Rider Education Division Road Captain Course Welcome !

Road Captain Presentation Objective The objective of the Road Captains Course is to provide members with education and information that will enable them to be better prepared and equipped to lead safe Team Rides. Although very similar, if not identical, in content and structure, this course is designed more as a leadership curriculum rather than a source for participating in Team Riding. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation What will happen? First will be a classroom segment where we will go over the Introduction, Road Captain , Terms, Guidelines, Hand Signals, and a question period. Then a non-graded quiz. Then you will be broken up into groups of 3-5 riders, and you will go out with an instructor for the road portion. Everybody will have a chance to be the “Lead” and “Drag”, and handle several scenarios and maneuvers. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Overview What is a Road Captain? Team Riding Review Planning the Ride Day of the Ride The Ride GWRRA Hand-and-Arm Signals Questions and Comments March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation What is a Road Captain? A Road Captain is… A Leader capable of setting up a ride according to the GWRRA Team Riding Guidelines. A Ride Leader trained in how to lead a team ride the GWRRA way. A Ride Leader trained in how to fulfill the duties of ‘Drag’ the GWRRA way. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Who should be Road Captains? Chapter Directors, Assistant Chapter Directors, Rider Educators, Ride Coordinators Anybody who happens to lead Chapter rides, dinner rides, etc Anyone wanting to further his or her knowledge in Team Riding skills as used by GWRRA. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Why a Team? Mass Riding Everyone does their own thing. Leisure Riding Riders have basic idea of each other’s styles. Team Riding Structured planning and ride conduct, having set “Rules of the Road”, and actively working together to make the ride safer and more enjoyable March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Team Responsibilities All Riders Responsibilities Lead Bike Responsibilities Drag Bike Responsibilities Team Member Responsibilities March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation All Riders Responsibilities Arrive on time. Full tank and empty bladder (full stomach?) Complete pre-ride check. Bike known to be in good physical condition (T-CLOCS) Be prepared with essentials. First Aid kit, rain gear, extra clothing, Gold Book, cell phone. Inform coordinator of any special needs. Diabetes, bladder problems, etc. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Lead Bike Responsibilities Should be experienced Be able to make safe decisions Picks his/her Drag Bike Sets the tone for the ride Sets the speed for the ride Maintains communications Communicates any changes (Speed, lane changes, etc.) Adheres to the schedule Listens to Team Members March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Drag Bike Responsibilities Controls general conduct of the ride Ensures that the team is abiding by the “rules” Drops off to offer assistance to Team Members (preferably has first aid kit and is CPR/First Aid certified) Notices any unusual riding action Secures lanes for the Team Keeps Lead informed Controls the pace of the ride March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Team Member Responsibilities Rides their own ride Arrives prepared and ready Communicates any change in position Maintains adequate spacing and position Follows the Lead Bike’s directions Minimizes CB traffic Makes certain that they have the ride information Communicates any issues or concerns to the Lead Bike March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Planning and Preparation Plan the Route Plan the Breaks Plan the Speed Plan the Teams Plan the Stops Plan the Start Start Prepared Plan to Inform March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Day of the Ride Arrive at the starting location ahead of time Position the motorcycles as they arrive Size your Group(s) and select your Leaders Do a Safety Check Do not endanger the group with a bike having safety or major defects! Solo Riders Review the 3 primary hand signals Stage all groups five minutes before departure Select CB Channel and do a radio check March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” Communicate your intentions verbally and physically Lead and Drag work as a team Communicate with the Group CB Chatter Group Spacing Group Communication March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride”- Rider Facts Important During any team maneuver, it’s always the responsibility of the individual riders to check for the safety of a move before executing it. Never take anyone else’s word that a lane is clear or that it’s safe to pass. Always do a head check. Don’t depend on mirrors. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride”-Staggered Mentally divide lane into third Lead bike in left track Bike #2 in right track ≥1 sec. Bike #3 in left track ≥2 sec. And so on… Allows time and space in which to react Adjust distance to conditions (rain, night) Double the following distance Only the Lead Bike should use high beam March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” -Single File When in curves or winding roads When road is narrow Approaching blind hills Passing semi’s from either direction Hazard to one side or the other Remember to maintain minimum 2 second following distance. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” -Merging When entering traffic from an on-ramp, you should enter as quickly and safely as possible. Don’t try to get fancy, just get out safely. Don’t attempt to block a lane with your motorcycle. It is probably illegal and certainly dangerous. Drag is last out! Each bike picks out their merge point in traffic, safely moves into it, and regroup down the road. Drag notifies Lead of the progress of unification. Last Out 1st 2nd 3rd 4th March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Lane Changes Lead asks “Drag, let’s move left when clear.” Drag checks traffic behind. If not clear says “Standby.” If clear, moves left and announces “Lane is secured.” Lead bike announces, “Look left/right, move left/right as you see safe (or all together). Others follow in order, or all together. FOLLOW THE LEADER! Do not move over until the bike in front of you moves. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride”-Passing Lead notifies the team to pass single file or “one-at-a-time.” Lead does mirror check and head check, turn signal, and passes. After the Lead pulls back in he moves on ahead to leave room for remaining bikes to pull back in. When safe, 2nd bike follows same procedure. When the Drag bike is safely around he advises the Lead that all have safely passed. Two Lane Pass March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Traffic Lights When stopping for a traffic light, use “compressed” staggered formation. Bike #2 is about 3 feet back from the lead bike so that the Lead has a clear view both directions. Normal staggered formation resumes when team begins moving. From a stop, Lead Bike should start out slow to keep the group together. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Hazards Leader or Co-rider should always point to the hazard Just call it “Road Dirt” Any debris, gravel, hole, dead animal, etc. which may present a hazard may be referred to as “Road Dirt.” “Road Dirt, center track.” “Road Dirt, right track.” “Road Dirt, left track.” March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Towns When traveling through towns, the group may get broken up at traffic lights. There are several ways of handling this: If the route is known, regroup on the other side of town. The Lead may safely pull over to wait on the rest to clear the light or obstacle Lead should call out each turn or change of direction just ahead of doing it, and Drag notifies Lead of Group status. There will be a new temporary Lead and Drag because of a group getting split. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

