I am organising a CC ride later this year, and in view of the consternation raised by this thread, I have decided that I need to cover myself with a minimum of documentation. Each rider will be issued with a "London and Home Counties Cycle Chat Ride Organisation, Information and Butt-Covering Pack". This pack should be carried and referred to whenever necessary during the ride, and participants will each need to bring a small cycle trailer to accommodate it.
Provisional Contents:
1) Schedule of Proposed Route and all possible variations, notated with gradients, altitudes, road surface types, restricted areas, non-photographable buildings, etc.
2) Ride leader organisation chart.
3) List of participant riders and profiles: age, cycling experience and ability level, relevant qualifications, disabilities, medicaments, languages spoken fluently, mental health history, known STDs, anger management issues, psychological profile confirming suitability to ride in group context. make, model, age and state of bike, any modifications made, tools carried, insurance value.
4) Contacts list for each rider: mobile, home contact details, next of kin, preferred funeral arrangements
5) Copies of GP's certificate of fitness for each rider
6) Schedule of policies to be adopted on ride, covering: pothole warnings, communication of directions, backmarking, rest stops, alcohol consumption, smoking policy, accident procedures, dealing with horses.
7) List of essential equipment: helmets, protective clothing, hiviz, body armour, bivvy bags, emergency rations, flares, tools, spare parts and tubes, leader identification vests, maps, etc
8) List of First aid kit contents
9) Local and regional weather reports
10) Risk assesments of : weather, route, planned stop points, traffic, road works, any potentially bolshy riders, etc
10) Copies of food hygiene and trading standards assessments for planned food stops
11) Addresses & phone nos of local hospitals, police stations, toilets, bike shops, injury compensation lawyers
12) Copies of public liability, personal injury insurance and life assurance policies.
13) Copy of Police permission to ride en masse.
14) Disciplinary and arbitration procedure to be followed in case of disputes en route.
15) Signed Disclaimer form for each rider.
16) Signed forms giving consent to be photographed/video'd, giving up all copyrights.
17) Copies of Criminal Records Bureau checks for all adults in case U18s on ride.
18) Feedback forms for completion at end of ride.
19) Complaint form
20) Order forms for CC fashion wear.
That should cover me.