Duties of a Motorcycle Road Captain

Road captain is the name for the rider who coordinates a multiple-bike ride. Road captain can refer to both the leader and the sweepers who, among their other duties, check that other riders are safe. Working as part of a team, the road captain is responsible for the safety of the riders and the smooth running of the ride itself. Duties include planning, thinking ahead, communication and rider education. The road captain may even act as a tour guide

Planning the Ride

A road captain is a fundamental part of any ride planning. Especially where riders may number in the dozens or even hundreds, she has to be well versed in the route. She must know about potential hazards, road conditions and any special events that are happening at the time of the ride. A road captain will ride the route a few days in advance to make sure that nothing has changed, will keep an eye on the weather, and will also be present at ride planning meetings.

Educating and Informing Riders

The road captain is expected to brief the group before the ride. He will inform riders about the pace of the ride, tell them about staggered formation, and will explain what the rules are. Some rides require the participants to ride together in tight formation, while others have a more loose, "at your own pace" style. The road captain will also answer questions and educate new riders in hand signals and other riding etiquette. Finally, the road captain will let riders know what to do should they break down or have a mishap, and might have a tactful word in the ear of a rider whose behavior is causing problems.

Leading the Ride

The road captain leads the ride. Riders are expected to keep an eye on her for cues as to where to go next. Working in conjunction with blockers or sweepers, the captain will also help to block off intersections to allow riders to pass without worrying about traffic. She will then pass back to the front. Sometimes the road captain stays in front and only the blockers do the intersection work, and sometimes she works with the blockers.

When a lane change is performed, the leader signals the change and the rear guard initiates it. This prevents lane-changing bikes from crashing into one another and also provides a safer block to traffic. Indicators are seen from the rear and a large column of bikes changing is less likely to be cut off.

Stop Coordination

At gas and fuel stops, the road captain will set up in a staging area he has previously chosen so that the line of bikes can assemble. After leaving, the

road captain will wait until the rear guard signals that everyone is ready to go before accelerating to highway speed.

Other Duties of the Road Captain

Other duties of the road captain including dealing with the police and other unexpected surprises, and making sure everybody has a fun, safe ride. The road captain is part of a team that includes the sweepers and rear guard, and is, by definition, an experienced rider.

3.1. Leading a Ride. As a RC assigned to lead a ride, you will: 3.1.1. Be in charge of the group until final destination has been reached. 3.1.2. Responsible for ensuring the safety of the group. 3.1.3. Conduct the pre-ride brief for all riders. 3.1.4. Change route as actual road/weather conditions dictates. 3.1.5. Will lead at a pace that is appropriate for the road and traffic conditions.

3.2. Sweeping a Ride. As a RC assigned to sweep the group or groups, you will: 3.2.1. Will be observant of any hazardous conditions or conduct and will inform the

Lead Road Captain at the earliest safe opportunity. 3.2.2. In the event the group becomes split and there are no other Road Captains in the

group, the Sweep will use his/her best judgment to determine which position (Lead or Sweep) to ride.

3.3. Other Duties. If assigned to ride within the group and your section becomes separated from the main body, you will assume the lead position of that section until your section rejoins the main body.

Riders’ Pre-ride Briefing Prior to each ride, the Lead Rider or designee will conduct a briefing for the entire group. During this briefing the Lead Rider will review the route to the final destination and any pertinent road conditions. This should be done as expeditiously as possible. The following talking points shall be covered prior to every ride;

1. Staggered Riding – Alternating lane positions, 2 second interval to the rider in front of you, 1 second to the rider in the alternate track.

2. Stop Signs – Double up, proceed through as pairs and then separate back into staggered position.

3. Stop Lights – Stop if light turns red, regardless of position in the group. Proceed on green or when safe.

4. Lane Changes – Pass signal back, do not move, Sweep will move to block lane, once the lane is secured, Lead Rider will move, move only after the rider in front of you does.

5. Passing Traffic – Single up while passing, use your own judgment. Return to your own lane as soon as possible, leaving room for any rider behind you to get in.

6. Filling in a gap: if a gap occurs in the group while riding in staggered formation, the gap should remain until the following occurs:

a. The group reforms after a stopping at a stop sign or light. b. The group transitions from single file to staggered formation.

7. Hand Signals

ALL HAND SIGNALS ARE TO BE PASSED BACK QUICKLY. a. Single file. b. Staggered. c. Slow down. d. Speed up. e. Left turn f. Right turn g. Obstacle left h. Obstacle right

8. Emergency/Breakdown Events Procedure – If you are behind the event and can pass safely, keep moving cautiously. The Sweep Rider will stop and determine what is needed.

SCRUMPIES “GROUP RIDE GUIDELINES”

These Guidelines have been compiled using several sources from the Internet and manypast experiences leading group rides. The purpose of these guidelines is to give ALL GroupMembers the “knowledge” required to ride together safely. The guidelines are notintended to restrict your freedom but to help ensure that we are all able to enjoy the runand return home safely. Because circumstances may dictate adaptability, they areintended to serve only as a basic guide for most situations.Please read, understand, and apply these guidelines, using your best judgement.Remember that YOU have the ultimate responsibility for YOUR safety.Always ride within your own capabilities and that of your machine.

