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Interested in becoming a Road Captain?
Road Captain Guidelines The Kirkwood HOG Board of Directors feel it is important to impress upon all Road Captains and perspective Road Captains the philosophy of Club riding and the responsibility of our Road Captains to insure a SAFE and enjoyable ride for all our members and future members of our club. Being a Road Captain is a privilege!
However, it comes with responsibilities that need to be addressed in this guideline. As a Road Captain of Kirkwood HOG you are one of the people we count on to ensure the safety of all who ride. We trust you will take the responsibility of the position as serious as we do. Do not enter into this responsibility lightly. We are very concerned about the safety of all who ride with us. You are the people we count on to keep our rides safe and enjoyable for all. Road Captains need to work as a team to ensure safety and abide by the clubs riding practices. You are an example of our clubs riding experience!
We ride staggered with a 1-sec to the side and 2-sec in front. All Road Captains must set the example of this accepted riding staggered formation and all our other formations on rides.
We request all new riders stay to the back of our formation until comfortable.
Road Captains never argue with a rider who is not abiding by club's group riding practices. It is to be brought to the attention of Head Road Captain, Lead Road Captain and/or Safety Officer for further review.
When a Road Captains sees that someone is not riding the way the rest of the club is riding, it is a safety issue for all concerned. For the safety of the club it must be brought to the attention of Head Road Captain, Lead Road Captain and/or Safety Officer at the next scheduled stop.
Requirements to become a Road Captain Must complete Advanced Riders Class with 5 years of current riding experience. (We would like to thank the St. Charles City Park Rangers for giving us the time to sharpen our skills, and we would recommends that all motorcyclist take the course. If you are interested in the course call Mike Cordry at 636-949 -3377).
Attend Road Captains monthly meetings and orientation meeting.
Ride as an assistant of an existing Road Captain group until in the opinion of the Head Road Captain and Team Leaders you are ready for full duty.
Commitment to at least 50% of the clubs rides and 50% of the Clubs monthly meetings.
Road Captains riding in the chapter understand hand signals and will ensure that hand signals are being passed along by other riders.
Provide assistance as directed.
Standard Operating Procedures for Road Captains These SOP's are written as a guideline to help you as Road Captains safely lead your groups.
These are guidelines only, you should use common sense and sound judgement at all times.
QUALIFICATIONS Complete Motorcycle safety foundation basic and experienced riders course.
Valid License with Motorcycle endorsement, current insurance of participation motorcycle and Current National and Kirkwood Member – both in good standing
PRE-RIDE At staging area sign in as Road Captain.
Team Leader organize your group.
Be able to spot unsafe motorcycles and participants.
Be able to be in communication of Team Leader and/or Ride Chairpersons. This could be Cell Phone, CB, or Kirkwood radios.
All Road Captains should have an accident report form and disposable camera in their possession in case of an accident.
POLL RIDERS: SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS How long have you been riding?
Do you have any handicaps or medical conditions that will affect you on this ride? Road captains should make visual observations for braces, casts etc.
Are you comfortable riding the speed limit? If no, road captain should try to reach a compromise on speed with other riders in the group.
Where are you most comfortable riding in a group? Least Experienced Riders should be placed in the rear before sweep. These riders should have their own group anchor and group sweep. (NEVER IN REAR OR SWEEP POSITION)
How many miles can you ride before needing gas?
Explain the route to riders in your group.
Hand signals should be used at all times, briefly show hand signals to riders.
Road captains should explain to group that if they get separated, he will stop at next safest place and wait for them to catch up. This is most likely to happen in city’s at red lights and stop signs.
During conversation with the riders, the Road Captain should encourage all riders that no matter what the situation each rider should ride his or her own ride, do not push your limits.
Sweep position should be a current Road Captain, if this is not possible road captain should put most experienced person in the group in sweep position.
If the above cannot be effectively carried out at the ride staging area, then the Road Captain should instruct the group that they will stop in a few miles so he can place the riders in the safest possible riding configuration
DURING THE RIDE Sweeper should observe all riders during the ride. If unsafe riding is observed sweeper should signal the road captain and pull the entire group over safely and try to resolve the problem.
