Chapter Y Ride Information

CHAPTER Y RIDES' INFORMATON PAGE

2010 Chapter Y Rides

CHAPTER Y FOUL WEATHER GUIDELINE:

Unless otherwise notified by email or phone, or as posted on the CH Y website, or unless the morning of the ride or by noon of an afternoon ride we still have considerable rain or foul weather in the riding area, please consider all Chapter Rides a "GO". If you are unsure, then please phone the listed point of contact at least 2 hours ahead of time or the Chapter Directors at H - 703-729-0829. You can also check the front page of this website just before the ride for the latest update.

CHAPTER Y TEAM RIDING GUIDELINES

CHAPTER Y TEAM RIDING GUIDELINES FOR CHAPTER RIDES - 2010

TEAM ETIQUETTE
• Be on time or early at the Published "Saddle-Up" Time.
• Show up with a full tank of gas, with all person needs addressed. We want the team to be on one schedule for any stops.
• Be ready to leave at the time announced by the Road Captain for each stop. If you need more time tell the Road Captain immediately following the announcement.
• Do your best to follow the Road Captains instructions.
• Be considerate of your fellow participants. The team needs to adjust to the weakest team member.
• Pass along hand signals when team participants without CB radios are part of the team. Be safe and Ride to your skill level. You are responsible for your bike.
• Keep the team formation as close together as your skill level allows. The goal is 2 seconds from the bike in front of you in your track in the lane.
• If the team is split catch-up with the team as quickly and safely as possible.
• Keep the CB channel clear when the team is in high traffic areas to allow for lead and drag communication.
• Tell the rest of team about hazards that you don't hear about from the Road Captain.
• The team should start and end together unless separate arrangements are required.
• Have fun and enjoy the pleasure of team good team riding. Share the beauty of the great scenery with your friends in the team.
• Share your appreciation with the Road Captain, Ride Coordinator, and Drag.
• Share photos with the Web Content Manager and Newsletter editor.
• Volunteer to write an article about the ride for the chapter newsletter.

TEAM START
• The Road Captain reviews the route and briefs the team.
• Normal departure after the arrival time is 15 to 30 Minutes based on the judgment of the Road Captain to convey the needed information for the ride.
• The Road Captain assigns rider positions for the ride - Drag, bike 2, etc,
• Road Captain will also talk to ride participants about their limitations like medical or comfort needs.
• The Road Captain will also determine the fuel range capabilities of the team bikes and adjust stops for the bike with the shortest range.
• Depending on the size and length of the ride and experience of the participants, the Road Captain may assign a first aid and accident coordinator. These assignments are dependent on the participants training and the availability of a first aid kit.

MULTIPLE TEAMS
• The Road Captain for a ride will determine the number of teams for the ride. The Road Captain will make the decision based on the route and the number of experienced lead and drag participants in the ride. GWRRA recommends teams of 5 but also allows for a variance based on the route.
• The Road Captain will consider rider ability, motorcycle capability, and rider's attitude when determining team participation.
• The Road Captain should bring extra maps and turn directions in case the team needs to be split into multiple teams.
• The Road Captains will determine group coordination among the groups including multiple or single CB channels. If a single channel, each command will be preceded by the group identification.

DURING THE RIDE
• When the Road Captain issues a command for "staggered formation", the team will move to the left and right track of the lane. The first bike will be in the left track and the second bike will be in the right track. The remaining bikes will follow this pattern. The separation between bikes should be 2 seconds from the bike in your track in front of you.
• When the Road Captain issues a command for "single file", the team will follow in the center track or change tracks for an outside-inside-outside path of travel for curves. The separation between the bikes should be 2 seconds. Each team member should keep a safety margin with which they are comfortable.
• When stopping, the Road Captain will attempt to find a location in the parking lot where the team can park together. The parking sequence will follow the GWRRA team riding parking pattern.
• At each stop the Road Captain will announce the time interval for the stop. The team will be ready to ride at the appointed time
• If the team is split, the Road Captain and drag will determine how and when to reconnect the team.
• Lane change commands tell the team how to change lanes to keep the team safe. If the Road Captain says, "Prepare to move to the left lane". They will follow it with "look left move left" command. The team should moves simultaneously on the" Move left" command. If the traffic conditions require it, the Road Captain will tell the Drag "Drag capture the left lane", The Drag will respond with "lane captured". The Road Captain will issue the command, "Look left move left." If the team is in heavy traffic, the Road Captain may say "Move to the left lane on Drag." The Drag will capture the left lane and announce, "Lane captured." The Road Captain will say, "Move on Drag." The team will move one bike at a time from the back of the team to the Road Captain as each rider is clear to do so safely. Usually this means that a vehicle will need to pass the team before the team can complete the lane change.
• Anyone that notices a change in the riding of one of the team members should notify the Road Captain as soon as possible.
• If a team member has a problem, including medical or mechanical, the Drag will stop with the person with the trouble and notify the Road Captain. The Road Captain will communicate instructions to the team. The Road Captain and the Drag will determine the best strategy for the team and the participant with the trouble.

EXTRA RIDE POSITIONS
• If the ride is lengthy the Road Captain may ask for a volunteer for Accident Control. Accident Control will take the responsibility for team actions at an accident scene. People that are comfortable with the responsibility and are trained to coordinate for an accident should volunteer.
• The Road Captain may also ask for participants willing to volunteer to provide CPR and 1st Aid if the need arises.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
• It is safer to pass trucks quickly. We recommended at least 5 mph faster than the truck is traveling. While passing you pass through the truck's blind spot several times. Passing quickly is safer than staying in a blind spot.

NOTES
• For a ride to be a GWRRA sanctioned ride, the ride must be led by a GWRRA Chapter Y authorized leader. The only people authorized to assign a Road Captain for a ride are the Chapter Director and the Chapter Educator.

APPROVED:

CHAPTER DIRECTOR BILL RODGERS
23 June 2009

GWRRA Virginia Chapter Y, Blue Ridge Wings' Mantra: We love to ride!

CHAPTER Y RIDE LEADERS:

Chapter Ride Coordinator (CRC):  Bob Fennell

Chapter Road Captains (alpha):

Bill Miller

Bill Rodgers

Bob Sturm

Charlie Herrmann

Claire Miller

Ed Norris

John Howe

Rick Baker

Wil Bell