If your interested in joining us on one of our events, please read our ride policy posted below. These policies have been set in place based on past and present experiences and are to ensure the well-being and safety of all our attendees to the fullest extent possible. We are not liable for any accident or injury that may occur during one of our events. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to carving some corners with you sometime soon!
Rules for the road
- You need to wear a helmet; jeans, or armored textile over pants or leathers preferred; an armored jacket (textile or leather), boots, and gloves.
- Your passenger needs to wear gear also.
- You should try to point out hazards to riders behind you with finger or foot.
- You should relax and have fun.
- If you want to go a different pace than someone behind you or in front of you ask to switch with them.
- You need to ride your own pace, the leader of the ride will wait at turns and stop signs.
- If you leave the ride, let someone know so we don't think you crashed and spend an hour looking for you.
- Bring your cell phone and have a "in case of emergency" listing in your cell phones address book.
- Make sure your fluids, tires, belts, chain, and overall bike is ready for the ride.
- Make sure your bikes' tank is full and yours is empty before leaving on the ride.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during a ride, nor use controlled substances.
- Make sure your bike is registered, inspected, and insured.
- Please do not bring a firearm along on the ride unless you have a permit to carry.
- If you get separated from the group, stay on the road you are on, we'll be waiting at the next turn or stop. If you are not sure stop and stay put, we'll back track and find you.
Rules for the Ride
- Ride safe, no stunting, no shooting the bird, no picking fights, no racing, if you see any rider being unsafe advise the ride leader or sweep rider.
- Keep up don't dawdle (this is a sport bike ride), ride your own ride, watch following distances, follow the main road, single file at pace, 2 abreast and stops and turns, wait at turns for all riders, and if you get lost, STOP. If you are new to a group, start in the back of the group and work your way front until you find where you "fit" in the pace of the group.
- If someone crashes, breaks down, or has involvement with law enforcement; go past them and pull off at a safe location. The sweep rider or ride leader will stop and check out things with them.
- Rules for passing - first, try to switch places with another rider at a stop sign or traffic light. Next, pass only on a straight section of road. Finally, give warning and plenty of room when you pass.
Recommended Reading
How to Form Your Own Biker Gang, written by Jerry Smith (motorcyclist magazine)
The title of this article is somewhat misleading, as many see "biker gang" and think uh-oh this doesn't sound good specially in regard to a sport bike group since they aren't generally associated as a "biker gang". The reality is that the article talks about proper riding etiquette and safety when riding with a group of motorcycles, not about gangs. Ironically the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the CSBA follows many of these principles and has since its onset. Its a good read and the full article can be read via the following links:
How to Form Your Own Biker Gang
The Pace, written by Nick Ienatsch (motorcyclist magazine)
The following principles were originally published in Motorcyclist in June, 1991, then revised in June '93 in Sport Rider Magazine. Today these principles are still applied and very important to understand. The full article can be read via the following links:
The Pace - Separating street from track, riding from racing
- Set cornering speed early. Blow the entrance and you'll never recover.
- Look down the road.
- Maintaining a high visual horizon will reduce perceived speed and help you avoid panic situations.
- Steer the bike quickly.
- There's a reason Wayne Rainey works out - turning a fast-moving motorcycle takes muscle.
- Use your brakes smoothly but firmly.
- Get on and then off the brakes; don't drag 'em. - Get the throttle on early.
- Starting the drive settles the chassis, especially through a bumpy corner.
- Never cross the centerline except to pass. - Crossing the centerline in a corner is an instant ticket and an admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing terms, your lane is your course; staying right of the line adds a significant challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future. - Don't crowd the centerline.
- Always expect an oncoming car with two wheels in your lane. - Don't hang off in the corners or tuck in on the straights. Sitting sedately on the bike looks safer and reduces unwanted attention. It also provides a built-in safety margin.
- When leading, ride for the group.
- Good verbal communication is augmented with hand signals and turn signals; change direction and speed smoothly. - When following, ride with the group.
- If you can't follow a leader, don't expect anyone to follow you when you're setting the pace.