BMW Riders of Knoxville

ROK Group Ride Guidelines

In an effort to develop a more enjoyable and safe group ride experience; the Riders of Knoxville (ROK) has developed a “Group Ride Etiquette Guideline” for all riders who have not experienced many group rides. Compliance with these guidelines will help ensure rider safety and maximum enjoyment for everyone.

 

Rider’s Responsibilities

 

The most important rider responsibility is SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. Each rider assumes full responsibility for his/her safety and leaves that to no one else – ever.

Riding within skill level – riders differ in skill level and each may experience a day when they are simply not at the top of their ability. Each rider is expected to ride within their ability on that day and never to make remarks about other riders who may be “slower” on that day, as that may intimidate the slower rider to ride beyond their safe limit.

 

Pre-ride Responsibilities:

Rider Responsibility during the Ride

 

Guest Riders

Guest riders are always welcome on ROK Rides, provided they comply with ROK safety guidelines. The ROK member accompanying the guest is expected to provide ride guidelines to the rider (a copy of this document makes it easy).

* Don’t say or do anything that will intimidate another rider into riding above their skill. *

Ride your own ride!

Determine where you are most comfortable in the line of riders:

• It works best if faster riders are at the front of the pack.
• If you don’t know where you belong, start nearer the back, then observe.
• After starting, if you observe a rider behind you is clearly faster that day, find a safe place and motion the rider around.
• If you are the faster rider, don’t blow by an unsuspecting rider, but wait for that rider’s signal.
• If you are further back in the pack than you belong, reposition yourself as the group leaves the next rest stop.

 

Competition has NO place on group rides. Courtesy does!

Safe Spacing – each rider should keep a safe distance from the rider ahead. The rule taught by the MSF is a good one – three seconds minimum spacing. Riding in a staggered formation is helpful from a sight standpoint, but is not a substitute for appropriate spacing. If you need to overtake a rider, make certain the rider knows your intentions before doing so.

Riders always appreciate hazards being pointed out by the rider ahead.

Staying Together - the bigger the group, the harder this is to do. A very simple concept works, no matter the size.

• When the route turns from any street or numbered route, make certain the rider behind you is aware of the turn.
• If the rider is too far behind you at the turning point for you to be sure you’re seen, find a safe place to wait until that rider acknowledges the turn, then proceed.
• If you are the following rider, signal the rider waiting for you to proceed as soon as you recognize a turn is being made.
• If separated by a traffic signal, the same concept applies. Slow down until the group behind catches up.

  This is important because if one rider fails to comply, the ride is essentially over for those behind him/her. Additionally, it can cause the group ahead to turn around and hunt for the “lost” riders, causing delays and possibly safety concerns.

Rest and Other Stops

• Rest stops vary in length, so take care of business and be ready to go
• Follow the leader and be ready to depart without holding up the group

Common Courtesy

• The least common thing on earth is common sense, followed by common courtesy. A good helping of both makes the rider safer and more enjoyable.
• Don’t forget to thank the ride leader(s) and “sweep” rider(s). It took some of those people’s valuable time and effort to plan and lead the ride.

ROK Group Leader Guidelines

In an effort to develop a more enjoyable and safe group ride experience; the Riders of Knoxville (ROK) has developed a “Group Ride Etiquette Guideline” for all riders who have not experienced many group rides. Compliance with these guidelines will help ensure rider safety and maximum enjoyment for everyone.

Leader Suggestions :

To ensure that participants know where to meet and what to expect, the following information is made available in advance of the ride:

Ride Notification:

• Ride Date and Alternate Rain Date
• Key Event Times including:

Location (with specific enough details that riders not familiar with the departure area can easily locate the departure point. An address or street and cross street is far more specific than naming a business on a street that may be ten miles long.

The type of ride and anticipated pace. For instance, a back roads ride at moderate pace.

Whether a stop will include a meal and, if possible, approximately what time.

Where the ride will end

The means by which participants can reach the leader with questions or information.

• Telephone
• Email
• Cell

The time at which the decision will be made in case of inclement weather and how participates will be notified (or how they reach the leader).

Some of this information may not be available at the initial ride announcement, but can be made available in subsequent notices to riders.

Pre-ride Tasks:

Consider a map to hand out for other riders. Several map styles can be used and other, experienced leaders will be happy to demonstrate how easily they can be created. If you don’t have a means of copying maps, other riders will be happy to assist you.

Try to provide a rest stop approximately every 90 minutes.

Ride the route to familiarize yourself with route land marks. This reduces the need for “turn arounds” and adds to the safety margin.

If other riders have agreed to ride as “Sweep” or to lead a small segment of the group, make certain they are familiar with the ride.

The Ride:

Arrive at the departure point early to answer questions other riders may have.

Start the “Riders Meeting” at the designated time . (Starting on time is respectful of those who show up on time and by consistently starting on time, the group will learn that 0800 is 0800, not 0810)

Cover the appropriate route and safety information regardless of how many times its been heard before. Remind all riders of the system for keeping together and how it works.

Start the Ride on Time – this is important, but more easily done than said! Invariably, something will come up at the last second that prevents a timely departure. SAFETY should always take precedence over timeliness. If a rider shows up after the “Rider’s Meeting”, its very difficult to tell that rider they can not participate. A quick review of the rider’s meeting may have to be accomplished. However, that rider should be instructed to take up the second-to-last rider’s slot, just in front of the designated “sweep” rider. This increases safety and provides a subtle penalty for being late!

Keep the Group Together – the leader sets the pace and determines how easy or difficult it is to for others to keep up. The further back a rider is in the group, the more difficult it is to keep up. Setting a reasonable pace and waiting for the group to catch up whenever possible helps. Additionally, when leading a large group through traffic signals, the leader should watch ahead and adjust his/her speed to avoid proceeding through a light about to change from green to red. If the group is separated by changing traffic signals, the leader maintains a slower pace until the group is reassembled.

Recovering From A Missed Turn – missed turns can create one of the most hazardous ride situations. U-turns and other means of getting back on track can jeopardize everyone’s safety. As the leader, go as far as necessary in the wrong direction to find a safe place for the entire group to get turned around safely. Remember, the long was is the best motorcyclist’s route anyway!