Muncie H.O.G. Chapter 1277
Group Ride Policies
All Chapter group rides will have one primary objective: To arrive safely at their destination. The principles set forth should help achieve this objective and provide a fun ride for all.
1. Arrive at the designated starting point of the ride appropriately dressed, sufficiently funded and with a
full tank of gas.2. If not previously designated, a Ride Leader and a Road Captain will be appointed from the ride participants and introduced prior to departure. They will review the route and destination of the ride with the other ride participants. If Chapter-elected Road Captains are present in the ride participants, they will by default assume the Ride Leader and Road Captain responsibilities with the Road Captain position being the first position filled. The Ride Leader will lead the ride from the front inside position (nearest the road centerline), while the Road Captain will bring up the rear.
3. The participants shall ride in a staggered formation. Sufficient spacing can most easily be determined when one can see the face of the rider in next position forward in that rider’s mirror. Another method of spacing is to be one second behind the rider filling the staggered position in front of you (one position) or two seconds behind the rider directly in front of you (two positions). The most stable positions in a group ride are from the middle of the group forward. New riders should ride wherever they feel most comfortable. If anyone has questions about where they should ride or questions about the ride in general, ask the Road Captain(s).
4. The Ride Leader shall set the pace of the ride and participants should not move forward or backwards within the group during the ride. Riders should maintain their positions within the group.
5. To change lanes, the Ride Leader will first signal with hand and/or turn signal. The rest of the ride participants will subsequently signal with their hand and/or turn signal. The Ride Leader and all other ride participants will
stay in the current lane until the Road Captain at the rear oves into the new lane. Once the Road Captain has made the lane change, then the Ride Leader followed by the rest of the ride participants should move into the new lane.6. If the group becomes separated for some reason, the Road Captain at the back of the group shall move forward to lead the separated riders. Please provide room for the Road Captain to assume this position. During this period of separation, the rider bringing up the rear will temporarily assume the Road Captain responsibilities.
7. If a rider experiences a problem and must leave the group, the Road Captain will accompany them. The rider left at the rear after the Road Captain breaks off will, at the first available
safe opportunity, notify the Ride Leader. In order to do so, it may be necessary for the rear rider to move out and around the entire group and the Ride Leader, moving into the outside position (nearest the road outside edge) and then slowing down to take up the number 2 spot to the right and staggered behind the Ride Leader. Please provide room (the outside ridersshould slow down and move back one position) should this maneuver be necessary. Once again, the rider left bringing up the rear will temporarily assume the Road Captain responsibilities. However unnatural, do not pull off with a fellow rider in distress, the rest of the group will continue until the Ride Leader can safely stop at a location where the group can wait for the Road Captain to rejoin the group and inform everyone the nature of the problem.8. In some areas, it is legal for other vehicles to yield to the group at intersections. If this is the case, ride participants near the front and on both front and right sides should pull into the intersecting traffic paths, stopping and blocking said paths so as to let the rest of the group know a voluntary yield has been given and expedite the group’s clearing of the intersection. These two bikes should rejoin the group at the rear just ahead of the Road Captain.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ASSUME THAT A VOLUNTARY YIELD HAS BEEN GIVEN UNLESS THERE ARE RIDE PARTICIPANTS BLOCKING THE INTERSECTING TRAFFIC LANES! It is the responsibility of the Road Captain(s) and Ride Leader to be accurately familiar with the traffic laws concerning this issue. Always use extreme caution at intersections and never rush a crossing just to stay in close proximity with the rest of the group. A good Ride Leader will be conscious of the pace disruption and will moderate the group’s speed accordingly.9. It is the responsibility of each rider to pay close attention, observe traffic laws, and to be courteous to fellow riders and all vehicles sharing the road. Automobiles from time to time will merge into and break our group.
Do not resist this. No motorcycle has ever won that battle. Most autos will not be comfortable remaining amidst a group of motorcycles and will move out momentarily. It may not always be possible or wise to try and ride in a group formation while riding in cities, towns or in highly congested areas. During traversing of these areas breaking up into smaller groups of 2 to 4 bikes may be the only alternative. The group can reorganize upon exiting these areas. Do not force the issues of lane changes and the crossing of intersections! Always let safety, courtesy and patience be our principle virtues.RIDE SAFE - HAVE FUN!