Post by Webmonkey on Apr 15, 2013 22:21:27 GMT
This is aimed at the Sunrise event, but holds true for any rides you may wish to accompany us on!
Rideout Etiquette
Riding in a group is different to being on your own, sounds obvious I know but it is one of the reasons we join clubs and organise rides in the first place. So here are a few sensible pointers which will help to ensure that everyone enjoys the ride and gets back home safely
Getting to the start .
Please ensure that you arrive at South Stack Car Park in plenty of time, you don’t want to be riding in to the place as the rest of us are leaving!
Ensure you have enough fuel to make it to the first fuel stop which is 65 miles away from the start .There is a petrol station at the supermarket in Holyhead.
On the road.
This is not a race! The sooner you get to Skegness the more time you will have to wait around for the rest of us. Speed limits in Towns and villages are strictly adhered to. All the Police Forces for the areas we pass through have been advised of this event.
Give your fellow riders plenty of room on the road. Ride defensibly. Not everyone’s bike performs the same and not all riders ride the same way so take it easy and enjoy the ride. We are riding on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, discourteous riding will not only reflect badly on them and us but on all ‘bikers’!
A word of warning: DO NOT get involved in ‘road rage’ incidents with other motorists. We are riding late at night and the person who wants to race you may have just left the Pub and may not be as good a driver/rider as they think they are!
Sports bikes, tourers and cruisers
Strangely enough the ride works best if the slower bikes are towards the front. This is because there will always be delays between the front and the back of the ride, due to traffic at junctions, lights and general traffic conditions. If fast bikes are at the front those behind them have no chance of catching up.
The Ride.
The ride is split into ‘pods’ of roughly 10 bikes plus a dedicated Marshal. Marshals will have fluorescent bibs with ‘MARSHAL’ and a Number on the back. Additionally there is a Ride Leader, 4 Fuel Marshals to control the Fuel stops, to make sure everyone stops at the designated fuel Stations, and two Tail-End Riders.
If anyone stops along the way only the tail-ender stops with them to find out what is going on. If there is a problem the tail-ender will get in touch with the ride leader (radio or phone). If it’s a minor problem the tail-ender will leave them to catch up at the next stop. If it’s a major problem the tail-ender will ensure that you are safe and will then leave you to make your own recovery arrangements. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the ride, we can not afford the time to wait for you. If you can get it repaired and meet us at Skegness that’s great.
Overtaking / Making progress
Overtaking is encouraged, it’s what bikers do, but please be courteous! (Overtaking, in this context, refers to overtaking of other road users, not within the group/ pod.)
The rides are normally organised so that slower riders/machines are at the front of the ride and the faster riders/bikes are towards the rear.
We do this because, at times, the back section of the group has to be able to make good progress (within safe limits) to ensure that the ride stays together as a group.
However, If anyone sees someone in the group making dangerous overtakes (OK, we all make mistakes sometimes but not repeatedly) point it out to a Ride Marshal, who will have a quiet word. Faster bikes shouldn’t take unnecessary risks to get past, especially undertaking.
Motorways and Dual Carriageways
Staying together, or at least in sight of one another, is quite important on
Motorways, dual carriageways and long straight main roads.
The group can compress by riding in a staggered formation –if the bike in front of you is to the right of the carriageway, you move to the left a short distance behind. If for some reason the bike in front swaps to the left, you move out to the right. You should see in your mirrors the rest of the group swapping sides behind you - strangely entertaining!
By using this method you can maintain the two-second rule spacing between you and the bike directly in front whilst still being able to maintain good all-round observations.
Riding in Towns and Heavy Traffic situations
Staggered riding positions can be achieved in Towns if traffic conditions allow.
At Traffic Lights and Junctions the group closes up further and stops two-abreast. Moving off alternately when the opportunity arises.
Wherever possible, filtering through heavier traffic will be attempted if it is safe to do so. Lights / Horns/ Waving to pedestrians is acceptable and will help to promote our visit (if done safely). And if someone pulls over to let us through – really thank them!
Personal Safety
Next to people’s own personal safety, should come consideration towards others in the group. No sudden moves, signal early, warn the rest of the group if you see a hazard etc.
And Finally
These notes were originally put together by Bernie Haws and are produced, with minor tweaking, by me – thanks to Bernie for providing the basics.
Take it easy, have a nice day and enjoy your riding.
