Welcome to Group Riding With the
North Harbour Branch,

Ulysses Club of NZ Inc Runs Committee.

Mission Statement:

Respect your fellow members, as you would like them to respect you – remember Ulysses is a social club of people with a common interest and a need to grow old disgracefully.  Your charge is therefore plain to see – be disgraceful but not disrespectful.  We are not on Earth for a long time; let’s make it a good time.

We do not set rules for club rides, but we do ask you, please, to read this set of protocols that explain each individual rider’s responsibilities.  They have been evolved by experienced riders, all volunteers on the Runs Committee (past and present), and are distributed in the interests of keeping us all safe while we’re out on the road as a group. This is probably the longest document the club will ever ask you to read, after this it’s all fun!

The Three Critical Points.

1. Fill out your details on the run sheet.
2. The rider in front has total use of the marked lane for choosing his/her line when entering or riding through a corner  or an intersection– do not overtake!
   On straight sections, if waved through, indicate to confirm your intention and overtake.
   If  not waved through, assume the rider in front has not seen you and overtake only if you can leave plenty of space between your bikes.
3. If you plan to leave the group, inform the Rider in Charge (RIC) or Tail End Charlie (TEC), or ask another rider to inform them.

Etiquette Prior to a group ride.

• Arrive at the meeting point ten minutes early with a full tank of gas, gold coins for the run money and raffle, and an empty bladder.
• Don’t be shy or embarrassed to introduce yourself, and remember we all have Alzheimer’s, wear your name badge so we can remember your name.
• Identify the RIC and TEC, and their bikes/cars.  Listen carefully to the run briefing (THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT) – ask if you don’t understand; there are no dumb questions, there may be insufficient answers, so keep asking. Staggered Group Riding as in a parade is simply not always possible or practical on our roads and you may well become separated from the group. The TEC can become involved in other issues and may not come along to help you straight away.
• Bring a touring map with you, that way if you are separated from the group you will be able to find your way to the next re-group point.
• Ensure your bike is roadworthy, and your own and your passenger’s clothing is adequate.
• Consider providing yourself with a first aid kit.
• Consider your personal skills versus the nature of the run – if you have doubts, discuss them with the RIC or another rider.  Many rides now are marked as “Cruise” or “Experienced”. A cruise ride will be of  a shorter duration. Experienced rides are for experienced riders, generally have a greater distance to cover and so will not be able to cater for a new rider or a smaller capacity bike. Particularly if you are new to, or coming back to riding, it is very easy to over reach your stamina.  Start cautious and work up.
• The RIC is a volunteer who will try to provide a good day out for the group, you are responsible for your own safety, for your not becoming lost, and for your behaviour on the ride.
• If you have a learner license or would like a mentor on the ride, let the RIC know.
• Introduce any non-Ulyssian (or other Branch) guests you invite on a run to the RIC, and explain our protocols to your guests.

During a group ride:

• Be responsible for your passenger’s (pillion, sidechair or trike) welfare.
• Ride in your comfort zone, between RIC and TEC.  It is totally accepted (indeed, expected) that you drop off the pace if it is too fast for you, but please wave on riders behind you who may wish to keep a closer contact with the front riders. This is why it is essential that you listen at the Ride Brief for the destination or next re-group point.
• Be aware of the rider behind you – he/she is your friend, not a competitor on the racetrack.
  Signal turns and stops clearly.
  Unless instructed otherwise at the run briefing, when the run changes direction, wait at the corner until you are sure the rider behind can see where to go.
  If the rider behind is out of sight, stop.  (This will allow the run to regroup.)
• A group ride is not a test of skills or a race – just a group of riders with different bikes and different skill levels out for an excursion.  Don’t test the upper levels of your, or your bike’s, abilities on a group ride.
• Ride staggered when riding in close formation, i.e., front rider rides in the right hand wheel track, next in the left, next in the right, etc. keeping a two second gap between bikes on the same road line. (N.B. Staggered riding has nothing to do with intoxicating liquor or a position from the Karma Sutra.)
• After overtaking a slower vehicle, move towards the left side of the lane to allow room for the rider following to pass safely too.. The generally accepted policy when passing a line of traffic is “One Bike Per Gap”, committing yourself to a pass with another bike is not only dangerous but is discourteous to other road users. Ulysses expects members to promote an image of responsible behaviour and forcing other drivers to take evasive action to let you in is contrary to that philosophy.
• Don’t fixate on the bike in front; scan continuously.  Look where you want your bike to go.
• In the event of an emergency, assist riders in distress, and carry out any instructions the RIC or TEC may give.
• Dehydration is a hidden danger, headache and dizziness will affect your riding. Drink plenty of water at stops  to avoid this.

General etiquette:

• Ride safe, ride courteous.  Use your mirrors, your indicators, your commonsense.
• Consider training courses – old dogs can learn new tricks.  (Advanced Riding, Ride Right, Ride Safe, First Aid etc.) Ulysses Auckland subsidises Ride Right, Ride Safe courses.
• Talk with other riders about different runs to get a feel for what would suit you.
• Consider going on a weekend away to get to know your clubmates – in vino veritas!

Special Signals:

Here endeth the lesson.  Phew!!

Enjoy your riding; we’ll see you out there.