Introduction
The Elkhorn Valley HOG Chapter conducts group rides for the benefit of its
chapter members. This Ride Guide contains information that each member is
expected to know and observe so that everyone can participate to Ride Safe and
Have Fun. All members are encouraged to read this guide prior to participating
in group rides with our Chapter.
This document is published by the Elkhorn Valley HOG for the benefit of its
members. Elkhorn Valley HOG reserves the right to change the information in
this publication at any time without notice.
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 HOG Chapter
members. There are three categories of Events defined by the national HOG:
1. Closed events are chapter events that are open to chapter members and one
guest per member. Each guest is limited to three events per year.
2. Member events are chapter events that are only open to HOG members.
3. Open events are chapter events that are open to chapter members, National HOG
members and other guest as desired.
NOTE: All Elkhorn Valley HOG rides are .Closed Events. unless specifically
stated. Simply stated, this means that you can participate in chapter rides if
you are a current member and that you can have one guest per ride. A guest may
only attend three rides / events per year.
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.
· Make Sure You Arrive for the Ride on Time.
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. CB Radios ON if available.
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.
Riders who have CB radios on their bikes are encouraged to utilize them for
group ride communications. The Lead Road Captain will determine which channel to
use for the ride if applicable. (Normally Channel 7)
· Ride in Staggered Formation with approximately 2 second spacing.
The Chapter rides in the staggered formation recommended by the Motorcycle
Safety Foundation and HOG. 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.
· Fill 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 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 to Cars. 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.
· The Ride Officially Ends on Arrival at the 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.
· Most 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.