Riding In Groups

Motorcycling is primarily a solo activity, but for many, riding as a group -- whether with friends on a Sunday morning ride or with an organised motorcycle rally -- is the epitome of the motorcycling experience.

Here are some tips to help ensure a fun and safe group ride:

Arrive prepared: Arrive on time and make sure that your tank is full.

Discuss the Route: Ensure you are familiar with the rest and fuel stops, and hand signals (see diagrams below for common ones). A leader is nominated, as is a sweeper who makes sure no-one is left behind. Both will be experienced riders who are well-versed in group riding procedures. The leader will be aware of everyone’s riding skills and the group’s riding style.

Larger Groups: Where the group is large and the route is through towns and other areas where it may be difficult to keep a large group together it may be split up to more manageable sizes, ideally five to seven riders. We will all be going the same route and following each other, but it is easier to stay together in smaller groups and easier to track the riders through busy urban areas.. Each group will nominate a leader and sweeper.

Ride prepared: At least one rider in each group should pack a mobile phone, first-aid kit, and tool kit, so the group is prepared for any problem that they might encounter.

Ride in formation. The staggered riding formation (see diagram below) allows a proper space cushion between motorcycles so that each rider has enough time and space to maneuver and to react to hazards. The leader rides in the left third of the lane, while the next rider stays at least one second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the group follows the same pattern. A single-file formation is preferred on a curvy road, under conditions of poor visibility or poor road surfaces, entering/leaving highways, or other situations where an increased space cushion or maneuvering room is needed.

Avoid side-by-side formations: These reduce the space cushion. If you suddenly needed to swerve to avoid a hazard, you would not have room to do so. You don’t want handlebars to get entangled.

Periodically check the riders following in your rear view mirror: If you see a rider falling behind, slow down so they may catch up. If all the riders in the group use this technique, the group should be able to maintain a fairly steady speed without pressure to ride too fast to catch up.

If you’re separated from the group, don’t panic: Your group should have a pre-planned procedure in place to regroup. Don’t break the law or ride beyond your skills to catch up.
For mechanical or medical problems, use a cell phone to call for assistance as the situation warrants.

Common Hand signals (well some are more common than others, but here are a few to get you started!)

These are simple guidelines, tips and hints and generally what to expect on most ride outs but it may vary with the size of the group, rider experience and prevailing conditions.

Whilst this seems a lot to take in, this information is intended to give new riders to the group a basic understanding of how things work on a ride out. Barring unforeseen events, you are unlikely to notice anything other than a bike guiding your path at each junction.

The Lead bike, Drop off riders and sweeper are all there to make your day as fun and as enjoyable as possible, however these are not professionally organised ride outs, merely a bunch of enthusiasts doing what they love most.

 

DISCLAIMER

The decision to participate in a ride out is solely that of the rider who joins the ride out of their own free will and acknowledges that no responsibility is accepted by the ride leaders or the SOC for any breakdowns, accidents, incidents or individual actions which may occur during the course of a ride out.

Safety

1.         SOC rideouts are NOT races and we DO NOT leave anyone behind, so please do not be tempted to ride beyond your limits.

2.         Unnecessary high speeds or reckless overtakes can lead to incidents. It will also deter less experienced members from joining us in the future.

3.         We adhere to speed limits and observe the rules of the road.

4.         When passing through built up areas and villages please be mindful of children and pedestrians who live there and have every right to feel safe and secure crossing the road

5.         There are no rules governing overtaking other riders within the group, so please be aware that others may decide to overtake you.

6.         Please ride safely, carefully and with consideration for other riders and road users and ride within your abilities and limits.

7.         If weather conditions dictate, the ride leader may cancel or curtail the ride out in the interests of safety.

8.         Please ensure you have an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number in your mobile.

Fuel

1.                  Before leaving the meeting point please ensure you are fully fuelled regardless of how far the next stop is.

2.                  Maximum distance between fuel stops is usually 100 miles which usually caters for most bikes fuel range.

3.         Everyone will need to fill up at these stops but if for some reason, you run low and need to stop, pull over and stop and indicate to the sweeper (explained in point 7 below).

Please DO NOT just pull into a petrol station as you may get left behind.

4.         Ensure you have sufficient cash or cards to pay for the day as there will be stops for food/fags/fuel during the ride out.

Joining the ride

1.         When you arrive at the departure point familiarise yourself with other riders joining you and get to know which bikes they ride as we often meet other groups of bikers and you may end up following the wrong group!

2.         Find out who the ride leader is and the Sweeper for the day (explained in point 7 below)

3.         Make sure that the Lead rider has your number, just in case you get lost or are missed, that way we can txt or call you to make sure you are OK.

4.         Navigation is the responsibility of the individual as the ride leaders cannot guarantee that riders will not become separated from the main group.

Ride etiquette

1.                  The ride is marshalled by a Lead rider who will set a pace judged appropriate for the conditions, size of group and experience of the participants, Drop off riders and a Sweeper.

2.         A drop off rider can be anyone in the group who is near the front as the group changes direction, particularly through traffic lights, towns or large junctions.

3.         The drop off rider should stop in a position that is safe but also visible to the following riders.

4.         When the drop off rider sees the sweeper pass by they will set off again and rejoin the group in front of the sweeper.

5.         When a complex series of direction changes are made, the ride leader will stop as soon as is safe to regroup the ride. This does not mean stop, take off helmet and have a fag. Please stay on your bike as we will move on once the Sweeper arrives.

6.         You will find that during the ride, most people will naturally find a place in the convoy which suits their experience and speed.

7.         The Sweepers job is to support the ride from the back to ensure that no one gets left behind.

Problems

1.         If you experience a problem, signal to the Sweeper and they will stop with you. If a long delay is anticipated they will contact the lead rider to advise.

2.         If you are riding just in front of the sweeper please keep an eye behind as if they have a problem there is no one to make sure they are ok. If you lose sight of them keep going and advise the lead rider where you last saw them.

3.         If the group gets spread out and you are riding on your own, keep following the road you are on until you see one of the drop off riders.

4.         Should you be unable to continue the journey due to breakdown etc., the recovery of your bike is the responsibility of the individual, although assistance will be rendered by group members if possible.

Return leg

1.         On the return ride due to individual locations and other arrangements, some riders may wish to make their own way home or leave the ride at different points.

2.         IF THIS IS YOU please notify the leader and sweeper prior to setting off that you will be leaving the group early.