Riding tips

The purpose of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide an additional margin of safety. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don't get in each other's way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in.

If you feel that these guidelines are too restrictive you are welcome to ride to the destination on your own in any fashion you wish, but riding in formation, at anytime, day or night, requires strict adherence to these guidelines.

Anyone violating the guidelines, and compromising everyone else's safety, will be warned, and if their actions continue, will no longer be welcome to ride with the organized group.

The following guidelines are compiled from a number of sources. All clubs that ride in orderly formations follow similar guidelines, although there can be some variations. These guidelines apply to all of our chapter rides.

FORMATION RIDING

Formation riding will be in a standard staggered formation. In staggered formation, the bikes form two columns, with the leader at the head of the left column, so he will be able to view all bikes in the formation in his/her rearview mirrors, and be able to see around vehicles the group approaches. The second bike will head the right column, and will ride 10-15 yards (1 to 2 seconds) behind the leader (and in the opposite side of the lane). The other riders will position their bikes 20-30 yards (2 to 4 seconds) behind the bike directly in front of them, which puts them 10-15 yards behind the diagonal bike. This formation allows each rider sufficient safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the line.

The last rider, or Tail Gunner, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers but should be positioned 20-30 yards behind the bike directly in front of him. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment.

Lane Changes
All lane changes are to be initiated by the Ride Leader and either radioed back to the Tail Gunner or through the use of hand and turn signals. The Tail Gunner will then move into the turn lane (when it is safe to do so) and will inform the Ride Captain when the lane is clear. If a radio is not present, the Tail Gunner will either have to use a predetermined hand signal or the Ride Captain will have to watch in his / her rear view mirror for the signal that it is safe to proceed. At this point the Ride Leader has two choices:

A Simple Lane Change. This is an ordinary lane change, and can be used in most situations. After the Tail Gunner secures the lane, the Ride Captain will put on his directional signal as an indication that he / she is about to order a lane change. As each rider sees the directional signal, he also will turn his / her signal on. Each rider in the group will turn on their signal and follow the Ride Captain as he initiates the change. NO rider is to initiate the change until the Ride Captain does, and NO rider is to move before the rider in front of him has started the move.

Rear Fill-in. This is sometimes necessary is a long gap cannot be maintained in the new lane. in e.g. when trying to move from the right lane to the center and vehicles from the left lane keep cutting into the opening.
After the Tail Gunner has secured the new lane, the Ride Captain (usually at the suggestion of the Tail Gunner) will call for the group to fill in space from the rear. He / she signals this by raising his / her hand to shoulder height and "pushing" it towards the new lane. All rider will repeat this hand signal, and the last bikes move into the space in the new lane ahead of the Tail Gunner, then the bikes proceeding the first bikes move into the space in ahead of those, and so on until the Ride Captain lastly moves into the space ahead of the entire formation.

Passing bikes in lane is not allowed (except road guards).

Leaving the group then returning to the formation.
If a rider leaves the formation during an organized ride, he or she amy rejoin, but only after being instructed to do so by the Tail Gunner. The procedure to rejoin the group would be to approach the group from behind, following the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner will motion for the returning rider to move ahead to the spot behind the last rider in the group, staggered in the opposite column.. The returning rider will reamain in that postion in the column to the next rest/fuel stop.

If the group becomes split, the Ride Leader and the main group will await at any point where the route turns or a highway number changes. Chapter Rides will normally be run at or near the posted maximum speed limit. Slower riders should position themselves toward the rear when the group is formed up. If any rider finds he or she is positioned too close to the front of the group, and unable to safely keep up, he or she should voluntarily move toward the rear of the group at the nex rest/fuel stop. If this is not done voluntarily, the Ride Leader and or the Tail Gunner should politely ask then to do so.

On the occasional ride when the Ride Leader feels road guards are necessary, anyone, other than new riders, can be a road guard. The bikes immediately behind the Ride Leader and second column leader should pull out of formation and act as road guards when necessary and should return to formation immediately in front of the tail gunner. The entire formation should be informed of new riders and the new riders should be specifically informed that they are not expected to act as road guards.

