Motorcycle Safety

Road Captain Duties

Conduct a Safe Ride

Maintain a Safe Speed for Conditions and Riders Capabilities
Signal Riders of Intended Lane Changes, Stops, Road Conditions and Formation Changes
Maintain Control and Integrity of the Group

Pre-Ride the Route. (Normally, more than one Road Captain will do the
Pre- Ride)

Map the Route
Establish Rest Area's
Set Gas Stops about 100 mile intervals
Make allowances for Road Construction and Hazards

Brief Riders before the Start of the Ride

Explain the Ride Plans
Destination
Route to be taken
Length of the Ride
Scheduled Stops
Gas
Food
Pictures
Restroom Breaks
Identify when and where the Official Group Ride Starts and Ends
Identify other Road Captains for the Ride
Big Groups may require more than one Road Captain
Identify Tail Gunner(s) for the Ride
Big Groups may require more than one Tail Gunner
Give a brief explanation of what the Road Captain and Tail Gunners do during the Ride
Question the Riders about any special needs or concerns they may have
Medical
Speed
Small Gas Tanks and/or Bladders
Freeway Traffic
Twister Roads
Riding Position

Explain the Group Rules for Member and Guest Riders

Illegal Drugs and Alcohol
NO Alcohol before and during a Group Ride
Illegal Drugs - Never
Group Riding Rules
Hand Signals
Along with the Tail Gunner, do a bike and rider count.

Tail Gunner

• The last rider, or Tail Gunner, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment. However, most of the time, 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.
• The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Road Captain or Ride Leader.
• He watches the formation, and informs the Road Captain of any potential problems within the group. He watches other vehicles, and informs the Road Captain (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.
• At the Road Captain's request, the Tail Gunner changes lanes before the formation, to secure the lane (blocking traffic behind him) so the formation can move into it.