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Tips for Riding in Groups

The “Drop Off” System

When touring you will often be riding in groups and the following describes the “Drop Off” or “The Marker” system.
Riding in convoy, “crocodile style”, can get difficult (and boring) when loads of bikes turn up for a run. The Drop Off or Marker system is popular with groups going on long rides and it can be used to great effect in:

• Making sure that the run stays together, while still allowing the ‘ride' to progress smoothly and as fast as both safety and the law permits.
• It allows for riders to progress at their own pace (within reason) as there is no pressure to either lag behind or to keep up with the rider in front of you.
• You can overtake (safely) or drop back as the conditions demand.
• There is one exception to this rule. The ‘Leader' (first bike) and `Tail-rider' (last bike) always remain at the front and back of the ride respectively.

Understanding the system is important, as every rider needs to do their part to avoid anyone getting lost. Here is an explanation of the “Drop-Off” or “Marker” system of Group Riding.

How does it work?

One rider, the Leader, will stay at the front and is responsible for navigating the route. Another rider, Tail End Charlie (TEC), will stay at the rear in last position. These are the only two riders who maintain their positions within the group.

• At any junction where the route does not obviously go straight ahead, the rider immediately behind the leader should stop and mark the turn/junction and indicate the route direction which the other riders in the group should follow.
  • The Leader will point when he requires a junction to be marked.
  • A roundabout should be marked by parking in a safe visible position on the Exit.
  • The default action at cross roads without markers is to go straight through, therefore if there is no marker when you arrive at any junction you should proceed straight on.
  • When you are marking a junction make sure you park in a position not to obstruct any other road users. If necessary indicate, by pointing, the direction that riders arriving at the junction should proceed in
• All other riders pass the marker except the TEC.
  • When you are the marker, WAIT for the TEC to arrive, even if this seems to take a long time. There may be a breakdown at the back which you are unaware of.
• When the last rider has passed, the marker re-joins the group in front of the TEC.

This method involves the entire group and the marker gets rotated from front to back and naturally moves up to the front again. The system works provided everyone makes clear, safe markings and remembers that when in position No.2 it is their turn to mark. Nobody other than the TEC is allowed to ride last for any reason whatsoever.

Our experiences using the Drop-Off system have usually all been favourable, and everyone has been able to enjoy riding at their own pace. For this reason we like to use this system until such time as we reach our designated base. Once at the base destination riders can split into smaller groups for the daily ride outs, it is important that you enjoy the trip to the Max.

We set a pace that we think is appropriate to the roads and riding conditions at the time. Under favourable conditions the Leader will ride at varying speeds. If you feel uncomfortable doing this then please do not feel as though you have to. You can ride to your own pace and the TEC will always follow the slowest riders pace without pushing them to go any faster.

Comfort Breaks

Fuel stops will be determined on the lowest tank range of participants. You are advised to fill up at these stops and take any necessary comfort breaks.

Ride your own ride, do not allow yourself to be pushed or pulled along. Enjoy yourself at your own pace and you will enjoy your tour all the more. If you wish to overtake someone, please ensure you do so in a safe and courteous manner. We do not mind if you wish to overtake to get back to the front, but please do not sit too close to the back end of someone whilst waiting to do so.

We will stop every 1 ½ to 2 hours or so to allow for “coffee and Fag breaks” or if there is a good photo opportunity and most definitely for Lunch. We like you to enjoy a relaxed ride although it must be recognized that a reasonable distance will need to be covered during the course of the day.

Please ensure that your Bladder is empty and your fuel tank is full at the beginning of each ride.

