Defensive Riding Practices

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Group Riding Techniques

Pre-ride

  1. Always arrive on time, or earlier if possible. Think about this, someone has planned a route, the stops, everything, an here you are late, and the parking lot is empty. The ride meeting is over, you know nothing about where they were going, or what route. If you want to be included, then get there on time.
  2. We suggest that you always wear protective clothing and helmet.
  3. Group riding is disciplined riding and if following the rules of the group is not for you, then don't get in the group and meet everyone later at the destination. For those who do enjoy group riding, one slack rider, who does not keep the proper distance, either too close, or too far, can spoil their day. Remember the two second rule, explained elsewhere.
  4. The size of the groups will differ due to various conditions and will be determined during the Pre-Ride meeting. The quantity of willing Group Leaders will sometimes determine the amount of groups. Ideal group size for most rides will be from 3 to 7 bikes. The larger the group, the more care must be taken and usually, the more risk there will be.
  5. Positioning: The Ride Organizer should have all Group Leaders pull to an area where their groups will be able to form-up behind them. Riders without CB=s probably should be placed directly in front of the ABack Door@, giving them more opportunity to notice the turn signals of the bikes in front of them. If you have a "preferred riding location", like being on the inside or outside of the lanes, let the Group Leader know, during the pre-ride discussions.
  6. Examples:
    1. Seven bikes show up for a ride. The Ride Organizer says "OK, lets have our pre-ride meeting". He/she asks who has CB's. There are five bikes with CB's. The Ride Organizer wants to be the Group Leader and has a CB (his/her number will be #1). He picks someone else, with a CB, to be his Back Door (his/her number will be #7). The two bikes without CB's are placed in front of the Rear Bike and their numbers are 5 & 6. The other three bikes are #'s 2, 3 & 4. The #3 bike had informed the Leader that he has a fear of heights and does not want to ride on the outside edge. That is why the Leader placed him in the #3 position. The Ride Organizer will then inform the group of the various other information needed for the ride, that was discussed earlier.
    2. If the Ride Organizer does not want to be the Group Leader, then the Rider Education Director, Ride Coordinator or the Chapter Director, if they are there and have CBs, would take the role of lead bike, following the Ride Organizer's directions.
  7. It's best to keep the groups an odd number. The Group Leader is always in the left tire track and this would put the Back Door bike also in the left tire track. This way they both have a similar view of the next lane.
  8. If you are pulling a trailer, see that section.
  9. If your gas tank is smaller than the other bikes in your group, let the Group Leader know how many miles you can go before needing to gas up.

Starting The Ride:

  1. Follow the directions of the Group Leader. You have chosen to participate in the ride so when the Group Leader requests you line up at a certain location in preparation for departure, do it. You should have discussed any of your little quirks at the riders meeting. If you have a fear of riding in the right hand side of the lane, let the Group Leader know and he will place you accordingly. If you are pulling a trailer, he may want all trailers together in one group, or one trailer per group.
  2. Gas and relief stops: remember the first rule of group riding, start with a full tank and an empty bladder. If you join the group at an intermediate stop, gas when the group does, so that 30 minutes after the group gases up, you won't have to yell over the CB, "I need gas".
  3. Be ready to go when the group departs. Do all the necessary things right after you stop, don't wait until the last minute. If you want to gossip with someone, go ahead and put the helmet on and visit, but be ready to jump on the bike when the trail boss yells "Head 'em up and move 'em out".
  4. If you want to ride fast, leave first. If you want to ride slow, leave last. Do not start out in a group and then shoot out of formation and zoom down the road. You have just shown your disregard for the group's safety and ticked several people off.

During The Ride:

  1. Advise the leader and Back Door if you are having any kind of problem and especially if you need to leave the group for any reason. Do not pull out of the group, without warning them!
  2. Headlights should be on low beam if you're not in the #1 or #2 slot.
  3. Never over ride your own, or your machine's ability. Remember, you are responsible for your own actions!
  4. Don't be over confident. Safety will be your primary concern for the entire ride. Remember our previous discussion of group riding. Do not let anyone else do your riding for you. Do not create an unsafe condition.
  5. The two second rule: The leader starts out in the lane's left track. The second bike is in the right track of the same lane and is only one second behind the leader. Then the third rider will be in the left track of the lane, two seconds behind the leader. The fourth rider is in the right track of the lane, two seconds behind the second bike, and so on down the line. Maintaining this formation, and these distances will discourage other vehicle from cutting into the group. However, if a vehicle does try to cut in between riders in the group, back off and let them in. Safety of the group, is the first concern.
    Note: One of the reasons a group needs to ride in this close of a formation, is that when you are riding on a multi-lane highway, to keep at least one (1) motorcycle of the group in the other vehicles side view mirrors. This way the vehicle next to the group will not think that he can move into your lane, when in fact, there is another motorcycle, that is not in his mirrors, already there. This can happen when the group is spread out more than the two (2) second rule.
  6. It is illegal and very dangerous to move into single file and ride the right shoulder in order to allow another vehicle to pass you. If a vehicle attempts to pass you, you may have no choice but to do this. Keep in mind, that if another vehicle is coming at you, it may cause the vehicle passing you to  push you all the way off the road. It could also cause a chain reaction with other vehicles also passing you at the same time. It'd be better to pull off the road at the first safe spot and wait it out, or pick up the group's speed.
  7. Don't center your focus on the bike in front of you  - that's called tunnel vision. Scan instead, just like you do when riding alone.
  8. The distance between two or more groups can vary depending on the type of roads, intensity of traffic, and many other factors. The groups should not ride so close to the preceding group that in fact they become one large group. There should be enough room between groups that it is obvious to other vehicles they can pass a group safely.
  9. If the group comes upon a motorcyclist or anyone stranded by the road, the Group Leader should let the Back Door know so he can stop to see if assistance is needed. Here again, the group should find a safe place to wait for a report from the Back Door. (The universal HELP SIGN for a motorcyclist needing help, is a helmet by the side of the road as you approach.)