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Front Road Captain or Lead Rider Duties:

Conduct a Safe Ride

Maintain a Safe Speed for Conditions and Rider's Capabilities

Signal Riders of Intended Lane Changes, Stops, Road Conditions and Formation Changes

Maintain Control and Integrity of the Group

Map the Route

Establish Rest Areas

Set Gas Stops about 100 mile intervals

Make allowances for Road Construction and Hazards

Brief Riders before the ride: Explain the Ride Plans


Route to be taken

Length of the Ride

Scheduled Stops




Restroom Breaks

Identify when and where the Official Club Ride Starts and Ends

Identify other Road Captains for the Ride

Identify Rear Road Captain for the Ride

Explain the duties of the Road Captains

Question the Riders about any special need or concerns they may have: Medical - Speed

Small Gas - Tanks and/or Bladders - Freeway Traffic - Twister Roads - Riding Position

Explain the Club Rules for New Member and Guest Riders

Illegal Drugs and Alcohol

Alcohol before and during a Club Ride

Illegal Drugs - Never

Group Riding Rules

Hand Signals Along with the Rear Road Captain, do a bike and rider count.

Rear Road Captain or "Sweep" Duties:

The Rear Road Captain serves as the eyes of the Ride Leader.

He watches the formation, and informs the Ride Leader of any potential problems within the group.

He watches other vehicles, and informs the Ride Leader (and anyone else with radios) of hazardous conditions approaching from the rear, such as vehicles trying to cut into the formation and trucks passing with potentially dangerous wind blasts.

He will watch for merging lanes, and will move into a merging lane (or stay in a merging lane just vacated by the group) in order to "close the door" on other vehicles that may otherwise find themselves trying to merge into the formation.

The Rear Road Captain changes lanes BEFORE the formation, to secure the lane so the formation can move into it safely.

The purpose of riding in an organized group instead of an undisciplined pack is to provide the additional safety that a well-organized group inherently generates. This comes from within the group, as well as the outside. When a group rides in an orderly fashion, people do not get in each other’s way thereby creating unnecessary hazardous conditions.

In addition the organization of the formation itself discourages cars from attempting to cut in, or as demonstrated by the gnu as it tries to cross the croc infested nile, there is safety in numbers.

Riding rules have been adopted by the organization; EVERYONE riding with the organization is expected to follow them. Anyone violating the rules, and compromising everyone else's safety, will be warned, and if their actions continue, will no longer be welcome to ride with the chapter. Members will be subject to fine.

The following rules are compiled from a number of sources. Most organizations that ride in orderly formations follow similar rules. Details may vary from one group to another, sometimes because of a particular style of riding by the group, or sometimes because there are a number of reasonable options, so they chose the one they prefer

Be considerate - have a full tank BEFORE arriving at the departure point(unless the departure point is a gas station)

Tell the Road Captains if you have any special concerns, i.e. speed, sharp corners, etc

Tell the Road Captains if you plan to leave the group before the destination. Also tell the persons riding in front and behind you so they do not think you are having a problem.

When a rider leaves the group while in staggered formation, the best way to compensate for the hole made by the absence is for each rider behind the missing bike to switch their lane position.

Tell the Road Captain if your bike (or bladder) has an unusually short fuel range

Bring adequate clothing for the weather conditions expected during the day.

Remember to take some clear eye protection if the ride will extend into the evening.

When exiting a freeway, keep up the pace so the riders behind you aren't forced to slow down while still on the freeway, thus becoming a traffic hazard.

The position of new (inexperienced with GROUP riding) riders within the group is significant. New riders should be positioned as close to the front as possible.

In the unlikely event of an emergency condition, the Road Captain will make every attempt to move the formation to the shoulder in an orderly manner. If a bike breaks down, let the rider move to the right. DO NOT STOP. The Middle or Rear Road Captain will stop with the problem bike. The ride Leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place.

Road Captain Duties