Road Captain Manual_merged

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High Country Harley-Davidson®

H.O.G. Chapter 422

Frederick, Colorado

Road aptain Handbook

Revised:

August , 2009, June, 2010 (HO)

February, 2012 (MH)

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Introduction

Preface:

As defined in the National Charter of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), Road Captains

are discretionary officers. The official duties and responsibilities of the Road Captainshall include: leading, assisting, planning and organizing open and closed High Country

H.O.G. rides.

Objective of the Handbook:

This handbook is designed to act as a reference guide for Road Captains. It contains

the objectives, responsibilities, ride position descriptions, and training objectives for

Road Captains. The overall mission of Road Captains is to pursue the safety and

enjoyment for High Country H.O.G. Chapter members during rides. This handbook is a

tool to be used in pursuing that overall mission.

Responsibil ities of Road Captains:

• Be proactive

• Plan and pre-ride routes

• Meet and communicate with other riders before and during the ride

• Be a positive, enthusiastic and helpful mentor to other riders

• Create a fun and safe environment for riding

• Look at rides through the eyes of all riders, new and experienced

• Understand that there are different riding styles

•

When working to correct or modify improper or unsafe riding in groups, doso as privately and quietly as possible

Road Captain Training and Qualifications

Training

The purpose of Road Captain Training is to provide specific group riding experience,leadership and evaluation of each Road Captain in an effort to improve and maintaineach person’s knowledge, skill level and experience. The program will consist of: riding

skill assessment, encouraging rider assertiveness, reviewing group rider concepts andRoad Captain riding positions. Open road riding and the discussion of riding scenarioswill be part of the training. Ideally, training and group riding exercises will be conductedthroughout the year.

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Road Captain Qualifications

All Road Captains (current and prospective) will have:

• a valid Colorado drivers license with a motorcycle (or three wheel)endorsement

• current motorcycle liability insurance

• current National and local Chapter H.O.G. memberships

• completed a Road Captain Data Form of the High Country H.O.G.

• current Red Cross (or equivalent) certification in First Aid

In addition, all prospective Road Captains will:

• be nominated by a current Road Captain

• have a mentor who is a current Road Captain – the mentor may chosenby the prospective Road Captain or assigned by the Head Road Captain

•

be approved by the Head Road Captain

Road Captain Proficiencies

All current road captains will be expected to have completed the training or have theproficiencies listed below.

• will have completed an accredited Motorcycle Safety Foundation approvedExperienced Rider Course within the last 36 months

• will have a thorough knowledge of the High Country H.O.G. Road CaptainHandbook

• while not requiring it, we strongly recommend that all Road Captains have

completed a course in Accident Scene Management• will be able to use all of the current Chapter hand signals

• will demonstrate the skills necessary to act as a Lead Road Captain,including:

o plan the route for a rideo place riders into groups according to ability or special needso recognize and adjust the ride to the experience and skill level of the

entire group being ledo negotiate a group through an urban environmento show proper acceleration and slowing techniqueo execute lane changes in urban and highway environments

o exhibit the proper technique for passing other vehicles on both twolane and multi-lane road

• will demonstrate the skills needed to ride as sweep (including lanechanges)

• during a group ride, can recognize improper riding technique

• can conduct the pre-ride meeting, including completing of the Pre-rideChecklist

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• is award of changes in road conditions or weather and change ride plansas needed

Expectations of Road Captains

• Road Captains will be active participants in group rides.

• In order to maintain currency, Road Captains should regularly attend RoadCaptain meetings.

• Road Captains will attend and complete courses in First Aid, AccidentScene Management (ASMI is not currently required, but is stronglyrecommended).

• Participate in group riding classes.

The Route to become a Road Captain

Chapter members to become Road Captains if they so choose. The training andexperiences of Road Captains, produce better riders in general and Road Captains

provide a valuable service to the chapter.

If you are interested in becoming a Road Captain do the following:

• Ask a current Road Captain to sponsor you as a prospective RoadCaptain or inform the Head Road Captain of your interest.

• Find a Road Captain mentor from those who are current. You may choosea mentor or you may be assigned a mentor by the Head Road Captain.

• With your mentor, plan a group ride of 25-40 miles that requires one to twohours to complete. The route should include varied roadways andintersections. There should be one or two stops in the ride.

o The plan itself will include: a detailed map and written directions for the ride to avoid surprises, you should pre-ride the ride plan to conduct the pre-ride meeting and choose a sweep for

your ride – the sweep must be a current Road Captain

• With your mentor, learn about the roles of the sweep and deuce in grouprides and practice them in group training rides.

