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Group Rides

Riding in a group is both a lot of fun, and a lot safer way to travel.
Sharing the exprerience of the road with others can increase enjoyment for all involved.
At the same time, there really is safety in numbers.
It is also true however, that a chain is only as strong as the weakest link!
Everyone involved in a ride should know the basic safety guidelines.

First and foremost, if you do not know all the hand signals, go memorize them now.

In a group ride, there are a few important roles.

The Road Captain(s) will be out front, and will lead the group. Always remember the Road Captain is in charge!
All hand signals from the Road Captain should be relayed, so everyone knows what the group is doing.
It is the Road Captain's job to intimately know the route the group is taking, and on planned rides, should scout the route out ahead of time to look for any potential hazards such as sinkholes, construction, blind corners, and other dangerous situations.
If you have never ridden in a group before - make sure to tell the Road Captain, who will place you in the formation accordingly, so you are near experienced riders that can help you.

The Tailgunner(s), or Rear Guard, is going to be the second in charge, and they remain in the back of the group.
The Tailgunner's job is very important as well, and should also be very familiar with the route being taken.
When the Road Captain signals that they wish to change lanes, the Tailgunner will change lanes first, to ensure the entire group can safely change lanes without splitting the group in traffic. When you see a lane change signal from up ahead, relay it so the Tailgunner is aware of a lane change. When they change lanes, the Road Captain will then change lanes, and everyone else may follow suite.
If anyone's bike breaks down, or for another reason falls behind, the Tailgunner and ONLY the Tailgunner will stop to assist them. Do not stop to assist another rider - the Tailgunner will take care of them.
If you need to leave a ride early for any reason, make SURE you notify the Tailgunner. Otherwise... they will follow you. You should also notify the Road Captain and your Wing Man.

The Wing Man is a name for the person(s) riding next/closest to you. They will be beside you at stop signs or in side-by-side formation (if used).

A Blocker or Road Guard is sometimes used in very large rides, and can be anyone in the formation. When approaching an intersection or turn that could be hazardous or may split the group when that is not acceptable, the Road Captain will have the two riders behind him pull off and block traffic for the group. The blockers should remain in position until the two riders in back (Tailgunners) relieve them. The blockers will then rejoin the group at the back of the ride, just in front of the Tailgunners. As you can see, this causes the group to cycle through, and potentially everyone may be a blocker at some point.
Note that in some areas this practice is illegal. The Road Captain will decide when this is legal and safe to do.

Showing up for a group ride

We all know the saying: "If you're on time, you're 15 minutes late."
When everyone is ready to move out on a group ride, we'll get all the bikes into formation before taking off. Don't attempt to figure out a hasty formation as you're pulling out onto the road.
Always... ALWAYS fill up your gas tank before showing up for a group ride. When the group stops for gas, always top off your gas tank, even if you don't really need it - this saves the group from having to make as many stops, and saves time in the long run.

Formations used while riding:

There are three main formations used when riding in a group.
Unless the Road Captain decides otherwise, the standard group formation always used is the Staggered formation.

In the Staggered formation, the Road Captain will be in the left 1/3rd of the lane. The second rider will be 1 second behind them, in the right 1/3rd of the land. The next rider is 1 second behind them, and 2 seconds behind the Road Captain.
This is true for the whole group - each rider should be 2 seconds behind the rider directly in front of them, and 1 second behind the offset driver in front of them. Ensure you stay in the proper 1/3rd of the lane, far left or far right. The center 1/3rd of the lane is NOT used at all in the staggered formation.

Another formation sometimes used is called Side by Side formation. In this formation, riders ride alongside each other.

Again, the Road Captain decides which formation to use, and will let the group know. If you are uncomfortable riding side by side, let the Road Captain and your Wing Man know. Also, be aware that in many areas, the Side by Side formation is not legal. Be cautious of this fact, and never be afraid to ask.

NOTE: The Side by Side formation is ALWAYS used at stops (signs, lights, yields). When going forward from a stop, both side-by-side riders go together. If at a stop or yield sign, then the next two riders will approach the sign together, and go through it together after the stop or yield. Unless you have an escort and blockers, always obey all traffic signals - the Road Captain will let you know if you do not have to.

Single File is used only when the Road Captain signals for it. It is used when going through a dangerous area with lots of tight turns, passing stopped and/or emergency vehicles, construction, or other occasions up to the Road Captain's discression. In forming single file from a staggered, everyone moves to get directly behind the offset rider in front of them in a single file line - in the same 1/3rd of the lane that the Road Captain is in. When going to single file from a side by side formation, the rider on the right drops back and goes behind the rider on the left.
Watch your following distance - 2 seconds behind the rider directly in front of you!
When the hazzard is passed, the Road Captain will signal to go back to either staggered or side by side formation again. Quickly but safely return to the same formation.

Club specific rules
Read your constitution (which you should have with you on rides) for clarification, but in a group ride, a Road Captain will be up front. Behind them, comes the President and other officers on the board. Behind them, founding fathers, charter members. Then comes fully-patched members. Then comes probationary members, then guests/non-members. The Tailgunner is of course, always in the rear.

Remember to have fun while riding, and also remember to let everyone else have fun as well. All it takes is one idiot to mess up a perfectly fine group ride.

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