WELCOME AMBASSADORS!
You are the heart and soul of our organization. Thank you for your dedication to the Evergreen Ride Club!
GENERAL ROLES
COMMIT TO ATTENDING AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR AT LEAST 5 RIDES PER YEAR
You must select the #1 position for at least 2 of the rides you lead. This does not mean you are in the lead on the road - you will be responsible for addressing the group and explaining the course. It is also the day you need to be aware of the weather that might cause us to cancel.
WEAR YOUR AMBASSADOR JERSEY
It highlights that you are a friendly face, know the program, and are willing to help guide people and answer questions.
KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE ROUTE
Let riders know of any hazards, difficult turns, or other obstacles to be aware of. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the route before the ride.
LOOK OUT FOR NEW PEOPLE AND WELCOME AND ENGAGE WITH THEM
Introduce newcomers to people around you – most who join our rides seek the social aspect as well as the training. Let them know about future events and that we value their presence. Make them aware of ERC ride resources (calendar, social media, ride safety video, etc.) as you converse.
PREPARATIONS WHEN YOU ARE LEAD AMBASSADOR
COORDINATE
Check in and coordinate with other Ambassadors before the ride. The first-entered ‘#1 Ambassador’ is responsible for ensuring preparation.
CHECK THE WEATHER
Review and be aware of the weather forecast for the day of the ride and along the route.
REVIEW THE ROUTE
Review the route and posted meet location for accuracy BEFORE the ride. If it needs critical adjustment (road closed, roadworks, serious impediments), have the #1 Lead Ambassador reach out to Greg Balen AT LEAST 1 WEEK before the ride so we can make the change before sending it to the membership. For Gravel reach out to Brian Field and for MTB, Bill Nagel
STUDY THE ROUTE
Study your ride route, no matter the size of it, and be prepared to describe highlights of the route on the day of the ride. Look for any modifications riders can make for a lesser ride – miss a loop or an out and back climb, turn back early, that kind of thing.
RIDE WITH GPS CLUB ACCOUNT
New for 2025! We have created a Ride with GPS, Club account, for Evergreen Ride Club. This is where our 2025 ride calendar of group rides “Events” is created and our library of over 500 Routes is stored. You can access information from either the desktop or mobile application. Note - Routes and Waivers can be accessed, downloaded, or signed from the mobile application.
The Club Account enables several Premium Account benefits to riders at no cost when joining the Club and riding in our group ride “Events”. Join the Evergreen Ride Club, RWGPS Account and experience the navigation benefits on our rides in 2025! Check out the information on the RWGPS “Help Tab” or here on Use-your-Club-Member-Benefits. This is a must for all Ambassadors!
DAY OF THE GROUP RIDE
ARRIVE EARLY
Arrive 20-30 minutes ahead of the planned start time so you can meet with the other Ambassadors, get ready to ride, and prepare to address the ride group.
PRE RIDE MEETING
Assemble the ride group ahead of the start time in a location that is safe to hold a pre-ride meeting. Plan to begin gathering the group 5-10 mins ahead of the start time so that we are ready and have time for the pre-ride discussion.
Discuss any planned on route meet-up locations and availability of water and restrooms.
Ask if there are riders new to Evergreen Ride Club and let them introduce themselves.
Remind riders of the rules of the road.
Remind riders that we are all ambassadors for ERC and cycling. We should be considerate of those we encounter on the ride, the people we are riding with, as well as business or property owners.
Reminder riders to sign up to join the club and sign the waiver if they haven’t already done so.
Let riders know that we do ride at different speeds and don’t always regroup. If someone finds themselves riding alone, wait for the riders behind and form a group with them, or if you are at the back consider a shortcut to catch up.
Ask that people kindly let you know if they plan to abandon.
Announce a planned location for a post-ride social. It’s not required for the ride ambassadors to attend, just nice to designate a spot for those that do. Other ambassadors or riders can help with the après ride plans.
Gather the group for a couple of group photos. We also like to get pictures during the ride.
For Road and large Gravel Group Rides, ask the ride groups to start with 2 minute gaps between the groups. Avid (Faster) then Tempo and Social Riders. This will safely break up a large group of riders and allow the Tempo and Social Riders to breakout on course. It will also help to keep riders in a group and not feel they get dropped immediately.
POST RIDE DEBRIEF
After the ride, prepare a brief social media ride report noting ride highlights and include a few photos of the group before, during and/or after the ride. Thank the riders for joining and the Ambassadors for assisting. Post this short summary on the Evergreen Ride Club Rides and Updates, Group Facebook Page.
MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES
Mountain Bike Rides will have both a trailhead start location and a predetermined trail route. Expect to have a Lead and a Sweep on the rides and keep the grouping to no more than 12 riders. If you have more than 12, split up the group and ride as distinct separate groups. This is a requirement for riding without a group permit.
We have developed a rating system for the rides based upon Technical and Fitness Levels. MTB Rides are rated from Beginner to Advanced. See Rating Definitions.