Some Common Hand Signals that should be used throughout the ride.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Rideout Etiquette
Riding in a group is different to being on your own, sounds obvious I know but it is one of the reasons we join clubs and organise rides in the first place. So here are a few sensible pointers which will help to ensure that everyone enjoys the ride and gets back home safely
Getting to the start .
Please ensure that you arrive at South Stack Car Park in plenty of time, you don’t want to be riding in to the place as the rest of us are leaving!
Ensure you have enough fuel to make it to the first fuel stop which is 65 miles away from the start .There is a petrol station at the supermarket in Holyhead.
On the road.
This is not a race! The sooner you get to Skegness the more time you will have to wait around for the rest of us. Speed limits in Towns and villages are strictly adhered to. All the Police Forces for the areas we pass through have been advised of this event.
Give your fellow riders plenty of room on the road. Ride defensibly. Not everyone’s bike performs the same and not all riders ride the same way so take it easy and enjoy the ride. We are riding on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, discourteous riding will not only reflect badly on them and us but on all ‘bikers’!
A word of warning: DO NOT get involved in ‘road rage’ incidents with other motorists. We are riding late at night and the person who wants to race you may have just left the Pub and may not be as good a driver/rider as they think they are!
Sports bikes, tourers and cruisers
Strangely enough the ride works best if the slower bikes are towards the front. This is because there will always be delays between the front and the back of the ride, due to traffic at junctions, lights and general traffic conditions. If fast bikes are at the front those behind them have no chance of catching up.
The Ride.
The ride is split into ‘pods’ of roughly 10 bikes plus a dedicated Marshal. Marshals will have fluorescent bibs with ‘MARSHAL’ and a Number on the back. Additionally there is a Ride Leader, 4 Fuel Marshals to control the Fuel stops, to make sure everyone stops at the designated fuel Stations, and two Tail-End Riders.
If anyone stops along the way only the tail-ender stops with them to find out what is going on. If there is a problem the tail-ender will get in touch with the ride leader (radio or phone). If it’s a minor problem the tail-ender will leave them to catch up at the next stop. If it’s a major problem the tail-ender will ensure that you are safe and will then leave you to make your own recovery arrangements. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the ride, we can not afford the time to wait for you. If you can get it repaired and meet us at Skegness that’s great.
Overtaking / Making progress
Overtaking is encouraged, it’s what bikers do, but please be courteous! (Overtaking, in this context, refers to overtaking of other road users, not within the group/ pod.)
The rides are normally organised so that slower riders/machines are at the front of the ride and the faster riders/bikes are towards the rear.
We do this because, at times, the back section of the group has to be able to make good progress (within safe limits) to ensure that the ride stays together as a group.
However, If anyone sees someone in the group making dangerous overtakes (OK, we all make mistakes sometimes but not repeatedly) point it out to a Ride Marshal, who will have a quiet word. Faster bikes shouldn’t take unnecessary risks to get past, especially undertaking.
Motorways and Dual Carriageways
Staying together, or at least in sight of one another, is quite important on
Motorways, dual carriageways and long straight main roads.
The group can compress by riding in a staggered formation –if the bike in front of you is to the right of the carriageway, you move to the left a short distance behind. If for some reason the bike in front swaps to the left, you move out to the right. You should see in your mirrors the rest of the group swapping sides behind you - strangely entertaining!
By using this method you can maintain the two-second rule spacing between you and the bike directly in front whilst still being able to maintain good all-round observations.
Riding in Towns and Heavy Traffic situations
Staggered riding positions can be achieved in Towns if traffic conditions allow.
At Traffic Lights and Junctions the group closes up further and stops two-abreast. Moving off alternately when the opportunity arises.
Wherever possible, filtering through heavier traffic will be attempted if it is safe to do so. Lights / Horns/ Waving to pedestrians is acceptable and will help to promote our visit (if done safely). And if someone pulls over to let us through – really thank them!
Personal Safety
Next to people’s own personal safety, should come consideration towards others in the group. No sudden moves, signal early, warn the rest of the group if you see a hazard etc.
And Finally
These notes were originally put together by Bernie Haws and are produced, with minor tweaking, by me – thanks to Bernie for providing the basics.
Take it easy, have a nice day and enjoy your riding.
Some Common Hand Signals that should be used throughout the ride.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
