Rideout guidelines
Frozen Bones MCC
Guidelines for Club Ride Outs
This guide is intended to help all members understand our philosophy on group ride outs and to avoid any unnecessary confusion, however, it is by no means a definitive guide on the subject. Similarly, members may decide not to adopt these particularly guidelines in its entirety and may discuss and agree alternative, safe group riding at the beginning of a ride out.
It must be made clear that guidelines for club ride outs are not created to criticise or undermine anyone’s experience, skills or abilities. Please consider that many riders are somewhat intimidated and reluctant to participate in a group ride because they are not sure how it is done or what is expected of them. Similarly, less experienced riders may be concerned about their capability or even those more experienced riders may be concerned about speed.
Participating on a group ride is not the same as going for a ride alone or with a couple of mates. The people you normally ride with are almost always compatible, after all, that is one of the main reasons why you and your mates ride together. The group ride is somewhat different, in that the group ride will generally consist of larger numbers of riders and will contain a more diverse range of experience and type of motor bike. The ultimate aim of any ride within a group is to have fun, however, the safety of the group (and other road users) is paramount and so all riders must be prepared to ride at the pace of the group. A well run group ride out also helps to enhance the reputation of motorcyclists in general.
So, a ride out is an organised motorcycle trip where we ride together as a group. This may be simply for the pleasure of riding in company, raising money for charity, visiting a particular place, attending an event, or even going on a holiday together. In all cases, we want everyone to:
- Have fun and enjoy the ride in each other’s company;
- Arrive safely, with no problems en-route, and preferably all together.
A safe and successful ride out requires: discipline; control; restraint; concentration; good biking skills; and, constant alertness.
Club members have decided that we can adopt the following ride out guidelines or adapt them to suit the occasion. It may take some time before we are all comfortable with them and we may even need to make changes during the coming months. If you do not wish to abide by these guidelines because you do not like the rules, it is better not to join the ride out – you don’t have to and it doesn’t suit everyone. If you are happier riding separately on your own or with friends, then by all means do so and meet the rest of us at our destination. Just let us know at the start.
Basic Rules
On group rides it’s necessary for all involved to understand that an individual’s actions can affect the safety of other group members and other road users. Group rides are not for the selfish. Group members engaged on ride outs must always give thought and consideration to the safety of others and enjoyment for all.
All riders must remember – YOUR safety is YOUR OWN responsibility. YOU must ride in a safe manner at all times and within your own capabilities. Each rider participating in a group ride is responsible for their own actions and their consequences.
All riders are personally responsible for ensuring:
- Their bikes are road legal;
- They have adequate insurance;
- They ride within the law at all times.
Simple Rules
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Starting the rideout
Assembly
Unless otherwise stated, we meet at Dromore RFC car park at 10:30 a.m. Please arrive in good time with your bike roadworthy, have a full tank and be ready to go.
Briefing
The club Chairman (or other person) will give a briefing based on the following:
- Responsibilities for the day, i.e. lead rider, initial ‘No2′ rider, back marker;
- Route to be taken;
- Issue maps/route card when appropriate;
- Planned stops or rendezvous points;
- Identify new or inexperienced riders;
- Reminder of our basic rules;
- Any other issues/questions.
Lead rider
Lead rider will remain the same for the day unless through prior agreement.
Lead rider will not depart until the back marker indicates that all bikers are ready.
Lead rider will always set off at a slightly slower pace to allow time for others to join gaps in traffic but not at such a pace, which impedes other road users.
Lead rider should regulate the speed of the rideout but always within the speed limit. Always be aware of the dynamics of the group with those further behind having to ride harder and faster to keep up.
If the Lead Rider feels the group is too strung out or feels someone may be missing then he should find a safe place to stop to allow all riders to re-group.
Lead rider will set a good example at all times.
Staggered riding system
Riding in a staggered formation is safe and reduces the length of the column.
We ride in this formation whenever it is safe to do so.
