CONGRATULATIONS ROAD CAPTAINS!
You have just volunteered for the most challenging
and rewarding position within our club. Once
you have been accepted as a Road Captain
and earned your patch, you will have joined
a very special team that will help plan,
organize, and execute our club rides. The
following guidelines have been developed
to give you a basic understanding of the
responsibilities and recommended qualifications
expected of our Road Captains, and the methods
we employ to help ensure everyone's safe
return home.
OBJECTIVES
Provide for the safety and welfare of all
individuals within the group, and any surrounding
motorists or pedestrians.
Lead the group to its destination and back
in a well-organized, disciplined, and safe
manner.
Avoid creating hazardous situations.
ROAD CAPTAIN'S RESPONSIBILITIES:
ALL ROAD CAPTAINS
Will be responsible for bringing a First
Aid kit to the ride.
Will be responsible for bringing a well-stocked
tool kit to the ride.
Will be responsible for bringing a camera
- in case of emergency.
Are expected to be properly equipped and
available to assist assigned Road Captains
on an "as required" basis. This
may include being assigned to a potential
Sweep position within the formation, should
circumstances dictate the need to separate
the group.
WILL NOT CONSUME ANY ALCOHOL UNTIL RELIEVED
AT THE COMPLETION OF THE RIDE.
ROAD CAPTAIN CHECKLIST
Have all members sign sign-in sheet
Obtain signed waivers from all non-members
Welcome riders and introduce road captains
Define destination and outline route
Determine gas stop requirements
Outline itinerary for the day
Determine return plans
Review riding standards
Staggered position and safe distance
Entrance and exit
Lane changes
Single file procedures
Hand signals
Broken bike procedure
Locate cell phones and first aid kits
Designate 911 notification
Determine riding group by size, skill level,
& cruising speed
Remind everyone to have fun, to ride safely,
and offer a thanks to everyone for attending.
LEAD ROAD CAPTAIN
Has full charge of the group until arrival
at the destination.
Will lead the group in a manner consistent
with the objectives and guidelines as stated
herein, and will execute his or her best
judgment in situations not specifically covered
in these guidelines.
Will brief other assigned Road Captains as
to route, responsibilities, and other details
pertinent to the ride prior to departure.
Will assign Middle Road Captains to a specific
odd numbered slot within the formations so
that all assigned Road Captains are in a
position to immediately take on a Lead Road
Captain role, should it be required. If possible,
a Road Captain should be assigned to every
eighth position, i.e., 9, 17, 25, etc.
If extra Road Captains are available, the
Lead Road Captain will assign them to even
numbered slots just ahead of the assigned
Middle Road Captains. This will ensure that
each group will have a Road Captain in the
Sweep position, should the need arise. If
possible, a Road Captain should be assigned
to every eighth position, i.e., 8, 16, 24,
etc.
Will conduct a rider's briefing prior to
departure (ref. Section 17).
Will be responsible for the final decision
with regard to ride termination due to inclement
weather, hazardous conditions, or other difficult
or unsafe conditions.
Will instruct any rider to ride in a specific
position within the group, or leave the group
entirely, for reasons of misconduct, disorderly
or unsafe riding, or faulty/unsafe equipment.
Will be responsible for bringing a well-maintained
First Aid kit to the ride.
Will be responsible for bringing a well-stocked
tool kit to the ride.
If possible, bring a cell phone for 911 purposes.
Locate other cell phones and first aid kits.
Should the Lead Road Captain not possess
a cell phone, if possible, designate a 911-notification
caller within the group.
On all chapter rides, the Road Captain will
make sure that the sign in sheet and any
and all release forms are properly signed.
He or she is also responsible for providing
any and all signed forms to the club Secretary
by the next member's meeting.
Will not consume any alcohol until relieved
at the completion of the run.
Will establish and maintain a uniform speed
consistent with the ability of the least
experienced rider, and with consideration
of safe road, traffic, and weather conditions.
Will be responsible for initiating all maneuvers
within traffic in a "safety first"
manner.
Will lead the standard formation of a staggered
double row, in one traffic lane.
Will be at the head of the group, and will
ride just to the left of lane center.
Will maintain a safe following distance by
using the MINIMUM 3-second rule between the
group and any vehicle ahead. This distance
may be increased at the discretion of the
Lead Road Captain, but will NOT be decreased.
Will command the group to a single file formation
when the Lead Road Captain is not able to
maintain visual control of the road conditions
ahead over a MINIMUM of a 4 second distance,
narrow road, mountain/curvy roads, traveling
directly adjacent to parked vehicles, or
any other condition which may severely restrict
the ability of individual group members to
perform emergency avoidance maneuvers.
ROAD CAPTAIN - MIDDLE
Will assist the Lead Road Captain in the
performance of his or her duties.
May be required to assume the duties of Lead
Road Captain (ref. Section 4) in his or her
absence.
Will be responsible for bringing a First
Aid kit to the ride.
Will be responsible for bringing a well-stocked
tool kit to the ride.
Will ride within the group as, assigned by
the Lead Road Captain in an odd numbered
slot (riding on the left side of the lane),
unless required to take on the responsibilities
of either the Lead or Sweep position.
Will be observant of any hazardous conditions
or conduct, take immediate corrective action
as appropriate, and inform the Lead Road
Captain at the earliest safe opportunity.
NOTE: The urgency to inform the Lead Road
Captain must be left to the discretion of
the observing Road Captain.
Will instruct any rider to ride in a specific
position within the group, or leave the group
entirely, for reasons of misconduct, disorderly
or unsafe riding, or faulty/unsafe equipment.
Will not consume any alcohol until relieved
at the completion of the run.
REAR ROAD CAPTAIN - SWEEP
Will assist the Lead Road Captain in the
performance of his or her duties.
May be required to assume the duties of Lead
Road Captain (ref. Section 4) in his or her
absence.
Will be responsible for bringing a First
Aid kit to the ride.
Will be responsible for bringing a well-stocked
tool kit to the ride.
Will ride at the rear of the group (except
when conditions dictate otherwise) unless
required to take on the responsibilities
of either the Lead or Middle position.
Will be observant of any hazardous conditions
or conduct, take immediate corrective action,
and inform the Lead Road Captain at the earliest
safe opportunity.
NOTE: The urgency to inform the Lead Road
Captain is left to the discretion of the
observing Road Captain.
Will instruct any rider to ride in a specific
position within the group, or leave the group
entirely, for reasons of misconduct, disorderly
or unsafe riding, or faulty/unsafe equipment.
Will not consume any alcohol until relieved
at the completion of the run.
Will normally ride just right of lane center.
Lane protection is the Sweep's added responsibility.
On the highway, as the group prepares to
make a lane change, the Sweep will make the
lane change as soon as is safe to do so,
followed by the Lead Road Captain, then the
remainder of the group. In this way, the
Sweep protects that lane keeping it clear
for the entire group to move into this lane.