Privacy
Policy

Who we are

The Ride Method is a strength and fitness app built specifically for MX and MTB riders. It is operated by Dudley MacDonald ("we", "us", or "our"). If you have any questions about this policy, contact us at coach@theridemethod.co.uk.

What data we collect

When you create an account and use The Ride Method app, we collect the following information:

• Name: the name you enter when you sign up, shown in the app (for example in your greeting and on community posts).
• Email address: used to create and manage your account.
• User ID: a unique identifier assigned to your account by our authentication system.
• Training data: workout sessions, programme progress, and activity logs you create within the app. This is stored to personalise your experience and track your progress over time.
• How you found us: if you answer "How did you hear about us?" when you sign up (optional), whether you signed up on the iPhone app or the web, and the link you came from if you used one of ours.
• App usage: the last day you opened the app, and whether you are on a free trial or a membership. We also count how often features are used (for example how many Prep & Recover sessions were started each day). These counts are totals for everyone and do not record who did what.
• Email preferences: whether you agreed to receive training tips and offers by email, and when.
• Coaching applications: if you apply for 1 to 1 coaching, we collect what you enter on the form, which can include your name, email, phone number, age, riding level, training, goals, call times and any injuries you tell us about. Injury details are health data, so we only use them with your consent, to assess your application and coach you.

We do not collect payment card details. Memberships and one-off purchases in the iPhone app are bought through Apple (see Third-party services below).

We do not collect your physical address or location. We only collect a phone number if you give one on a coaching application.

How we use your data

We use the data we collect to:

• Create and manage your account (email address and user ID).
• Provide personalised training programmes and track your progress (training data).
• Communicate with you about your account or the app (email address).
• Improve the app and fix bugs: we look at which features are used most, how many riders are active, and where new riders hear about us.
• Send training tips and offers by email, only if you ticked the box to agree. You can stop these at any time by replying to any email or contacting us.

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not use your data for third-party advertising.

Our legal reasons for using your data

Under UK data protection law we rely on:

• Contract: to run your account, your training and anything you buy.
• Legitimate interests: to keep the app secure, fix problems and understand how it is used.
• Consent: for training tips and offers by email, and for any injury details you give us. You can withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.
• Legal obligation: where the law requires us to keep records.

Third-party services

We use the following third-party services to operate the app:

• Firebase (Google LLC): provides our authentication system and database. Your email address and user ID are stored on Firebase servers. Firebase is subject to Google's Privacy Policy at policies.google.com/privacy.
• Apple: memberships and one-off purchases in the iPhone app are paid through Apple In-App Purchase. Apple handles your payment details; we never see them. Manage or cancel a membership, or ask Apple for a refund, through your Apple Account.
• RevenueCat, Inc.: confirms your purchases with Apple and tells the app whether you have access. It receives your user ID and your purchase history, not your name or email. RevenueCat's Privacy Policy is at revenuecat.com/privacy.
• Google Apps Script, Gmail and Google Sheets (Google LLC): deliver messages you send through "Contact your coach", emails we send you from coach@theridemethod.co.uk, and coaching applications.
• Cloudflare, Inc.: hosts our website and streams exercise videos. It handles technical data such as your IP address when you connect.

Some of these companies store or handle data outside the UK, including in the United States. Where that happens, we rely on the safeguards UK law allows, such as the UK's data bridge with the US or standard contract terms.

Data linked to you

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact info: name and email address
• Identifiers: user ID
• Purchases: membership, free trial and one-off purchase status
• Usage data: the last day you used the app
• Other: how you heard about us (optional) and your email preference

This data is used to run the app and to improve it. It is not used for tracking across other companies' apps or websites, and not for advertising.

Data retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your email address and user ID will be removed from our systems. Training data you have logged may be retained in anonymised, aggregated form.

Coaching applications are kept for up to 12 months if you don't become a client.

You can delete your account at any time in the app: go to Profile → Delete account. This permanently deletes your account, training history and community posts. You can also request deletion by emailing coach@theridemethod.co.uk.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Request deletion of your data.
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your data.
• Receive a copy of your data in a form you can pass to someone else.
• Withdraw consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at coach@theridemethod.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

You can also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint, or on 0303 123 1113. We'd welcome the chance to put things right first.

Cookies

The app itself does not use cookies. Our website (theridemethod.co.uk) may use essential cookies for basic functionality. We do not use tracking or advertising cookies.

Children

The Ride Method is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with their data, please contact us and we will delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

For any privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at coach@theridemethod.co.uk.