Calvary Chapel Motorcycle Fellowship
Links
Accident Prevention Group Ride Guidelines Riding Skills Women Who RideGroup Ride Guidelines
"The Ten Commandments of Group Riding", a concise list of the essentials.
"To the rider who normally travels solo, the whole process of group riding can often seem very confusing. If he/she is not used to riding with others, even the competent, safety-prone rider can become a motorcycle menace the minute he joins friends in a group ride. Yet orderly group riding requires no special skills. It does require the application of a few basic rules, a knowledge of some basic formations and hand signals, and some practice. Within a few miles, a group of riders who make the effort can learn to maneuver in unison to become, in effect, a flexible, multi-machined, single vehicle..."
Master Strategy Group: Group Riding Our-Way"Perhaps it's just pride in how we do things in our group rides - or simply that we don't want to 'own' any responsibility for the loss of or injury to anybody that rides with us. And because of this we know that there are plenty of people that would find our style of group riding to be too 'confining' or of insufficient 'excitement' for them. But we are proud of the way we handle group rides and want to share 'our way' with the readers here..."
Master Strategy Group: Guidelines for Group Riding for Street BikesComprehensive, thoughtful discussion of why, why not, how and how not to ride in a group.
Master Strategy Group: Rubber Band Effect"While most of us know that it takes about 1 second to recognize and begin to react to a threat ahead of us, it usually takes from 2 to 3 seconds for riders to recognize and begin to react to a change in speed (increase) of the bike in front of them when they are riding in a group. A couple of seconds doesn't sound like much, I'm sure, but while at 2 seconds a small group of bikes can usually manage rather well, at 3 seconds some serious problems result. This is particularly true if there are more than six bikes in the group. The following, I hope, will convince those of you that lead group rides to behave with new caution..."
Master Strategy Group: Riding Drag"While a tour group is highly dependant upon the skills and judgment of the lead bike's rider, in many ways they are more dependant on the drag bike for successfully arriving at their destination..."
"The intent of this guideline is to give everyone information required to ride together safely. Please keep in mind that these guidelines are not intended to restrict your freedom, but instead, to help ensure that we all return home safely. These guidelines cannot encompass every possible set of circumstances, and they are intended to serve as a basic guide for most situations. Each person is therefore expected to read, understand, and apply these guidelines, using their best judgment. Please remember that YOU have the ultimate responsibility for YOUR safety, and always ride within your capabilities and that of your machines..."
"Riding with a group of friends appeals to many riders and is an activity that can enhance your motorcycling experience. However, riding with a group that has not developed any group guidelines can be a most unpleasant experience. Riding a motorcycle by nature is a solitary activity, but riding with others will bring some benefits, such as: someone to be aware of you if you have trouble, someone to help with routes, and someone to socialize with at stops..."
"The purpose of riding in an organized group is to provide the additional safety that a well-organized group inherently generates. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people do not get in each other's way, and the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in. Once riding rules have been adopted by by the chapter, everyone riding with the group should follow them. Anyone violating the rules will compromise everyone's safety..."
"The engine purrs beneath you as a string of motorcycles snakes through the hills in front of you. With a quick look in the mirror, you see your buddy following close behind with a smile on his face that matches yours. The camaraderie forms because, at just this moment, you're all on the same page. That's what a group ride is all about. It's an opportunity to share the open road and wonderful scenery with other like-minded people. But like most motorcycle experiences, this one is best enjoyed by following a few simple guidelines that keep everyone safe..."
"Personally, I'm not a fan of group motorcycle rides. Riding with a bunch of other motorcyclists slows you down, rearranges the rhythm of riding, and gets in the way of the independence that is at the heart of why I ride. My idea of a large group is three people. I am most happy by myself or with one other rider I know and trust. Nonetheless, I frequently find myself participating in group rides at various events and new-model introductions or in the process of producing the magazine. As a result, I am frequently reminded of the mistakes even good riders sometimes make when put in a group. Riding in a group can pose a variety of safety challenges..."
