Ride Protocol
All Rides:
On all rides members and non-members alike are encouraged to wear proper safety attire. Wether or not you are riding with a group or by yourself it is always better to use your gear and not need it rather than need it and not have it!!! Talk to any member in the group and you will likely hear of a story or two of someone going down and their gear protecting them.
Appropriate Gear means:
A roadworthy bike at a minimum means the tires are fresh, tire pressure is where you want it, no oil, water or radiator fluid is leaking. Track day preparedness requires even more attention to detail that all road riders should respect. If you plan to hit that magic ton mark, don’t you want to know your bike won’t fall apart on you?
Long weekend trips need near-new tires, not just for the extra stickiness factor but also for the tread life. You won't make the entire trip if you show up to leave with bald tires.
If you have a loud exhaust pipe, be respectful and shift to a higher gear when in residential neighborhoods or heavy in-town traffic. You be the judge of the "loud pipes save lives" philosophy, but know when too loud will disturb the locals without adding any excitement to the riding experience.
Things you should always carry under your seat or in a tank bag:
On Leading and Following:
There is a lead rider and a tail gunner on every ride. Leader gets to pick the roads and the pace. The tail gunner let’s the leader know the group is all-intact at each stop. If you don't like either, find an open stretch and step forward. We stop at each turn in the route and wait for everybody, so don’t head out front unless you plan to lead the ride.
Stay on the main road when in doubt. You have to be aware of the road you are on particularly when approaching Y-intersections. Sometimes our main route will zig-zag, like Reid Hooker Rd, for example, so you should follow that route if riders ahead are not waiting for you.
It is appropriate to ride in staggered format in town. On regular country roads, a 2-3 second space from the guy in front of you might give you a better chance to respond to an emergency.
Ride at the pace YOU are comfortable at. Do not try to keep up. Ride at your own pace, and more importantly "ride your own bike" not the bike of the rider in front of you. You will not be left behind, because the MSSR always re-groups during the ride.
Don’t like someone tailgating you? Wave them on by. Wanna get by a slower rider? Find a good straight stretch and muscle on by with ease.
Watch out if he likes riding the curves faster than you though and respect that difference.
You are responsible for the person behind you seeing a direction change during the ride, such as a turn onto another road, even if you have to stop and wait.
If you break off from the group, make absolutely certain you communicate that to other riders who plan to stay with the ride. Otherwise we turn around and look for you.
No one in this group should feel any responsibility for a "new" rider going down on a ride. The embarrassment you may feel when the guys have to wait for you is easier to bear than if they would have had to pick your ass out of the ditch. If the brain between your legs overrules the one on your shoulder, you should probably sell your bike and find another hobby.
On Signaling:
If you are leading others and come across an obstacle in the road, like sand, dead animal, live animal, etc, safely stick your leg out to let others behind you know to be careful. Another useful signal is the left arm extended straight out or bent upward to indicate an upcoming left or right turn. Seeing flush mount or modified turn signals is hard in broad daylight.
Know who you are riding with - the guy in front of you could determine your fate if you are following too closely. Get to know people and study their riding styles before deciding to dice too closely. Reintroduce yourself periodically. Most of us remember each other as that guy on such-and-such bike but can't remember a name.
On Passing:
You might find yourself passing on a double yellow. Do so with discretion. Give the car some space, don't clip his mirrors, watch for side roads and driveways, and pick your spot. Uphill into a blind, decreasing radius turn definitely is not the best spot. Waving to the folks in the car after you make the pass (not the finger) might just make the driver think twice before picking up his cell phone to dial up the local authorities.
Do not crowd other vehicles when passing. Allow room and no STUPID passing moves please! It only pisses the car drivers off and causes them to pick up their cell phones.
If you're following someone and he does not pass the car in front of you. DO NOT take it upon yourself to pass them both. Chances are there is something he can see that you cannot. Maybe a left turn-signal, a dog running to the road, a driver unfolding a map, another bike, car, pedestrian, etc. coming from any direction.
Special Advice to Guests and Newcomers:
Try the Saturday ride first and spend a few weekends with this group before showing up for Sunday. Folks who know the roads like the back of their hand and have awesome life insurance policies often lead Sunday rides.
First-time riders on any MSSR event should ride at the back of the pack. Our tail gunner rider will keep you on the correct route, but more importantly riding toward the back will expose you progressively to varying speed levels and hopefully keep you coming back safely so can you move forward with more experience.
Beware of Sunday day trips to Arkansas - they are not for the timid of heart or the new/ guest rider.
Seriously consider attending a Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course. If that does not appeal to you, definitely go to a sanctioned track school.
Mandatory reading, "THE PACE"
Lastly, for those of you who haven’t got it yet: Make the turn!!!
On all rides members and non-members alike are encouraged to wear proper safety attire. Wether or not you are riding with a group or by yourself it is always better to use your gear and not need it rather than need it and not have it!!! Talk to any member in the group and you will likely hear of a story or two of someone going down and their gear protecting them.
