Who should participate?
This course is for anyone interested in recreational cycling, from couch potatoes to new cyclists or those returning to the sport. The Wheelmen has a team of volunteer Training Ride Leaders (TRLs) to instruct rider education participants in all aspects of cycling, including clothing, gear, nutrition, hydration, safety, bike handling, etc.

Do I need any special equipment to participate?
Yes, helmets are required for all SAW rides. Any road-ready bicycle (road, hybrid or mountain) should be adequate to participate in the RES. All cyclists in the RES will be expected to bring water and/or the sports drink of their choice. Additional ride gear will be required: Two spare tubes, tire levers, a frame pump (we do not encourage the use of CO2 for beginner riders), and a seat bag (for storage). Clipless pedals are not required, but they are preferred by most cyclists. (Talk to your TRLs to see what kind of clipless pedal system might be best for you.)

Riders might need special cold-weather apparel for any RES that is held from November through March: full-fingered gloves, arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, ear muffs, balaclava (ski mask). Be prepared to dress warm enough to be comfortable without overheating.

How much will this cost?
The Rider Education Series costs $15 for SAW members. Non-members are charged $35 and receive a FREE SAW membership for a year.

Do I have to attend all six weeks of the series?
Attendance at the first two weeks is MANDATORY!
We encourage all participants to attend all six training sessions, but it is not required. However, past experience has proven that riders who attend five or more of the training sessions tend to advance faster than riders who attend less frequently.

Any rider who misses two weeks will be allowed to continue only with the permission of the lead TRL. It is not fair to slow the progress of the entire group because one person is two weeks behind the rest of the group with their training.

Where will we ride?
The rides will start from regular SAW start locations. Since we will be teaching different skills, and riding over various terrains, our start locations may vary from week to week. Participants will receive specific information via email prior to each ride. In the event of rain, Sundays may be alternative ride days.