Should the club choose to purchase orange/yellow vests and designate specific riders to be road guards on any given ride, these road guards should be positioned immediately behind the Ride/Column Leaders, or behind the new riders if any are on the ride. These riders should act as road guards when necessary and return to the formation in these same positions at their earliest convenience. Should a rider see a designated road guard approaching from the rear that rider should move to the right and allow the road guard to pass easily. Note: this proceedure is very seldom used and is only followed when using the orange/yellow safety vests for Road Guards.

On occasion there will be a group of seasoned riders who wish to take a more spirited aproach to the route. In this case they will form a seperate formation and proceed ahead of the rest of the group. There will be some exceptions to a few of the guidelines for the spirited group(ie. passing in formation responsibilites, etc). Please converse with the group Leader for these exceptions.

RIDE LEADER

The Ride Leader must be aware of the length of the columns, and must gauge the passing of merges, highway entrances and exits, etc., to allow for maximum safety and keeping the group together. He must make sure that he leaves enough time/space for the formation to get into the appropriate lanes before exits, etc. All directions come from the Ride Leader. The Ride Leader makes all decisions regarding lane changes, stopping for breaks and fuel, closing of gaps, turning off at exits, any concerns of what lies ahead, accepting/rejecting radioed messages from other individuals, and so on. No individual will assert himself independently. The Ride Leader should be seasoned more experienced rider.

RIGHT COLUMN LEADER

The Right Column Leader will assist the Ride Leader in maintaining organization and structure for the formation.

TAIL GUNNER

The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Ride Leader. He watches the formation, and, if in radio contact, informs the Ride Leader of any potential problems within the group. He watches other vehicles, and informs the Ride Leader (and anyone else with radios) of hazardous conditions approaching from the rear, such as vehicles trying to cut into the formation and trucks passing with potentially dangerous wind blasts. If in radio contact, at the Ride Leaders request, the Tail Gunner changes lanes before the formation, to secure the lane so the formation can move into it. The Tail Gunner should be seasoned more experienced rider.

NEW RIDERS

New riders will be positioned at the rear of the formation, immediately ahead of the Tail Gunner, who will be in the best position to observe their skill level and riding practices, and assist them if any situations arise. All riders are advised to ride at their own skil level, and if it appears, they are not able or willing to keep up with the group, the Tail Gunner will remain behind with them.

EMERGENCIES

In the unlikely event of an emergency condition, the Ride Leader will make every attempt to move the formation to the shoulder in an orderly manner. If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right. THE GROUP WOLL SAFELY PASS ON THE LEFT, BUT WILL NOT STOP. The Tail Gunner will stop with the problem bike. The Ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place.

HAND SIGNALS

Each rider (and passenger) should duplicate all hand signals given by the rider in front of him, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation. The following signals are used in addition to the standard (right turn, left turn slow /stop) hand signals.

PLANNING A RIDE

The Tail Gunner should first be selected by the Ride Leader for each ride. Some general guidelines are:

1. The Ride Leader and Tail Gunner should pre-plan as much of the ride as possible at the earliest convenience before the ride date. The route and specific road hazards should be discussed as well as confirmed riders, possible weather condition contigencies, rest stops, group position assignments, etc.
2. Maps snd or directions with the routes should be copied for distribution to key individuals in the group before each ride.
3. Contact the secretary with plans that require reservations, chapter finances, etc.. (Events that require chapter finances require administration approval)

Approximately 15 minutes before departing:
The Ride Leaderand Tail Gunner should discuss last minute changes to the ride that is of concern and synchronize the ride "game plan".
The Ride Leaderand Tail Gunner should make a casual inspection of the bikes participating in the ride for worn tires, frayed cables, bent shift levers, etc. Problems should be brought to the attention of the rider and if it is of such a nature as to promote a safety risk, the rider will not be allowed to make the ride with the group. If the condition is remedied before the ride then the rider may participate in the ride event.
Group formation should be determined at this time with the group being split up into sub groups of 5 to 10 bikes unless specific conditions require a single group (such as in a parade etc.) Each sub group leader must take directions directly from the Ride Captain and not assert himself / herself independently from the group.

A few minutes before departing:
The Ride and Tail Gunner will collect the group body and go over the route, safety requirements, road conditions, weather considerations, formation requirements, rest stops, and anything else that is of such a nature as to impact the group during the ride.
Tolls, or monies will be collected for the ride should they be required during the ride.
Hand Signals should be gone over at this time.
Questions shall be solicited from the group by the Ride Captain concerning special needs or considerations during the ride.