Group Ride Etiquette

Iceman_954rr · 09-12-2006, 10:02 PM

I figured I should throw this up due to the number of group rides we have going on in the Cali forums now.

This is a general guide and info post and is not mandatory. However, for your safety and the safety of others please observe and practice them as much as possible.

Minimum Gear Recommendations:

1.) Full face helmet
2.) Eye protection (yes, a visor counts)
3.) Leather jacket or Mesh jacket with armor
4.) Jeans
5.) Leather Gauntlet Gloves
6.) Sport boots or any boot that goes over the ankle

Remember these are minimums so if you don't at least have this...your ass is on the line. I prefer not to witness anyone from this site get seriously injured so dress to crash folks.

Group Riding General Rules:

1.) This is not a race so ride your own ride and no one else’s. All other riders in the group will keep an eye out for you and wait when necessary. No this is not an inconvenience to other riders...we don't mind.

3.) Use your hand signals. If you don't know them...ask. Use foot signals when safe to do so to indicate a pothole, animal carcass, debris, etc. If the rider in front of you uses a signal please pass it on to the rider behind you so everyone avoids the danger.

2.) Keep an eye on the rider behind you. If you don’t see that rider in your mirrors, slow down until you do. This will work its way forward through the pack and if something goes wrong there will be someone there to help. This is also to allow the rider behind you to be able to see any hand/foot signals you may be using.

3.) Riding positions should be staggered with a minimum following distance of 2 seconds. Don't ride the persons ass in front of you, if they need to make an emergency maneuver, the last thing they should be worrying about is another rider in their blind spot.

4.) If you don't know the road...chill out until you do.

5.) Please fuel up prior to the ride and know when you need fuel. Making a gas run for someone who ran out of fuel sucks.

There are more, but I am having a brain fart so I will add those as they come to me.

In the Event of an Accident:

There is some fantastic information in OFFICER737's article here. Read it.

1.) Stay Calm

2.) Dial 911. If 911 cannot be reached or you have no cell phone reception...send a calm rider who knows the area to ride safely and get help.

3.) Send one person in both directions to slow or stop traffic in either direction. Said people should ask if the drivers have any medical training or background to assist.

4.) Anyone with medical training should immediately get to the rider and asses major vitals (breathing / pulse / consciousness). Do not move the rider or remove the rider's helmet if he/she is seriously injured. Wait for medical assistance.

5.) One person get to the bike and shut off the fuel supply and ignition. Stand the bike up if you can and get it out of the road.

Note: This is open for modification so feel free to let me know if I missed anything. I am kind of burnt out mentally from work today.

Ride safe out there SBN!

woody_k · 09-13-2006, 12:18 AM

2.) Keep an eye on the rider behind you. If you don’t see that rider in your mirrors, slow down until you do. This will work its way forward through the pack and if something goes wrong there will be someone there to help. This is also to allow the rider behind you to be able to see any hand/foot signals you may be using.

I did just that on the Palomar ride and it worked. It was the first time I have heard about it and first time I tried it.

It may be good to know if any of the riders in the group have any medical training. For future reference...I do. CPR and emergency medical. I can also write tickets and arrest people too...not that is needed on a ride.

Iceman_954rr · 09-13-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody_k

2.) Keep an eye on the rider behind you. If you don’t see that rider in your mirrors, slow down until you do. This will work its way forward through the pack and if something goes wrong there will be someone there to help. This is also to allow the rider behind you to be able to see any hand/foot signals you may be using.

I did just that on the Palomar ride and it worked. It was the first time I have heard about it and first time I tried it.

It may be good to know if any of the riders in the group have any medical training. For future reference...I do. CPR and emergency medical. I can also write tickets and arrest people too...not that is needed on a ride.

That's right Woody...you are an LEO.

Excellent idea.

I will put a note on the SBN phone directory that you have medical training.

mmmgood · 09-13-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_954rr

That's right Woody...you are an LEO.

Excellent idea.

I will put a note on the SBN phone directory that you have medical training.

Hey Alex,
I also am CPR and First Aid Certified....can't write tickets though!

