Group Rideout Guidelines and Good Practice

As the Summer approaches and we all begin to get out on the road together more often and in increasing numbers, I know that many of us are anxious that together, as a community, we endeavour to do all that we can to ensure that future ride outs and events are organised and carried out in a safe and incident free manner.

The guidelines and recommendations that follow are just that. They are not official regulations or rules, and they have not been drafted and sanctioned by the Admin & Mods of the NWB Forum. Nor will they be enforced by the forum staff. They are written from my own experience and perspective, and are by no means absolute, or complete, or even necessarily right. The point of this thread is to set out what I (from experience both organising and participating in NWB group rides) consider to be worthwhile, and invite debate and further contributions. Hopefully, through that debate, we can achieve a common understanding among the community that gives us a solid foundation on which to ensure that we all get the most out of NWB ride outs, and (as best we possibly can) prevent avoidable incidents.

I apologise to those for whom much of what follows is already very familiar: Hopefully it will not only be informative, but will allow us to bring together the opinions, expertise and knowledge of all forum members (many of whom, I’m sure, have considerably greater experience and wisdom than I).



The Golden Rule:

Never, ever, ride beyond your comfort zone.

Whether you're a new rider trying in vein to keep up, or an experienced rider getting carried away trying to compete with others: We've all been guilty of pushing ourselves too far. It’s all too easy to get into that mindset. But if you really feel the need to compete, then save it for the track. On the road, forget about relative pace and make it your own ride. Concentrate on enjoying yourself, rather than trying to keep up or impress others. You’ll receive far more acceptance and praise for being smooth, careful, and courteous. And you’ll very quickly lose respect for riding in an erratic and unpredictable manner in a bid to up your pace beyond your experience and ability. It’s just not worth it. Ever.



Ride Organisation:

Any members are always welcome to organise and post up ride outs and events. The fact that we all get together so frequently and in such high numbers and varied groups to enjoy biking is one of the things that sets NWB apart from the vast majority of internet biking forums. I for one want to keep it that way. But if you do decide to organise a ride out, then there are a few things to bear in mind:

1. It’s your ride out. Your route. Your rules. Your agenda. You may be flexible in respect to any or all of those things, but it’s important to set out your stall and stick to it.
2. If possible, give a clear itinery: Say from the outset where you’re intending to start. Where you’re intending to go. Where and when you’re going to stop. And how long it’s going to take from beginning to end.
3. Say whether it’s open to all, or whether there are any restrictions on participation. Nobody wants to be the bad guy, but if you’re concerned that a ride may not be suitable for learners, or novices, say so from the outset. If it’s going to be a long, full day in the saddle, make that clear.
4. If somebody wants to participate but – for whatever reason – you feel it inappropriate or you don’t feel comfortable with or happy about them taking part, then say so. It’s your ride: You aren’t obliged to follow any forum rules of inclusivity or process. If you’re not happy about something, then it’s up to you to make that clear. Nobody will judge you for it.
5. If you feel it apropriate to set some specific rules for group riding etiquette, say so, and make it clear exactly what you expect.
6. Always communicate as best you can with fellow riders when stopped: Where next? When we’re off again? Are we on schedule?
7. Don’t be afraid to be the boss: Almost always, participants are happy to go with it, and really do appreciate a clear, firm set of directions. We all appreciate not having to worry about any of the organisational aspects of group riding, and will thank you for taking care of all that.
8. If you’re concerned about the riding conduct of an indivdual, or you’re informed about others’ concern with someone else’s riding, then endeavour to communicate that to the rider involved. You’re not responible for their riding, but as you’re leading the ride, it’s as much your remit to communicate that message as it is anyone else's. It’s better to risk offending someone than say nothing and see that person cause an accident 10 miles on.
9. The golden rule applies to you too. You don’t have to be the best or fastest rider to lead a group, and you must never feel pressured into riding faster than you otherwise would for fear of holding others up. Always ride at your own pace, and if you sense that some members of the group want to enjoy the road ahead at a faster pace, make sure they know where you’re going, and where the next stop is, and usher them on ahead.

Group Coordination:

This one’s very simple, but it always amazes me how it so often fails to work entirely smoothly. There are two very simple rules here, and everyone has to follow them. So, please, take heed:

1. If you’ve lost sight of the rider ahead, always continue straight on at any junctions or roundabouts.
2. If there’s a change of direction, and you can’t see the rider behind, stop and wait for them to see you at the turning.

