Group riding tips

[FalxZZR]

Guidelines for Group Riding


These are to be considered basic GUIDELINES for general group riding. As situations arise you must use your own judgement to decide a safe course of action. Always ride within your limits and your comfort level. Allow sufficient following distance. Don't compromise safety just to maintain formation or keep the group together.


Ride in a staggered formation:

The lead bike should be in the left side of the lane.

The next bike should be in the right side of the lane, one second behind the lead bike.
The third bike should be in the left side of the lane, two seconds directly behind the lead bike (one second behind the bike to the right).

The fourth bike should be in the right side of the lane, two seconds behind the bike directly ahead of him (one second behind the bike to the left).

And so on.

Distances given are minimums! Always ride according to the conditions.

Maintain formation, keeping an even spacing between bikes.

Do not ride alongside or pass the next bike in line.

Do not pull up beside another bike except when stopping at an intersection; resume staggered formation once moving again.

Follow the lead bike; do not split the group or pull out of it (except in an emergency).

Inform the lead rider if you plan on leaving the group before the final destination.

Split groups of more than 8-10 bikes into smaller sub-groups. Do not impede traffic flow. Keep enough space between sub-groups so that other vehicles may use the lane.

Watch for and obey signals from the lead rider:

Approaching Turn -- Turn signal lights or standard turn signals given with the left hand.

Slow Down -- Brake lights or left palm held open below seat level and facing back.

Hazard in Road -- Either hand (or foot) pointed toward hazard.

Ride Single-File -- Left hand held high above head, fist closed except for index finger indicating "1". The lead bike might give this signal because of hazards or road conditions.

Resume Staggered Formation -- Left hand held high above head, fist completely closed.

Tighten Formation -- Left hand held high above head, repeatedly opening and closing fist.

Pass all signals and point to hazards in the road to alert the riders behind you.

In case of an accident or emergency, those riders not directly involved should continue to follow the lead bike to a safe place to pull out of the road. Do not create congestion or complicate the situation by immediately stopping.

Ride Safely!

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

[Pegasus1]

I had a thought the other night after I found out that Saturday's group ride went sour. Has anyone given any thought creating an emergency information/contact sheet to use on these group rides.
Here are somethings that I think should or could go on the sheet:
1. Each riders first and last name.
2. Bike description, in case you have a brain fart trying to remember a "newbies/squids" name.
3. One or two phone numbers to call in the event of an emergency.
4. On the back, a road map that covers the counties that we have a tendency to ride in. Might be helpful to get with emergency personnel as to the location of the accident.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Jarvicious]

I actually had a similar thought. We have the phone number thread anyway so why not have an excell sheet we can print out and keep on the bike. Obviously it would be up to folks whether or not they wanted to be on the contact list, but I wouldn't mind getting a call if someone gets stranded after a wreck.

I meant to start a thread on it anyway, but if anyone hasn't been to http://www.motorides.comwww.motorides.com, I'd check it out. As of now there aren't any rides posted in our area, but I think it would be awesome (especially for us "directionally challenged" folks) to see where all the tasty roads are at instead of having to just wander around trying to avoid gravel roads.

[norm60]

Yeah that would be a great idea, better safe than sorry, right?

[T-dawg]

having an "I.C.E. " number stored in your phone is very helpful. I.C.E. = in case of emergency. many times I ride with someone unfamiliar to myself , and I can tell you from personal experience that it is an awkward and uncomfortable feeling to be at an incident and really have no way of letting family or spouse know that there has been an accident. This same system is recognized by many emergency responders.

[earz]

I have an I.C.E app on my iphone. very good idea for anybody that rides.

[t-rock]

Man, could have used this to show some newer guys riding with us last weekend. There was one guy so close on my ass I couldn't see him in the mirrors, I was afraid to use the whole lane for the twisties.

[CurbCheck]