Appropriate Gear means:
- A Helmet.
- A Jacket.
- At Least Jeans - better yet, make that investment in leather or textile riding suits. They are affordable and will make a difference for you one day.
- Gloves
- Over the heel boots.
A roadworthy bike at a minimum means the tires are fresh, tire pressure is where you want it, no oil, water or radiator fluid is leaking. Track day preparedness requires even more attention to detail that all road riders should respect. If you plan to hit that magic ton mark, don’t you want to know your bike won’t fall apart on you?
Long weekend trips need near-new tires, not just for the extra stickiness factor but also for the tread life. You won't make the entire trip if you show up to leave with bald tires.
If you have a loud exhaust pipe, be respectful and shift to a higher gear when in residential neighborhoods or heavy in-town traffic. You be the judge of the "loud pipes save lives" philosophy, but know when too loud will disturb the locals without adding any excitement to the riding experience.
Things you should always carry under your seat or in a tank bag:
- Cell Phone
- Extra front brake lever
- OEM style toolkit plus safety wire, zip ties, and duct tape
- Tire repair kit
- Proof of insurance
- Clean rag and small spray bottle of Windex to clean your face shield.
On Leading and Following:
There is a lead rider and a tail gunner on every ride. Leader gets to pick the roads and the pace. The tail gunner let’s the leader know the group is all-intact at each stop. If you don't like either, find an open stretch and step forward. We stop at each turn in the route and wait for everybody, so don’t head out front unless you plan to lead the ride.
Stay on the main road when in doubt. You have to be aware of the road you are on particularly when approaching Y-intersections. Sometimes our main route will zig-zag, like Reid Hooker Rd, for example, so you should follow that route if riders ahead are not waiting for you.
It is appropriate to ride in staggered format in town. On regular country roads, a 2-3 second space from the guy in front of you might give you a better chance to respond to an emergency.
Ride at the pace YOU are comfortable at. Do not try to keep up. Ride at your own pace, and more importantly "ride your own bike" not the bike of the rider in front of you. You will not be left behind, because the MSSR always re-groups during the ride.
Don’t like someone tailgating you? Wave them on by. Wanna get by a slower rider? Find a good straight stretch and muscle on by with ease.
Watch out if he likes riding the curves faster than you though and respect that difference.
You are responsible for the person behind you seeing a direction change during the ride, such as a turn onto another road, even if you have to stop and wait.
If you break off from the group, make absolutely certain you communicate that to other riders who plan to stay with the ride. Otherwise we turn around and look for you.
No one in this group should feel any responsibility for a "new" rider going down on a ride. The embarrassment you may feel when the guys have to wait for you is easier to bear than if they would have had to pick your ass out of the ditch. If the brain between your legs overrules the one on your shoulder, you should probably sell your bike and find another hobby.
On Signaling:
If you are leading others and come across an obstacle in the road, like sand, dead animal, live animal, etc, safely stick your leg out to let others behind you know to be careful. Another useful signal is the left arm extended straight out or bent upward to indicate an upcoming left or right turn. Seeing flush mount or modified turn signals is hard in broad daylight.
Know who you are riding with - the guy in front of you could determine your fate if you are following too closely. Get to know people and study their riding styles before deciding to dice too closely. Reintroduce yourself periodically. Most of us remember each other as that guy on such-and-such bike but can't remember a name.
On Passing:
You might find yourself passing on a double yellow. Do so with discretion. Give the car some space, don't clip his mirrors, watch for side roads and driveways, and pick your spot. Uphill into a blind, decreasing radius turn definitely is not the best spot. Waving to the folks in the car after you make the pass (not the finger) might just make the driver think twice before picking up his cell phone to dial up the local authorities.
Do not crowd other vehicles when passing. Allow room and no STUPID passing moves please! It only pisses the car drivers off and causes them to pick up their cell phones.
If you're following someone and he does not pass the car in front of you. DO NOT take it upon yourself to pass them both. Chances are there is something he can see that you cannot. Maybe a left turn-signal, a dog running to the road, a driver unfolding a map, another bike, car, pedestrian, etc. coming from any direction.
Special Advice to Guests and Newcomers:
Try the Saturday ride first and spend a few weekends with this group before showing up for Sunday. Folks who know the roads like the back of their hand and have awesome life insurance policies often lead Sunday rides.
First-time riders on any MSSR event should ride at the back of the pack. Our tail gunner rider will keep you on the correct route, but more importantly riding toward the back will expose you progressively to varying speed levels and hopefully keep you coming back safely so can you move forward with more experience.
Beware of Sunday day trips to Arkansas - they are not for the timid of heart or the new/ guest rider.
Seriously consider attending a Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course. If that does not appeal to you, definitely go to a sanctioned track school.
Mandatory reading, "THE PACE"
Lastly, for those of you who haven’t got it yet: Make the turn!!!