Aspects of Leading a Good Ride

The Club has a duty of care to its members and takes those responsibilities seriously. Hence, from time to time we print this article to help both experienced and novice leaders with planning their ride. Conversely, this article sets in place what can be reasonably expected to happen on a ride, from an ordinary rider’s perspective, ie when not leading or riding at the rear.

Planning

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

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

- to refresh your memory - thus avoiding unnecessary U-turns, and

- to 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)

- have access to 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 (itinerary states late afternoon) 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;
• 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 refueling 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 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: 17^th July 1989 by Ben Warden and Murray Browne, MTCV Committee.

Last modified: 7^th January 2002, 30^th November 2005, 7^th September 2007 by Ben Warden