• Work through the Road Captain proficiencies listed above. When youhave completed all the proficiencies and have the Road Captainqualifications listed above (for example, you possess a valid driver’s

license with a motorcycle or three wheel endorsement), tell your mentorand the Head Road Captain. At that point, the Head Road Captain willschedule your ride as one of the group training rides for Road Captains.

• That ride that you lead is the “final exam” of your probationary period.

• Final approval of new Road Captains will be made by the Head RoadCaptain, in consultation with other Road Captains.

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Road Captain Job Descriptions

Head Road Captain

Duties:

1. In conjunction with the Primary Officers of the Chapter, ensure theChapter has an adequate number of qualified Road Captains to provide asafe and enjoyable riding environment on group rides.

2. Provide leadership and direction to all Road Captains.3. Maintain open communication with all Road Captains and with the Primary

Officers of the Chapter.

Responsibilities:

1. Attend Primary Officers’ meetings, providing input into future rides andevents.

2. Conduct regular Road Captain meetings.3. Screen all Road Captains for currency on all Road Captain Qualifications.4. In conjunction with other Road Captains, evaluate the riding abilities and

other aptitudes of prospective Road Captains prior to those prospectsbecoming current Road Captains.

5. Develop and maintain adequate training tools for all Road Captains.6. Appoint Lead Road Captains for all Chapter rides.

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Road Captain

Duties:

The principal duty of the Road Captain is to lead, assist, plan and organize open and

closed High Country H.O.G. Chapter rides.

Before a ride, the Road Captain shall:

1. arrive at the departure site fully fueled and at least 30 minutes prior to the

listed departure time for the ride

2. be well rested

3. be familiar with the intended route, having pre-ridden the route if possible

4. actively participate in the pre-ride discussion with the Lead Road Captain

for that ride

5. be prepared for any emergency that may occur on the ride, for example,

every Road Captain should carry a basic First Aid kit in/on their bike.

During a ride, the Road Captain shall:

1. perform the duties of the group riding position (lead, deuce or sweep) to

the best of his or her ability while ensuring the safety and welfare of all

individuals within the group, as well as surrounding motorists, pedestrians

and cyclists

2. follow the directions of the Lead Road Captain unless those instructions

place any member of the group in an unsafe position

3. maintain a “ Safety First” attitude at all times

After a ride, the Road Captain shall:

contribute to the continual improvement of all future rides and the

effectiveness of the Road Captains by communicating with the Lead Road

Captain about the quality of the ride and effectiveness of Road Captains in

the ride

Responsibilities:

1. following the guidelines above, keep current on all qualifications andproficiencies

2. attend the regular Road Captain meetings

3. “keep your eyes open” concerning the riding, aptitudes and attitudes of

other riders in a group – when necessary, speak to other riders in a quiet

and private manner

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Riding Positions for Road Captains in a Group Ride

There are three riding positions for Road Captains within a group ride. They are: Lead,

Deuce and Sweep. Each of those roles has a specific position in the group and specific

responsibilities.

Lead riding posi tion

In a staggered riding formation, the Lead Road Captain is positioned at the front of the

group in the left 1/3 of the lane. This position is maintained throughout the ride except

when the group forms a single file formation. In the event that a rider on trike rig or a

sidecar rig is the Lead, that rider should ride in the middle of the road.

General responsib ili ties:

1. Determine the route for the ride. Make a map and/or write directions for

the ride. Whenever possible, pre-ride the route for the ride. Make any

changes to the map or directions that are needed.

2. Lead the group from the starting point to the designated destination.

3. Manage all aspects of the ride.

4. Give direction to all Road Captains in order to maintain a safe and

enjoyable ride for everyone.

5. While riding, communicate your intentions to the group with the hand

signals used by the chapter.

Specific Duties:

1. On the day of the ride, assemble all Road Captains for a pre-ride

discussion at least 20-30 minutes prior to departure time. The more riders

expected for a ride, the earlier this process should begin.

2. Conduct a pre-ride discussion with the Road Captains to finalize the

details of the ride. During that discussion, designate riding positions to all

the Road Captains.

3. Assemble the entire group at least 10-15 minutes prior to the departure

time for the ride. Proceed through each i tem on the Pre-ride Check

List. Hand out maps or direction for the ride. That sheet should contain

cell numbers for all the Lead and Head Road Captains. Announce the

departure time, the “Five Minute Call”.

