DR Ride Rules

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.