Group Riding

Winding Road Riders has adopted the terms used in The MSF Guide to Group Riding Handbook for uniformity and comprehension.

Preparation

1. Perform a thorough pre-ride check by using the T-CLOCK checklist (T = Tires and wheels; C = Cables and controls; L = Lights and switches; O = Oil and fuel; C = Chain and chassis; K = Kickstand/sidestand).
2. Arrive at the Plumsteadville Grange with a full tank of gas (recommend filling up at the Wawa on Route 611 before the meeting).
3. Bring the ride directions that were emailed before the meeting. If none were emailed, they will be distributed at the meeting.
4. Review the hand signals detailed in The MSF Guide to Group Riding Handbook until you know all of them.

Riding Formation

5. The Ride Captain and/or organizers will divide the riders into groups (ideally five to seven riders) and will choose a lead rider and a sweep rider for each group.
6. All sweep riders will be given a reflective safety vest that must be worn to indicate their positions in the group.
7. Lead riders must honor all speed limits and traffic rules. When possible, lead riders will stop at a yellow light if the entire group cannot make it through. If this is not possible, the lead rider and the rest of the group will pull over to the side of the road and wait for the rest of the group.
8. Riders will follow the lead rider even if the lead rider is going the wrong way (assuming safety is not an issue). Do not lead from behind and do not follow someone who is attempting to lead from behind.
9. When riding, WRR uses the staggered formation recommended by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (the lead rides in the left third of the lane, and the next rider stays one-second behind in the right third of the lane; the rest of the roup follows this pattern).
10. In the parking lot, groups will pair up using a side-by-side formation to allow as many riders as possible to exit the Grange. The rider in the left position will pull out first, with the rider in the right position closely behind. Riders should proceed with caution. Each rider should act as an individual, only making the turn when it is safe. Riders should resume the staggered formation as soon as possible.
11. This side-by-side-to-staggered-formation procedure should be followed when the group is stopped at traffic lights, stop signs, parking areas, etc.
12. When starting from a stopped position, the lead rider must move slower until the entire group has pulled out and then gear up to full speed.
13. The lead rider should use both turn signals and hand signals when turning. Each rider in the group should mimic these signals so that they are passed back to the other riders.
14. Try to maintain a one-second distance between yourself and the rider diagonally in front of you. This will leave a two-second distance between you and the rider directly in front of you. It is important to keep up with the group because large gaps in the formation invite motorists to cut in. A big part of our safety is our ability to maintain a tight riding formation.

Roadway & Environmental Hazards

15. If there is a hazard in the road, use your left hand to indicate hazards on the left and your right foot for hazards on the right. Each rider should indicate obstacles for the next rider.
16. The lead rider should use the Single File hand signal when encountering construction zones, bicycle riders, people walking, sand, gravel, etc. Signal to resume Double File (staggered formation) when it is safe.
17. Ride smoothly and avoid sudden changes in speed and/or direction.
18. Avoid riding over debris, if possible.

Intersections

19. When making a left turn on a left-turn arrow, use a tight, staggered formation (left rider moving first; right rider following closely behind; right rider following closely behind) to allow as many riders as possible to make the light.
20. Use the same procedure for right turns.
21. When making a left turn where there is no arrow, each rider should act as an individual only making the turn when it is safe and legal. The group will reform when everyone is safely through the intersection. (See #7 above).
22. When stopped at a traffic light, sit side-by-side while waiting for the light to change. When the light changes, the rider in the left position proceeds first and the following riders re-establish the staggered formation and space cushion as they depart.
23. At yield intersections, check for traffic before merging. Put safety before staying in formation. The group can re-establish its formation afterwards.

