Chapter Rides
 
Ride Selection and Scheduling
 
The Chapter rides are selected and scheduled by the Chapter Activities Officer along with the other Chapter Officers and Road Captains. The rides are normally chosen and scheduled at least two months in advance.
 
All Members are encouraged to make suggestions for the rides to any Officer or Road Captain. Suggestions may also be made at the Chapter meetings.
 
All suggestions will be reviewed for suitability and the destination must be adequate for motorcycle parking and the ability to handle a large group.
 
Ride Schedule
 
The ride schedule is published in the Chapter monthly newsletter prior to the ride. Rides may be cancelled at any time, usually due to adverse weather conditions.

Road Captains
 
The Road Captains are responsible for conducting the Chapter Rides. They select the routing and check it prior to the ride for unsafe conditions when necessary.
 
Each ride has at least two Road Captains; a Lead Captain and a Sweep Captain. Other Road Captains may be present on a ride and will ride within the group.
 
 In the event there is a shortage of available Road Captains, Chapter Officers and other Experienced Chapter riders may be asked to perform the Road Captain duties.
 
All ride participants shall follow the instructions, directions, and decisions of the Road Captains. When a large group is divided into smaller groups, each group will have a Lead Road Captain. Road Captains will normally have an Orange flag attached to the rear of their motorcycle for ease of identification.
 
Ride Participation
 
All members are invited to attend all rides. The Chapter expects all riders to ride safely and ride within their experience and comfort level at all times.
 
Harley Chapter Event Categories
 
Chapter events are conducted primarily for the benefit of our Chapter members. There are three categories of Events defined by the National H.O.G.®:
 
1. Closed events are chapter events that are open to chapter members and one guest per member.

2.  Member events are chapter events that are only open to H.O.G.® members.
3. Open events are chapter events that are open to chapter members, National HOG members and other guest as desired.
 
 
Group Riding
 
Each rider is expected to observe and practice these rules and procedures when participating in a group ride with the Chapter. There are four components to a safe and fun group ride:
 
· Personal Preparation
· Group Preparation
· The Ride
· Emergencies
 
 
Personal Preparation
 
You are responsible for making sure you and your bike are ready and safe for the ride.
 
· Check yourself
 
Make sure you are alert, feeling well, and appropriately dressed. Any Chapter member operating a motorcycle in a Chapter ride must be properly licensed and insured to operate a motorcycle.
 
· Check your Motorcycle and Equipment
 
Check your tire pressure, oil level, turn signals, and lights.
 
· Fill your gas tank
 
All members are to begin the ride with a full tank of gas. The start of the ride Will Not be Delayed waiting for someone to get a quick fill-up.
All rides are planned with ample gas stops considering the smallest tank in the group and that everyone starts with a full tank.
 
· Arrive on time for the ride.
 
Not only is it fun to socialize prior to the ride, the Road Captain will make any announcements and give the pre-ride and route briefings during this time. These briefings normally will be conducted at least 10 minutes before the ride departs.


Group Preparation
 
Rides are scheduled to meet at a certain time and normally depart 30 minutes later. During this time you are encouraged to sign in for the ride, sign the release forms (if necessary), and listen to the pre-ride briefing.
 
 
The Ride
 
Riding with a group can be fun and exciting, but only when everyone in the group observes the same rules. When riding with the Chapter, everyone is expected to observe the following rules.
 
The Road Captain will leave first and is followed by all other bikes, which fall into a staggered formation as soon as possible. The Sweep Road Captain will follow the group.
 
When a large number of bikes are present, The Road Captain may divide them into smaller groups. Each group will have a Road Captain assigned to the group.
 
· Ride within your ability and comfort level.
 
· Obey all laws.
 
· Headlights to LOW beam, other running lights off.
 
All riders except the Road Captains should set their Headlights to Low Beam and turn off any other running lights.
 
This makes it easier for the Lead Road Captain to see the Sweep Road Captain and determine if a problem has occurred requiring the Sweep Road Captain to stop.
 

· Ride in Staggered Formation with approximately 2 second spacing.
 
The Chapter rides in the staggered formation recommended by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and H.O.G. The bikes form two columns, with the leader at the head of the left column. The second bike will head up the right column and ride approximately one second behind the leader. The other riders follow the bike directly in front of them by two seconds, which puts them one second behind the diagonal bike in front of them. By using the two-second spacing, the distance of the gap will increase with speed.

All Road Captains are encouraged to have a cell phone on each ride.  Zips 45th Parallel
Harley-Davidson has supplied each Road Captain with an emergency First Aide kit.

 
· Fill in any gaps by Changing Column.
 
When a bike drops out of the ride and creates a gap, the following bikes fill the gap, in turn, by moving up and changing column into the gap.
 
· Use your Hand and Foot Signals.
 
The Road Captain will use hand or foot signals to indicate a change of course, hazards, or other information to the group. Each rider uses the same signal to pass the information back through the group. Look at  the pictures here in Hand Signals for the signals used by the Chapter.

 Yield and give way to Vehicles. Especially at Entrance Ramps and Lane Changes.
 
When a car needs to enter from an entrance ramp or is signaling to break into the group, yield and give them plenty of room. Remember: Just because you have the right-of-way, doesn't mean you are going to get it.
 
