The Palm Beach Knights Newsletter
The Knights Table
Monthly Newsletter Febuary 2014
Greetings from your President Will
Group Riding Guidelines for Street Bikes
By The motorcycle safety Group (not written by Will)
Group Riding: Why?
There are several
advantages for motorcyclists who ride street bikes in a group:
- a group is usually more visible to other drivers than a
solo rider;
- other vehicles can predict what a rider in a group will
do because all members generally maintain fixed positions and fixed
intervals between riders;
- In case of a mechanical problem or an accident, help is
available immediately to the rider. A member of the group may carry a
cell-phone. Usually some riders in a group are trained in First Aid and
CPR. They are often aware of safety information and accident management
procedures that non-riders may not know -- for example, not to remove the helmet of a downed
rider unless breathing is inhibited, where to find particular medical
information for a downed rider; how to manage an accident scene to prevent
complications, etc.; and
- It can be a lot more FUN!
In addition,
motorcyclists tend to learn a great deal from each other about their sport.
Planned stops along the way offer a fine opportunity to socialize and to share
valuable tips and techniques.
Group Riding: Why Not?
Group riding is not for
everyone. It requires a certain level of skill and self-discipline. It
restricts an individual rider’s options as to speed, changes in route, and lane
positioning. To attempt to ride in a
group without having good basic riding skills and a good sense of what others
in the group are likely to do -- and what they expect you to do -- is an
invitation to an accident, one that may involve damage and injuries to more
than one bike and one rider. It is also a matter of personality, in that group
riding requires good communications, courtesy among riders and a willingness to
look out for the safety of others while riding your own ride.
Rules: Who Needs Them?
The following guidelines
for riding in a group are not gospel. There are situations in which they don’t
apply. Some organizations may have different terms for these concepts, as well.
These guidelines have been tested for many miles, however, in clubs whose
members ride all brands and models of motorcycles, and they have sound safety
rationales to support them.
If you as a rider find
yourself in a group which does not follow these guidelines, you can usually
find someone who will explain what rules that organization follows, if any, or
how they differ from what you learn here. At
most responsible group rides, a riders’ meeting will be held prior to departure,
in order to clarify what is expected of all the riders who are to participate.
If you find yourself uncomfortable with the riding style of a group at any
time, DROP OUT. Your safe arrival at your destination is far more important
than conforming to rules you don’t like or don’t understand.
People who ride in a
group usually appreciate knowing what they are expected to do, and what to
expect from others who are taking part in a hazardous sport in close proximity
to them. Road Captains and those who frequently ride lead or drag are
particularly urged to become familiar with these terms and guidelines in order
to explain them to other riders who may show up for a scheduled ride without
having any group riding experience.
Some Common Group Riding
Terms
Group: a small number of motorcyclists who ride together maintaining a
generally fixed distance between bikes and maintaining fixed positions within
the formation. On rides in which participation by a large number of
motorcyclists occurs, it is common to have riders divided into several groups
and to name them Group 1, Group 2, etc. This facilitates radio communication
when several groups are listening to the same broadcasts and traffic
coordination on the same radio.
Road Captain: a person who devises group riding rules or
guidelines for a club or chapter of a motorcycling organization, who
communicates these guidelines to the club, and who generally plans and lays out
group rides. The Road Captain will lead for a particular ride.
Drag Bike or Sweep: a person who rides in the last position in a
group and who relays information to the Lead Bike regarding the other riders in
the group, traffic patterns, equipment problems, etc. he or she observes. The
Drag Bike must secure a lane for the rest of the group during lane changes into
faster traffic (move first to block oncoming traffic) and close the door (move
to block passing traffic) when a lane is lost in a merging lane situation.
Usually this is the most experienced rider in a group, for the Drag Bike is the
rider who stops to assist a rider who has mechanical trouble, loses control, or
drops out of a ride for some other reason. The Drag Bike should be prepared to
render aid to a downed or disabled rider in a group while communicating the
problem to the Lead Bike and others in the group. If at all possible, the Drag
Bike should be equipped with a radio and, preferably, will have a co-rider who
can assist with communications or traffic control if a serious problem arises.
