We have an excellent mix of new as well as experienced officers and committee people to keep our activities interesting, enjoyable and safe. The Senior Road Captain and the other Road Captains will decide based on participation how many motorcycles will be assigned to a group before each ride. They will assign a "Group Leader" and a "Tail Gunner" for each group.

The following are the four most important do's and don'ts as we ride together.

First - we should ride in a staggered formation with the group leader in the left hand position of the lane. Why left? To increase visibility in the four wheeler’s left hand rear view mirror. The second rider takes the right hand position and stays one second distance behind the first rider, The third rider maintains in the left position, two seconds distance behind the first rider. The fourth rider would keep a two-second distance behind the second rider and so on. This formation keeps the group close and permits each rider a safe distance from others ahead, behind and to the sides. Never pair up, there is no place to go to avoid a car or road hazard. On large rides we will be forming several groups and try to keep the number in each group to six to ten for safer riding. Advantages: faster traffic can get around safer without trying to break into our group, in urban areas (we try to avoid) small groups in tight formation have a much better chance to stay together in traffic and particularly all getting through the same traffic light.

Second - we need to practice a consistent procedure for lane changing. This is a smooth and safe way for it to work. The Group Leader wishes, for example, to move from the right to the left hand lane on a four-lane highway to get around slow moving traffic. The leader will signal for a lane change using their turn signal and a hand signal. Each rider then passes this signal back to the tail gunner. No one changes lane at this point. When the left lane is clear of traffic the tail gunner will move over to secure the lane, then signal or radio (when we get a few) move them over. At this point each rider checks their own mirror to confirm it is clear and safe to change lanes, then the riders smoothly move to the left hand lane. (all riders change lane on the command from the tail gunner). Let’s suppose that we are all now in the left lane and the slow moving traffic has been passed. Again it is the sole responsibility of the Group Leader to say or signal: "Let’s get in the right lane" Again, no one moves. The tail gunner checks the lane and the traffic and, if clear, will say or signal: "Right lane secure: bring them over." All riders then move at one time. The issue is safety, think about how all riders moving after the tail gunner secures a clear lane enhances the safety of the team.

Third - The speed of the group should be that which is comfortable for the least experienced rider. No one wants to ride in a group ride where the speed and riding conditions are far beyond the capability of the least experienced rider. Doing so isn’t safe. We are supposed to be out for the ride not the destination. We all may have to slow down a bit to get in the comfort zone of a new rider. If we press a new rider too much, you can bet that he/she will not want to ride with this group again. Our Road Captains will take this into consideration when assigning groups, so if you are a new rider let the leaders know so you can feel comfortable.

Fourth - In addition to having a seasoned Team Leader, a very experienced rider should be Tail Gunner. He/she is responsible for lane changing, keeping the group together and critiquing the ride at breaks or when it is finished with regard to safety. The least experienced riders should be in the middle, Trikes or bikes pulling trailers should be at the rear - only followed by the tail gunner.

Ride safe