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Introduction
This workshop is
designed not only to train the rider who has never
ridden in a group, but also to enlighten the
experienced rider who may have learned group
riding by a different set of rules and guidelines.
We have put this section of our site up to assist
you the rider to have a safe and joyous ride with whomever you
chose to ride with. This is
not intended to represent any group or riders
methods in which they ride but is only meant to be
a general guideline for you to learn riding
techniques. Almost every organization has a similar set of
road rules, but each differs in it's own way
according to the organizations set of standards.
Riding in packs is one
of the most dangerous things a motorcyclist can do
if he or she is not well informed of what to do
and when to do it. Safety of the group is of
the utmost importance to the American legion Riders. This workshop will inform
you how to safely participate in group rides
without the fear of getting tangled up with
another rider, possibly injuring yourself or
worse someone else, or damaging your motorcycle.
Riding in groups is a
simple operation if everyone knows what is going
on and stay alert of all riders around you. If you have ever observed a Military Drill
Team, you have noticed that each member moves
individually and independent of the others, but
the team itself moves as a single unit. That
should be
the goal of any group ride when they are riding in
any group formations. You should want to
move as a single unit and be absolutely safe while
doing so.
You will learn what
the various riders of the road team are
responsible for as well as what your
responsibilities you have as a member of the group. You will learn:
- The Road Captain's
hand signals and how to relay his wishes to the
other members.
- The
responsibilities of the Drag Man, Road Guards,
Mid Line Relays.
- What you can expect
from the Road Team and what they expect from
you.
- How to make your
fellow riders aware of safety hazards that are
in their path in time for them to observe and
avoid the obstacle.
There are 3 different
riding formations (Single file, Staggered, and
Parade or 2 by 2) and
you will learn to safely ride in all of these
formations. Staggered Formation is 99% of the time
the formation that most groups and organization use. There
are two instances where the parade formation "side
by side wheel to wheel" will be used, (always at a
speed of less than 25 MPH.) in most situations. The
last formation used by some organizations is the
Single file Formation. Single File is used when on
a very narrow road, a rough dirt or gravel road,
or in a construction area. This formation should
be utilized any time the surroundings suggest a
hazardous or dangerous situation to a
motorcyclist.
In addition to looking
good while you are riding in groups you will also
learn how to properly end a ride and how to park
your motorcycle in such a way as to protect the
safety of your motorcycle and make the group look
respectable at the same time. The more organized,
and professional we are, the better we look in the
eyes of the public.
This workshop will
help us all to ride and have fun, but at the same
time accomplish any goal or objective the group
may decide to take on. (Remember: "The more
organized we look to the public, the more respect
we will gain from them")
  
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