RULES OF THE ROAD FOR GROUP RIDING   Make sure you have a FULL tank of gas and arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.   Before beginning/joining the group ride, all riders and passengers must have signed a Release of Liability form (each and every ride for non- members).  Insure everyone has signed in.   Everyone must attend pre-ride briefing to participate in the ride.  Latecomers will not be allowed to ride in the group.  They may follow, but are on their own.   If time allows at a planned stop, a short briefing may be done for those individuals at the option of the Lead Road Captain  and they may again join the group.   Ride in a staggered column, (the lead motorcycle is in the left 1/3 lane, the second motorcycle is in the right 1/3 lane and so on.   Maintain proper spacing and speed; maintain a two second interval between your motorcycle and the motorcycle directly in front of you.  Hold eye contact with the rider ahead and behind you in the adjacent line.  (Lead rider in his mirror, rear and rear rider in your mirror and don’t allow gaps to develop, except to accommodate traffic as necessary.)   If a gap develops in the staggered formation (i.e. if a rider drops out) the rider directly behind the rider will close up that gap when the group stops at a stop sign/traffic signal.  Do NOT move to the opposite side of the lane to close the gap or pass the rider.  Only your lane position has changed.   Use hand signals to signal changes in direction, lanes, etc. and to alert others to hazardous road conditions.  Stay alert to the riders and the road ahead.   For lane changes on multi-lane divided highways- Lane changes are made from rear-to-front.  The front road captain will signal for a lane change, this signal will move back through the group and the rear road captain will move into the desired lane when it is safe to do so.  Once the pass is completed, riders will return to the original lane when they are safely past the slower traffic.  (Be sure you look for traffic behind you before changing lanes.   On expressways with 3 or 4 lanes traveling in the same direction, we usually ride in the lane adjacent to the right lane, as riding in the right lane forces vehicles entering and leaving the road to break through our column.   On a round-trip-ride.  If you ride out with the group and you intend to return with the group, it will be your responsibility to be ready to leave with the group at the designated time and location.  (Departure time and location will be announced at the start of the ride or when we arrive at our destination).  Also if you didn’t ride out with the group, but arrive on your own, you will not necessarily be considered in the group’s plans unless you inform the Road Captain that you wish to be included.   If you intend to join the group at other than the origination of the ride,  Please contact the lead Road Captain and he will inform you of the location of a planned stop.  You may ONLY join a ride at a planned stop.  If you intend to “drop–out’ of the group while en route, inform the Road captain ahead of time so your actions won’t create unnecessary surprises for the other riders, and take a position near the rear of the group.   Every rider will stop at every stop sign or designated stop.  This will prevent a rider from “rolling through” a stop while the rider in front of him stops.      If a motorcycle becomes disabled, the group does not stop.  A rear road captain will stop to assist the disabled bike.  If there is a second rear road captain, he or she informs the leader via radio or by moving up to the leader then returns to the rear of the group.  The group will slow down, but continue on to the destination or a safe stopping location.  If the disabled bike has a quick fix and can resume travel, the bikes will attempt to catch up.  If towing or parts are required, the road captain that stopped will attempt to assist the disabled rider and if possible notify the leader of the status of the disabled rider.  The cell phone directory can be used to contact the leader by cell phone at the destination for an update.   Note: Each rider has the responsibility to insure his or her motorcycle is road-worthy and in proper working order prior to the start of each run.  Bikes deemed unsafe will not be allowed to ride in the group.  The Road Captains or an officer will decide this.  There will be no exemptions.   Remember, even though we might have the right of way, cars are bigger and harder. So yield and let them go.   Chapter runs are intended to be enjoyable for everyone.  Sometimes, when a rider appears not to be exhibiting safe riding skills, a road captain or Chapter Officer may speak to him or her about their riding.  If this should happen to you, please do not be offended.  Our primary goal is for the Chapter to have a safe and pleasant ride.  Please honor the road captain’s request, if you disagree with it, please contact the Senior Road captain after the run is completed.   Remember, in group riding you are responsible for your actions and the results of your actions- not the Road Captains and not the Chapter.  If you are inexperienced or simply uncomfortable riding with the group, please let her Road captain know at your earliest opportunity.  He or she may be able to offer suggestions to make the ride more enjoyable for you and those riding with the group.   If during a ride you are the last rider thru a traffic signal intersection and “your” group makes a turn, you will need to stop at a safe location so that the riders coming up will know where to turn.  When you see this group, signal by waving your hand and pointing to turn right or left.  As the group approaches, pull out in front and lead the group until you catch up with the others.