A Little Pre-Ride Chat Goes a Long Way for Group Riding
October 26, 2009
Motorcycle riding is often a solitary exercise. That is one reason I enjoy it. It is just you and the open road; you are responsible for yourself.
Riding in a group can also be enjoyable, particularly when you are among like-minded friends. When riding in a group, however, you share responsibility with the other motorcyclists.
One way to maximize safety for group riding is to have a pre-ride meeting.
This meeting is an opportunity for everyone to get on the same page, so to speak. You can talk about things like the route you will be taking, the stops you will be making for fuel and food, and the hand signals you will use to communicate.
Depending on the size and familiarity of the group, the meeting can be anything from a quick chat to a substantial discussion with handouts etc. The important thing is to give everyone a clear idea of what to expect to make the ride less stressful and more enjoyable.
For more information, check out the MSF’s “Group Riding” Quick Tips. You can also check out “Alone Or In A Group” from Dale Bergeson’s “Motorcycle Touring for Beginners” Web site.
Posted Under: Groups and Networking, Motorcycle Safety Tags: group riding, Motorcycle Safety, motorcyclists, pre-ride meeting