"When riding in a group we must do it in a way that does not endanger anyone or interfere with the flow of traffic. The following are some general common sense rules followed by motorcyclist touring in a group. These rules are not hard and fast and each rider must understand that he is responsible for himself and his passenger. He is responsible for the safe operation of his bike so he does not to endanger himself, his passenger, or other vehicles on the road. All your driving maneuvers should be thought out, planned in advance, and communicated to the other members in the group. Never take a spontaneous action unless necessary to avoid injury..."
"Motorcycling is primarily a solo activity, but for many, riding as a group -- whether with friends on a Sunday morning ride or with an organized motorcycle rally -- is the epitome of the motorcycling experience. Here are some tips to help ensure a fun and safe group ride..."
"The following are suggestions only, not to be considered rules. They are guidelines and not mandatory in order to be members of GWTA, however, the more we as a group think and ride alike, the safer and more fun the rides will be. Riding in a group is strictly voluntary and should be done only if you feel comfortable with your motorcycle and the riding habits of your particular riding group..."
New York City Motorcyclists: Suggestions for Safe Group Riding"Organizing, leading, or participating in a group ride is an activity that a lot of riders would like to undertake. However, many riders are somewhat intimidated and reluctant to participate because they are not really sure how it is actually done...This brief guide is intended to help you get started and hopefully clear up some of the mystery...It will get you started and hopefully avoid some of the unsafe "happenings" that you may have already experienced on previous group rides...You need to approach an organized group ride from the standpoint that you do not automatically know what will make the ride both enjoyable and safe for the majority of the participants..."
Washington State Goldwing Touring Association"Given my choice of traveling alone or in a group, I'd prefer to travel alone...I only have to make decisions for one person. I can change plans instantly without having a roadside conference. When I'm ready to go, I just go. If I want to stop, I just stop. If I run out of gas, I…wait a minute! Who's going to help me if I'm all by myself? What's more, even if I don't have a bike problem, it gets kind of lonely after a while. When I peer over the rim of the Grand Canyon to absorb the awesome view, or stop at an overlook with Mount Rainier gleaming in the twilight, I feel like sharing the experience with others..."
Accident Reports
Hurt Study"The Hurt study, published in 1981, was a ground-breaking report on the causes and effects of motorcycle accidents. Although more than 15 years old at this time, the study still offers riders insight into the statistics regarding motorcycle accidents and tips on safer riding."
Riding Skills
Jerry Palladino (Motorman): Back to Basics - Barrel Race
"Whenever you mention the words practice, exercise or even training, it brings to mind something unpleasant. Now, if I say the word "race", it seems to have the opposite effect. So, let's talk about a race this month. And no, I don't mean the slow race, as that can get kind of boring. What I'm talking about is a barrel race. A once popular event at local bike meets. Haven't seen it much lately and it's possibly due to the lack of skillful riders. For those who don't know what a barrel race is, here's how it works..."
Jerry Palladino (Motorman): Practice GuideThe friction zone is the area of the clutch between completely open and completely closed. Let's begin. Now, pull the clutch in and put the motorcycle in 1st gear. Put your right foot on the brake, begin by letting the clutch out and begin feeding a little throttle and stay in the friction zone. You should be feathering the rear brake so that it holds the motorcycle back slightly. You now have 3 ways to control your motorcycle, the clutch, the throttle and the rear brake. You must keep power to the rear wheel and stay in the friction zone and feed a little throttle. Now, let's try the slow race.
Women Who Ride
Laughing Ravens Chapter of Women on Wheels, "to unite all women motorcycle enthusiasts for recreation, education, mutual support, recognition, and to promote a positive image of motorcycling."
RideMyOwn.com, the site dedicated to women across the world who RIDE THEIR OWN motorcycles (and those who desire to do so). While in its infancy, we hope this site will be a resource for all riders but especially women.