GENERAL GROUP RIDING TIPS FOR CHAP 4-6

Have a full tank before arriving at the departure point.

Tell the group leader if you have any special concerns, i.e. speed, sharp corners,
etc.

Tell the group leader if you plan to leave the group before the destination. Also
tell the persons riding in front and behind you so they don't think you are having a
problem.

When a rider leaves the group while in staggered formation, the best way to
compensate for the hole made my his absence is for each rider behind the missing
bike will move up in the staggered formation, in the same line they are in to fill the
space left when the other riders dropped out... The riders should NOT switch to
the other lane causing a criss-cross effect with all riders, this may not be safe for
new riders.

Tell the group leader if your bike has an unusually short fuel range or if your
bladder has a short range.

It is not unusual to start out on a ride when it is fairly warm and have the temp
cool down a lot before getting home. Riders often wear a light jacket because it
felt fine at the time of departure and close to freezing after it got dark. This
frequently happens on dinner rides.

Remember to take some clear eye protection if the ride will extend into the
evening.

When exiting an expressway, keep up the pace so the riders behind you aren't
forced to slow down while still on the expressway and become a traffic hazard.
PASSING ON A TWO LANE ROAD
It is usually very difficult for a group to pass a slow moving car on a two-lane
road. CVMA Road Captain should not pass a car on a two-lane road, particularly
on local rides, unless it is going very slow. If the lead biker decides to pass the
car, each biker must decide on his own if it is safe for him or her. DO NOT follow
the bike in front of you unless you are certain that it is safe for you too.
IMPORTANT: After passing the car, keep going. You must make room for all the
bikes behind you.
PASSING ON A FREEWAY INTO
A FASTER LANE
As a group, it can be difficult to pass a slow moving car on any road with two or
more lanes of same-direction traffic. This is especially true with moderate to
heavy traffic. Often there is not enough room for the entire group to get between
cars in the faster lane.
The way to accomplish this is for the last bike to pull over one lane to the left and
hold his position. Each rider should move to the left lane as the cars in front of
the rear biker pass him or her. You can then pass the slow car as a group after
the lead rider moves to the left lane.
The lead rider should move back to the right lane after passing the slow car by a
safe distance. It is very important that the lead rider maintain speed to make
room for all the other riders. Each rider should move back to the right lane one at
a time once safely cleared the slow car. This can be a real slick choreographed
move for other motorists to observe.
PASSING ON A
FREEWAY INTO
A SLOWER LANE
During a lane change into a
lane moving slower than the
group (usually to the right),
the FRONT bike moves over
first. Now, what do the rest
of the bikes do? Legally, if
the whole group moves like a
"brick" (everyone changing
lane together in one
movement), that is
considered to be parading
and can cause problems if
any emergency arises. Also,
if you remember from your
MSF classes, you learned
that you and you alone are
responsible for your own
safety. So, if each bike
individually changes lanes in
order following the first bike
to change lanes (whether
from the front or the back),
you can reduce your risk
factor, change lanes legally,
and still look REAL GOOD
while doing the maneuver!
It is important that the lead
road captain and sweep (tail
gunner) talk to each other
before the ride and come to
an agreement on how they
intend to pass cars.
Riding Staggered
CVMA will ride in a stagger formation for
safety reasons. The minimum
recommended spacing to the bike directly
in front of you should not be less than two
seconds (the two second rule). The bike in
the lane to your left or right should not be
less than one second ahead of you. You
will find that two seconds is a long distance
when riding at highway speeds. That is it's
a long distance when everything is going
well. When things go wrong, however,
two seconds distance is gone in the time it
takes to figure out you are in trouble.
The two-second rule is a rule of thumb.
CVMA riders should try to adhere to
this rule when possible, especially at
highway speeds. CVMA will ride
staggered at all times. Since there may be
some riders that are not experienced
enough to ride side-by-side while in city
streets.
During your Pre-ride briefing the Road
Captain and/or Safety Captain should
identify those riders that are not
comfortable with riding in groups. Those
riders should be placed in the rear of the
formation; this will help prevent the group
from starting the rubber banding effect.
The last bike should ride in the middle of
the two bike lanes with all headlights and
running lights on. This will help the lead
bike see the last bike. Refer to the image
to the right.
Group Riding Policy
NO alcohol should be consumed before or during a planned group ride that is CVMA sanctioned.
Fuel up BEFORE you get to the ride!
Do not fool around (horse play or break formation) when riding with the group. Any member
observing another member fooling around when in formation should discuss it with that member
and attempt to clear up the situation. If it should persist, bring it to the attention of the Road
Captain.
These guidelines are intended to serve as a basic guide for most situations. Therefore, each
person is expected to read, understand and apply them, using their best judgment. Since these
guidelines are to be used as a basic guide they may not fit all of our riding situations. The
important part of this basic guide is that the Road Captains talk at the pre-ride briefing about
what they are going to do when something out of the ordinary happens, such as a rider having
trouble with their motorcycle. How they are going to handle that situation. Please remember
that YOU have the ultimate responsibility for your safety, and ALWAYS ride within your
capabilities and that of your machine.
I. RIDING FORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS
The ride route will be laid out in advance. Everyone on the ride will be made aware of the ride
route and destination.
1. The standard formation, under good conditions of road, traffic, and weather, will
be a double row, staggered, in one traffic lane. The interval will be TWO
SECOND DELAY between the rider and the next rider directly ahead and no less
than one second between staggered riders.
2. The Road Captain will be at the head of the group, and typically will ride just to
the right of the center lane with the Chap. Commander to his right.
3. New members (less than one year), guests, and any rider with little experience
in group riding will be positioned at the rear of the group, just before the
tailgunner. The Road Captains may choose to separate the group of
inexperienced riders into a group of their own, consistent with expected or actual
conditions.
4. Each rider should maintain his or her starting line trip position in the group until
arrival at the destination. This allows each rider to become more familiar with the
riding style and habits of those nearest him or her in the group, and is
particularly important for the new or inexperienced riders.
5. Under certain conditions, the Lead Road Captain will signal the group to form a
single file formation. The signal is the left arm held overhead with one finger
extended, drop back to a safe following distance (2 seconds) from the rider in
front of you and move into a single file.
II. SPEED, INTERVALS AND DISTANCES
( All group rides will be at 5 miles below posted speed limits, conditions permitting!)
1. The Lead Road Captain will attempt to establish and maintain a uniform speed, consistent
with the ability of the least experienced rider, surrounding conditions and safe riding practices. All
riders will make an effort to maintain this uniform speed.
2. Minimum Safe following distances within the group is defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY
between the rider and the next rider directly ahead. This means there is a ONE SECOND DELAY
between staggered riders. Whenever a single file formation is employed, a safe distance remains
defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the rider directly ahead.
3. With respect to vehicles ahead of the group, a safe distance is defined as a MINIMUM of a
THREE SECOND DELAY between the Lead Road Captain and any vehicle directly ahead of the
group.
Avoid leaving a bigger space, it invites cars to squeeze into the gap of the group, which can be
very dangerous!
III. LANE CHANGES AND PASSING & GROUP LANE CHANGING ON FREEWAY
1. The Lead Road Captain will hold his or her position and signal for a lane change.
2. All riders will hold their positions and pass the signal to the rear.
3. The tailgunner will change lanes at the first safe opportunity, protecting the lane for the
group, and allowing the Lead Road Captain to see that the lane is clear and protected.
4. We then change lanes using the "follow the leader" approach. The Lead Road Captain will
change lanes first followed by all other riders moving from the front to the rear of the group.
Note: NOBODY, except the tailgunner, is to change lanes before the Lead
Road Captain. ALWAYS make a HEAD CHECK before you begin the lane
change, and maintain safe distances.
IV. INDIVIDUAL PASSING – NON FREEWAY
1. There are times when it will not be possible for the entire group to change lanes
as above. When this situation arises, the Road Captain will signal with one finger
extended into the air, then signal for a lane change. This indicates that changing
lanes as a group is not possible. The Road Captain will then change lanes when
safe to do so. Everyone signals, head checks, and changes lanes front to back,
as individuals, when safe to do so. Should the group become separated, regroup
when it is safe to do so. Please use known good safety practices.
2. On a two-lane road with two-way traffic (one lane each way), a single file
formation should be used when passing other vehicles. On occasion, the Lead
2.
road Captain may continue in the passing lane, while safe to do so, allowing
other riders to see that the way is clear for them to continue the group passing
maneuver.
3. If for any reason the group becomes separated, merge safely back to the
pack, returning to your original position, using known good safety practices.
V. UNSCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY STOPS
1. Unscheduled stops for gas, restrooms or rider fatigue can lead to confusion in the group, and
confusion can lead to accidents. The Lead Road Captain should be informed that a stop is
necessary in order to lead the group in an organized fashion to the next convenient and safe
place to stop. The most important in this step is that the Road Captains should plan in the Preride briefing for a fuel or rest stop if the length of the ride warrants it.
2. Any rider with an equipment problem or who sees a problem with another rider's equipment
should inform one of the Road Captains as quickly and as safely as possible. When the Lead
Road Captain is informed, he will stop the group at the earliest possible moment, when and
where it is safe and if the mission allows for this otherwise follow step 3. Procedure below.
3. If the rider must pull over immediately, the Tail Gunner will accompany that rider to a stop.
The Lead Road Captain should be informed if he is not aware of this situation. Once the Lead
Road Captain is informed, he will continue on the route as planned and the Tailgunner will
continue communications with the Lead Road Captain via radio or cell phone... The rest of the
riders will move up in the staggered formation, in the same line they are in to fill the space left
when the other riders dropped out... The riders should NOT switch to the other lane causing a
criss-cross effect with all riders, this is may not safe for new riders...
4. Group rides going through lots of intersections and lights, a separation of the group will
happen. Should the front of the group turn and make it through the light, the leader will stop
after the intersection (keeping safety in mind) and wait for the rest of the group. This may mean
finding a spot to pull off the road to wait for the rest of the group.