Pulling out of formation, excessive speed and horseplay will not be tolerated under any circumstance. If the road captain or sweeper observes this, they should safely pull the group over and road captain should politely ask the person causing the problem to stop or leave the group, explaining to them that this kind of behavior endangers everyone in the group.
In extreme weather conditions, rain, heat, or cold, stops should be more frequent.
At gas stops and rest stops Road Captain should review next section of trip with group.
Sweeper/anchor should not let the group get stretched out! THIS IS A REQUIREMENT!! Everyone stays together unless there is a mechanical breakdown or accident.
Be courteous to other users of the road.
It is mandatory for any rider leaving the group to notify Road Captain.
If a rider has mechanical trouble, they should signal road captain or sweeper and safely pull over to side of road. One Road Captain should stay with rider until help arrives. The rest of the group should proceed to the next scheduled stop. Communications with the stranded rider should be established and maintained until all involved are comfortable with the situation.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION On any Kirkwood or National HOG sanctioned ride where Road Captains are involved, alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited during the ride. Road Captains must lead by example in this situation. Road Captains must explain to everyone in the group that the ride ends at the destination.
During an Iron Butt ride or any sanctioned overnight ride the ride ends when you reach the final destination for the day, and it begins on departure the next day. The rules on alcohol consumption should be discussed with all riders and passengers before the ride departs, to give the people who want to consume alcohol during the ride the option to leave the group and ride on their own.
If you observe a rider or passenger consuming alcohol at stops or any time during the ride you must ask them to leave group. The safety of the rest of the group depends on it. If you must, explain to the rider that you are asking to leave, that if he or she were to have an accident with alcohol involved we could be in serious trouble with National HOG and our sponsoring dealer, and more serious than that, another rider or passenger could be seriously injured or killed. Be sure you ask another rider in your group to be present when doing this. This is a sensitive subject. Always be polite and use common sense when addressing this matter.
ILLNESS If a rider or passenger becomes ill you should get them safely off the road. Ask the person who is ill if they need an ambulance. If they refuse, try to get family contact information from them and call some one to pick them up, taking into consideration that arrangements have to be made to get their bike to a safe location, let the rider make this decision.
After arrangements are made road captain should have two people stay with sick person until help arrives. Remember, establish means of communication between people staying and Road Captain. Road Captain should then proceed to next scheduled stop to meet with the rest of the group. Road Captain should contact ride coordinator and advise him or her of the situation.
ACCIDENTS If an accident happens and rider and or passenger is down, always remain calm. Try to communicate with injured person, DO NOT TRY TO MOVE THE INJURED PERSON UNLESS LEAVING THEM WHERE THEY ARE WOULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY OR DEATH!!!.
In the event of an accident you should always call the police and an ambulance, sometimes rider or passenger could be in shock and not realize the extent of their injuries. If rider or passenger refuses to have an ambulance called, that person has to sign the refusal portion of the accident report that the road captain has. Accident report should be filled out completely, be sure to get all witness names and telephone numbers, briefly describe details of accident on report. Keep accurate records on time that the police and ambulance were called as well as their arrival times. Accident or illness is where you have to use sound judgment and common sense. Let Chapter Officer contact family members and advise them of the situation.
Turn accident reports in to Safety Officer.
If road captain notices someone in the group missing, you should pull the group over safely, ask them to wait and go back to check on the missing rider.
MANAGING RISKS All Road Captains should learn procedures to lower risk for the riders in their group, below are a few suggestions. Always be sensitive to new riders in your group, try not to make them ride beyond their limits, we all were new riders at one time.
Slow down on wet roads or when it is raining. Slow down when riding at night. When the weather is extremely hot take breaks every 50 to 60 miles in gas stations or stores with air conditioning. Drink plenty of fluids. When the weather is extremely cold encourage all riders to dress in layers and protect all exposed skin. Stop every 40 to 50 miles .
The Lead Road Captain and ride coordinator should plan the rides where the traffic is minimal and the roads are in good condition.
Always be safety minded and RIDE AND HAVE FUN!!!
If you are interested in Being a Road Captain and the preceding information agrees to your riding style contact the Head Road Captain or click link below for an application. |