No alcohol should be consumed before or during a planned group ride.

Fuel up before you get to the ride!

Do not fool around  (horse play or breaking formation) when riding with the group. Any member observing another member fooling around when in  formation should discuss it with that member and attempt to clear up the situation.  If it should persist, bring it to the attention of the Road Captain.

These guidelines are intended to serve as a basic guide for most situations. Therefore, each person is expected to read, understand, and apply them, using their best judgment.

Please remember that YOU have the ultimate responsibility for your safety, and ALWAYS ride within your capabilities and that of your machine.

RIDING FORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS

The ride route should be laid out in advance.  Everyone on the ride should be made aware of the ride route and destination.

1. The standard formation, under good conditions of road, traffic, and weather, will be a double row, staggered, in one traffic lane.  The interval will be TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the next rider directly ahead and no less than one second between staggered riders.
    
2. The Lead Road Captain will be at the head of the group, and typically will ride just to the right of the center lane.  Other Road Captains may be assigned positions within the group, which will be followed by the Rear Road Captain or "Sweep”.
    
3. New members (less than one year), guests, and any rider with little experience in group riding will be positioned at the front of the group, just behind the Lead Road Captain.  The Road Captains may choose to separate the group of inexperienced riders into a group of their own, consistent with expected or actual conditions.
    
4. Each rider should maintain his or her starting line tip position in the group until arrival at the destination.  This allows each rider to become more familiar with the riding style and habits of those nearest him or her in the group, and is particularly important for the new or inexperienced riders.
    

5. Under certain conditions the Lead Road Captain will signal the group to form a single file formation.  The signal is the left arm held overhead with one finger extended, drop back to a safe following distance from the rider in front of you and move into a single 1file.
   
    

   SPEED, INTERVALS AND DISTANCES All group rides will be at posted speed limits, conditions permitting!

    

6. The Lead Road Captain will attempt to establish and maintain a uniform speed, consistent with the ability of the least experienced rider, surrounding conditions, arid safe riding practices.  All riders will make an effort to maintain this uniform speed.
    
7. Minimum Safe Following distances within the group is defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the next rider directly ahead.  This means that there is a ONE SECOND DELAY between staggered riders. Whenever a single file formation is employed, a safe distance remains defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the rider directly ahead.
    
8. With respect to vehicles ahead of the group, a safe distance is defined as a MINIMUM of a THREE SECOND DELAY between the Lead Road Captain and any vehicle directly ahead of the group.
   
    

   Avoid leaving a bigger space, it invites cars to squeeze into the gap of the group, which can be very dangerous! LANE CHANGES AND PASSING & GROUP LANE CHANGING ON FREEWAY

    

9. The Lead Road Captain will hold his or her position and signal for a lane change.
    
10. All riders will hold their positions and pass the signal to the rear.
     
11. The Rear Road Captain will change lanes at the first safe opportunity, protecting the lane for the group, and allowing the Lead Road Captain to see that the lane is clear and protected.
     
12. We then change lanes using the "follow the leader" approach.  The Lead Road Captain will change lanes first followed by all other riders moving from the front to the rear of the group.
    
     

    Note: NOBODY, except the Sweep, is to change lanes before the Lead Road Captain.  ALWAYS make a HEAD CHECK before you begin the lane change, and maintain safe distances. INDIVIDUAL PASSING – NON FREEWAY

     

13. There are times when it will not be possible for the entire group to change lanes as above.  When this situation arises, the Road Captain will signal with one finger extended into the air, then signal for a lane change. This indicates that changing lanes as a group is not possible.   The Road Captain will then change lanes when safe to do so.  Everyone signals, head checks, and changes lanes front to back, as individuals, when safe to do so.   Should the group become separated, regroup when it is safe to do so.  Please use known good safety practices, INCLUDING HEAD CHECKS.
     
14. On a two-lane road with two way traffic (one lane each way), a single file formation should be used when passing other vehicles.   On occasion, the Lead Road Captain may continue in the passing lane, while safe to do so, allowing other riders to see that the way is clear for them to continue the group passing maneuver.
     
15. If for any reason the group becomes separated, merge safely back to the pack, returning to your original position, using known good safety practices.
    
     

    UNSCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY STOPS

     

16. Unscheduled stops for gas, restrooms, or rider fatigue can lead to confusion in the group, and confusion can lead to accidents.  The Lead Road Captain should be informed that a stop is necessary in order to lead the group in an organized fashion to the next convenient and safe place to stop.
     
17. Any rider with an equipment problem or who sees a problem with another rider's equipment should inform one of the Road Captains as quickly and as safely as possible.  When the Lead Road Captain is informed, he or she will stop the group at the earliest possible moment, when and where it is safe.
     
18. If the rider must Pull over immediately, the Rear Road Captain will accompany that rider to a stop.  The Lead Road Captain should be informed if he or she is not aware of this situation.  Once the Lead Road Captain is informed, he or she will pull the group over as soon as it is safe to do so.
     
19. Group rides going through lots of intersections and lights, a separation of the group can happen.  Should the front of the group turn and make it through the light, the leader will stop after the intersection (keep safety in mind) and wait for the rest of the group.  This may mean finding a spot to pull off the road, to wait for the rest of the group.