Rideout etiquette.

[G.C.]

There must be some do’s and don'ts ?

I found myself at the front of a group of 10 GS’s on Sunday, after a few miles constantly looking in my mirrors I just rode my normal ride, stopped after about 30 miles to re group and then carried on, it got me thinking, what should I be doing when at the front of a group ?

Cheers

G C

 

[Marks adventure]

Dont get lost!!!

Pretend you know where you are going...

 

[Jim-Adv]

Ride as fast as you can and turn without indicating, everyone loves a chase! Especially when you find yourself stitched up into leading a group.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

If you bring along some friends, who may have not read this, please brief them on what is expected.

Before you get there.

• LET THE ORGANISER KNOW YOU ARE COMING. It means they can let YOU know if its off/postponed/moved/running late... etc
  
  
• If you are going be late or not going to make it, please advise the organiser and let them know so the ride isn’t held up waiting for people who aren’t coming.
  
  
• Bring a copy of the route if it is available to you, and a map (or at least familiarise yourself with the route/area, using a map beforehand)
  
  
• Try to arrive with a full tank, or fill up on arrival if possible.
  
  
• If the organiser has said the ride out leaves the meeting point at 10:00 sharp, don’t turn up at 5 to and expect the others to wait. Give yourself enough time to be ready to leave at the appointed time.

On the road.
Please give everyone enough space and be prepared for the unexpected as not everyone will know the route/roads.

The Second Man Drop Off System

This requires a Leader, a Tail ender, and the Riders.

• The Leader,- is familiar with the route, and follows it. He should carry a mobile in case of problems on route. He will point out to the first person behind him where to wait to be best positioned to mark each junction.
  
  
• The Tail ender, - is ideally familiar with the route also, but doesn’t have to be. They will stay at the back for the entire ride and will be pointed out at the beginning of the ride. (They may wear a fluro vest to make them more prominent). The tail ender is exactly that, everyone else stays in front of them, once the junction marker sees the Tail ender, approaching they should move off.
  
  
• The Riders – if at any point the route deviates i.e. you take a turn off, the first of the Riders behind the Leader, will stop to mark the way at the junction in a place prominent to the rest of the following group.
  
  
• Once the Tail ender, has arrived, the junction marker can then move off.
  
  
• If any of the Riders decides to drop off the back of the group (behind the tail ender), they must inform the Tail ender, what's going on.

A few safety points

• Do not ride above your ability/limits to try and keep up. There will be a bike waiting for you at the next junction. There will be regular stops for a breather/fag break during which you can catch up safely. (Just because we have pulled over for a couple of minutes it doesn’t mean we are having a fag break though! if the Leaders helmet is still on, he isn’t planning on stopping)
  
  
• Do not get pushed along by a faster bike behind you. Move over and let them through. Slower riders, beware you may be holding up a faster rider and move over, let them past.
  
  
• Ride at a pace that is within your ability.
  
  
• Its not a race and you wont get left behind. Just because you cant see the bike in front doesn’t mean you’re going to get left behind. Take it steady, someone will be waiting somewhere.
  
  
• If everyone follows these simple ideas we can all enjoy a cracking ride, and a good chat at the destination.

<p align="center">**************************************************************
* The organiser accepts no responsibility for the actions of the participants. *
**************************************************************

The participants accept that they are attending by their own free will and in
the knowledge that they are at all times responsible for their own actions,
and their own safety.
</p>

Adapted from a Ride Out Etiquette written by Abel

 

[G.C.]

Paul, that’s exactly what I was after.

Mark / Jim, that’s exactly what I expected

G C