The Group Ride Guide

Group rides are a great way to meet and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, all too often they end in tragedy. Many are of the opinion that there is a far greater risk associated with group rides and experience would tend to bear this out. Some would go so far as to suggest that group rides should be banned.

Speed and stupidity play a part in many of the accidents occuring during group rides. It is not usually the front-runners who get into difficulty; rather those who stretch their ability to try and keep up. We urge the faster riders to consider this when setting the pace; you could still enjoy your ride at a slightly slower pace and, possibly, save a life too. The place for stretching yourself as a rider is on the track.

The ideal result from a group ride is to relax at the end of the day content with the day's events, having met old and made new friends, travelled some awesome roads, talked bollocks and enjoyed the company that only being part of the motorcycling community has to offer.

The following guidelines will go some way towards making group rides safer and more enjoyable for all concerned.

Organiser's / Organisers' responsibilities

• Organisers must take their responsibilities seriously as they may incur a legal liability if things go horribly wrong.
• If you are not comfortable with running a large group ride, consider not advertising too far in advance. You are likely to have a smaller turnout if you advertise seven days in advance. You may prefer to set a limit on the number of riders accepted on the ride.
• When advertising the ride:
  • provide as much information about the ride as possible, e.g., route, duration and terrain. The more people who know where they are going the better and the less you have to cover at the briefing.
  • indicate the type of rider you expect to cater for - Learner, Intermediate, Experienced or All Welcome
  • grade the ride/roads - Easy, Difficult or Technical and list the approximate distance.
• Consider the types of riders involved and to splitting the ride into two groups, each with a leader and tail-end-Charlie (TEC), where appropriate.
• Pre-ride banter should not be condoned online or on the ride. That harmless "I'm going to own you" comment could lead to two or more people starting a cock fight that ends in misery or death. Consider reporting offending posts to the mods if things get out of hand.
• The organiser should give a pre-ride briefing covering destination, route, pointer system, fuel and catch up points, leader, TEC, notice of any known hazards, and a general rundown on etiquette and expectations.

Riders' responsibilities

• Register your interest in attending a ride so that organisers can gauge attendance and plan accordingly.
• If you would like to develop your riding skills and would like the advice of a more experienced rider, please have a word with the organiser well before the ride. They should be able to organise a buddy for you.
• Perform a pre-ride check to ensure your machine is up to the ride and that you are ready to leave the assembly point with a full tank of fuel.
• Obey all road rules at all times
• Ride your own ride!
• No undertaking at any time
• Before overtaking check that no one else is already doing so. This will necessitate a head check!
• No overtaking on corners
• Keep to your lane at all times except when overtaking
• Leave plenty of room for panic braking and space out accordingly
• Read the road conditions ahead of you and ahead of the rider in front of you; don't fix your sight on the rider in front.
• After overtaking a slower vehicle, move towards the left side of the lane to allow room for the rider following to pass safely too.
• Fuel and water are necessary for the rider as well. Unlike your bike, however, you do not need lubrication (alcohol).
• Treat all vehicles (including ride participants) as being controlled by an idiot out to get you. Afford other ride participants the same care, respect and attention as you would any other road user.
• If someone is following too closely for your comfort pull over and wave them through to make your intentions clear.
• Discourage any silly behaviour that you observe on a ride or during breaks. Politely reprimand riders if necessary.
• If for any reason you leave before the end of the ride advise the organiser, ride leader or tail-end-Charlie.
• You should know what to do if an accident occurs
• Learn to recognise the signs that you are pushing too hard and back off
• Staggered formation riding should be reserved for parade or procession rides. On the open road you should ride your own ride.
• Remember, it's about the journey and the friendships developed, not the speed.
• If in doubt ask! If you are unsure on the destination or route, ask. If you are unsure of the pointer system, ask. If you are unsure who is TEC, ask. If you are still unsure - ask again. Chances are if you are uncertain on any point other people are too.

NOTE: These guidelines are, by necessity, general in nature. Common sense should prevail.

NONE of this should be construed as suggesting or recommending that you ride contrary to the Land Transport Act or any other laws which may be applicable.

Definitions

Tail-end-Charlie or TEC: Designated last bike in the pack/ride. The job is important because they act like a huntaway - they keep the stragglers moving. TEC must know exactly where the ride is going (all roads and turn offs etc). The slower riders will have a sense of security in knowing that there is an experienced rider behind them, always. TEC will/should have the cell phone number of the ride leader/organiser in case of incident (flat tyre/bike fault whatever). TEC is also back marker so a pointer knows that job is finished and may leave the post when the TEC passes.

Staggered Formation: Bikes riding in procession - one bike in the left wheel track, the next in the right wheel track and the next in the left again, etc.

Head Check: Turn your head to check for vehicles which may present a danger to you or you to them. Mirrors invariably have blind spots and do not have sufficient coverage to allow full view of all danger areas. You should turn your head to check for vehicles beside or behind you before changing lanes, prior to overtaking, at motorway on ramps and exit only lanes etc. This is a basic driving/riding skill.

Accident

Stop. Park in a safe place.

At ALL TIMES your safety is top priority. Position someone, or your bike, back from the scene where approaching traffic can be warned and slowed down.

Make a quick assessment of the situation. If there is an immediate danger you may need to neutralise this first. If emergency medical services will be required, the sooner they are contacted the better the chances of survival.

Dial 111 and ask for Ambulance; listen carefully and follow their instructions. If you shut up, listen and answer the questions, the call will be processed much more quickly. Amongst other things the first thing the call taker will ask is the exact address of your emergency...know this!! If nothing else gets through, this is the most important piece of information. They will organise fire or police as procedure, you just make one call.

Assess the rider / pillion / other patients

• Minimise further injury
• Unless they are in immediate danger, leave them where they are.
• Only move them away if they are in further danger from something, e.g. traffic, fuel etc.
• The same goes for any bikes, cars or debris involved in the accident. Leave it there! Positions of vehicles and debris may be important in a serious crash investigation.
• It is OK to remove the helmet PROVIDED that it is done carefully, i.e. not roughly wrenched off their head. There is good information HERE about how to do this.
• Keep the helmet for ambulance staff.
• Keep the person still and calm.
• Use CPR if required.

That out the way, lets move on to most scenarios where there is perhaps a broken bone of some sort at worst:

• All you can really do is try and control any serious bleeding.
• Do this by applying direct pressure to the affected area with whatever you have available ... a t-shirt or whatever.
• Keep the person warm and calm, reassurance goes a long way here. Tell them what's happened, what's going on, and that the ambulance is on its way.
• That's all you can really do unless there are medical professionals on the scene.
• Get a good handle on what has happened so when the Ambulance staff arrive you can give them a good handover as to what happened, how many people involved, and who/where they are.

That's it really. To re-cap

• Get safe
• Dial 111
• Try not to move anyone/ anything unless necessary
• Control serious bleeding
• Reassurance

Of course common sense also prevails - if it's a minor lowside into a gravel patch then just sort it out as you see fit.