Passing When the Lead Rider Changes Lanes First

24. When passing on a freeway or interstate, the lead rider should signal the lane change when the entire group can change lanes and pass as a unit. The other riders then follow this lead and signal one at a time to move into the next lane. The lead rider moves into the passing lane, passes the slower vehicle, and moves back into the right lane maintaining passing speed until all riders have re-entered the right lane safely. The rest of the group follows the lead rider by changing lane positions one at a time and moving back into the right lane behind the lead rider, maintaining a passing speed until all riders have passed the slower vehicle.
25. If the group cannot change lanes together on a freeway or interstate, the lead rider will signal the lane change and move into the passing lane. The other riders may move into the passing lane when it is safe. The lead rider will pass the slower vehicle and move back into the right lane. The other riders will follow when it is safe. Do not worry about keeping the group together. The group will re-group in the right lane when it is safe and everyone has passed the slower vehicle.
26. On a two-lane highway, the group should pass one at a time. The lead rider signals and pulls out when it is safe and legal. After passing the vehicle and getting back in the right lane, the lead rider maintains a passing speed to leave room for the next rider. The next rider moves up to the left lane position and passes when it is safe and legal, then returns to the right lane also maintaining a passing speed to allow room for the next rider. The rest of the group should follow the same pattern.

Passing When the Sweep Rider Changes Lanes First

27. The lead rider signals for a lane change, but does not change lanes. The lane-change signal is passed back to the sweep rider. When it is safe, the sweep rider moves into the left lane first, maintaining the speed of the group so that the other riders can move in front of her, and the riders in front change lanes one at a time, going from back to front. In this case, all riders must maintain the speed of the group to allow the other riders to move in front of them. This continues until the lead rider has moved into the passing lane. Starting with the lead rider, all riders assume a passing speed, move past the slower vehicle, and the lead rider signals for the group to move back into the right lane.
28. Once again, the sweep rider is the first to move back into the right lane when it is safe, maintaining the speed of the group; and the other riders (from back to front) follow the sweep until the lead rider has moved back into the right lane.
29. This method should only be used on 4-lane (or more) highways.

Separated from the Group

30. It is possible to become separated even when riders keep up with the group's speed. Don't worry about getting separated from your group. You will catch up, or the other riders will pull over when it is safe and wait for you.
31. When you see your group waiting for you on the side of the road, signal for them to pull out in front of you so that you can maintain your position in the group. If they do not pull out, pull in at the rear of the group and wait for instructions.
32. When there are multiple groups on the ride, one group does not have to wait for the other group. Each group is only responsible to wait for the riders in its group.
33. If the riders in a group get separated and the lead rider makes a turn, the last rider (who is now the sweep rider for that group) should stop in a visible spot before, or right after making the turn (whichever is safer) and wait for the lagging riders. When the other riders are in sight, the waiting rider (now the lead rider in the separated group) should pull out in front of them and lead the way.
34. Always pay attention to your position in the group if the group gets separated, because your role can change quickly. If no one is behind you, you are the sweep rider. If no one is in front of you, you are the lead rider.

Leaving the Group

35. Riders should notify the ride organizers (and the lead and sweep riders) if they are leaving the group before the ride ends. The rider should indicate the place and time of departure and take a position near the back of the group.
36. When a rider departs, the rest of the group will adjust formation the next time it comes to a full stop unless signaled to move up by the riders in front.

Interstates and Freeways

37. Enter freeways and interstates in single-file formation and resume a staggered formation after safely merging.
38. A group of motorcycles is not considered a vehicle. Be courteous and allow cars to enter and exit the highways and to change lanes. When a vehicle must break the group to get on or off the highway, or for some other reason, slow down and allow them in.

Parking

39. When parking, wait for the riders in front of you to get situated. Most riders will try to park so that their bike is facing out. Let them get situated, and then pull into a spot that you can depart from easily.
40. Avoid parking downhill or head-in if you can possibly do so.

Roadside Emergencies

41. If a group member has mechanical difficulties or is involved in an accident, all of the riders behind the individual should stop, including the sweep rider. In the case of an accident, the first person on the scene with a certificate of completion in the Motorcycle Accident Management Course will take over the scene and delegate responsibilities to the others.

Alcoholic Beverages and Group Riding

42. For the safety and well-being of the group, there will be no alcoholic beverages consumed by anyone while on a ride sanctioned or led by WRR. Anyone who does not adhere to this policy will be asked to leave the group formation for that particular ride.