So long as these two rules are observed, nobody should get lost, and nobody should feel pressured to ride any faster than they’re comfortable doing just to ensure they don’t get lost.



Group Etiquette:

Group riding is a very organic thing, and in my opinion it doesn’t always work best to apply firm, rigid rules. But there are some very useful guidelines:

1. Remain consistent and predictable in every aspect of your riding.
2. Remember to avoid riding in others' blind spots. If you can't see their head reflected in their mirror, they can't see you.
3. Stagger your position in formation with the rider(s) ahead so that you’re never/very rarely positioned directly behind another rider.
4. If you want to change your position in a group, wait for a clear and safe opportunity to present itself before overtaking and moving ahead. If possible, make your intentions as clear as possible to the riders around you (with your positioning/head movements/gestures etc.).
5. Space out on the open road and give yourself time to react to unexpected slowing and/or obstacles up ahead.
6. If you feel you might have done something that would worry or concern another rider, talk to them about it at the next stop and, if appropriate, apologise. We all make mistakes from time to time. It’s much better to clear the air and healthier to appreciate that we always have more to learn. You’ll receive much more respect for owning up to your mistakes than you would by pretending they didn’t happen.

New Riders:

In my experience, NWB has always been unconditionally welcoming and open to any and all. New riders are never discouraged from getting involved with the forum and community. That must never change.

However, if experience has taught us anything, it’s that we must never underestimate what it takes to ride successfully and naturally in a group. For many of us, it’s now second nature, and it can be tremendously rewarding. But we're still learning, and it’s anything but easy to get started and ‘find your feet’. And that difficulty is only compounded when a new or novice rider is also having to concentrate on both getting to grips with a new bike, and refining their roadcraft. It’s all too often too much too soon, and as we all know, that can have profoundly tragic consequences.

So whilst we would never discourage new and novice riders from getting involved in NWB ride outs (and the very last thing I want to do is sound patronising), I must appeal to all those who wish to participate to truly consider whether they are ready and fully prepared. It’s not easy, and I’d encourage anyone to ensure that they’re fully comfortable with their individual riding before letting their enthusiasm get the better of self restraint. For anyone new to group riding, I would strongly suggest first meeting up with some NWB members at the regular meets (Wednesday evening at the Scotch Piper and Sunday Morning at MMC) and taking a short ride out with a member or two from either of those venues, before jumping in at the deep end with 200-300 mile ride outs amongst large groups.

 

+1 100%

 

too add..... regarding individual behaviour....
last year there were several stories of packs of riders being prosecuted because one rider at the front broke the law.
for whatever reason, the law seem to be able to prosecute who they want, even if you haven't personally stepped over the line.

just something to consider - do you want to risk your mates getting points and a fine for something you did?

also as some riders wear NWB hoodies, it doesn't project a good image if we're riding like hooligans... and also if (heaven forbid) an incident does occur, police will use the testament of drivers we overtook 20 mins ago or cut up at that roundabout...

ive always found NWB rides to be relaxed & good natured... there are no arseholes here (apart from me!) and i look forward to a cracking riding season this year..... but - it will have to be a carefull one for me as my licence is wearing extremely thin these days!

as suggested above... there are always plenty of trackdays organised - that's the place for winding it on.

well done alex for the guidelines....

 

Totally agree,thanks Alex for taking the time and effort to set these guidlines.Lets hope this season will be a safe and enjoyable one.

 

Top post there Alex let's hope this year is a better one hey.

