Planning a Run |
Before the Run
Duties of the Point during a Run
Duties of the Sweep during a Run
Duties of Both Point and Sweep during a Run
Before the Run
1) The club has an automated email distribution list, membership@ridersmc.com. [Members can subscribe/unsubscribe at will.] If you want feedback or RSVPs back from the club, send your message to the club. Also, you should get in the habit of only Replying to the original messages (do not create new messages from scratch), to ensure the email thread accompanies all subsequent messages. This may prevent you from hearing “Oh, I lost the original message that had all of the details”, because all subsequent messages will have the thread of messages among the members.
2) Whenever possible, you should send out many messages about the upcoming ride. The type of message you send will vary based on type of the ride/event, and duration before the ride/event. “Hey I’m thinking of...” message, includes a rough sketch of the ride/event, to determine if there is enough interest to proceed “Save the date” message well in advance of the event or ride – especially if the ride involves an overnight or requires planning on the part of members. “Full details” message a few weeks before the ride, listing all of the details in #3 above, and requesting an RSVP or committment from the membership. The very least that a conscientious member can do is RSVP to the host, with a “count me in”, “interested, but busy”, or “not interested”. “Reminder” message a few days before the event or ride
3) Most folks need to know the basics of a ride, before committing.
♦ WHEN (starting time, duration)
♦ WHERE (starting location, destination)
♦ WHAT (what can riders expect to do or see on the ride)
♦ WHY (why should riders participate; give members a reason to join in)
♦ DISTANCE (are you planning a round-about ride or a direct shot?)
4) The actual route and ride plan should take into account: Everyone should start the ride with a full tank of gas. The first segment of the ride should be the longest uninterrupted portion. Riders tire more easily when riding in a group, so limit each ride segment to ~75miles or ~45 minutes or less. At each stop, you should give riders a heads-up announcement on the amount of time we expect to stay at the location, this will help riders plan their time accordingly (bathroom, food, and smoke breaks), limit the amount of “wasted” time, and make the ride feel more focused. The route should include a mixture of highway/high-speed and backroads, unless the group prefers one option over the other (direct vs. indirect route).
5) Confirm all of the riders know and understand the rules of the road. Our Safety Officer puts together a Safety Manual or other document to describe how we ride. Make sure everyone knows them – before the group departs on the ride.
6) On the ride, plain and simple: Never be afraid to stop at a scenic location to take pictures. Be ready and flexible enough to change your original plans, when conditions dictate. Try to keep the group having fun – even if it rains. If cars try to break into the group and kill riders or something traumatic should happen (for example, thunderstorms with heavy lightning), pull the group over as soon as it is safe, then try to recover and refocus.
Duties of the Point during Run
The Point must fulfill all of the following to ensure the run's success:
1) Point must know one or more clear routes to the destination. (I think..... does not count!)
2) Point must clearly communicate to riders the direction that the run will go, along with any advisories. Point should also set a clear starting time for the run.
3) Point must ensure all riders are accounted for and ready to go.
4) Point must line the riders up according to speed and bike size.
5) Point must make sure that the group is no more than 6 bikes long.
Groups over 6 are longer than a tractor-trailer combination.
If the riders must be broken up, you should find riders to Point and Sweep for the second group.
6) Point must not ride beyond the limitations of the lowest level of ability in your group.
7) Point must know and use ALL of the approved techniques and hand signals in this manual.
Duties of the Sweep during a Run
The sweep must constantly scan the entire group for situations requiring action/correction. Watching the Point for signals is important, but be careful of "highway hypnosis". Also keep an eye on traffic behind you, to make sure the rear portion of the group is not sideswiped.
Duties of BOTH Point and Sweep during a Run
1) Must keep a keen eye on the road.
2) Must be sure riders have the knowledge of the procedures.
3) Must be sure riders are riding straight (alcohol/drug-wise)
4) Must watch for erratic rider movements
5) Must consider pulling over if the group encounters a hair-raising situation.
This will let the group re-coup and recover.
6) Must use extra caution in metropolitan areas.
On approaching intersections, checking for the green light is not enough.
You must also check the pedestrian "WALK" signal on the road perpendicular to you.
The walk signal will begin flashing "DON'T WALK" for about ten seconds prior to the green
light turning to yellow. This will help you to decide if your entire group will have enough
time to clear the intersection safely.
