1) Learning the Hand-Signals.
Most are universal, but some are unique to Chapter 32. A common mistake is thinking you do not need to learn all
of these hand-signals, especially those not used often, but the argument can be made that ALL hand signals are
important, and it is these rarely used signals you need to memorize, precisely because we don't use them often.
2) Learning Group Riding Procedures. There are several procedures specific to group riding that you will want
to learn: Lane changing, Lane Positions, Group Parking Procedures, Who Does What on a Group Ride.
Please read and become familiar with Star City Chapter 32 Group Riding procedures.
3) Operating Your Vehicle Safely. Make sure that you and your vehicle are unimpaired and currently
functioning and operating safely. Some examples: No wheelies, Stoppies, Burnouts, Beer, Drugs, Bald Tires.
4) Performing and Maneuvering Safely. In the riding environment you are in, should you not be 100% sure of
your ability, you must remove yourself from the situation. At all times, each rider must ride within their capabilities.
It is the duty of every rider to make sure the environment is safe for themselves, as well as for others.
5) Observing the Objectives and Guidelines. In order to assure the safety of every individual within the group,
and the welfare of surrounding motorists or pedestrians, become familiar with all ride guidelines, practices, and
procedures. The idea is for every member of our riding team to be on (and stay on) the same page.
6) Following the Instructions of the Ride Leader. Unless these instructions place you, or any other individual
in an unsafe situation, you are expected to follow the Ride Leader and their instructions. We use a saying:
If the Ride Leader makes a wrong turn, we ALL make a wrong turn.
7) Arriving Promptly at the Scheduled Meeting Place. Be prepared for the scheduled departure time.
This includes a full tank of gas and necessary restroom visits.
8) Riding With Your Headlights On. This is required by Virginia State law.
9) Wearing a Helmet. This is required by Virginia State law.
......Keeping a "Safety First" Attitude.
Most are universal, but some are unique to Chapter 32. A common mistake is thinking you do not need to learn all
of these hand-signals, especially those not used often, but the argument can be made that ALL hand signals are
important, and it is these rarely used signals you need to memorize, precisely because we don't use them often.
2) Learning Group Riding Procedures. There are several procedures specific to group riding that you will want
to learn: Lane changing, Lane Positions, Group Parking Procedures, Who Does What on a Group Ride.
Please read and become familiar with Star City Chapter 32 Group Riding procedures.
3) Operating Your Vehicle Safely. Make sure that you and your vehicle are unimpaired and currently
functioning and operating safely. Some examples: No wheelies, Stoppies, Burnouts, Beer, Drugs, Bald Tires.
4) Performing and Maneuvering Safely. In the riding environment you are in, should you not be 100% sure of
your ability, you must remove yourself from the situation. At all times, each rider must ride within their capabilities.
It is the duty of every rider to make sure the environment is safe for themselves, as well as for others.
5) Observing the Objectives and Guidelines. In order to assure the safety of every individual within the group,
and the welfare of surrounding motorists or pedestrians, become familiar with all ride guidelines, practices, and
procedures. The idea is for every member of our riding team to be on (and stay on) the same page.
6) Following the Instructions of the Ride Leader. Unless these instructions place you, or any other individual
in an unsafe situation, you are expected to follow the Ride Leader and their instructions. We use a saying:
If the Ride Leader makes a wrong turn, we ALL make a wrong turn.
7) Arriving Promptly at the Scheduled Meeting Place. Be prepared for the scheduled departure time.
This includes a full tank of gas and necessary restroom visits.
8) Riding With Your Headlights On. This is required by Virginia State law.
9) Wearing a Helmet. This is required by Virginia State law.
......Keeping a "Safety First" Attitude.
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| What Goes Into a Group Ride Who Does What To Make It Happen? |
Some of you may wonder what it takes to make a group ride safe and successful. There are things going on in a
group ride that most riders never know about, so let’s take a look at the inner workings and responsibilities that go
into making a group ride safe, beginning with the ride leader.
group ride that most riders never know about, so let’s take a look at the inner workings and responsibilities that go
into making a group ride safe, beginning with the ride leader.
- Ride Leader: He (she) has the responsibility of knowing where the group is going and how to get there
in a safe and orderly manner. The leader must know how many bikes are in the group and where that last
bike, or tail-gunner, is positioned. If traveling in a staggered double column formation, the ride leader is at
the head of the left hand column and should be the only bike riding the center line. All other riders in the
left column behind the leader should position their bikes in the middle of the ride lane. (See diagram A)
This formation allows the leader a clear field of vision to the tail-gunner at the rear of the column. It is the
ride leader’s responsibility to pick the proper lane of travel necessary to avoid merging traffic or to exit a
highway or to make a turn. Only the ride leader initiates lane or formation changes and they do this with
the use of hand signals. Ride Leaders also set the pace or speed of the ride, taking into consideration the
experience level of the riders in the group, as well as conditions of the highway being traveled.
- Shotgun: Many groups do not recognize this position,
but Star City does. Shotgun rides as the second bike in the
formation, at the head of the right hand column. The
shotgun rider has the responsibility of helping the ride
leader execute lane changes from a left lane to a right
lane. The shotgun rider has a clear field of vision into the
right hand lane. (See diagram B) When the ride leader asks
for a lane change from left to right, and he signals the tail-
gunner to block the lane, this puts the tail-gunner
completely out of the leader’s field of vision and into the
shotgun riders. Once the right lane is secured by the tail-
gunner, the shotgun rider will signal the leader that it is safe
to change lanes. Usually, this is done by tooting the horn.
diagram B
Now, let’s talk about the rest of us: Just what are the rest of us supposed to do?