Iceman_954rr · 09-13-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmgood

Hey Alex,
I also am CPR and First Aid Certified....can't write tickets though!

Cool.

Anyone who is certified in CPR or medical training...please pm me so I can update the SBN phone directory with the info.

chandra.hp · 09-17-2006, 12:55 AM

Quote:

4.) Jeans

I want to thoroughly b!tchslap anyone and everyone I see in the canyons wearing jeans. NOT THE PLACE TO BE WEARING JEANS.... PERIOD! If you really insist on wearing jeans... at least have some knee, shin and hip armor underneath.

Other than that... great post.

m_chevy · 09-17-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woody_k

2.) I can also write tickets and arrest people too...not that is needed on a ride.

I knew I had you pegged as the Fuzz. I could smell the coffe and donuts oozing from your pores-- OH! WAIT!!! NO, that's me I'm smelling!!!!

Hornetsnest · 09-17-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chandra.hp

I want to thoroughly b!tchslap anyone and everyone I see in the canyons wearing jeans. NOT THE PLACE TO BE WEARING JEANS.... PERIOD! If you really insist on wearing jeans... at least have some knee, shin and hip armor underneath.

Other than that... great post.

It's a minimum...Of course it would be better if we all wore full leathers, but an armored jacket and jeans (at the minimum) is a move in the right direction.

Besides, I've seen my fair share of T-shirt or Tshirt/shorts riders at the twisties...Most gear up to some extent, but there's always a few...

I've worn jeans up in the twisties, but I also wore Icon field armor underneath. However, after having a group member wreck up there, I made a promise to the wife that I wouldn't go up there without full leathers and raceboots.

Hornetsnest · 09-17-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_954rr

Making a gas run for someone who ran out of fuel sucks.

You thought that sucked?

Try sitting there on the side of the mountain waiting for you guys to get back...

(BTW everyone...No it wasn't me that ran out of gas)

PCHbreeze · 03-29-2007, 11:08 PM

What are foot signals? Dont think I've heard of them and at times, I stalk...I mean...follow behind groups and Ive never noticed any.

kevin-ross · 04-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PCHbreeze

What are foot signals? Dont think I've heard of them and at times, I stalk...I mean...follow behind groups and Ive never noticed any.

Any possibility of a sticky going over hand/foot signals? I haven't been on a group ride before, but I would hate for someone to be trying to figure out what the f I'm waving my arms for, then hit some gravel. Are there standard or common signals? I'd really appreciate some input, probably not the only one either. BTW, great post Iceman.

kevin-ross · 05-13-2007, 08:52 PM

Never mind, I'll answer my own question. This is not all-inclusive or set in stone. If you're riding with a new group, go over some signals that may not be common. If you have a new member in your group, go over all the basic signals. After this weekend, we're going to have to develop some version of the head-tap/ there's a cop to indicate Police helicopter , but that's another story. Never assume everyone knows the signals, the planned route, or what to do in an emergency situation, or where to meet if the first 6 in your group get pulled over, but they let the rest go by (see helo comment above).

gijoebruin · 05-13-2007, 09:15 PM

I'm not sure about the highbeam signal. I thought everyone uses that to signal that cops are ahead? In fact...I'm not sure anyone uses most of those?

kevin-ross · 05-13-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gijoebruin

I'm not sure about the highbeam signal. I thought everyone uses that to signal that cops are ahead? In fact...I'm not sure anyone uses most of those?

Yeah, the Highbeam one is deffinately used to signal for cops, and the last three I've never seen used. Most of the others I have used though, as we tend to use hand signals as well as blinkers when in a group. Variations of the 'speed up/ follow me' we use when passing cars on back roads. Like I said, just a general idea as an answer to a question I had before I had been on a group ride. The main point I think is to establish these ahead of time, because riding in the twisties is a bad time to figure out you don't understand what the guy ahead of you is signaling.

pointer · 05-13-2007, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gijoebruin

I'm not sure about the highbeam signal. I thought everyone uses that to signal that cops are ahead? In fact...I'm not sure anyone uses most of those?

The group(s) I ride with use these signals....Makes the ride alot safer and more enjoyable. Wouldn't have it any other way.