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The BMMC
Riders Guide pamphlet that was created in 2007 is a great
document and I certainly hope that you have a copy, have read it,
and have it available for reference. It covers so much ground,
however, that it can be difficult to keep it all correctly in
mind. Just as airline and corporate pilots must undergo refresher
training regularly – Recurrent Training, it’s called – to be
reminded of information they already know, so also may we benefit
from being reminded of what’s contained within the Guide. You
unlikely will be hearing much, if any, new information, but rather
a revisiting and emphasizing of what you already know.
The topic for today is Forming The Groups for a Group Ride.
For the last few months here in 2008, we have been – with a few
stumbles! – utilizing a new method of forming up the individual
groups prior to departing on a group ride. Since the procedure is
still rather new and some of you may not yet been exposed to it, I
want to spend a few moments presenting the particulars so that we
will all be familiar with it.
During the general pre-ride briefing given by the Ride Host, the
Lead/Sweep teams will be introduced. However, unlike in the past,
there will be no effort to indicate in which order the groups will
depart. Surprise!
Why are we doing this? We are a motorcycle riding club. The joy of
sharing the open road with BMMC friends and riding colleagues
should be the primary concern as we head out, not who is going to
get the first seat at the feed trough – although I understand that
desire ranks rather high on the priority list for some of us!
We’re all going to get to the destination in good time. Sometimes
the group you join may be first; sometimes it may be last…but we
are all going to get there. Additionally, the best way to get to
know new club members is to interact with them…ride, talk, eat. If
all the eager-beavers gravitate to the first group every time,
less chances exist for expanding our BMMC horizons.
After the general briefing by the host, the Lead/Sweep teams will
remain in the parking lot, standing, each claiming their own spot,
separated a bit from the others so that a lot of voices won’t be
in competition. The riders will be asked to go to the group of
their choosing. Nothing prevents riders who wish to remain
together to clump up and get to the Lead/Sweep team of their
choice right away, as a mini-group within the larger group.
However, time is of the essence! If you lollygag around and find
that the group you wish to join already has it’s ten-rider limit,
then either your mini-group will need to meld with another
Lead/Sweep team or else be split up. Realize that if more than
eight riders choose to go with one Lead/Sweep team – eight riders,
plus the Lead and Sweep, means than the group’s ten-bike limit is
reached – some of the riders will be asked to join another group
with fewer members. In this way, it is hoped that the groups may
be better organized and assigned before the bikes start to move.
Once the Lead/Sweep team has reached their rider limit, now is the
time for introductions to be exchanged so that all riders know who
else is with them. Also, it’s time for the Lead/Sweep team to
discuss any particulars they wish to address that may not have
been presented in the overall briefing, as well as to re-state
some of what was already said, if it is particularly important.
For example, during last month’s KOFA Café ride, one group spent a
short time discussing crosswinds and how to handle tumbleweeds
blowing across the road.
As the Lead/Sweep team finishes the separate briefing to their
group, they should designate both the area and the time at which
their group will stage the motorcycles. I suggest the Lead yell
out loud and clear “Group X, Ten minutes to go,” “Group X, Five
minutes to go,” etc., and then start up and hit the road right on
the dot.
In summary, join your group on foot in a timely manner, say hello
to your fellow riders, and get answers to your questions before
you move your cycle to the staging area that your Lead has
designated.
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