“The Ride”–Parking Lot Quickly move as far off highway as possible so that all bikes can get safely off of highway. If possible, all bikes stay in line and use same parking process. DO NOT LEAVE BIKES STRANDED ON ROAD! March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Riders Leaving Position them towards the rear of the group Have them split from the group before the turn to avoid confusion. Have replacement for early departure of Drag or Lead March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “The Ride” –Emergencies Mechanical Issues The bike verbally notifies or use hand signal to indicate problem. The Drag bike pulls over with the bike. The Lead bike should find a safe place to pull the rest of the group off. (Exit ramp, Parking lot, side road, etc.) Accidents Follow the “Motorcycle Crash Scene Response ” guidelines. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Single File” Arm and index finger extended straight up. Group needs to know this one Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Stagger Formation” Arm extended straight up. First and fourth finger forms “ram’s horn” sign. Group needs to know this one Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Hazard in Road” Point immediately with emphasis. Sometimes done with right arm. Group needs to know this one Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Follow Me” Arm extended straight from shoulder, palm forward. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Speed Up” Arm down to side. Fist clenched. Twist as if turning throttle. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Stop or Slow” Arm extended straight down. Palm back. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “You Lead” Arm extended down. Palm forward. Swing forward from hip in arc. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Check Headlight” Tap on top of head with open hand, palm down. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Need Fuel Stop” Arm out to side. Point to fuel tank. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Need Food Stop” Arm out to side. Fingers closed (pinky may be extended). Thumb to mouth. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Turn Signals Left On” Repeatedly open and close hand with thumb and fingers extended. Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Hand Signals- “Come Alongside” Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding Same as “You Lead”, but ending with alongside pointing finger. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Hand Signals- “Pull Off” Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding Arm positioned as for right turn. Forearm then swung toward shoulder. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Hand Signals- “Need Comfort Stop” Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast. Always wear gloves while riding Upper arm extended. Forearm straight up and down. Fist clenched. Short up-and-down motion. March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Recommended GWRRA Seminars Team Riding Seminar Co-Rider Seminar Trailering Seminar Motorcycle Crash Scene Response MSF Seasoned Rider GWRRA Mature Rider March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation Summary What is a Road Captain? Team Riding Review Planning the Ride Day of the Ride The Ride GWRRA Hand-and-Arm Signals Comments ? Questions ? March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “Road Portion” –Completing the Course Divide up into groups of 3-5 bikes (Preferable someone you would normally not ride with) With a current Road Captain to follow group, each group should plan there ride they will be going on. Each participant must complete the written test. Each participant must rate the other participants in their group using a Road Captain Riding Evaluation form at the end of the ride. At the conclusion of the ride and after everyone has completed Evaluation form, discuss what you liked about the ride and also what maybe could be better. Turn in all the paperwork (Road Captain test and the Road Captain Evaluation form) together And Remember …….. Have fun with it! March 2006 Road Captain Presentation

Road Captain Presentation “Road Portion” –Switching Positions Break into small groups of 3-5 bikes. Each group will have a “Monitor” that follows behind the group. Each member of the group will have a turn as Lead and Drag. When switching positions, Lead goes to Drag and everyone one moves up and switches tracks. If traffic is heavy, exit the highway to switch positions. Don’t endanger yourself or the group! March 2006 Road Captain Presentation