1. ALL GROUP RIDER'S :It is your responsibility to observe the objectives and guidelines in order to assure thesafety and the welfare of every individual within the group, along with surroundingmotorists and pedestrians.You should follow the instructions of the Road Captain in all situations, unless thoseinstructions place you or any other individual in an unsafe situation.You must maintain your motorcycle and other equipment in a safe riding condition andensure that it is insured against accident to at least 3rd party status.You must ride with headlights on unless instructed otherwise by the Road Captain.Always ride with a "safety first" attitude toward all individuals, whether or not they are apart of the group.

2. MEETING PLACE AND DEPARTURE TIME:Meeting places and departure times should be posted to the membership either by e-mailor phone preceding the scheduled event.Rider briefing should be held just prior to departure, to establish a schedule for fuel andrest stops, to inform the group of the intended route and to provide other pertinentinformation including reviewing the group riding guidelines, to include formations andprocedures.Individuals should make every effort to arrive promptly at the meeting place at thescheduled meeting time and be completely prepared for the scheduled departure time.This includes a full tank of fuel.

3. RIDING FORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS:The standard formation, under good conditions of road, traffic and weather, should be adouble row,* staggered, in one traffic lane. The interval should be approximately onesecond* between staggered riders, which will automatically provide a 2 second* intervalbetween you and the bike directly in front of you. This should allow an adequate stoppingmargin whilst keeping the overall length of the group as short as safely possible.(*Depends on travelling speed and road Width). Riders should try to maintain theirposition on the road as much as possible, therefore if you only feel comfortable riding onthe inside line, try to join the pack to accommodate this; likewise for the outside line. Ifyou are new to group riding or would sooner ride at a slower pace introduce yourself to theRoad Captain before departure. He will probably direct you to join the group nearer thefront as these are usually the more stable positions. Make a mental note of the ridersdirectly in front and behind you. If you lose sight of the rider behind then slow to allow therest of the pack to catch up (don’t worry about getting left behind yourself as the riders infront should slow with you). You should also remember to frequently check your rear viewmirrors in case a Road Marshal is trying to recover to the front. Safely adjust your speedand position (using indicators) to facilitate his progress past your position.

4. MARSHALED GROUP RIDING:When travelling in a larger group it will be necessary to “marshal” the group to aid withroad safety.

The “Senior” marshals should consist ofROUTE MASTER (Yellow Hi-Vis)Knows the route to be taken (possibly having recce’d it beforehand) and leads the groupat the front at a pace to be determined by the Road Captain.

ROAD CAPTAIN (Orange Hi-Vis)Should know the route to be taken. Must have prior marshalling experience for the size ofgroup on ride-out. It is his/her duty to control the speed of the group consistent with theability of the least experienced rider, surrounding conditions, legal speed limits etc. and todirect his/her Marshals where to mark junctions/deviations. If there is no marker/Marshalthen it is taken that the route continues straight on, on the same road.The Road Captain will be at the head of the group immediately behind the Route Master,and typically will ride just to the right of lane centre.

ROAD MARSHALS (Yellow HI-Vis)Usually ride at head of group, directly behind Road Captain.In larger groups it is preferable that an adequate number of road marshals for the size ofgroup are pre-selected and given Yellow Hi-Vis vests for the duration of the run. (EachCounty within the Scrumpies should have at least 5 such vests).They should be briefed by the Road Captain before departure as to how they will berequired to mark junctions and if they will be required to resume their place at the front ofthe group after having marked a junction. If they are only required once then they shouldre-join the pack immediately in front of the Tail Gunner.On smaller ride-outs or when there are no designated Road Marshals, junctions ordeviations may be marked by the 3rd man rule: That is the rider directly behind the RoadCaptain who will instruct on how & where to mark. The 3rd man should always re-joinimmediately in front of the Tail Gunner.

TAIL GUNNER (Orange HI-Vis)Always rides at the rear of the formation. Should know the route to be taken.It is recommended that trikes and bikes with sidecars be to the rear of the formation andride single file at all times ahead of the Tail Gunner.

5. UNSCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY STOPS:Unscheduled stops for fuel, bladder emptying, or rider fatigue can lead to confusion in thegroup, and confusion can lead to accidents.Any rider with a problem should inform one of the Officers / RoadCaptain / or Tail Gunner as quickly, and as safely as possible. When the Road Captain isinformed, he or she will stop the group at the earliest possible moment, when and where,it is safe, if this is deemed necessary.

6. ROAD CAPTAIN CHECKLIST:Welcome riders, designate Road Marshals and introduce Route Master and Tail GunnerDefine destination and outline routeDetermine fuel stop requirementsOutline itinerary for the dayDetermine return plansReview riding standards, staggered position and safe distanceEntrance and exitSingle file proceduresDetermine riding group by size, skill level, & cruising speedRemind everyone to have fun, and to ride safely