All of our rides for 2025 will be in the morning on weekdays. If we add evening rides, riders should bring a headlight and be prepared to use them in case of a mechanical or if the ride extends into twilight or later. The group may choose to gather at the end of the ride to enjoy a beverage and snacks or to visit a local establishment.
Be mindful of trail use rules, etiquette, and pack out trash. Be welcoming and inclusive of others at the trailhead and along the trails.
CANCELLATION & ROUTE MODIFICATIONS
WHO DECIDES
The #1 Lead Ambassador has overall responsibility for deciding to cancel or modify a ride. Use your other Ambassadors and ride discipline leaders (Road, Gravel, MTB) to consult and make decisions.
HOW TO DECIDE
Coordinate and consult with the other Ambassadors and the Road, Gravel or MTB Lead when weather or route conditions are looking unfavorable for the ride and the ride may not be safe for the group. Do this several days before the ride.
WHO TO NOTIFY AND HOW
If weather or other circumstances determine that the ride should be canceled, we will need to alert members by posting on social media in the Evergreen Ride Club Updates (the Group Facebook Page), and update the Evergreen Ride Club Website (via the RWGPS Club Event), notifying riders of the cancellation. We prefer that a notice of cancellation is made at least 24-hours in advance.
Notify the ERC Ride Program Manager, Jim Widrig so that these notices and changes to the ERC Website can be made in advance. If Jim is unavailable, contact ERC Operations Manager, Caprice Bass.
If a route needs to be modified, please notify Greg Balen, as early as possible, so the RWGPS route can be modified and riders can download the corrected route. Routes are sent out early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) for the rides planned for the week. Late changes may not get to riders planning to ride.
Also notify the appropriate Road, Gravel or MTB Lead (Maria, Brian, or Bill) so they are kept up to date with changes.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
If you think that it might be appropriate to modify or cancel a ride, consider the following:
Safety of our riders is the highest concern. Be conservative and err on the side of caution in making decisions.
We all prefer to ride in good conditions and have an enjoyable ride experience.
If it’s a high-elevation ride and it’s forecasted to rain/snow all day, cancel.
Do not switch the day of the ride or the start time.
If possible, do an alternative course from the SAME START LOCATION, avoiding weather.
If the ride must be cancelled, but the weather is clearing later in the day, please feel free to post an off-the-books ride on the Evergreen Ride Club Updates, Group Facebook Page, but the ownership and leadership are no longer with ERC.
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS REPORTING
Our first priority is care for the injured person. If deemed necessary or requested by the injured person, summon medical and police to provide care and incident management. Manage scene safety and care for the injured until assistance arrives.
In the event of a serious incident /accident involving someone on our ride, where a vehicle is involved or where the person needs emergency care or further medical treatment, please collect information required for an Incident Report. Contact either Jen Barbour or Jim Widrig as soon as possible for further guidance on gathering information, report completion, and communication of the event details to ERC Leadership.
AMBASSADOR PERKS
JERSEY
You will receive a swanky Ambassador jersey! Please wear it every time you are an Ambassador. Want to buy bibs or shorts to match? The ERC Club bottoms will match both the Club and Ambassador jerseys.
DISCOUNTS
As an Ambassador, you a discounted entry to either the Triple Bypass or the Salida76. Entry price to the Triple Bypass is $160 and the Salida 76 is $130. Your name and email address from the 2025 ERC Ambassador Contact List will give you these entry prices when you sign up using RunSignup.
Ambassadors get 30% off in-line gear from Primal. Use code ERCVIP30 at primalwear.com
We get a 20% team discount with RoadID for all members and ambassadors.
BuyCycle - Affiliate. 30% Discount on Selling a Bike plus Benefit to ERC.
EXPERT VOICE MEMBERSHIP
ERC Ambassadors have been invited to join Expert Voice for access to discounts on many cycling and non-cycling brands.
Contact Scott Peterson or Jim Widrig if you need information on how to sign-up.
PARTY
We’ll have Ambassador happy hours and social events throughout the year .
Join us for the 2025 Ambassador Meeting and Mixer at New Terrain Brewing Company. The Event is on March 25, 2025 from 5:30-8:30pm. You should have received an Evite for the event!
Look for additional social events during the year!
KEY CONTACTS
JIM WIDRIG
ERC Ride Program Manager
ELLEN WAKEMAN
ERC Ride Program and Social Director
GREG BALEN
Group Ride Calendar and Route Manager [Point of contact for Ride With GPS changes.]
MARIA HARVEY
Road Ride Lead
CAROLINE SZUCH
Road Ride Co-Lead
BRIAN FIELD
Gravel Ride Lead
BILL NAGEL
MTB Ride Lead
CAPRICE BASS
ERC Operations Manager [Website Calendar Updates.]
JEN BARBOUR
ERC Executive Director, Cheerleader and Tough Decision Maker