Group Riding – is very different than riding alone.
1. Keep the group TIGHT – leave no room for cars to get in
2. Stagger Formation - 2 sec / 1 sec
3. Stay in your lane – move up not over
4. If not comfortable with curves, ride in back with tail gunner.
5. New group riders and new riders, ride just in front of the tail gunner
6. Blockers ride immediately behind the Road Captain if possible
7. If you notice a problem or group separation, blow your horn and flash your lights to get the attention of those in front. Pass it on up to the Road Captain. He will take the group to a parking lot where all can gather safely.
8. Each rider is responsible for his/ her own safety. If you don’t think something is safe to do, don’t do it!
Changing Lanes
1. Road Captain signals lane change. Pass it back to the tail gunner by turning your signal on.
2. Tail Gunner secures the new lane
3. Group moves over AFTER the tail gunner secures the lane
Group Separation / Un-Scheduled/Emergency Stops
1. Do not try to rush to catch back up to the group if separated.
2. Group does not stop on the road except for EXTREME emergencies.
3. Road Captain takes the group to a nearby parking lot to wait on Tail Gunner and identifies the problem or to wait on separated members to join back up.
4. If in a city having lots of stop lights: Decide where to meet back up in case the group gets separated.
5. Do not try to rush to catch up to the group. Ride on and you will find the group waiting for you.
Intersections
Ride Captain will stop at all stop signs and stop signals.
The group closes to 2 abreast to tighten the formation.
The group enters the intersection side by side and reforms to stagger AFTER getting through the intersection.
Blockers will be assigned by the Road Captain as needed and as safety permits.
Hand Signals
ALWAYS pass them on!
Left hand with 1 finger up – Single Formation (no, not that finger) - 2 fingers up – Stagger Formation
Hand down pointing – object in road
Hand down, palm back – Slow down
Interstate
1.On entering the X: The rider immediately behind the Road Captain breaks into the lane, securing it, and then slows down enough to allow the group to enter in front of him. Follow the Road Captain closely entering the X.
2. Group rides in the center lane if there are 3 lanes. On 2 lanes ride in the slow lane.
3. When approaching an “on ramp”, the ride captain signals and the tail gunner secures the fast lane if possible then the group moves over.
4. If separated, the Road Captain slows to minimum speed to get traffic around and allow the group to reform.
5. Keep a close formation to keep cars/trucks from moving between if possible.
6. Keep yourself safe. If it’s not safe to follow the group in that movement, do it your way and rejoin when safe!! There is no need to RUSH. Safety First!