Please read this before you join us for a ride.
Watch the "Group Riding" online video. It shows the official Motorcycle Safety Foundation group ride signs and protocol. Go to http://www.msf-usa.org/ scroll down a little to find Watch: Group Riding.
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Wear protective clothing. You must wear a helmet. We recommend a full face helmet. We ask that you wear gloves, protective pants and a motorcycle jacket. Mesh, leather, and textile are fine.
Come with a well maintained bike. It is for everyone's safety.
Ride your own ride. Know your limits and ride within them. Please do not ride the tail of the rider in front of you.
Pass only on the LEFT in straight always. No corner passing. In the straights, keep to your right to allow passing on the left. Check your mirrors for riders that want to pass. Remember it is their responsibility to pass when it is safe.
Group riding: Ride in staggered formation on freeways, highways and long stretches of straight road. This prevents an incident if a rider has to suddenly swerve or in high winds. If there is a gap, fill it in. Ride single file through curves.
First Aid Kit: Try to have some sort of first-aid kit with you as well as an Emergency Card. We need to be able to do what we can when (Not if) you go down. We also need to know who to call.
From BMW magazine: 10 Commandments of Group Riding
1) Ride with your own safety in mind.
2) Maintain a safe distance behind the rider in front of you.
3) Pay attention to road conditions (gravel, antifreeze, landslides) and signal for single file if necessary.
4) Learn how to lead and tail a group so you will know how and when your turn comes.
5) Ride as a train, not a parade. Bikes should be grouped in fours or sixes, with visible gaps between groups.
6) If the group splits for safety reasons, the front riders continue at five mph below the speed limit while the catch-up rides ride at five mph above the speed limit.
7) Begin lane changes form the back of the group. Leader signals, tail rider changes, then one rider at a time from there.
8) Fill your tank when everyone else does.
9) Don't pull out of formation without signaling.
10) Thank the road captain for planning the route and taking the lead. Some day you'll be the leader. |
