Safety
Tips for a safe group ride
Here are some tips by which the Avalon Chapter of the MRFD would like you to consider for this group ride. If you do not understand these tips and/or if you have any questions, contact one of the MRFD Executive or talk to the Road Captain before the ride. Riding in a group does not mean you sacrifice any decisions when it comes to your safety. Regardless of what the rider is doing in front of you, Ride your own ride, and don't go any faster than you feel comfortable going. Remember that even when riding in a group; you and you alone are responsible for your own safety at all times. Remember, you can’t enjoy the ride tomorrow if you don’t live through the ride today. Watch your front, your back and your sides. Ride safe.
General information
Before the Ride starts, all riders are encouraged to make sure that their motorcycles are in perfect working order and that you have a full tank of gas. We also suggest that you make sure that you carry your registration and your insurance card with you. All riders are expected to arrive at the meeting point on time to take part in the pre-ride briefing, which usually takes place between 9:30 am and 10:00 am. The ride starts at 10:00 am sharp.
The Motorcycle Ride for Dad’s (Avalon chapter) Road Captain will lead the parade portion of the ride only. The group is expected to follow him and watch for his directions.
The parade will take the form of a staggered formation (as seen in the figure below). In this formation, the bikes form two columns. The left column is headed up by the road captain. He/she is responsible for keeping the riders in formation and controlling the speed. The second bike will be in the right column, (in the opposite side of the lane) and will ride approximately 1 second behind the leader. The other riders will ride their bikes 2 seconds behind the bike directly in front of them, and 1 second behind the diagonal bike. This formation allows each rider sufficient safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the line. If you leave to much space between the bikes, a vehicle may and sometimes will try to cut into the group. Rest assured, if you leave enough space, people will cut in if the opportunity is there.
The last rider, Tail Gunner, drag bike or sweep, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment.
The group must obey all traffic signals and obey all traffic laws.
Within the parade portion of the ride, we will have a police escort and also there will be traffic blockers. You will not have to stop for stop signs and/or traffic lights unless indicated to do so. **BUT** Keep your eyes peeled as you approach all intersections. You never can tell. Even with traffic blockers, someone may go around them. Again as stated before, you and you alone are responsible for your own safety at all times. If you do not what to be asked to block an intersection, it is recommended you start the ride at the back of the parade. Passing is prohibited at all times, so stay in your place. When you split up for the rural run do not run stop signs and/or traffic lights unless some special arrangements have been made or the group is under police direction and they are securing the intersections.
For the rural/poker run portion of the ride, to Brigus. I would like to stress the fact to everyone that you are on your own. When we split up after the parade portion of the ride, you can ride on your own, for the rural/poker portion or if you choose to do so, for safety sake, you can form into your own groups (safety in numbers on the highway). Designate someone to lead your groups ride. Usually, someone with the most experience and/or knows the way to go. The group is expected to follow him/her and watch for his/her directions, (as long as you are riding within your comfort level). Of course that is just a suggestion. As stated before you and you alone are responsible for your own safety at all times.
Tips
- As you are riding, check your riding position by looking at the mirror of the rider in front of you. If you cannot see their face in their mirror you may be too close.
- Stay in your place. Don’t cross back and forth in the lane, (unless you are trying to avoid a pothole or some other obstacle) as this may bother other riders.
- If you feel that you are riding at a level beyond your riding level, you should drop out of the ride when it is safe for you to do so. Use a hand signal so the riders behind you are aware of your intensions before you make your move. If you try to keep up with the group, you could make a mistake that you may regret.
- Keep a constant speed. Keep your eyes on the bikes ahead of you. Do not accelerate past another rider.
- When stopping as a group for any reason, the bikes in the right column should pull up beside the bike just ahead of them in the left column. This helps shorten the lines when stopped and helps reduce large gaps when starting off again.
- If for any reason a bike has to drop out, all other bikes should keep going. The tail gunner will check on any riders that drop out. We do have a truck that will help anyone that has any mechanical trouble on the parade.
What is experience but the mistakes that we make and live to tell about.