Useful Tips

• The Leader and TEC will wear Hi-Vis reflective vests with “KNIGHTS TEMPLAR MTC” written on them. If anyone else is wearing a Hi-Vis vest without these markings they will not be the Knights Templar Motorcycle Touring Club nominated Leader or TEC.
• With the drop-off system there will be a marker waiting for you at the next junction. Therefore with the drop-off system there is:
  • No need to keep the rider behind in your mirrors
  • No need to keep the rider in front of you in view
  • No need to play catch up either.
• If you are unsure as to whether you should mark a junction, then mark it anyway. It is better to mark a junction that does not need marking than not to mark one that does. Everyone should keep a safe distance behind the rider in front. Please ensure that all luggage carried on your machine is secured safely BEFORE starting the ride.
• When you are the marker, WAIT for the TEC to arrive, even if this seems to take a long time. There may be a breakdown at the back which you are unaware of.
  • If necessary switch off your engine. If you leave your position everyone behind you will suffer and the run will fall apart.
  • If you are still there after a considerable amount of time has passed (approximately 15 to 20 minutes) without seeing anyone, you can start to assume that something has gone wrong! You can always call the leader or the TEC (phone numbers should have been provided) to find out what the delay is.
• If you are not certain of the system, drop back so that there is someone between you and the lead bike (remember they may need to overtake you). That way you don't ever get to be a Drop-off Marker (but it's not as much fun!). Faster riders enjoy making their way back to the front as quickly and safely as possible! Others prefer to relax and take in the scenery. Don't worry - you'll soon pick it up...
• To reduce the length of road space taken up at junctions, crossroads and traffic lights, try to pair up (closing echelon formation) wherever it is safe to do so, but do not obscure the view of another rider.
• If you want to leave the group you should pull in to the side of the road in a safe, visible position and wave the other riders past. When the TEC arrives he will stop and you can then inform him/her that you are leaving the group and why.
• Breakdowns - If you break down, we will do our best to get you going again but we won't stop the whole day because of it. Someone may volunteer to stay with you, especially if you are a lone female, until the situation is resolved.
• Accidents - Remember that you are responsible for your own actions. However, should you be unlucky enough to have a spill, this would have to be covered by your own insurance cover in the normal way. In the event of an accident, the rideout will cease immediately and will most likely be abandoned unless it is of an extremely minor nature and all concerned are happy to proceed.
• Please observe all speed limits and restrictions and always respect other road users. "I'm sorry officer, I was trying to keep up with him" doesn't cut any ice with the police I’m afraid! Our collective future freedom as motorcyclists depends on your attitude and road courtesy/behaviour i.e. the way you ride your machine matters to everyone!

If you have any queries about anything listed above, or any questions, please make sure you ask well in advance of the trip so as to ensure no mistakes are made.

It's a quite simple and very effective system, allowing the ride to spread out over many miles. When it's your turn to be a Drop-off Marker, please don't leave your position until the TEC comes into view, and it’s safe for you to rejoin the ride in front of them, otherwise the ride will become separated.

Overtaking

The drop-off/marker system is designed to allow everyone to ride in the style that most suits them, whether that be in a leisurely and relaxed manner or one, which affords a brisker pace. Where riders adopting these different riding styles come together on a Group Ride, it is inevitable that some overtaking will occur.

The object of this document is to make it clear what Knights Templar Motorcycle Touring Club expects whilst on Group Rides with regard to overtaking. This applies not only to overtaking other Group Riders but also other road users. The following guidelines state best practice and what is considered to be unacceptable behaviour.

• Unless it is in exceptional circumstances, e.g. for reasons of safety, overtaking another Group rider in posted speed limits (i.e., below National Speed Limit - NSL) is not acceptable. This implies that riders are expected to be riding at an appropriate speed for the conditions and does not necessarily apply to overtaking other road users.
• Once in an NSL and where an overtake is being considered, the over-riding factor must be the safety of all Group riders and members of the public when making that decision.
• An overtake should not be attempted if the rider cannot see a safe re-entry point into the traffic in front of them. The definition of a safe re-entry point is one that does not compromise the riding/driving of those being overtaken in any fashion.
• Riders who are overtaking others should be aware that Riders are invariably at different stages of their riding experience and fast, close overtaking manoeuvres can be intimidating and potentially cause accidents.
• All Group riders should be aware that at times, especially where a ride destination is a popular event, non-Knights Templar riders may be making their way through the group. Regardless of whether our riding adheres to these guidelines, their riding is completely outside anyone’s control so everyone needs to be vigilant throughout the entire duration of the ride.

Finally, we have to ensure that the Group-riding environment is one that they can feel safe in.

YOU ARE DEEMED RESPONSIBLE AND IN CHARGE OF YOUR MOTORCYCLE AT ALL TIMES.

Knights Templar Motorcycle Touring Club, or any of their representatives, cannot accept any responsibility for violation of those requirements and cannot be responsible for any traffic or road conditions on each day of travel or the manner in which you decide to ride the roads.

ENJOY YOUR TOUR…..RIDE SAFE…..KEEP GOOD COMPANY