Riding Etiquette in a Group

1. Arrive at a group ride ready to ride. This means with a full tank of gas, appropriate clothing for the weather, well rested and fed, and a bike in safe operating condition. Riding is no fun if you are too hot or too cold, and your friends would rather ride than wrench on your bike or get gas for you.

2. Make sure everyone is aware of the proposed route and extended stops (such as lunch, fuel and sightseeing stops). It is always a good idea to prepare a map of the route with these stops indicated.

3. Ride in a staggered formation, with a minimum of two seconds between you and the rider directly in front of you. This allows you to use the entire lane to ride in and gives you an extra margin of safety.

4. Always be aware of the Lead Road Captain's hand signals and follow suit down the line.

5. On a narrow road, ride single file.

6. Ride your ride; not the rider's in front of you. Make sure you keep looking down the road and through the corners, not at the bike ahead of you. Set your own pace and choose your own lines through the corners.

7. A group of motorcycles is not considered a "single vehicle!" Be courteous and allow cars to enter/exit a highway or change lanes. Make sure you let the riders behind you know what is going on (this also applies to other hazards as well, such as potholes etc).

8. Plan brief stops throughout the ride to let everyone regroup, make sure everyone is present, check gas supplies and allow for rests.

9. If you must leave in the middle of a ride, let the person in front of you know what you are doing. If possible, please notify a Road Captain at the stop prior to your leaving.

10. Please ride with a "Safety First" attitude. The safety of all individuals, whether or not they are part of the group, is of paramount importance.

11. DO NOT block intersections. It is dangerous and illegal.

12. Please maintain a good sense of humor and remember to have fun!