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These guidelines are intended to serve as a basic guide for most situations. Therefore we request each person to read, understand, and apply them using their best judgment. Please remember that YOU have the ultimate responsibility for your safety, and ALWAYS ride within your CAPABILITIES and that of your machine's.
	A Group Chapter Ride will originate at Spartanburg H-D and is considered ended at the final destination.
	No alcohol should be consumed before or during a planned group ride.
	Fuel up before you get to the ride!
	Do not fool around (horse play or breaking formation) when riding with the group. Any member observing another member fooling around when in formation should discuss it with that member and attempt to clear up the situation. If it should persist, bring it to the attention of the Road Captain. This is dangerous to yourself and also to others.
RIDING FORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS The ride route should be laid out in advance. Everyone on the ride should be made aware of the ride route and destination.
1.	The standard formation, under good conditions of road, traffic, and weather, will be a double row, staggered, in one traffic lane. The interval will be TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the next rider directly ahead and no less than one second between staggered riders.
2.	The Lead Road Captain will be at the head of the group, and typically will ride just to the right of center lane. Other Road Captains may be assigned positions within the group, which will be followed by the Rear Road Captain or "Sweep".
3.	New members (less than a year), guests, and any riders with little experience in group riding will be positioned at the front of the group, just behind the Lead Road Captain. The Road Captains may choose to separate the group of inexperienced riders into a group of their own, consistent with expected or actual conditions.
4.	Each rider should maintain his or her starting line up position in the group until arrival at the destination. This allows each rider to become more familiar with the riding style and habits of those nearest him or her in the group, and is particularly important for the new or inexperienced riders.
5.	Under certain conditions the Lead Road Captain will signal the group to form a single file formation. The signal is the left arm held overhead with one finger extended. Drop back to a safe following distance from the rider in front of you and move into a single file.
6.	It may be necessary to form smaller groups for safety due to circumstances or local ordinances. The Middle Road Captains are authorized to slow down their part of the group, take the Lead position of the new group, and proceed as the Lead Road Captain of that group.
SPEED, INTERVALS AND DISTANCES All group rides will be at posted speed limits, conditions permitting!
7.	The Lead Road Captain will attempt to establish and maintain a uniform speed, consistent with the ability of the least experienced rider, surrounding conditions, and safe riding practices. All riders will make an effort to maintain this uniform speed.
8.	Minimum Safe Following distances within the group is defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the next rider directly ahead. This means that there is a ONE SECOND DELAY between staggered riders. Whenever a single file formation is employed, a safe distance remains defined as a TWO SECOND DELAY between the rider and the rider directly ahead.
9.	With respect to vehicles ahead of the group, a safe distance is defined as a MINIMUM of a THREE SECOND DELAY between the Lead Road Captain and any vehicle directly ahead of the group. Avoid leaving bigger spaces, it invites cars to squeeze into the gap of the group, which can be very dangerous!
LANE CHANGES AND PASSING & GROUP LANE CHANGING
10.	The Lead Road Captain will hold his or her position and signal for a lane change.
11.	All riders will hold their positions and pass the signal to the rear.
12.	The Rear Road Captain will change lanes at the first safe opportunity, protecting the lane for the group, and allowing the Lead Road Captain to see that the lane is clear and protected.
13.	We then change lanes using the "follow the leader" approach. The Lead Road Captain will change lanes first followed by all other riders moving from the front to the rear of the group. Note: NOBODY, except the Sweep, is to change lanes before the Lead Road Captain. ALWAYS make a HEAD CHECK before you begin the lane change, and maintain safe distances.
INDIVIDUAL PASSING
14.	There are times when it will not be possible for the entire group to change lanes as above. When this situation arises, the Road Captain will signal with one finger extended into the air, then signal for a lane change. This indicates that changing lanes as a group is not possible. The Road Captain will then change lanes when safe to do so. Everyone signals, head checks, and changes lanes front to back, as individuals, when safe to do so. Should the group become separated, regroup when it is safe to do so. Please use known good safety practices, INCLUDING HEAD CHECKS.
15.	On a two lane road with two way traffic (one lane each way), a single file formation should be used when passing other vehicles. On occasion, the Lead Road Captain may continue in the passing lane, while safe to do so, allowing other riders to see that the way is clear for them to continue the group passing maneuver.
16.	If for any reason the group becomes separated, merge safely back to the pack, returning to your original position, using known good safety practices.
UNSCHEDULED OR EMERGENCY STOPS
17.	Unscheduled stops for gas, restrooms, or rider fatigue can lead to confusion in the group, and confusion can lead to accidents. The Lead Road Captain should be informed that a stop is necessary in order to lead the group in an organized fashion to the next convenient and safe place to stop.
18.	Any rider with an equipment problem or who sees a problem with another rider's equipment, should inform one of the Road Captains as quickly and as safely as possible. When the Lead Road Captain is informed, he or she will stop the group at the earliest possible moment, when and where it is safe.
19.	If the rider must pull over immediately, the Rear Road Captain will accompany that rider to a stop. The Lead Road Captain should be informed if he or she is not aware of this situation. Once the Lead Road Captain is informed, he or she will pull the group over as soon as it is safe to do so.
20.	On group rides going thru lots of intersections and lights, a separation of the group can happen. Should the front of the group turn and make it thru the light , the last rider of that group should stop after the intersection (keep safety in mind) and wait for the rest of the group. With this method, the back of the group will never get lost, as at the next turn, there will be someone else waiting for them....
HAND SIGNALS At all times, standard hand signals will be used for: changing the formation to a single row and back to double staggered, all turns, lane changes, slowing and stopping. Turn signal lights will also be used at all times. All signals will be relayed to the rear of the group to allow all riders to take appropriate precautionary measures and be aware of changes in speed and direction.
21.	Left arm held high, one figure extended over head indicates single file and two-second following distances.
22.	Left arm extended to the lower side and moving in a sweeping motion indicates come alongside or you lead.
23.	Left Hand in a fist, arm extended moving up and down indicates a comfort stop is needed.
24.	Left hand down by side with palm open indicates to stop or slow down.
25.	Left arm held high with two fingers extended over head indicates the standard staggered formation.
26.	Pointing at fuel tank indicates fuel is needed.
27.	Pointing at the road with either hand indicates a road hazzard on that side.
28.	Left arm hand up and bent at the elbow , moving from the shoulder back to starting position and continuing to move in this manner indicates pulling off the road.
29.	Left arm up and bent at the elbow, fingers opening and closing indicates blinkers were left on.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
30.	All riders are expected to come to the ride with a well maintained motorcycle.
31.	The Lead Road Captain will be responsible for bringing the following to the run: Route maps and Run information, Waivers, First Aid kit and a Cell phone. If a Road Captain does not have a cell phone, he or she will locate another group rider who does (obviously, subject to availability).