Transcript GWRRA Road Captain Seminar - Gwrra Great Lakes Region D

Rider Education Division
Road Captain Course
• 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.
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• 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.
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• Overview
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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
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What is a Road Captain?
• A Road Captain is…
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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.
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• 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.
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• 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
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• Team Responsibilities
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All Riders Responsibilities
Lead Bike Responsibilities
Drag Bike Responsibilities
Team Member Responsibilities
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• 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 (TCLOCS)
– 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.
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• Lead Bike Responsibilities
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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
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• 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
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• Team Member Responsibilities
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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
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• Planning and Preparation
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Plan the Route
Plan the Breaks
Plan the Speed
Plan the Teams
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Plan the Stops
Plan the Start
Start Prepared
Plan to Inform
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• Day of the Ride
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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
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• “The Ride”
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Communicate your intentions verbally and physically
Lead and Drag work as a team
Communicate with the Group
CB Chatter
Group Spacing
Group Communication
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• “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.
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• “The Ride”-Staggered
– Mentally divide lane into third
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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
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• “The Ride” -Single File
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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.
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• “The Ride” -Merging
– When entering traffic from an onramp, 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.
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1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Last Out
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• “The Ride” –Lane Changes
1. Lead asks “Drag, let’s move left when clear.”
2. Drag checks traffic behind. If not clear says
“Standby.” If clear, moves left and
announces “Lane is secured.”
3. Lead bike announces, “Look left/right, move
left/right as you see safe (or all together).
4. Others follow in order, or all together.
FOLLOW THE LEADER! Do not move over
until the bike in front of you moves.
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• “The Ride”-Passing
Two Lane Pass
1. Lead notifies the team to pass single file
or “one-at-a-time.”
2. Lead does mirror check and head check,
turn signal, and passes.
3. After the Lead pulls back in he moves on
ahead to leave room for remaining bikes
to pull back in.
4. When safe, 2nd bike follows same
procedure. When the Drag bike is safely
around he advises the Lead that all have
safely passed.
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• “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.
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• “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.”
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• “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.
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• “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!
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• “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
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• “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.
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• Hand Signals- “Follow Me”
Arm extended straight from
shoulder, palm forward.
Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast.
Always wear gloves while riding
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• 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
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• Hand Signals- “Stop or Slow”
Arm extended straight down.
Palm back.
Bare hand is for demonstration and contrast.
Always wear gloves while riding
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Recommended GWRRA Seminars
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Team Riding Seminar
Co-Rider Seminar
Trailering Seminar
Motorcycle Crash Scene Response
MSF Seasoned Rider
GWRRA Mature Rider
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• Summary
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What is a Road Captain?
Team Riding Review
Planning the Ride
Day of the Ride
The Ride
GWRRA Hand-and-Arm Signals
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• “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!
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• “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!
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