All H.O.G. 257 chapter rides are led by a designated Road Captain (RC) and are modeled after the guidelines in the Harley Davidson H.O.G. Handbook and the H.O.G. 257 RC Manual. The lead RC will be at the head of the group and is responsible to facilitate and coordinate all aspects of the ride. A rear RC (sweep) is responsible for assisting with the overall safety and welfare of the riders, including identifying and reporting problems and addressing breakdowns. Additional RCs and sweeps may be designated per the discretion of the lead RC.
Group Riding Guidelines:
These guidelines are intended to serve as basic recommendation for most group riding situations. Remember, you have the ultimate responsibility for your safety, and to always ride within your abilities and that of your machine.
The way to accomplish a lane change as a group is for the last bike (sweep) to move one lane to the left and hold his position, after the lead RC has indicated a lane change. Each rider should move to the left lane (back to front of group) as the traffic clears. You can then pass the slow car as a group.
The lead RC should move back to the right lane after passing the slow car by a safe distance. Each rider should move back to the right lane one at a time once safely clearing the slow car.
It is usually very difficult for a group to pass a slow moving car on a two lane road. Generally the group will not pass a car on a two lane road, particularly on local rides, unless it is going very slow. If the lead RC decides to pass the car, each motorcyclist must decide on his own if it is safe for him or her. DO NOT follow the bike in front of you unless you are certain that it is safe for you to do so. After passing the car, keep going to make room for the entire group of motorcycles behind you. Should the group become separated, regroup when it is safe to do so.
When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the rider in the adjacent lane. This will reduce the length of the group by half. Stay in this formation until you are through the intersection. Because the group is half as long it will take half the time to clear the intersection and increase the odds of keeping the group intact.
If you cannot safely make it through the intersection with the group, STOP. Do not take a chance and run a red light. The lead RC will slow down and allow time for the separated riders to regroup. If need be, the sweep may lead the separated riders until they can safely regroup.
Parking in an orderly method substantially reduces the time for all to get off the road and out of traffic. There is risk of injury for the last riders that may be blocking the road in an attempt to stay with the group.
A good way to park is for each rider to pull ahead of the intended parking place and then back up into your spot. This can be done fairly fast since you do not have to wait for the rider ahead of you to finish backing.
For bagger drivers, don't forget your pipes. Everything is cool when you back up to the curb until you lean your bike over on the side stand and you bend and scratch your left pipe on the curb.
It is unsafe for a large group of riders to stop on the side of the road. If a rider needs to pull over, the remainder of the group should continue to the next planned stop. The sweep will pull over to assist the rider until they are able to regroup or until alternate arrangements have been made.
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.
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