Zeal of Zebras

"Never leave a rider behind" and remember "Fleeing is Futile"

---

Overview:

A zeal is the collective of Zebras or Zebra. Zebras are highly organised and social animals. Whilst they look the same each Zebra has distinctive markings. The Zeal of Zebras is a collective of life's champions. No two are the same and the camaraderie is strong and the group is unique. Zeal is defined as great and sometimes excessive enthusiasm. This captures the zest that our riders have for fitness and cycling. The Zeal of Zebras contains members from all over Sydney, Australia who ride at varying frequencies through the week but come together on Sunday mornings to ride with the Zeal. They are mainly business people who enjoy participating in sport and who prefer to ride in a group (peloton).

Rules:

There are rules for riding in groups and these are outlined in numerous bicycle groups under their "bunch riding etiquette". The Zeal has its own additional rules, these are:

1. Safety
   

   Cycling with the Zeal is supposed to be a fun, friendly and for fitness. There is also a dash of competition to tempt those who would be challenged but no event is that important for any lives to be put in danger. The activity of cycling on Sydney's roads is hazardous enough with most drivers not fully understanding the rights of cyclists and most cyclists trying to implement their road rights. The relationship of the parties is strained with the only forum being the sharing of the road. Incidents are common and both parties blame each other. This said, we have had relatively few incidents over the past eight years of riding.

2. Sharing the road
   

   Our group is different. We take the first step to welcoming the motorist into our world. When we ride in a lane it is the duty of the last rider to sight the motorist we are encroaching on. We are forced to change lanes, particularly with parked cars and the last rider must shift their bike across to cover the lane and protect the group and forewarn the affected motorist. A kind wave is needed immediately to acknowledge the driver. This has the effect of diffusing any potential anger. Once the group are back into the slow lane the last rider either waves or gives a "thumbs up" to the driver. If you keep doing this you'll be surprised at how many drivers wave back or take it upon themselves to guard our rear if they are not in a hurry. This is most welcome when we cycle in the country.

3. The peloton
   

   Cyclist do prefer the safety of a bunch, there is nothing quite like the power of being a part of a group and on the road whilst not ever entirely safe more motorists respect compact riding large bunches as evidenced by the wider berth they give us. The Zeal peloton responsibilities are clear. The lead riders ride and avoid obstacles. Because their responsibility is to set the pace it is unfair to have more work to do. First wheel (riders behind the lead riders) must signal well in advance. If the peloton has to change lanes they must use their arm to signal the imminent lane change. They are signalling to the bunch and most importantly the last rider. The rear guard, usually the last riders make a lane change call because it is only they who can see the traffic behind and judge the speed and distance of the traffic. Their signal must be confident, loud and clear as the riders follow that instruction blindly.

4. "Never leave a rider behind"
   

   This is part of our ethos, we have a responsibility to ourselves and to any newcomers to look after each other. If we simply focus on elite riding we not only lose 90% of riders but we also lose elite riders who are recovering from sickness or injury. The group age range is 25-65 and there are more middle aged riders so the focus is on fitness as opposed to training. We've all been left behind at some stage in our lives and whilst it's character building it's not fun. The duty of the peloton is clear. The pack must be aware of the location of the riders behind them as much as the riders in front. If a split in the bunch occurs then there are four riders at fault. A call to ease the pace is often just what is needed to bring everyone back together. This awareness and careful management keeps riders in the group. If you get ahead all you do is wait and unless it's a breakaway you look like a tool.

5. "Fleeing is futile"
   

   Don't think for one moment that we are slow. We have no intention of falling behind. If you pass us then you can reasonably expect that we will hunt you. It's only fair. You had the chance to stalk us and we don't mind returning the advantage. Often this creates a competitive benchmark which makes the ride interesting and keeps the pace fast.

Zeal of Zebras

Membership by Invitation only

Invitations are only available after shouting the peloton a coffee. An invited rider may become a member if they meet the following criteria:

1. Referred by a member.
2. Has ridden with the Zeal and is respected.
3. Passed the initiation test.
4. Application is passed by committee.

It should be noted with membership that a black list exists. So if you have been unkind in your life and not made good you probably shouldn't apply. Usually but not in all cases, a rider with a nickname is a member. A nickname protects the Zeal against legal action for defamation. Part of the Code says (if we could find the bloody thing) "Every rider should be defamed as often as possible and in the comfort of their kind so that their character is always being shaped and honed". Members agree that apart from cycling, character building is the next most important reason to belong. Members agree to be bound by the Code. This includes - what goes on tour is usually written about in an expose.

Committee

The committee is a small group of powerful people. It is understood to include Zebra and the ghost of Marco Pantani. From time to time select members are called in to participate in deciding disputes. Most of these are challenges to sprint wins. Every sprint is photographed but sometimes the photos take a while to come back from the chemist.

Rides

There are two rides which alternate south and north of Sydney. Southside (to Waterfall) is longer but flatter so the 90km is usually completed in 2hrs and 40mins. The Northside ride is usually completed in 3 hours as it is much hillier. We have changed the Northside route from time to time to include the Gorges of Bobbin Head, Galston and Berowra but we generally stick to the stated rides below.

1. Southside
   

   Centennial Park to Sutherland (56km), to Kurnell (72km), to Waterfall (90km) return. The Southside ride starts from the Duck Pond in Centennial Park. It heads south along General Holmes Drive under the East/West runway and along Grand Parade past Botany Bay.

2. Northside
   

   Castlecrag shops, cnr Edinburgh road and Eastern Valley Way and heads south through Northbridge and Cammeray to Mosman. Riders are picked up along the way and there is a waiting point at Le Spit Cyclery on Spit road near Mosman Junction. 72km.

Northside ride video Sun 16-Oct-11 courtesy of CTD 16 Spokes

Ride conditions

generally we ride every Sunday regardless of weather conditions. This is because the hide of a Zebra is coarse and contains an oil which acts as a water repellent.

Tours, Special Rides and Events

There are usually two self funded tours per year. The last being Gold Coast and the three before Orange (Millthorpe), Culburra and Canberra.
In 2012 there are plans to travel to France for the Tour de France

Special Rides - MS Sydney to the Gong in early November - about 30 riders
Christmas ride - about 40 riders

Events - Tour de France evening - July at Tattersall's Club Elizabeth Street Sydney - approx 55 people
Christmas dinner - The Malaya Lime St Sydney - approx 30-40 people.

Happy riding
Zebra