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These guidelines are to provide
a feel for our riding style before you come to join us. This way we don't
get frustrated with tailgaters, slow coaches or just basic idiots. You
learn about how to fit in amongst us without frustrating anyone, and getting
the most out of a group ride. Most of these suggestions are just common
sense, the problems only arise because common sense doesn't seem to be
very common
Open Roads
There are lots of things to mention about
the open road, this is not a help file for the first time rider, we are
not going to tell you how to ride. These are just a few things to keep
in mind about our etiquette. If you are after tips on riding go to this
wealth of information at The
Master Strategy Group
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Speed
The first thing to say is "speed is a choice".
If someone wants to risk their licence we are not going to stop you. (there
may even be someone who will join you, depending on the risk factor) Please
see the overtaking section on how to get in front before/while doing this.
This works the other way too, while we expect you to hold a good pace,
the people who may be risking their licence will wait for you at the next
turn off or rest stop. If you are not sure about our speed, the best way
to see if we go the right speed for you is to join us for a one day or
less ride, and see what you think.
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Distance
Keep your space. On the open road, this is at
least the distance just outside where you can read the number plate of
the person in front of you. So, if you can read the number plate, you
are making someone nervous. The exception to this is overtaking (see below).
The other distance consideration is the journey
distance. Only you know if you are ready for 5-10 hours in the saddle.
Look at each individual trip plan, and decide for yourself. We usually
stop for a leg stretch often enough for everyone.
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Overtaking
Keeping in mind the comments on distance, if
you find that you want to travel faster than the person in front of you,
move in so that you can read the number plate and still see enough road
in front of the rider ahead of you. MOVE TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE then overtake.
DON'T forget to check your mirrors to see if someone is going to overtake
you. DON'T use the same lane. DON'T overtake on a corner. DON'T overtake
on the left hand side. (We are in Australia) If the rider ahead gives
you any signal (racing kick or hand wave) when you are close, then they
have seen that you are close, decided that it is safe to overtake, and
they want you to move in front. This may happen because you are trying
to overtake, or you are travelling too close for their comfort.
Cars. Cars can be the worst
part of a good road. When there is a group of bikes, they can do some
strange things. Until you are ready to overtake, keep your distance so
that other bikes can overtake you if they think they can get past the
car sooner than you. If there is not enough room between the bike in front
of you and the car, wait until that bike has overtaken the car before
you try to. This way the rider who is trying to overtake the car, does
not have to worry about a bike running up the back of them as they move
to the right side of the road. This serves another purpose, it means we
don't get more unwanted attention next time we stop.
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Unplanned Stops
The unavoidable punctures, break-downs or even
accidents will happen. What to do, is the next question. The bikes with
the longest fuel range should be the ones to go for help when distance
is a factor. If it is more than a few minutes, then two bikes should go.
Remember to note the nearest cross street or kilometres to a cross street
or town. Perhaps note what is needed (compressor, fuel, puncture repair
kit, nuts, bolts, first aid kit, ambulance etc) Again, if distance is
a factor, don't forget to top up your tank if you went for help. If you
are going to call for a transport, you may need things like the
rego plate number, and the full name and address of the owner of the bike.
Cities and Towns
Cities are obviously avoided at all cost,
however, as most of us live in the city, we need to add this section.
Towns on the other hand are where all the good country roads lead to,
so this section becomes a little more relevant.
Speed Limits
Stick to the speed limit. This may sound like
a strange suggestion, but a group of speeding bikes in a populated area
is going to draw unwanted attention. Anything which draws too much attention
in a city or town is generally not done.
Lane Splitting
Don't lane split. This means going in between
cars and riding on the lines. While this may be acceptable when you are
riding with only one or two other people, it gets dangerous when there
are lots of other riders. Also, it happens to be illegal, so again you
would be drawing that unwanted attention again.
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General Comments and Exceptions
If you are not happy with any of these
rules, please say so. Talk about them when you are on a ride with people,
and see what others think. We will happily change these if they don't
fit the majority.
Don't hesitate to 'remind'
someone of these guidelines. If someone is affecting the enjoyment of
your ride, tell them, or tell someone who is organising that ride. We
are all here for the same reason, if someone asks you to give them some
more room or acknowledge a past sooner, don't take offence, they are just
keeping things safer for everyone.
As with every rule, there
are exceptions. We are not going to ban you or tell you to leave if you
don't follow every letter on this page. It is suppose to be a guide to
not interfering with other riders enjoyment or safety. So, since everyone
has a different definition of enjoyment and safety, we try to ride
in such a way that everyone, has a good day, and gets home safely.
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