If there are three groups on a ride, there will be three Drag Bikes. The rider
in this position is sometimes called the tailgunner.
Cage: any vehicle that is not a motorcycle, but particularly an
automobile.
Group Parking: a formation in which all bikes in a group
follow the Lead Bike in single file into a parking lot, making a U-turn such
that they can all line up next to each other in the space available with the
rear of their bikes against the curb or edge of the lot, the front tires
pointing outward.
Parade formation: a formation in which all the motorcyclists in
a group ride two abreast.
Single file: a formation in which all the motorcyclists in
a group ride in one track of a lane.
Staggered formation: a formation of motorcyclists in a group in
which the Lead Bike rides in the left track of a lane, the next bike in the
right track or slot, and the next bike in the left track, and so on. Bikes in a
group generally maintain a minimum interval of two seconds travel time between
bikes in the same track, and one second travel time between each bike in the
group. In a staggered formation, a rider still commands and may ride in the
entire width of his lane as needed. Group riders may also ride single file or
two abreast. The Drag Bike may ride in the left or right track depending on the
number of bikes in the group. It is preferable for the Drag Bike to ride in the
left track, so as to have the same visibility line as the Lead Bike.
Two abreast: a formation in which the members of a group
ride adjacent to each other in pairs, used when riding in parade formation. Used after stopping at signs and traffic
signals so that riders can get through an intersection quickly and together if
possible. When departing from a stop, the rider in the left track normally
pulls out before the rider on the right, returning to a staggered formation.
KNIGHTS please make sure to welcome our new sponsor
My family had the pleasure of eating there the other night and had a great time. Food was excellent!!!
they are located at
801 Village Blvd Suite 309
561-697-2855
Make sure to tell them that you are with The Palm Beach Knights MRC
we need to support our sponsors!!
************ PLEASE READ*************
THE GUIDELINES FOR INVITING GUEST.
First a
definition.
A guest is
someone joining us for a ride on their own bike. Please put a +1 with your RSVP
If you have
a passenger, you do not have to put a + 1 on the RSVP. All club members are
responsible for their passenger. You may want to mention that you have a
passenger in the comments in case we have to call ahead to a restaurant for a
large group. Otherwise passengers are always welcome!
Protocol for guest on their own bike:
Guests are
welcome to join us on a ride 2 times, after that they must join. I believe that
after riding with us a couple of times they will decide we are just what they
are looking for. If not, we wish them the best. All guests will fill out a waiver form even on their first ride no
exceptions. We cannot have the club members unprotected to problems. Remember,
while all members have, guest have NOT
agreed to follow our safety rules.
NO GUEST ON OVERNIGHT RIDES!
I think we
would like to get to know someone before they ride hundreds of miles with us.
Also, there is a lot of work that goes into planning weekend events. Sometimes
it takes months of preparation. We do this for our brothers and sisters that
have made the commitment to become members. We’re not a travel agency! Many,
many hours have been spent on the choosing of roads, hotels, places to stop, day
trips, etc. If they like what we do, join us and support the club as each of
you have done.
Please don’t
take this as a statement that we do not want to have guest, because we do and I
think it’s a great way to recruit new member. But we would like people to follow
the etiquette of becoming one of us.
Thank you.
Will
Hey Knights,
Want to look really cool? We have T-shirts,
We have-
small patches
and now a very limited
supply(only 3 left) of
large back Patches available.
Purchasing any item from the Knights helps support our club and makes you look even better!!
Hey Knights,
Want to look really cool? We have T-shirts,
We have-
small patches
supply(only 3 left) of
large back Patches available.
Purchasing any item from the Knights helps support our club and makes you look even better!!
ONLY LIMITED ROOMS LEFT AT SPECIAL PRICE
It's not too early to book for our trip to
Leesburg April 25th
MUST RESERVE BEFORE APRIL 4TH.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
1810 SOUTH HWY 27
CLERMONT, FL
Call say you are with the Palm Beach Knights.1-352-243-7878
KING $85 + TAX
DOUBLE $93 + TAX
30 MINUTES FROM LEESBURG
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE ORGANIZER AND OFFICERS WORK HARD TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A FUN SAFE RIDE. WHILE WE WELCOME SUGGESTIONS, WE WON'T CHANGE RIDES THE WEEK OF THAT RIDE.