We should always ride with a safety first attitude. This means, the safety of all, whether
or not they are part of the group. Watch for, and relay, all hand signals from front to rear.
(Hopefully, without changing them.) Spot and signal for hazards. Maintain proper
distance between bikes. (See diagram D) Two seconds from the bike in front of you is preferred, and one second from the
bike over in the next column. If traveling at higher speeds, extend that gap a little, but with that said, we also don’t want
large gaps in the formation. This is important for several reasons. Large gaps create problems such as: Other vehicles
will attempt to break into the formation, and hand-signals being passed from front to rear are often disrupted, misread, or
not passed along. The rider responsible for the gap is, in effect, setting themselves up as ride leader to the bikes behind
him. Too great a distance between bikes affects the ride leader’s ability to keep up with the tail-gunner and keeps the
tail-gunner from seeing what is going on up front. Large gaps create potentially serious safety hazards. The gap should
follow the two-second rule and should be consistent throughout the formation.
bike over in the next column. If traveling at higher speeds, extend that gap a little, but with that said, we also don’t want
large gaps in the formation. This is important for several reasons. Large gaps create problems such as: Other vehicles
will attempt to break into the formation, and hand-signals being passed from front to rear are often disrupted, misread, or
not passed along. The rider responsible for the gap is, in effect, setting themselves up as ride leader to the bikes behind
him. Too great a distance between bikes affects the ride leader’s ability to keep up with the tail-gunner and keeps the
tail-gunner from seeing what is going on up front. Large gaps create potentially serious safety hazards. The gap should
follow the two-second rule and should be consistent throughout the formation.
diagram D
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Group Riding
Southern Cruisers Riding Club
Star City Chapter 32
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Roanoke, Virginia
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diagram A
Tail-gunner: The tail-gunner will follow at the rear of
the group wherever he needs to be to see what is going
on. The tail-gunner’s job is to help make lane changes
by keeping traffic off of the group by securing the lane
when the ride leader asks for it. (See diagram C)
The tail-gunner will also stop with any rider having
difficulty.
the group wherever he needs to be to see what is going
on. The tail-gunner’s job is to help make lane changes
by keeping traffic off of the group by securing the lane
when the ride leader asks for it. (See diagram C)
The tail-gunner will also stop with any rider having
difficulty.
diagram C
Hand signal the
leader sends back
for tail-gunner to
secure a lane
leader sends back
for tail-gunner to
secure a lane
Riding
| Group |
Riders in a group perform as a team and every member of this team has a job to do. Every job is important. Know your job. |
Motorcycling, on its best day, is a dangerous sport. You are 37% more likely to
be killed while riding your motorcycle than you are while driving your car.
Everything you can do to educate and prepare yourself in this sport is crucial to
your very survival. Seasoned experienced riders are killed in this sport every day,
and if you don't believe this, have a look at this Memorial Site.
Your very first line of defense is attitude.
be killed while riding your motorcycle than you are while driving your car.
Everything you can do to educate and prepare yourself in this sport is crucial to
your very survival. Seasoned experienced riders are killed in this sport every day,
and if you don't believe this, have a look at this Memorial Site.
Your very first line of defense is attitude.
|
Star City Chapter 32 does not currently use headsets, therefore, our only method of
communication is hand signaling. This is our RIDING LANGUAGE or how we speak to one
other while traveling. Because it is an easy language to learn, some make the mistake of
equating "easy" with "no big deal" and think hand signaling deserves minimal weight in the
priority line-up, both for learning and utilizing. Thinking that would be a mistake.
communication is hand signaling. This is our RIDING LANGUAGE or how we speak to one
other while traveling. Because it is an easy language to learn, some make the mistake of
equating "easy" with "no big deal" and think hand signaling deserves minimal weight in the
priority line-up, both for learning and utilizing. Thinking that would be a mistake.
SECOND NATURE n. Date: 1582
ingrained habit or skill <after a while, using the gearshift becomes second nature> |
- Over time, you will discover that certain hand signals become Second Nature
because they are so long practiced as to seem innate.
- The following list of hand signals falls into this classification:
- Left Turn #1
- Right Turn #2
- Single File #10
- Staggered Formation #11
- Right Shoulder Hazard #17
- Hazard in the Road #18-19
| Memorize the other ones |
| Each individual rider in a group is 100% responsible for: |
- Group Parking
Parking in an orderly method
reduces the time
for all to get off the road and out
of traffic.
Upon entering the parking or
rest area, bikes should be in
single file. There is risk for
injury for the last bikes that may
be blocking the road in an
attempt to stay with the group,
so keep aware.
If there is room, each bike
should pull ahead of the
intended parking place and
then back up into their spot.
See image below. This can be
done very fast because
you don't have to wait for the
bike ahead of you to finish
parking.
If you find yourself at the end of
the group and can't get off
the road while waiting for
others to park, GO AROUND.
Come back a minute or two
later when things have settled
down and take your time.
For the "Bagger" drivers, don't
forget your pipes.
Everything is cool when you
back up to the curb until you
lean your bike over onto your
kickstand and you bend and
scratch your left pipe on the
curb.
| Prevent Dehydration |