 

Great post and superb advice. :thumbsup:

+1

 

+1 1/2 (cos im a big git)

 

• I acknowledge that there is a Brotherhood of Biking. This I have been taught and undertake to pass it on to the next generation, as it was passed on to me.
• I bind myself freely and willingly to the Brotherhood and will always strive to promote and protect it.
• I choose to follow the Biking lifestyle and adhere to this code of ethics.
• I acknowledge the differences in the choice of ride but realize that we are bound as one by the inherent dangers of being on the road without seat belts and steel protection.
• I declare that I don't lie, steal or cheat.
• I live life to the fullest and have no regrets.
• I don't snitch on our own.
• My word is my bond
• I accept those who ride the free wind and the highways and byways on two wheels as my close brethren, as if they were blood of my blood. Nationality, race, gender, age and social status are immaterial in this respect.
• I undertake to learn from those who are senior to me and teach and guide those who are junior to me. Senior and junior have nothing to do with age, or machine, or social status, but experience only.
• I will not pose, or wear insignia I am not entitled to. My colours are my special pride and reflect my experience.
• I will greet my fellow Bikers when possible, no matter what their ride may be, or who they are, for it is fitting that we acknowledge each other in this way.
• I shall not pass by, nor turn away from my brother Biker who is in distress.
• I take it upon myself to protect children, and aid the weak and old and sickly.
• I understand and accept that we may belong to many different clubs, or just be lone Bikers, but that we are bound by the common bond of our chosen mode of transport.
• I will take no nonsense from those who cause me grief about this lifestyle, or what I am. They will be dealt with severely and harshly, for they have no right to do this.
• We stand together as one and rejoice in the spirit of the road and the wind, and the Brotherhood of Biking.
• I’m proud to be a Biker!

 

brilliant post Alex, very true and i have to say there's only been one occasion were the 'rules' were not adhered too and they were spoken to with regards to their riding.

one thing i'd like to add is about learners and novice riders. On the big rides where there's over 10 members the group will more than likely split into a faster and a slower group. pick the group you feel comfortable in. you can always change groups at the first stop if you feel like you're in the wrong one. someone will always volunteer to rear ride the slower group, it's usually a member who's been here a while and will know the route. i did it several times last year and made sure we didn't lose anyone, i maye not have gone as fast as i or my bike could but i had a brilliant day. Don't be afraid to dig your 125's out on these runs! Lavinia did 600 miles in a day on a wales run last year on her 125 and loved it.

 

Posted something along these lines a while ago and got a load of grief for my trouble, nice to see its been accepted now

 

:thumbsup: Great post

 

Good call Al, the last thing any of us want to see is any more tragedies this year. They can be avoided if we all follow these basic rules

Looking forward to good and safe ride-outs this year

 

I went on one of the rides to wales last year, the one that Bikenutter organised, The one where Fazer(ian) got left after trying to put his camera away :banghead:

The problem is that when were in such a large group, it inevitably, turns into a giant cluster f*ck, regardles of the rules set out on the forum. The trouble is there are groups within groups,there will riders from the liverpool area who are friends and ride together regular, and people from wales,chester.....bla bla bla... who ride together regular but when everone is together and no one is used to the others riding styles it gets out of hand. This is all without the fact that there are sometimes people riding with the group for the first time, or people just riding for the first time.
egardless of howmany times anyone says, "stay in your own comfort zone" people will try and play keep up. I think that additude reflects leadership so when on such big rides the leaders should ride to the level of the weakest link or alternitively arrive at a meeting point via a differnt route.

I love being in big groups but I think it could be done differently, for example we all meet in one place, split into three groups/four groups and take three or four routes to the same meeting point. The fastest could take the longest ect ect ect. This way you would be riding at the speed and skill of ya group and when you get there if you decide you want to change groups then fine, but at liest it wont be done at xxxxmph in and out of the trafic.

 

cracking post alex mate. :thumbsup:

after a few ride outs , especially last year these are the one's that people seem to forget about all the time, and it can spoil a decent ride. apart from that it can be a good laugh.

 

I like this never seen it written before but I somehow always was aware of it. Like some self conscious inherited wisdom passed down in my genes.

 

I must admit when i'm out with friends i tend to push a little hard when they start to get away, Its something i really need to focus on not doing as september last year it cause me to crash.

In a group i think a "lower speed" Cruise is far more sensiable and enjoyable. I dont enjoy riding fast at all but sometimes get caught up i the moment.

I take my test at the end of this month and once im on a bigger bike i will be just taking it easy for a good few months until im used to the bike.


Heres to a great injury free summer!!!

 

A very good read, and all sensible advice. Lets hope we all follow it when we eventually get out there

 

Should print it off so we ALL can stick to our petrol yanks ?

 

agree with everything above, as a fairly new rider im still pretty green with riding so looking to get out with others to learn from. Hopefully that will happen this year.