I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY IDEAS FOR A FUTURE EVENT.
I'M SURE THAT THEY WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY IDEAS FOR A FUTURE EVENT.
While we try to mix up our rides as much as possible, it's highly unlikely that I'm going to please everyone all the time. I hope everyone has been enjoying the rides that have been on our schedule so far. I am always looking for feedback and new ideas. Your participation is what makes this club great.
MEMBERS GETTING OLDER!!
Dale Goldstein 24-Feb
We have been having some really awesome rides TIMES:
We had 8 rides this month WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Cypress Shootout/Billie's swamp Safari
This was a great ride. We took some sweet back roads most of the way. On our stop at John Stretch park, we even got to see a model race car go 55 MPH. very cool. Although it got hot, it was worth it just to see Gunner scared of Bees!!
A big welcome to Ken one of our newest Knights.
Steven Cohen - Gunner said "I never saw so many BEES"
Iron & Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival
This was more of an event than a ride. Mostly in city route to Clamatis street. We were join by a new member Dale.
We also welcomed back Jerry "Pish" , who joined us with his lovely wife Alice. We got the chance to see some awesome vintage bikes and had a blast.
Mark "BuzzCap7" Said "This is my 1st ride with PBK's. WOW!!!! Nothing, nothing short of AWESOME! "
Treasure Coast Bike Fest Class1/2
Slick lead the Knights down some really perfect roads to this event.
Day after Hump day ride to Ft Lauderdale
Gunner said "Slick did an awesome job of leading. I like the backwoods of getting there"
Day after Hump day ride to Ft Lauderdale
Greenies Lead this mid-week ride. He wrote
"The ride was good. The weather ended up be just right after a s so start. Parking wasn't a problem as we parked in a parking garage. Our Brother Tim paid 12 bucks. The best part was when we
went to leave someone pulled down the arm to the garage. Tim, Lauren and Dave
drove out.
When Rick and I went to leave, a worker started yelling at us saying that we had pulled down the arm. Which of course we didn't. He was blocking us from
leaving.( a very dangerous thing to do) I started yelling to call a cop which of course he didn't do. Finally he moved out
of the way and off we went. I asked him why would we pay and then pull down the arm? Geez what a schmuck!! Still a great day with the Knights!!"
Tom Casella said" Maybe it was a good thing I wasn't there I have no patience for stupid people"
Breakfast/flea market/ lake ride
Well after having to cancel this ride in the past twice, 3rd times the charm. What a perfect day. We had a
nice turn out 13 bike 17 people. Breakfast was very good and the people at Pogy's took very good care of us.
Nice to see one of our newest Knights AMBER LEE SKYE...she is a great addition! Geryy(Pish) even got a denim jacket for $10!! The ride back by the lake with a stop on the rim was awesome.
Hump Day Ride, for us none workers and whoever wants to play hookey
Greenies put together another mid-week Ride. This wee they went to the Pelican Cafe!!
paul manna Said"If I asked for a perfect God Given Day for a ride this day would have been it in spades....I could have rode all day...."....
2014 SWAMP CABBAGE FESTIVAL
The festival was the same as every year.
will Said"Hey Echoes, send some cold air this way. Great ride today, but it was HOT. Good to see everyone and thanks to MJ for making the effort and catching up with us. Thanks Greenis for doing an awesome job tailgunning."
Hump This, Ride- or Welcome Back Echoes Ride-
Slick took the Knights on a great mid-week ride. The weather started out foggy, but it cleared up and off they went. After some very nice curvy roads, it was time for Cuban food.
Everyone said the ride and the food, and of course the company was outstanding.
Steve Greeenies Said "Great new roads. Slick did a great job."
Member of the Month
Ricky "Shades" mostly for buying a round of drinks for
everyone at the Iron & Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival
