Riding in a Group – Irish Hills HOG Chapter # 2194
1. In a group ride there is usually a lead rider or road captain (in front) and a sweep rider or road captain (at the back). You should know who is leading and who is riding sweep before the ride begins.
2. If you have never ridden with this group before, ask for instructions on hand signals and other procedures before the ride begins. Be sure to inform the lead road captain of your needs (fuel,
stretch and bathroom breaks) before the ride begins.
3. This chapter rides in staggered formation. Once the ride begins determine which side of the lane you should occupy and stay there.
4. Riders who choose to ride in the group should follow the group leader. If a mistake is made, such as a missed turn or missed exit, continue to follow the group until the leader can safely correct the mistake.
5. Hand signals are used to communicate information about road conditions. Each rider is responsible for passing the hand signal back so that other riders are informed.
6. Each rider has the responsibility of being aware of the location of the bike immediately in front of them and behind them and of maintaining a safe distance between themselves and other riders.
7. A rider should be visible in the mirror of the bike ahead of them. If you can see the face of the rider behind you in your mirror, you know that they can see you.
8. Maintain a steady pace with no sudden speed changes and no sudden moves within your lane.
9. When a lane change is signaled, do not merge into the next lane until the front road captain does. The road captain at the rear will pull out and block the lane allowing the whole group to merge together.
10. When riding in city traffic, if the light changes and you are in the turn, complete the turn. If you are left at a light that turns red, stop, the group will pull over to the right when possible to wait for you and riders behind you. When it is not possible to pull over and wait, the group will continue in the right lane at a reduced speed until all members can regroup. Do not run the red light and do not turn left on a red light. Do not panic you will not be left behind.
11. If a bike drops out for any reason, the road captain at the back will drop out and stop with that bike. That road captain will communicate via CB with the lead road captain and the rest of the group will continue on until a safe spot is available to stop. When the whole group stops on the side of the road, all bikes will line up in single file as far to the right as possible.
12. If you leave your place in the group you are to re-enter at the back of the group but in front of the rear road captain.
13. You should have your headlights on at all times so that the road captains can tell who is with the group.
14. Road captains should have CB radios turned to channel 15 on the Citizen Band radio.
15. Once the group has reached its destination, the ride is over according to standard operating procedure for Irish Hills Chapter.