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Learn the Twelve Commandments of group riding to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. From bike readiness to formation techniques, follow these tips for a smooth ride.
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GROUP RIDING • THE TWELVE COMMANDMENTS
Have you, your bike, and your gear ready • Full Gas Tank, Full Belly, Empty Bladder • Helmet Face Shield / Visor and Bike Windshield Clean • T-CLOCK 2
T – Tires and Wheels – condition, air pressure, spokes, rims • C – Controls – levers, cables, hoses, throttle • L – Lights – battery, lenses, wiring, headlamp, signals • O – Oil and Gasoline levels • C – Chassis – frame, suspension, chain or belt check, fasteners • K – Kickstand/Center Stand condition 3
Say Hello! • Try to park close to the group, say hello to your fellow riders, and talk about our favorite subject, our bikes! • Let the Ride Captain(s) know you’re there, and if you’re new to us, how long you’ve been riding. • Sign a Rider Release form (if you haven't already) 5
Ready to GO! • The pre-ride orientation: • Helmet, cell phone and GPS off • Ride Captain(s), Sweep(s) and new attendees are introduced. • Route & maps, stops, meals, destination, and return time are discussed. • If you need to leave the group earlier, let Ride Captain and Sweep know 7
Group Consideration • Be dressed & ready when the ride captain fires up. • Captain will verify that everyone is ready & running, left arm up and thumbs up is the signal. • Sweep will give the final go ahead. • This procedure is used at all stops. • If we need to break up in to 2 or more groups, there will be a 3-5 minute gap between groups. 11
Group Consideration • As a Safety Guideline - • We recommend that you wear a DOT/Snell/ECE approved Helmet & other protective gear. • We also recommend that our riders on group rides not indulge in alcohol on the ride, wait to get a cold one when the ride is over. 12
Group Consideration • Captain will pull out when traffic allows the entire group to enter traffic. If this isn’t possible, the Captain will slowly accelerate, so everyone can catch up • Keep up with the group - if the group turns off and you did not see them turn, you could get lost. That is not fair for the group, and no fun for you! 15
Group Consideration • If a group happens to get separated by a red light, the Captain will slow down or pull over as they are able to let you catch up. • If you are stuck at a red light - don’t panic! Keep going straight! If there is a turn we will pull over and regroup. 16
Group Consideration • Have your headlights on High Beam during the day, and/or your accessory lights on at all times. • Always use your turn signals with plenty of notice to your fellow riders. • Flash your brake lights to let the riders behind you know there is danger ahead. • Pass back hand/foot signals when possible to let your fellow riders know of road or animal hazards 17
Group Consideration • Pay attention not only to the bikes and riders ahead of you, also pay attention to the ones BEHIND you. • For example, the person in front of the Sweep pays attention to the Sweep! 18
Staggered Formation • Ride in staggered style - First bike in the left 3rd of the lane, the next bike in the right 3rd of the lane, etc. • 2-3 second gap between staggered bikes in town, 3-5 second gap at highway speeds. • NEVER habitually ride directly behind any other riders taillight. • Break staggered formation when the roads become narrow, twisty, or weather conditions are poor. 24
Safe Following Gap • 2-3 seconds gap in town / 3-5 at highway speeds means: • A minimum of 2 seconds following distance in the city and a maximum 3 seconds • A minimum of 3 seconds at highway speeds and a maximum of 5 seconds. • If a large vehicle such as an RV or Bus can get in between you and the bike in front of you there is too big of a gap. Tighten up! 25
Safe Following Gap • A large vehicle in between your riding group can cause problems and slowdowns for the entire group, particularly if there is an exit or turn coming up. • While it is not always possible, due to lane closings, etc., attempt to do your best to keep ranks closed, so that groups don’t become fragmented into 2 or 3 sub-groups. 27
Where Should I be in a Group? • Less experienced, slower riders and slower bikes should be directly behind the Captain in the usual staggered formation. • Faster riders near the rear, but in front of the Sweep. 31
SPEED • The Captain is responsible for setting the pace. • Our Club practice is to keep our speeds at no more than 5 mph over the speed limit. • A group of bikes pulled over getting speeding tickets or a group accident will definitely take the joy out of the ride. • If you or a few of you just can’t abide by the speed limit, form your own group, and we’ll pick up the pieces of you on the way :) 32
Speedometer Error • In many countries the legislated error in speedometer readings is ultimately governed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation 39, which states: The indicated speed must never be less than the actual speed, i.e. it should not be possible to inadvertently speed because of an incorrect speedometer reading. 34
Speedometer Error • Speedometers are often inaccurate by one to Five miles an hour for a number of reasons ranging from tire size and wear to irregular calibration at the factory, to aftermarket modifications. • Speedometer Error of up to 10% is not unheard of. 35
Speedometer Error • In other words, your speedometer may be telling a “fib” in order to prevent you from speeding. • Many of our Ride Captains make use of GPS for setting the pace. GPS units will report driving speeds with errors down to about 0.1 to 0.5 MPH. A GPS using Ride Captain may appear to be riding faster than the posted limit according our our speedo. 37
Sweep - the “Mother Hen” • This job is to ensure everyone else in the group ride arrives at the destination safely. • Having at least a basic amount of Accident Scene Management and/or mechanical experience and tools is a plus, so field repairs may be made if necessary. 39
Sweep • Help the Captain maintain the group • Move into the left/passing lane to let all the group members pass a slower vehicle. • When the Captain sees this, they can initiate the pass ONLY when there is enough room for the entire group to pass. • Captain should allow enough space after passing for the entire group to enter back into the right lane 40
Sweep • Stop to help members of your group who pull off to the side of the road, or have any other type of accident. • Go back and find members of your group who have become lost/miss a turn. This is why you know the route, have a map and your ride captain’s phone number :) 41
Ride your OWN RIDE • Do not assign responsibility to your ride captain or others in the group for your carelessness and naive indifference to your own riding safety. • Do not get sucked in by other riders riding ahead of you, as you know your capabilities and do not know theirs! 42