Desert Riders
Group Riding Rules
Introduction. Group riding requires special skills. It also requires a
rider’s willingness to set aside their personal “riding” style for the benefit
of the group. It takes only one rider acting on their own to destroy the
unity and safe passage of the group.
Safety, skillful bike riding, good
times together, and a positive image are some of the top priorities of the
Desert Riders. Socializing can be done prior to, at rest stops, and at the end
of rides. But safe riding, use of competent riding skills, and the Riders
creating a positive public opinion take place on the road. Therefore it is
imperative when riding as a group, or individually with colors, that each Rider
exercise good judgment, ride safely, skillfully, and submit their individual
agenda to the objectives of the group.
Key Appointments. There are two, key roles that are played on a group ride -- the
Road Captain and the Tail Gunner. Group riders must submit to the Road
Captain’s and Tail Gunner’s leadership at all times during a ride.
Road Captain. The Road Captain leads the group-ride. He must be aware of the
length of the column and gage the passing of merges, highway entrances and
exits, etc. in order to keep the group together with maximum safety. He must
make sure that he leaves enough time/space for the formation to get into the
appropriate lanes before exits.
Prior to departure, the Road Captain (or Ride
Leader) will address issues such as ride speed, road conditions, hand signals,
and safety considerations with the group.
All directions come from the Road
Captain. The Road Captain makes all decisions regarding lane changes, stopping
for breaks and fuel, closing of gaps, turning off at exits, concerns of what
lies ahead, accepting/rejecting radioed messages from other individuals, and so
on. No individual will assert himself independently without the approval or
direction of the Road Captain.
Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Road Captain but at
the back of the column. The Tail Gunner watches the formation and potentially
hazardous vehicles approaching from the rear. He informs the Road Captain by
signals or radio of potential problems or dangerous conditions to the group.
The Tail Gunner will watch for
merging lanes, and will move into a merging lane (or stay in a merging lane
just vacated by the group) in order to “close the door” on other vehicles that
may otherwise find themselves trying to merge into the formation. At the Road
Captain’s request, the Tail Gunner will change lanes before the formation, to
secure the lane so the formation can move into it.
General Rules. Following are rules that all Desert Riders must commit to
memory in order to ride successfully with the group.
1. All riders taking part in a Desert
Riders group ride must conform to the helmet and equipment laws in effect in
any State or Province they are riding in.
2. Group riders will use one lane in
a staggered formation and adjust as conditions change (i.e.,
passing cars). The designated ride leader (usually
the Road Captain) rides on the left side of the lane, the second rider stays a
little behind the leader and to the right side of the lane, one (1)
second behind the leader. The third rider will take
a position on the left side of the lane, two (2)
seconds behind the leader. The fourth rider would be to the right of the lane two
(2) seconds behind the second rider. And so on in
succession in a staggered fashion.
Using the Three Second Rule for Distance. To maintain a safe distance (two seconds) behind the rider directly
ahead of you, pick a stationary object (fence post, hydro pole, painted road
markings, etc). As the motorcycle directly in front passes the mark count,
“one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two”. At “one-thousand-two” you should be passing the object you selected. Adjust
your speed accordingly.
Trikes will not stagger but ride the center of the
lane. Riders following the trike will follow the bike in front of the trike to
maintain the staggered formation.
3. During a group ride, there are
various hand signals given by the Road Captain to pass instructions to the rest
of the riders in the column (like pointing to debris on the road, or slowing
the column down). Each successive rider repeats the hand signal for the riders
behind. This will ensure all riders in the group can see and understand the
signals given by the Road Captain.
4. If curves are gentle or long and
sweeping, riders will be expected to stay in their portion
of the lane in the staggered formation. Remaining
in a staggered formation around curves, however, will be subject to a rider’s
skill and comfort level.
5. Riders should not ride in the
passing lane of a four-lane highway unless using it for passing purposes.
6. Riders must always be conscious of
other vehicles wishing to pass or pull into their group and be prepared to let
them do so.
7. Riders passing other vehicles on a
two lane highway must pass one at a time and allow the vehicle a reasonable
space before pulling in front of them. The formation will adjust
as riders move to the left side of the lane to pass.
8. Riders must not pass each other
(break formation) unless there is an emergency or are told to do so by the Ride
Leader or Tail Gunner.
9. While the Road Captain and Tail
Gunner set the pace, it is the responsibility of every rider to use their
mirrors to check the distance of the riders behind them. If the distance
increases, the riders ahead should slow their pace.
10. Inexperienced riders or riders
who have no previous history with the Desert Riders should ride directly behind
the Road Captain or Lead Rider or in a position designated by the Road Captain.
Inexperienced riders will not ride in back to prevent the group from spreading
out.
11. Riders not intending to ride the
full route must inform the Road Captain before the start of the ride.
12. If it becomes necessary for the
group to pull off the road, riders and motorcycles must pull as far off the
road as possible.
13. If it becomes necessary for a
rider to pull over, the Tail Gunner also will pull over to assist. The
remainder of the group will continue on. If the Tail Gunner has a radio, he
will inform the Road Captain of the current status. If the Road Captain decides
the group also should pull over, they will do so at the first safe area.
Otherwise the rider (previously stopped) will re-enter at the rear of the group
in front of the Tail Gunner. The group will adjust its staggered formation.
14. For long distance riding or in
the event of a large number of riders, the Road Captain may decide to split the
group into two, or more, sections.
15. It is every rider’s
responsibility to be aware of potential hazards and notify other riders behind
them by radio, hand signals, or tapping their brake lights.
16. At stop signs, lights, etc, the
staggered formation shall double up and proceed in pairs, then resume staggered
formation thus limiting time lag and possible traffic hazards.
17. When riding on four lane
highways, if the Road Captain decides to pass a slow vehicle he will inform the
Tail Gunner by radio (if so equipped) or hand-signals of his intentions. The
Tail Gunner will wait for an appropriate break in the traffic and then pull out
to act as a block. The group will then pull out and pass as quickly as safety
permits.
18. The Road Captain has a great
responsibility for the group’s safety as well as its effect on vehicular
traffic (i.e. not letting the group get boxed in, or passing a tractor trailer
too slowly). It is everyone’s responsibility, however, to exercise good
judgment and common sense for the safety of all riders.
19. For rides of great length or
complexity, the Road Captain shall provide maps for riders in case the group
gets separated.
20. When parking in a public lot, all
bikes will be parked in such as manner as to cause as little inconvenience to
the public, preferably angled and maintaining the riding positions of the
group.
21. If in the opinion of the Road
Captain a hazard exists to the parked bikes, or the public, he shall designate
as many persons as required to stand watch.
22. Riding in an unsafe manner with a
group will not be tolerated. The safety of the group is everyone’s
responsibility and a top priority. It is the obligation of all riders to report
to the Ride Captain violations of any group riding rules by another member because
…a life may depend on it. If in the opinion of the Road Captain or a Desert
Riders Officer a rider poses a hazard to Desert Riders or persons on the
highway, or displays an undesirable attitude (unwillingness to change), he may
ask that rider to leave the group.
In summary, recognition and
enforcement of these Group Riding Rules will ensure that all riders have a safe
and enjoyable ride.
Adopted: 5/10/2012 by vote of
members.
