Club Runs Protocol & the Drop-Off System

INTRODUCTION
Riding on the road should be a safe, sometimes instructive and always enjoyable experience – if you, your bike and any pillion are fit and well-prepared. This applies whether you’re taking a 5-minute run to the local shops, spending a Sunday with your fellow Club members or heading off for an extended foreign trip. So, before you set out from home, check the bike (brakes, chain, electrics, tyres, fluids, security) and yourselves (waterproofs, sunglasses (ha!), etc.). When you arrive at the departure point for a Club run, please ensure your bike has a full fuel tank and you have an empty bladder (“FT&EB”!) – and take advantage of organised fuel stops as necessary during the day.

On your first run with the Club you should make yourself known to the organisers so they can welcome you, introduce you to other members and ensure you are confident of the arrangements.

As a Club, we have few rules, but those we do have are there for good reason. On Club runs there will often be a wide mix of riders and bikes, from relative newcomers to experienced (and often highly-trained) riders and single-cylinder bikes up to the Goldwing. If everyone on the run exercises their common sense, then we’ll all have an enjoyable day.

To cater for riders with different levels of experience and expectations, the Club will endeavour to provide a varied programme of Club Runs. Riders are expected to select runs that are not beyond their level of experience. Learners will only be permitted to attend runs that are designated as “suitable for learner and less experienced riders” and should advise the leader of their learner status before the event. These runs will be ridden at a slower pace.

A learner or novice should always make themselves known to the run leader at the start of the run. The run leader will endeavour to appoint an experienced Member as a “buddy” to ride behind the learner. If required, a novice will also ride with a buddy. The leader will brief the run members accordingly. If appropriate the run leader may decide to split the group in two, to accommodate different riding levels. The run leader’s decision is final in these matters and all riders must respect this and act with common sense and courtesy for the safety of everybody.


Our Club runs often take us to parts of the country that are new to many of the riders. Since most people don’t much like getting lost and abandoned, we do like to stay reasonably together so that the organiser can lead and the rest of us can follow safely to the coffee and lunch stops. For that reason we have an initial Briefing by the Run Leader that you should attend, and when there is any chance that riders could get lost we use the “Drop Off” system to mark turns from the straight ahead route.

THE “DROP OFF” SYSTEM

  • The Run Leader and the Tail End Charlie (TEC) will wear SMC fluorescent reflective jackets and introduce themselves at the Briefing at the start of the run, so you will be able to see what they, their helmets and bikes look like.
  • When a turn needs to be marked, the Run Leader will indicate to the immediately following rider by pointing down. That rider will choose a safe point to park and indicate to other following riders the route to follow.
  • When the TEC arrives the marker will re-join in front of the TEC unless it is not safe to do so. In that event the marker will catch and overtake the TEC when possible.
  • Riders will normally stay in order without overtaking, unless the rider in front positively invites the overtake.
  • If you see a big gap opening up ahead and others are close behind, consider inviting them to pass and “make progress”.

GROUP RIDING PROTOCOL
Of course, you may already be used to group riding, but members may like to be reminded of the following safety points about riding in a group with other bikers.

      1. You are responsible for your own safety. Ride for your own safety and the safety of others.
      1. Remember the “2 second rule” (Highway Code rule 126) and keep a safe distance from the bike in front. Stay alert. Ride in staggered formation where appropriate to give yourself a better view (it allows the rider in front to see you in the mirrors, and looks good, too).
      2. Wait for the TEC to arrive, however long it takes. (- and make sure it is our TEC, not just another rider in a Hi-Viz jacket!)
      3. No overtaking of other riders in the group unless invited. You can change your position within the group after the next stop.
      4. Do not feel pressurised to ride in a way with which you are not comfortable. If you have any safety concerns, speak to the Run Leader or another member. Large outings can be split into smaller groups.
      5. If you want to leave the run before its end please tell the Leader or TEC so we do not institute a search for a “lost” rider.
      6. You alone (and not the SMC, its officials or organisers) are responsible for your own actions and the safety of your motorcycle, passenger and other baggage (!)