GROUP RIDING GUIDELINES

One of the purposes of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide the additional safety that a well-organized group inherently generates. This comes from within the group as well as from outside. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people don't get in each other's way, and the organization itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in. Most clubs that ride in orderly formations follow similar rules. EVERYONE riding with our club is expected to follow these rules. Anyone violating the rules, and compromising everyone elses safety, will be warned, and if their actions continue, will no longer be welcome to ride with the club. Our rules are a modified version of the National Southern Cruisers Riding Club rules.

Formation

Riding will be in a standard State Patrol (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 approximately 1 second behind the leader (but in the opposite side of the lane). The other riders will position their bikes 2 seconds behind the bike directly in front of them, which puts them 1 second behind the diagonal bike. When these distances are maintained by all riders this formation allows each rider sufficient safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the line.

Ride Leader

Anyone can assume the position of Ride Leader for a ride. If you have an idea for a ride, whether you want to lead it or not, let one of the officers know. If you would prefer to not be the ride leader we can get someone else to lead. Before starting the ride, the Ride Leader should go over the club's riding rules, make sure everyone in the group is aware of the route to the next scheduled stop, and be sure everyone is ready before starting off. 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 also make sure that he leaves enough time/space for the formation to make turns, leave parking lots, get into the appropriate lanes before exits, etc. It is the Ride Leader's responsibility to keep the group together. For instance, he/she should be aware of the fact that the whole group may not be able to get through an intersection before the light changes and thus need to adjust the pace of the lead group. All directions come from the Ride Leader. He/she 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 without direction from the Ride Leader to do so. Also, if you are planning to leave the group before the end of the ride make sure the Ride Leader knows you will be leaving.

New Riders

The position of new riders (inexperienced with GROUP riding) within the group is significant. New riders should be positioned as close to the front as possible.

Lane Changes

The Ride Leader will put on his directional signal as an indication that he is about to order a lane change. As each rider sees the directional signal, he also turns his on, so the riders following him get the signal. The leader then initiates the change. All other riders change lanes too. The important concept is that NO ONE moves until the bike in front of him has started moving.

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.

Tighten Formation

When the Ride Leader feels that the formation should be tighter (bikes closer together) , he raises his left hand with fingers spread wide and repeatedly closes them into a fist. All other riders repeat this and close up all unnecessary space in the formation.

Road Hazard

This is the one signal that can be initiated by ANYONE. Anyone seeing a hazardous condition on the road surface (roadkill, oil, gravel, significant pot hole, etc.) will point at it. All following riders will repeat this, and all riders will avoid the hazard. 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 that rider move to the right. DO NOT STOP. The LAST rider will stop with the problem bike. The Ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place.

Tolls

The Ride Leader should be aware of tolls and collect money from all riders in advance. When the formation arrives at the toll booth, the Ride Leader pays for all bikes, and all bikes proceed through the toll. Many toll booths have counters that count the number of vehicles coming through. To accommodate these, ride through the toll booth one at a time. If some people in the group are using EZ Pass, they will split out from the group, and the formation will reform on the other side of the toll booth. Make sure the Ride Leader knows, in advance, how many bikes he is paying the toll for.