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Group Riding:
- Group riding is
generally in a staggered dual line. Bikes form two columns in a lane. The
first rider is to the left side of the lane. The next is behind and in
the right side of the lane and so on. Leave a minimum of two seconds
between you and the bike ahead of you in the same lane.

- Maintain your level of
comfort! Do not feel you must keep up or meet anyone's expectations and
sacrificing safety as a result. We will not lose you and the group will
adjust to everyone's comfort level. Always think safety for both you and
your fellow riders.
- Try to keep the
formation tight, but allow traffic to merge through the group to enter
and exit the highway. Don't feel impatient to regroup if a car
integrates. We are not tethered together. You do not have to act
recklessly on the impulse that a car has split the group. Most cars are
as uncomfortable being in between bikes and in time they will leave. Just
be patient!
- Passing other vehicles
should be done one-by-one, two's at the most but never as a group. The
lead bike should not attempt to initiate passing unless he/she estimates
that there will be sufficient room and time to allow the entire
mini-group to pass safely. The leftmost rider should yield extra space so
the rightmost rider has room to pass.
- Maintain your lane
position unless you need to ride up to fill a gap in the formation.
- Fill gaps in the event
a rider drops out of the ride. This should take place with the vacated
column moving forward. In other words, Rider 1 is up front on the left.
Rider 2 is to the right, rider 3 to the left, 4 right, etc. If rider 2
drops out, riders 4, 6, 8, etc should move forward filling the gap. This
minimizes the danger of left and right shifting lanes as would happen if
rider 3 had moved into position 2. When moving up, make sure the rider
you are passing is aware of your position. Do not move up until it is
safe to do so.
- Never run stop signs
or traffic signals to keep up... the group will slow down or pull over
allowing all to catch up.
- At traffic signal
stops, pull side-by-side. When starting out again, both bikes leave
together with the left being allowed to accelerate a little faster in
order to restagger the group.
- Hand Signals should be
understood by every rider in the group and passed back when used by the
lead riders. Print these examples and learn them.
- If another bike gets
too close to your comfort level, signal him/her to back off.
- On turns at
intersections, let the rider who was traveling ahead of you go first.
- After making a
turn, look behind you. If the group has seperated from behind you - WAIT
- at that intersection for the rest of the group to catch up, so they
don't miss the turn. The section of the group ahead of you will be
waiting at the next turn to direct you, and so-on. This is important so
that everyone knows where the group has made turns.
- If you leave the group
inform the group leader. If you become separated from the group, stay on
the designated route. If you make any stops, stay within view from the
road so as to be spotted by road captains.
- For Emergency
Pull-Off, signal your intentions to the bike following and proceed to the
shoulder. A Road Captain behind will pull-off to render assistance. The
remaining bikes should stay on the road to continue to the next rest stop
or designated stop, whichever comes first.
- Pay attention to
directions and instructions from the Road Captain prior to departure.
- Each rider is expected
to have their cycle in proper working condition with a full tank of gas
(but empty bladder). Be prepared for inclement weather. You should be
alert and feeling well. Perform a safety check (tire pressure, turn
signals, stop lights, oil, parts loosened by vibration). Your bike is to
be licensed, inspected and insured.
- Alcoholic beverages
during riding are frowned upon by the club. You're riding in formations
and must be sharp and alert.
- Group riding involves
BrainPower, not HorsePower. It is easy to be mesmerized and/or hypnotized
into feeling connected to the bike in front of you. It is important to
avoid this, and to stay alert.
- Don't be afraid to
split from the group if you are uncomfortable or the group is becoming a
"bad experience". If the bikes you're with are not riding safe
or you're having a tough time, hang a right and get "lost".
It's fun to ride in a group but it's equally fun to cut loose on the back
roads alone.