At a recent ride, two riders in a 40k ride went off course and, for a while, their whereabouts was not known to ride organisers or the chief steward. The riders in question, one of whom was a novice rider, did not attend the ride briefing.

Rule 29 makes it clear that novice riders must attend the ride briefing or 'they may be eliminated by the chief steward before the start of the ride'. Some leniency has been shown to novice riders in the past regarding this Rule however this is unlikely to be the case in future.

A key reason for this (apart from the obvious safety issues) is that, in the event of an injury to a novice rider who had not attended the ride briefing, the relevant ride insurance may not apply.

Please, novice riders (all riders riders who have not progressed to 'endurance' status), make sure you attend the ride briefing.

Mark Dunn

TEERA secretary