1. Arrive at the departure site fueled, fed, and ready to ride.
2. Be early, there will be a riders meeting 10 minutes before departure time.
3. If a map is provided, study it, or have your own map to read and mark up the route.
4. Assume responsibility to work with all others in the group for the safety and protection
of all.
5. Travel in a staggered formation within a lane with the Road Captain taking the
position on the left side of the lane. The next rider will follow at a safe distance on
the opposite side of the lane. Other riders follow the same pattern. Riders should
position themselves so they can see the face of the rider to their front/opposite in that
rider's mirror.
6. Maintain a steady speed and spacing. Do not speed up and slow down or shift your
position from side to side, this disrupts the efforts of others to regulate their speed and
destroys the main purpose of riding as a group.
7. Maintain a minimum but safe riding distance, depending on conditions. "Holes" in the
pack invite motorists driving at faster speeds to cut in and tailgate the bike in front.
However, if a car must cut through the pack either from the left or right, be courteous,
signal to the riders behind you to slow down, then wave the driver through. Close the
hole as quickly as possible.
8. Stay alert. The lives of other people are in the hands of each pack member.
9. When entering traffic from a parking lot, gas station, or leaving a traffic signal, each
rider should move out quickly and get in position in formation.
10. When passing a vehicle on a two-lane, two-way road, each rider should pass in order,
preferably in single file. Obviously this only applies when riding in small groups. One
of the most dangerous situations I have observed occurs when one or more riders tries
to force the issue of keeping up and passes blind or without allowing a safe margin
regarding oncoming traffic. The Road Captain will slow the pack down and wait for
you to pass safely. Never sacrifice safety to the ideal of keeping the pack together.
11. When stopping at a signal or stop sign, pull up to two abreast. Maintain this formation
if you will be going through a series of closely spaced stops.
12. When turning at an intersection maintain your position in the formation.
13. When entering a parking area or gas station enter in single file. The Road Captain
should "loop" the area to allow all riders to get out of traffic.
14. When riding on narrow, twisting roads, move into single file, while maintaining a safe
distance between bikes. The Road Captain will signal this formation by holding up a
single finger. Each rider will pass the signal back, as they must with all signals.
15. Anyone not wishing to ride with the pack should inform both the Road Captain and the
Tail gunner before departing. If this is not possible, fall back behind the last bike and
inform the Tail gunner that you are OK.
16. Be sure to inform the Road Captain and Tail gunner if you will be breaking off from
the pack along the way. Otherwise, any bike that pulls over or exits the highway will
be considered to be in trouble. The Tail gunner will follow to help.
MORE INFORMATION
Know your skills. Take a beginning or experienced safety course from a recognized training center. The more you know, the better rider you become!
Know the rules of the road and respect other road users. Don't forget, riding is a privilege. Get yourself and your motorcycle properly licensed; get insurance if required. Know the limits of your skills, your motorcycle, and the road conditions so you don't ride over your head.
Ride with the right gear. A helmet, eye protection, sturdy jacket, pants boots, and gloves are your best defense against accident injury. It can happen to you!
Ride aware. A car turning across your path is the most frequent accident. Seventy-five percent of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other vehicles, the majority caused by the other driver. Intersections can be bad spots, so slow down and be prepared to react. We repeat: It can happen to you!
Ride to survive. Be seen and not hit. You aren't as big as a Mack truck, but you can attract attention. Wear bright clothing, use your headlight and gright colored fairings, select a lane and a position within a lane to be seen, avoid rapid lane changes, and keep looking around - you don't need surprises!
Ride straight. Alcohol and other drugs do not let you think clearly or make sound judgments. Up to 45% of all fatal motorcycle accidents in the U.S. involve alcohol.
Keep a safe bike. Know your owner's manual, follow recommended service schedules, and have repairs made by an authorized dealer. Always check your bike's tires, suspension and controls before riding.
Share a safe ride. Company is nice. Some company weighs 100 pounds/45 kg; other company weighs more. All weight affects handling. Having someone on the back is a big responsibility. Instruct them on proper riding technique and protective gear.
