The Saturday Social is just that . . . Social. The group maintains contact at each trail junction, ensuring you don’t get lost or left behind. We encourage those looking for their first taste of mountain biking to join this group, however we require you to have ridden single track in the forest previously. There is always a sweep rider for each group to ensure everyone makes it to the next trail junction, as we leave no one behind on a trail. Remember this is mountain biking so you may have to push the limits a bit given riding in a group is different from riding on your own.

BEGINNERS

If you are just beginning it is requested you come to your first ride on the first or second Saturday each month, our ride leader and support riders are looking to help with trail knowledge and hints to assist in your ride as you build your confidence, however it is a challenge to have available accredited riders available every week to look after you. We have a wide range of fast to more casual regular riders so you will defiantly fit in, but you will still require a medium level of fitness at a minimum.

JUNIOR RIDERS

Riders under 17 years old need to be accompanied by a responsible adult (parent or family friend) on the ride.  Alternate arrangements may be possible if you continue to ride with us and join the club. RATS is a family friendly club with many adult members who were once kids on this ride, so come along and join the fun.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON CHICKS RIDE

What do we offer?

Our regular Sunday RATSChicks Ride is especially for the ladies. With more than one-third of all RATS members being female, we have an active and thriving community of lady MTBers, so come and join our regular ride and meet some of them! 

We provide a social-paced mountain bike ride every Sunday afternoon, in a fun and supportive environment. We aim to have plenty of experienced riders on hand to provide encouragement. The group maintains contact at each trail junction, ensuring you don’t get lost or left behind.

• Rides start at 3pm during the warmer months and 2pm during the cooler months.
• Approximately two-hour duration (average 10km-12km/hr pace is typical, with faster riders tackling each trail first, and all regrouping at the end). Some of our rides are longer, and if trail conditions have changed, there are issues on rides, some rides may go a bit beyond the two-hour mark.

Who can come?

Our rides are open to all women, and we welcome those from the trans community who identify as female. Older teens (aged 15-17, depending on capability) are welcome with a guardian. We encourage those looking for their first taste of mountain biking to join this group, however, we highly recommend that you have had some experience of riding single track in the forest previously. So if you are an absolute beginner then please start with our P-Plate ride.

What do I need to do to attend?

Let us know you are coming by responding to the event on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RATSchicksride). If you would prefer not to do this for privacy reasons, then you can just turn up on the day. Our rides do leave promptly so make sure you arrive in plenty of time to get yourself and your bike ready and to sign in with the ride leaders.

What do I need to bring? You will need a mountain bike with working gears and brakes (hybrids are not suitable), a helmet, and a smile. Please bring a spare tube for your bike – even if you don’t know how to fit it – and make sure it is the correct size. Please also ensure that you bring enough water and snacks for a two-hour ride.

What about the pesky paperwork?

You must be covered by AusCycling insurance. You are already covered if you are a member of the RATS or another AusCycling club, or of Bicycle Queensland. A Lifestyle membership from AusCycling is adequate. If you do not have this, you can get a free trial licence (once), which will cover you for four weeks: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/free-trial Then we would encourage joining the RATS via https://www.ratscc.com.au/membership/

Schedule

Note changes may be made due to weather, park closures, or leader availability, so please confirm ride details weekly. The best location for this is via https://www.facebook.com/RATSchicksride

• Week ONE: Roaming ride – The first Sunday of each month is an away ride, where we venture further afield. Locations change and can include Bunya, Gap Creek, Nerang, Hinze Dam, and more. Difficulty varies, and if this location is intermediate and above only, it will be noted in the event.
• Week TWO: Daisy Hill. Regular green/blue trails. Starts from the end of Underwood Rd, outside the Fo Guang Shan Chung Tian Temple (1034 Underwood Rd, Priestdale), and heads over to the trails in Daisy Hill. 
• Week THREE:
• SATURDAY EXTRA – A faster-pace and, at times, longer ride at Hidden Vale for our more experienced Chicks. Please ensure you can ride capably for three hours at a pace of 13km-14km/hr before attending. This is not suitable for beginners and riders who cannot maintain this pace. This ride is designed as a specific option for the faster ladies.
• SUNDAY P-PLATE– Scribbly Gums/Redlands Track Park from the corner of McDonald Rd and Flinders St. Our P-Plate ride is at a slower pace on green trails to cater for the newbies, the less experienced and anyone who is concerned that they might not be able to join our regular ride. We are happy to advise you on whether the regular ride would be fun for you.
• Week FOUR: Bayview Conservation Park. Regular green/blue trails. Starts from the second entry into the park on Kidd St, Redland Bay.
• Week FIVE (when relevant): Scribbly Gums alternate location ride. Regular green/blue trails. A separate, and changing, entry to Redlands Track Park than the P-Plate ride, tackling the trails at our usual pace.

NOTE: If you are an experienced rider, and would be interested in joining the RATS Chicks Ride team as a ride leader, we would love to hear from you. We have two leaders at each ride, and prefer a few extra at the P-Plate and away rides, so need to fill 10-plus positions a month. The ride leader expectation is to contribute to at least one or two of these rides monthly. Send us a message on Messenger via Facebook, or email president@ratscc.com.au

General information for Club Rides

CLUB RIDE HANDBOOK

Our ride leaders follow a plain language handbook to provide a documented guide for volunteer roles, covering overarching concepts, additional to an operational framework. The document would also offer an informational reference for the club executive and other club volunteers and members about club-delivered rides. This document is available via the following link – Social ride handbook

WHAT TO BRING

• Mountain bike in good working order.
• Cycling helmet meeting Australian Standards; downhill trails require a full face helmet.
• Basic tool kit of Allen keys, pump, tubes and tyre levers. (you need what’s required to fix your own bike)
• Sufficient food, water and sunscreen for the length of the ride.
• For night rides: adequate front lighting and red rear light or reflector.

DURING THE RIDE

• If you have to leave early, LET OTHERS KNOW (preferably the ride leader or sweep rider).
• Respect the policies of the land managers: don’t make or use unauthorized trails.

DIFFICULTY

“Can I handle the ride?” All social rides are just that: social. Groups maintain contact at each trail junction, ensuring you don’t get lost. If you are just beginning make sure you come along on the first or second Saturday of the month given the locations are easier for newer riders. We do however highly require you to have ridden single track in the forest previously before coming along.

OTHER RIDES

Other club rides may be arranged on an ad hoc basis, and will be posted on our RATS Events Calendar.

WANT MORE RIDES?

If you have a group wanting more rides let us know and we can include them to be advertised as a weekly ride too.