NSC Safety Tips

Please read and follow these safety guidelines for North Shore Century riders.

Wear your helmet! Helmets are strongly recommended.

Ride your bike a before coming to the NSC. If the distance you are shooting for is more miles than you've ridden in a while start training now.

Do a safety check to make sure your bike is in good working order, or take it to your local bike shop and have them take a look. There will be a bike mechanic for safety checks at the start and the first two reststops.  The safety check is free, repairs are not.

Plan to bring water, your drivers license or ID and some cash.  If you don't bring water the drivers license is useful for ID'ing the body.

During the ride wear your NSC wrist band to have access to rest stops, food and on route help.  Your secret decoder ring will not help you here.

Faster cyclists should ride on the left, slower cyclists on the right. Maintain a safe speed. Team Judson, Bike Psychos etc are asked to kindly refrain from pointing out just how slow everyone else is.

Be aware of other cyclists around you at all times. Don't make abrupt stops or change direction suddenly.

Please don't talk on your cell phone while biking.  That's what SUVs are for.  Keep both hands on your handlebars.

Ride in a straight line and look to your right and left before making a turn.  Someone might be coming up behind you.

Call out 'On the left' when passing another rider.  Pass on the left, not on the right after calling out.

When doing the NSC with children review these rules and basic bike skills with them before the ride.

If your bike breaks down or you fall, keep an eye out for our ride monitors - they will have equipment to make basic repairs. They can also call a vehicle (SAG vehicle) to come pick you up.

Avoid falls by following the rules above. Gravel hurts, this is supposed to be fun.

Rest stop volunteers will be available at the stops to address any problems or questions.

Please put trash and empty water bottles in the trash receptacles at the rest stops, and secure any items you are carrying.  Tossing a water bottle is cool in the Tour de France, but is really Phred like on this ride, even if you are Fabrizio Mazzoleni.

Items dropped along the route can be a serious safety hazard. If your partner can't keep up go back and get them.  Stokers are expected to know where their captains are at all times.

Stay cool. Bring a water bottle along for hydration.  We recommend one water bottle per person on the 8 mile route and two bottles per person on all other routes.  More if the day bodes warm or if you're a fast rider.  Hydration packs are a great idea.  Don't forget to refill at the rest stops.

If you're new to distance cycling (25 miles and up) bringing something to eat on the bike is OK.  We don't recommend a Sub sandwich, but there are a number of 'Powerbar' like items available at even your local grocery store.  Do try several types before the ride to find one you'll like.

If you are going to do the 50, 62 or 100 mile routes great! Just recognize what you are setting out to do.  100 miles requires training and planning.  There are books, magazine articles and websites about all the the aspects of doing a century.  We make it easy for you, but it's your responsibility to be prepared.

The NSC follows public roads and rights of way.  You are expected to know and obey Illinois traffic rules.  Stop at red lights and stop signs.  Signal turns before you make them.

Read our Release Form and sign it.