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Ride Guidelines >SHETLAND ISLANDS CRUISERS – SHETLAND:GROUP RIDING – RIDER SKILLS GUIDELINESRiding in a group requires specific riding skills.Please read and follow these guidelines when riding in a group.It is hoped these suggestions will help all have a safe and fun ride-out :) 1. A Ride Leader (Road Captain) rides at the front and controls the group's speed, progress and navigation. The Ride Leader occupies the lead outside position; this gives the best view back down the following formation… 2. A nominated “Tail End Charlie” (Road Marshal/Safety) rides at the back of the group to assist any stragglers. 3. The group RIDES in a Staggered Formation wherever possible. Each rider follows to the left or right of the rider in front. This shortens the group and makes everyone visible to each other. Just think of being seen in the wing mirror of the rider in front. (THEREFORE: If the rider in front is on the right, you position yourself to the left, etc.) Note: Do NOT ride so close to your front rider that you give him/her concern! 4. Once you have occupied a position within the group (i.e. nearside or offside) this position should not change except when riding on a particularly narrow road or when overtaking vehicles. 5. At turns the Ride Leader will signal a turn and checks that the next rider signals. He then checks that the rider makes the turn. Each rider down the line does this in turn until the Tail End Charlie signals and turns. If the group has separated, then the last rider to reach the turn waits until the next rider behind him comes into view and signals. This lets the waiting rider know that the following rider knows about the turn and the direction of the group. This is continued until the entire group has negotiated the turn. 6. The same principal applies to roundabouts, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. 7. The Ride Leader (and any rider who can not see the rider behind them) will not turn until the following rider acknowledges the turn. 8. After the turn the Ride Leader will accelerate moderately to allow the group time to complete the turn and catch-up. On a clear stretch of road the Ride Leader can accelerate more rapidly and increase the pace. If the Ride Leader moves away from the group then he/she will slow before a turn to allow the group to catch up. 9. The Ride Leader will also anticipate stops, turns etc., well in advance to avoid sudden braking.10. Riders should try, as much as possible, to maintain a steady speed; any need for acceleration or slowing down should be carried out as smoothly as possible to reduce any “accordion” effect within the group.11. Overtaking slower vehicles. As the Ride Leader seeks to maintain a reasonable pace, but cannot always wait for a large enough gap for the whole ride to overtake at the same time. All other riders must negotiate an overtake, maintaining a reasonable pace (doing so safely) and in these instances where the group may become separated all riders must observe guidance rules 5 and 12.12. Each rider is responsible for the rider behind them. If that rider goes missing or fails to make a turn, you must alert the Ride Leader as soon and as safely as possible. Note: Given forward communication limitations, this may not be until the next stopping point…13. All bikes in the ride out must ride with main headlight on. Then, if you fail to see that of the rider behind, you can take appropriate action as above. If you have spot/passing lamps, it may be preferable generally not to have them turned on (as this can obscure the rider in front), unless doing a “show” ride, leading a group or passing up the line as a Road Marshal.14. If there are a lot of bikes on the rideout or any special arrangements necessary, then other Road Marshals may be nominated by the Road Captain, to relay instructions, etc. Please check your wing mirrors in case a Road Marshal has to overtake for some reason. Move over to let them pass, then resume your previous position. Ride Guidelines continued next pageClick here... 24For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack... HOT NEWS SHETLAND ISLANDS CRUISERS News Flashes, Site Updates, Latest Additions Click here to edit the text This website, by ViKing, 2007 All material and content on this website is copyright of Shetland Islands Cruisers unless otherwise stated. Latest FlashPlayerneeded to view... The Shetland Islands Cruisers are affiliated to the NABD -National Association for Bikers with a Disability C http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/ http://www.adobe.com/ http://www.nabd.org.ukThis website was created using MAGIX Website Maker You will need the current version of Adobe Flash Player to view it. Further information can be found at magix.info - the Multimedia Knowledge Community by MAGIX, the market leader for music, photo, and video software. |