Take chain-lube and use it
Eat light, better to stay hungry than to lose focus -beware the after lunch nods.
Weigh your loaded saddlebags before the trip and try to keep even load distribution, you don't want to be accused of being unbalanced.
Don't trust Google Maps for riding time, add extra time for breaks and refuelling
Plan to stop every 90 mins, when covering big distances in two hours is too long without a stop ...... (Andrew K)
Stop before you are thirsty, stiff, sore or tired
Have a group first aid kit and a PLB if riding a remote route
Look after each other, if you see other riders' concentration drop, signal for the group that you need a break
Check https://www.livetraffic.com/ for road works and major traffic delays
All riders should download the Emergency Plus app
Ride your own ride. When the rider in front overtakes, don’t blindly follow. Be satisfied that you can safely pass before moving out.
Ear plugs. If you’re not wearing them already, you should be!
Stop for the coffee. Stop for the photo. Don’t let the world pass you by entirely.
(Source: UCRSC, Jan 2025)