· Signal all turns and lane changes with turn signal lights and hand signals; Make visual checks before you move.
 
The Road Captain will signal for turns and lane changes. You, in turn, make the same signal to pass it
 back through the group and to signal any other vehicles near you.
 
Before making a turn or lane change and after you have signaled for an appropriate amount of time, Look with your Head, (not in your mirror) to see if you have clear space. If so, then make the turn or lane change.
 
· Our ride officially ends when we arrival at our destination.
 
You can return home at any time and by any route you choose. If you are unsure how to get back home, ask a Road Captain for directions.
 
Emergencies
 
In the event of an emergency requiring a stop, observe the following procedures so that the emergency may be resolved in the safest manner possible. We do not want a group of motorcycles on the side of the road in an unsafe manner under any circumstance.
 
· Problem Bike Stops. All Others Continue.
 
If a bike or rider problem creates a stop, it should signal and stop in as safe a place as possible, preferably well off the road. All other bikes are to continue with the Lead Road Captain to avoid having a group of bikes on the side of the road.
 
· Only the Sweep Road Captain Stops to Help.
 
It is the Sweep Road Captains responsibility to stop and render assistance to the problem bike. The Lead Road Captain will lead the group to a safe location.
 
· All Road Captains have Mobile Phones and First Aid Kits.
 
· Accidents
 
In the event of an accident, the group should work together to insure everyone stops in a safe location. The Road Captains will assign riders to help with the accident scene as needed.

 Hand Signals While Riding
Printable Chart

Start Your Engines

Ride Leader:   With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
Riders:   To indicate that you're ready to Go, place your hand (right or left) on top of the windshield. If you don't have a windshield, raise your hand. This tells the leader that your engine is running and you're ready to ride.

       Left Turn


Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically. Also - Most bikes have turn signals - use them. Hand signals used in conjunction with turn signals give everyone in the group and other traffic a clear idea of your intentions.

      Hazard Right

Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.

          Speed Up

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down. (Alternate - straight down and palm toward the back. Move your arm back and forth at the elbow.)

      Slow Down

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.

        Single File

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.

Just a few minutes for Safety Sake
 

These are simple, easy-to-access items that anyone who rides should be able to identify and check. You can probably check everything in about three minutes. Depending on what you find, it could be the best three minutes you spend all day.

Tires and wheels
Since these are where you and the road meet, they're probably the most important things to look over. A problem can affect handling—sometimes severely.

Are your rims free of dings? Are your spokes tight and straight? Check pressures in both tires. Since most manufacturers specify pressures for cold tires, this is the only accurate way to check them, as they heat up quickly on the road, raising the pressure. Consult your owner's manual or call your tire manufacturer's hotline for the proper pressures for your particular bike.
While your checking the tires, make sure you've got plenty of tread. You should have more than 1/16 of an inch, about the distance between Lincoln's head and the top of a penny. Remove foreign objects that may have lodged in the treads, and make sure there aren't any cuts in the tire. A scuff is nothing to be worried about, but if it's a deep scratch, you might want to have it checked.

Controls and cables
A snapped throttle or clutch cable can leave you on the side of the road, so check 'em. Operate anything connected to a cable and make sure that levers and cables feel smooth and don't bind. Apply the front brake and push the bike forward. The brake should feel firm, and the front wheel should not move. Check the rear brake in the same fashion.

Lights
Seeing and being seen are two great ways to avoid unwanted incidents on the road, so making sure your lights work is key.
Start by turning on your ignition. Are the headlight's high beam and low beam working? Does the taillight come on? Does the brake light come on when you depress the brake pedal and lever? Check left and right turn signals, front and rear. Remember that the cause of a malfunction here could be a relay or bulb.
Lastly, don't forget to check your horn.

Oil and fuel
Running out of gas is a bummer, but since many motorcycles don't have gas gauges, it's a very real possibility. Check the gas level in the tank, and be sure your fuel petcock isn't on "reserve," which could leave you with a nasty surprise if you roll to a stop thinking you've still got gas in reserve. And don't forget to reset the trip meter every time you fill up.
Running out of gas can be inconvenient, but running out of oil can turn your bike into an inert display of public art. Even some new bikes can use enough oil to be down a quart between oil changes, so check it before every ride.

 Chassis
    Though an improperly adjusted suspension may not seem critical, imagine your surprise as your bike behaves differently in the middle of a curve because you forgot to reset it after picking up your friend last night. Sit on the bike and rock it, making sure that everything moves smoothly and relatively slowly. If the front or rear end behaves like a pogo stick, a trip to your trusty mechanic should be in your immediate future. If you have an adjustable suspension, remember to read your owner's manual and adjust it properly for the load you'll be carrying and the type of riding you'll be doing.
 

Kickstand
The kickstand is a handy little item—it's what keeps your motorcycle off the ground. Make sure it's not cracked or bent. Check the spring or springs. Are they in place, and do they have enough tension to keep the kickstand safely up?
Don't forget to look at the engine cut-out switch or pad, if so equipped.
If everything's in place and operating properly you're done, and you're good to go.   Enjoy your ride!
Ride On......

© 2003     American Motorcyclist Association