These are a few tips that F.I.R.M. thought everyone would knowledge from. For the new riders please check out How to
Lean....We have a little bit for everyone....
*NOTE: Everyone should check out the Riding Signals/Group Riding.
STOP Extend your Left arm at a 45 Degree angle with the palm of your
hand facing rearward
SLOW DOWN
Extend your left arm at a
45 degree angle and move your hand up and down
RIGHT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically
LEFT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your albow fully extended.
SPEED UP
Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates
the leader wants to speed up
STAGGERED FORMATION
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger
extended. This indicatr that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
SINGLE FILE
Position your left hand overyour helment with your fingers extended upward. This
indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for saftey reasons.
Changinglanes
CHANGING LANES:
As a group, it can be difficult to change lanes to pass a slow moving car, or to enter into
a faster or slower moving lane. This is especially true with moderate to heavy traffic. Often there is not enough room for
the entire group to get between cars in the faster lane.
The way this is accomplished is as follows: 1. After the
Road Captain signals which lane they want the group to move into. Each rider will turn on their turn signal and then pass
the correct hand signal back to the Tail Gunner. 2. When its safe the Tail Gunner to pull over into that lane and hold
it for the group. 3. Each rider will then move into that lane in front of the Tail Gunner or as the cars in front of the
Tail Gunner passes them. Do not change lanes unless there is a bike already in that lane behind you. 4. Always fill the lane from the rear. Not from theFront,
Middle or any other position unless otherwise directed by the Road Captain or the
Tail Gunner.
RIDING STAGGERED:
Most groups generally rides in a stagger formation for safety reasons. The minimum recommended
spacing to the bike directly in front of you should not be less than two seconds (the two second rule). The bike in the lane
to your left or right should not be less than one second ahead of you. You will find that two seconds is a long distance when
riding at highway speeds. That is it's a long distance when everything is going well. When things go wrong, however, two seconds
distance is gone in the time it takes to figures out you are in trouble.
The two second rule is a rule of thumb you
should try to adhere to when ever possible. Especially at highway speeds. There are times, however, when it is best to squeeze
together while on city streets and slowing for a stop. This will help prevent cars from entering the group.
The Tail
Gunner will ride in the middle of the two bike lanes with all head lights (Hi-Beam) and running lights on. This will help
the Road Captain see them.
INTERSECTION STOPPING:
When stopping as a group at an intersection, break stagger formation and pull up beside the
bike 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 don't make it through the intersection with the group, honk your horn and
wait for the light. Don't take a chance and run the red light. The Road Captain will either slow the group down or pull the
group over to the side of the road and wait for you to catch up.
Someone told me about this link on the Internet
and I thought this information could be helpful on rides.
