·         Group Riding:

1. 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.

2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. Maintain your lane position unless you need to ride up to fill a gap in the formation.
6. 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.
7. Never run stop signs or traffic signals to keep up... the group will slow down or pull over allowing all to catch up.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. If another bike gets too close to your comfort level, signal him/her to back off.
11. On turns at intersections, let the rider who was traveling ahead of you go first.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Pay attention to directions and instructions from the Road Captain prior to departure.
16. 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.
17. Alcoholic beverages during riding are frowned upon by the club. You're riding in formations and must be sharp and alert.
18. 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.
19. 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.