We're
all experienced riders or we wouldn't be here. We pretty much know what
we're doing - we're all licensed. But, you know, it never hurts to
review basic safety information and group riding etiquette... What
follows isn't meant to replace a certified safety course or make you
bullet-proof or anything, it's just some basic safety information. I'm sure this section of our happy little Web site will continue to grow and develop over time, so you may want to check back here every now and then to see what's new.
Hand Signals
Yep, we use hand signals, especially when we're in a group. It's easy to assume that everyone in the group knows where we're headed, or that the guy behind you can see your turn signals, but please use the appropriate hand signal anyway. The guy behind you might have the sun in his eyes, or your blinkers may not be working.
To see the hand signals we use, CLICK HERE.
Staggered Formation
This is our default formation. When at highway speed, please try to keep about two seconds between you and the bike in front of you in your lane. This may feel like a lot of room, but if things go bad two seconds can go by in a helluva hurry.
Passing Traffic as a Group
There are two different ways this can happen. The first is when the group needs to pass a slower vehicle on an Interstate or freeway (when there are two or more lanes of same-direciton traffic). The best way to accomplish this maneuver is for the LAST bike in the group to pull one lane to the left and hold his position. The rest of the group patiently and politely waits for all the cars on the left to pass. When the it's clear for you to move into the left lane, do so, and hold your position until those in front of you have room and can move into the left lane as well. When the leader can finally get safely into the left lane, THEN the entire group speeds up a bit to pass the slower vehicle. The leader will move back to the right lane after passing the slower vehicle by a safe distance. Each rider should move back to the right lane one at a time once they've safely cleared the slower vehicle.
The other way the group may pass a vehicle happens on two-lane roads, where oncoming traffic is a concern. There is no slick way to do this. If the leader decides to pass a slow vehicle on a two-lane road, each rider must decide on his own if it's safe to pass. Please do not automatically follow the bike in front of you - use your own judgment - and go one at a time. As you're wating the guy in front of you pass the slower vehicle, be sure you leave him room to get back in front of you if he needs to - if there's an oncoming car he may need to get back in a hurry.
In any passing maneuver, please remember that once you're past the slower vehicle and back in the lane you want to be in, KEEP MOVING. The riders behind you need room to get in behind you again.
Stop Lights
Stop lights are the bane of group riding. When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the bike in the adjacent lane. This reduces the length of the group by half. Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection. Because the group is half as long it will take half the time to clear the intersection, and doubles the chance that the group will stay intact. If you don't make it through the intersection with the group, don't panic, and don't run a red light. The leader will know what happened and will slow down and wait for you.
Group Riding Etiquette
- Fill your tank before it's time to go.
- Empty your other tank before it's time to go.
- If you're planning to leave the group before the destination, please be sure to tell the Ride Captain as well as the riders in front of you and behind you. That way no one thinks you're having mechanical problems when you leave the formation.
- If a rider leaves the staggered formation, the riders behind him should fill the "gap" by changing lanes rather than by passing in a single lane.
- If either you or your bike has a small tank, let the Ride Captain know.
- Dress for the weather, and dress for safety. We can always try to look cool later.
- Please remember that you are responsible for your own safety. Don't let the bike in front of you do your thinking for you. If things are going too fast, or your're not comfortable, by all means slow down - the Northwest Iowa ALR is full of good people who WILL be patient when safety is involved. We truly want to see everyone smiling at the end of the ride. (On a related note, if you know in advance that you're a bit inexperienced and worried about the ride, let the Ride Captain and the last bike [usually either Tailgunner or another of our Ride Captains] know, and stay towards the end of the formation where you can drive at your own pace without inconveniencing the rest of the group.)
First Aid and Accident Management
To be honest, you can't learn first aid or accident management from a Web site. This is something you really need to study in a hands-on class. I will, however, point out that many in our group have medical training, and the Ride Captains are proficient in this sort of thing. This doesn't get you off the hook, mind you, you still need to go learn this stuff.
Basic Rider Course Review
HERE'S A LINK to a little refresher quiz from the Basic Rider course. (Note: Taking their little quiz on-line does NOT substitute for taking the actual course.)
