GROUP RIDE GUIDELINES

Palm Springs Area Desmo Owners Club (PSADOC)

The following guidelines are intended to serve as a basic guide for most situations. They do not encompass every possible set of circumstances, which is why every participant is expected to read, understand, and apply these guidelines using their best judgment while riding within their capabilities.

Anyone in violation of compromising safety will be warned, and if their actions continue, will no longer be welcomed to participate during ANY PSADOC Group Rides.

This information contained within this document is subject to change at anytime without prior notice.

Group Rider Requirements & Responsibilities

• To be eligible, each participant must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid motorcycle license endorsement, and maintain proper insurance and vehicle registration as required by law;

• All eligible participants are strongly encouraged to participate and complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) approved riding class;

• All eligible participants must complete an PSADOC Waiver and Release of Liability Form;

• All eligible participants must properly maintain their motorcycle and other equipment fit for use on public roads and are expected to safely operate their vehicle in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws;

• All eligible participants MUST wear at the very least a proper riding jacket, gloves, and boots, in addition to a proper helmet as approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT);

• All eligible participants will observe the objectives and guidelines of the PSADOC in order to assure the safety and the welfare of every individual within the group, including any surrounding motorists or pedestrians;

• All eligible participants will follow instructions given by a Road Captain in all situations, unless those instructions place the rider or any other individual in an unsafe situation;

• All eligible participants will maintain a safe distance and lane position between themselves and the rider directly ahead; to be consistent with existing road, traffic, and weather conditions;

• All eligible participants are ultimately responsible for there own actions and are expected to apply their best judgment while riding within their capabilities at all times.

Road Captains

The Leading Road Captain (LRC) is responsible for the overall organization of the ride and will attempt to establish and maintain a uniform speed; consistent with surrounding conditions, the posted speed limit, and safe riding practices. He will launch the ride and communicate any information to the riders necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

The Sweeping Road Captain (SRC) continually scans the surrounding environment from the rear of the group and may move into a merging lane (or stay in a merging lane just vacated by the group) in order to "close the door" on other vehicles that may otherwise find themselves trying to merge into the formation. The Sweeping Road Captain also serves to assist any participants who become momentarily separated from the group due to any emergencies or mechanical failure.

No one is allowed to pass a Road Captain at any time while participating in a group ride, unless safety concerns dictate otherwise.

All directions and decisions regarding lane changes, closing of gaps, highway entrances, exits and merges, concerns of what lies ahead, and so on come from Road Captains. No individual will assert himself independently without direction from a Road Captain unless safety concerns dictate otherwise.

Formation

All riders will maintain a staggered formation, unless instructed otherwise by a Road Captain; or unless safety concerns dictate otherwise.

The minimum recommended distance during normal riding conditions is no less than two seconds (two second rule) from the bike directly in front of you. The two second rule is considered a "rule of thumb" that should be adhered to whenever possible; however, an increase or decrease in distance may be required if safety concerns dictate otherwise. Remember, the faster the speed, the greater the gap.

Depending on the number of participants, riders may be broken down into smaller groups consisting of 8 to 10 riders. Each group will maintain one Leading Road Captain and one Sweeping Road Captain.

If an individual rider is planning to leave the group ride at any time, he/she must inform a Road Captain before doing so. The rider must then take the last position at the rear of the group in front of the Sweeping Road Captain, so that they may "drop out" of the group when safe, thus avoiding any confusion among other participating riders.

Changing Lanes

Be aware that group lane changes may not be possible at times requiring everyone to change lanes from front to back, as individuals, and only when safe to do so. Also note that the following lane change instructions may not apply under certain circumstances such as exiting, entering, or merging onto a highway.

A lane change on a multi-lane Highway will always be initiated by a Leading Road Captain. Upon doingso, each rider will activate their turn signal and then pass the correct hand signal to the back of the formation. When safe to do so, each rider will then change lanes one at a time using the "Follow the Leader" approach. ULTIMATELY, EACH RIDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGING LANES ONLY WHEN SAFE TO DO SO.

Intersection Stopping

When stopping as a group at an intersection, riders should break staggered formation and pull up beside the next adjacent bike. This will reduce the length of the group by half. Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection. Because the group is half as long, it will take half the time to clear the intersection and increase the odds of keeping the group intact.

If you do not make it through the intersection with the group, stop and wait until it is lawful and safe to proceed. Do not take any chances of running a red light. The Sweeping Road Captain will inform the Leading Road Captain who will either slow the group down or pull the group over to the side of the road and wait for any stragglers to catch up. The Leading Road Captain will not make a turn unless his/her group is intact.

Emergencies

In the unlikely event of an emergency condition, the Leading Road Captain will make every attempt to move the formation to a safe location in an orderly manner. If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right - DO NOT STOP. The Sweeping Road Captain will stop with the problem bike. The Leading Road Captain will then lead the rest of the group to a safe stopping location. If a group comes along a rider in an emergency situation and that rider is not being assisted, then the Leading Road Captain will stop the group as soon as it is safe to do so to offer assistance.

Hand Signals

Each rider should duplicate all hand signals given by the rider in front of him, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation. In addition to basic stop, left turn, and right turn hand signals, the following hand signals may be used by anyone at anytime:

• Ready to ride / All Good / OKAY: Using LEFT hand, "Thumbs up" high in air overhead

• Slow down: Using LEFT arm, extend outward while repeatedly pushing air up & down with open hand

• Road hazard: Using LEFT or RIGHT foot depending on location, point toward upcoming road hazard

• Back off: Using LEFT arm, extend outward 45° while pushing air toward rear of bike with palm of hand shown to group

• Smoky alert (Law Enforcement or Emergency Vehicles): Using LEFT hand, tap top of helmet several times

• Pointing to gas tank - Indicates that you need to stop as soon as possible for any of the following reasons: for fuel; to make a "potty stop"; a mechanical or equipment problem; a medical problem; a crisis of confidence; or for any other reason

The following hand signals are to be used by ROAD CAPTAINS ONLY:

• Staggered formation: Using LEFT hand, index finger and little finger point to the sky on top of helmet

• Single-file formation: Using LEFT hand, index finger points to the sky on top of helmet

• U-turn: Using LEFT hand, index finger makes circle while pointing in air over head

• Do NOT follow: Using LEFT arm, bend 90° at elbow with fist upward and move up and down repeatedly in a pulling motion

General Considerations

• If at all possible, have a full tank of gas BEFORE arriving at the departure point;

• Participants are expected to ride in a friendly and courteous manner while respecting other group ride participants and road users;

• Inform a Road Captain if you have any special concerns, i.e. speed, sharp corners, etc ... ;

• Inform a Road Captain if you plan to leave the group at any time and take the last position at the rear of the group in front of the sweeping Road Captain;

• Inform a Road Captain if your bike (or bladder) has an unusually short fuel range;

• Bring adequate clothing consistent with expected weather conditions for that day;

• Remember to take some clear eye protection if the ride extends into the evening;

• When exiting a freeway, keep up the pace so the riders behind you aren't forced to slow down while still on the freeway, potentially becoming a traffic hazard.

Please refer to The Pace articles for techniques and riding styles we would like to implement into our Group Rides.

*The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has approved Hand Signals when riding with a group. Please take note of them. Thank You.