Plan Your Ride (THINK Motorcycle Academy)
Stay safe in a group
Each year, many riders are killed or injured when a group ride goes wrong. But with careful planning and communication, group runs can be fun and safe for all…
Plan your ride in advance
– Provide a map of the route with all the stopping places and fuel stops.
- Exchange mobile phone numbers.
- Decide who leads, who backs up and who navigates.
Organise a running order
A follow-the-leader approach can mean riders at the back trying to keep up. Advanced riding groups tend to use a marking system, which allows overtaking without upsetting the group, with riders stopping at some junctions to mark the route for other riders. This method is effective but will need experienced riders.
Watch your back
Accidents often happen when back riders try to keep up with front riders, by making rushed overtakes, crossing solid white lines, going too quickly into bends or even jumping red lights:
- If you’re behind, don’t become impatient to catch up
- If you’re ahead, slow down to give those behind you time to catch up without rushing
- Try to keep the bike behind you in your mirrors all the time, so that you can stop or slow down if they disappear from view
TYPE OF ROAD:
-Plan your route in advance
-ensure everyone in the group knows where you are going and which types of roads you will encounter
-make sure to take into account the abilities of the bikers in your group for the proposed route
TRAFFIC:
-Plan your way around traffic queues, roadworks, diversions and speed cameras
-keep an eye on these sites:
http://www.trafficwatchni.co.uk/sections/default.asp?secid=13
http://www.trafficwatchni.co.uk/live/sections/default.asp?secid=7&roadworksreport=true
http://www.trafficwatchni.co.uk/sections/default.asp?secid=6&map=1
http://www.trafficwatchni.co.uk/sections/default.asp?secid=4
CHECK THE WEATHER:
-Keep an eye on the weather for the rideout
-get geared up appropriately for it
-these are useful sites:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/pws/invent/weathermap/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2579?count=10
PRE-RIDE CHECK:
-Preferrably the night before you go
-ensure you have checked your gear as well as cleaning your visor/bringing a spare
-do a full pre-ride POWDDERS check of your bike:
P – PETROL
Check by opening the filler cap.
O – OIL
(All types). Sump and gear oil should be checked either at the oil window or with the dip stick, the level of brake and clutch reservoirs should be checked, and on two stroke machines don’t forget the two stroke tank never rely on the warning light, you don’t want a seized engine.
W – WATER
Check your coolant level (when the bike is cold) and make sure you have anti freeze over the winter.
D – DRIVECHAIN
(Adjusted and oiled) and check the condition of drive chains, sprockets, shafts, etc. Chain adjustment should be checked and adjusted if required to your handbook specification, and sprocket teeth should not show signs of hooking. An over tight chain will increase damage to your final drive bearing which will be a costly job and a loose chain will cause excessive wear and increase the danger of the chain coming off.
D – DAMAGE
Relates to any danger that may be present due to general damage on the bike. Check all round bike.
E – ELECTRICS
(All switches). Do all the lights work as they should? Check them all to be sure. Consider carrying spare bulbs and fuses.
R – RUBBER
(Tyres: tread and inflation- check the bikes handbook) and Reflectors (mirrors). Check your tyre condition, not just the tread, the side walls are just as important. Check your mirrors are correctly positioned before you move off. Remember to check all rubber components on the bike- footrests and brake hoses included.
S – SUSPENSION
(Check the bike’s handbook) and Stopping (brakes) should be checked to ensure that it is suitably set for the journey e.g. lone rider, with pillion, or with luggage. A moving brake test should be carried out at low speed first checking that you don’t have anyone behind you. Better to find out your brakes don’t work outside your house than at a junction.
This is a good video to help demonstrate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2H_QqDENnM&feature=related
COMMUNICATION:
-Make sure you share info with other riders in your group
-don’t assume everyone is familiar with the roads you know
-print, copy or email the proposed route to all riders in the group
-swap phone numbers so anyone who is left behind can reach the rest
STOPS:
-Plan the fuel and rest stops: fatigue reduces concentration
-take into account the ages and abilities of the group when planning stops
-think about food and drink too
-have a walk around as well as a sit down to get your edge back
GROUP RIDING ADVICE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JKOTMM30Rc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erpkyD7SMfw
http://www.youtube.com/user/HighwaysAgency#p/u/20/k9_yYiTYnYQ
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