This system is very easy BUT there are things which must not be done, e.g. having bikes in all three lanes of a motorway or both lanes of a dual carriageway.
When riding on open, single carriageways then it may be safer or more enjoyable to ride in a single column – but always remember to keep a safe distance between bikes. If the road changes to a dual carriageway then we should revert to the staggered riding formation.
Keep your distance – bunching up reduces visibility and reaction time is significantly reduced. Allow for a minimum of 2 secs between yourself and the bike directly in front of you.
However, when in built up areas bunching up is preferred to ensure the group is together.
Normal overtaking is usually instigated by the Lead Rider. Do not ‘blindly’ follow the bike in front of you when overtaking. Each successive bike must take up the proper overtaking position and complete the manoeuvre individually.
No 2 rider – Second man (or lady) drop off procedure
This is an option that we can use when we have a large group or know we will be riding in an unfamilar area. This method will be used only when agreed at the beginning of or during a rideout.
This rider will constantly change throughout the ride.
This is a common procedure used by many biking clubs and is used to navigate the group along the correct route. It is well proven and works effectively even for large groups and in difficult urban and rural riding conditions. It can also provide added interest and enjoyment for all riders.
The No 2 rider is responsible for marking any change in direction for the rest of the group. This is how it works:
1. ‘Lead’ will signal a change of direction in good time using indicators (and hand signals if appropriate) and take up the appropriate road position.
2. If necessary and it is safe to do so, ‘Lead’ can give an extra hand signal for No 2 to drop off and stop.
3. ‘Lead’ will complete the change of direction and if possible/safe, check his speed.
4. No 2 rider – you must be alert at all times! The procedure breaks down if not!
5. No 2 rider, indicate and pull over to a safe stopping place and wave all other riders on. If possible, activate your hazard warning lights. Watch out for the ‘Back Marker.
6. If it’s a left turn:
- Stop a few yards before the turn if it is blind (i.e. high hedgerow, vehicle or building in the way or street furniture obscuring the view).
- Otherwise stop a few yards round the turn where you will be visible.
- Do NOT stop on the corner itself, on a pedestrian crossing or where there are traffic lights or where you will be a hazard to others.
7. If it is a right turn:
- Stop a few yards from the corner where you will be visible.
8. If it is a roundabout:
- Stop a few yards into your exit from the roundabout where you will be visible.
- Do NOT stop ON the roundabout, especially a mini-roundabout.
9. No 2 rider stays in position until you see the ‘Back Marker’. If Back Marker can signal for you to move off then move off safely and quickly in front of the Back Marker. If it is not safe to re-join then let the Back Marker pass, re-join the traffic and at an appropriate but safe point overtake the Back Marker to rejoin the group.
10. If you were originally the 3rd rider in the group, you now become the No 2 Rider. The whole process keeps rolling likes this whenever, there is a change in direction. Note: The Lead Rider and Back Marker will always remain the same.
11. Always keep the rider behind you in your mirrors.
12. Do not change direction unless you see the No 2 Rider.
13. If the No 2 Rider ‘forgets’ to mark the junction, then No 3 should assume that role.
14. It is better to mark all direction changes rather than assume that the route is so obvious that it is not worth doing.
15. Remember, it may be impossible to mark the junction because of danger so the No 2 Rider may well have to dismount and walk nearer the junction to direct the group.
Back Marker
As you approach the No 2 Rider who is marking the road, slow down to enable the rider to pull out and rejoin.
Watch out for any bikes that have pulled over for any reason and stop and find out what the problem is.
Getting Lost
This will only happen if the Lead Rider is riding too fast for the group, other riders fail to ride in the correct formation for the type of road at the time, you fail to keep the bike behind you in your mirrors, you fail to follow the No 2 Rider drop off procedure.
However, if you are lost and after 10 minutes no one has found you, proceed to the destination point.
Finally, common sense must always prevail, guidelines cannot possibly apply to every situation.
Be Safe And Have Fun!
