Aspects of Leading a Good Ride

 

The Club has a duty of care to its members and takes those responsibilities seriously. The Committee has developed the following article to help both experienced and novice leaders with planning their ride.

 

Planning

 

  • Plan on a map.
  • Pre-ride the ride (ideally) to

-          look for adverse/changed road conditions, tricky Y junctions, etc.

-          refresh your memory to avoid unnecessary U-turns, and

-          know the distances and time intervals.

  • Avoid highways within reason because:

-          back roads have reduced traffic and associated hazards, and

-          back roads are more interesting.

  • Plan a similar alternative route because

-          dirt roads are often difficult in the wet,

-          an alternative route should be taken when there are excessive delays

  • Get out of suburbia quickly and efficiently. Why waste time on “bad” roads?
  • If a destination or activity requires extra equipment (eg torch, towel, clothes, etc) inform the editor so that adequate warning can be printed in the magazine, or on the itinerary.
  • Do the best roads early to avoid missing out due to delays.
  • Bear in mind "No liquor is to be consumed on Club rides".
  • Plan stops. A stop should have access to:

-          toilets (winter is more pressing)

-          food - people appreciate a variety rather than a single vendor

  • Limit riding time to less than one and a half hours to minimize fatigue.
  • Have lunch at lunch time (normally 12 to 2).
  • Other stops may be needed to "regroup" if the ride is becoming too strung out.
  • Return late afternoon, ideally 4-6pm Note: the sun sets much earlier in winter and hence rides should be tailored to reflect this.
  • The ride will be slower by about 20% than the pre-ride. The leader is effectively only as fast as the rear rider.

 

Pre-Ride Talk (to assembled riders)

 

  • Introduce all riders, particularly new riders;
  • Generate a list of all riders’ names and emergency contact numbers and give to the rear rider
  • Call for volunteer/s to submit a ride report for the magazine;
  • Call for a volunteer (if not already established) to be rear rider;
  • Inform the group that the ride is not a race;
  • Establish the fuel range of smallest tank/least economical bike/rider to assist planning stops;
  • Inform riders of the proposed route and approximate distances between stops;
  • Emphasise that refuelling is each riders’ problem, particularly when out of synch with the main group. It is not acceptable to fill at the end of a stop when the group is about to move off;
  • Seek comment from other riders concerning road conditions (e.g does the Reefton Spur have two inches of freshly laid gravel on it?);
  • Warn riders of dangerous or adverse road conditions or intersections;
  • Explain the Corner Marking System and nominate the number of corner markers, normally two, but on low attended rides, one may be suffice;
  • Inform the group who is rear rider and what motorcycle they are riding;
  • Request that riders with first aid training make themselves known.

 

Leading

 

  • Point to the side of the road when and where you want corner markers;
  • Wait for a third bike (not including the leader) to approach the corner before leaving - this method condenses the ride. Alternatively, if the ride is already condensed and/or has many regular experienced/fast riders, then the leader may wish to move off immediately, creating  “space”;
  • Monitor your speed: slower speed on highways/straight roads keeps riders together to give the feeling of riding in a group;
  • Leave extra corner markers, even along straights, if you feel the group has become too strung out;
  • Don't let stops drag on too long;
  • Be prepared to modify the route to compensate for excessive delays or adverse weather conditions consistent with finishing the ride late afternoon;
  • Know the distances between stops (or have them written down) so that riders can make educated fuel stop decisions. This will be the most frequently asked question during the day;
  • Communicate with the rear rider at each stop to confirm ride is flowing well, or otherwise;
  • Bring a map. Often people have to leave early and they like to see where they are on a map;
  • Organise an appropriate break up point at a place where most people will know how to reach home. Don't make the break up point too far from Melbourne.

 

First produced: 17th July 1989 by Ben Warden and Murray Browne, MTCV Committee.

 

Modified:

  • 7th January 2002, Ben Warden
  • 30th November 2005, Ben Warden
  • 30 March 2010, Ben Warden