4. Line the bikes up with the Lead bike at the head of the formation.

5. With everyone mounted, the Lead’s raised hand indicates that all bikes

should fire and be ready for departure.

6. When all are ready, move the group onto the roadway.

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7. Gradually increase speed consistent with speed limit and traffic flow.

8. Use the chapter hand signals as necessary.

Deuce riding positionThe Lead may assign a Road Captain to be the Deuce (assigning a Road Captain as

Deuce will depend on the number of Road Captain available on a particular ride). The

Deuce rides in the second position in the formation in the right 1/3 of the road and about

1 second behind the Lead. This position is maintained throughout the ride unless

otherwise directed by the Lead. The Deuce should assist the Lead in following the

designated route and maintain effective communication with the Lead.

Specific duties:

1. Actively participate in the pre-ride discussion and clearing the Pre-rideCheck List.

2. Immediately after the “five minute call” the Deuce should proceed to the

line-up area and take the position to the right of the Lead.

3. Assist the Lead in determining when the group is prepared to depart.

4. During the ride, the Deuce should work to maintain the 1 second spacing

between Lead and Deuce and thereby set the example for the entire

group.

5. When directed by the Lead or when circumstances require, the Deuce

should take the Lead position.

Sweep riding position

The Sweep position is the last position in the group. This position is maintained

throughout the ride unless otherwise directed by the Lead. If a motorcycle should join

the group, the Sweep will retain the last position in the group.

Specific duties:

1. Actively participate in the pre-ride discussion.2. At the direction of the Lead and immediately after the “five minute call” the

Sweep should move to the entry point of the group to the open road. Once

there, the Sweep should facilitate the movement of the group onto the

road.

3. When the group has moved by, the Sweep should fall into line at the rear

of the group.

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4. If an individual rider in the group pulls out of the group and gives the

thumbs down signal, the Sweep will also pull out to assess the situation.

The Sweep will give assistance to the rider and return to the group when

possible.

5. In concert with the Lead, the Sweep will protect the group from the rear

during lane changes.

The Sweep (and all Ride Captains) should carry suppl ies for emergency

situations to include:

• the cell phone numbers of Road Captains and Primary Officers

• emergency numbers for police in the area, likely 911

• a basic First Aid kit (provided by the chapter)

• a cell phone • a camera (the one in your cell phone is acceptable)

• copies of the Injury Report Form (Lead and Sweep Road Captains need

this)

10



Hand Signals for Group Riding – descriptions

Please see the next page for a graphic of these signals

While we use most of the signals on page 11 we wil l delete a couple

and add a couple.

• Start your engines - circl ing hand

• Bikers ready – left arm extended, left thumb up

• Stop your engines – cut throat gesture

• Left turn – elbow at 180°, fist is closed

• Right turn – elbow at 90°, fist is closed

• Stop – arm extended down, palm is back

• Hazard left – point to ground

• Hazard right – point to ground with right foot (added to

the set, but not shown on the next page)

• Slow down – arm extended, palm down, downward

motion

• Speed up – arm extended, palm up, upward motion

• Pass me – arm extended hor izontally, index finger

extended, cross arm to front

• Pull of f – arm extended 45°, index finger extended, cross

beyond head

• Single file – arm vertical, index finger extended

•

Staggered formation – arm vertical, index and smallfingers extended

• Pit stop – with index finger, point at gas tank

• Tighten the formation – opened hand to closed fist

(added to the set, but not shown on the next page)

11



Hand Signals for Group Riding

See page 10 for descriptions and modifications

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High Country HOG Chapter 422

Pre-Ride Checkl ist

Introduce Road Captains and assigned posit ions for ride

Explain route for the ride (distribute maps and directions)

Alcohol – if you drink, you do not ride with us (explain as

needed)

Riding formation – explain staggered formation and spacing

o 1 second to staggered rider, 2 seconds to rider behind

Show hand signals to be used - be precise

When passing another vehicle, leave enough space to re-enter

the lane of the vehicle you just passed

Are there any personal needs, place in the formation, etc.

Check that release forms have been filled out and signed (when

appropriate)

Are HOG memberships (national and local) up to date, i f not, f il l

out a release form

Set up groups – try to limit groups to 7-8 bikes

Are your tanks ful l and have you made a restroom stop

o Sorry, but we need to ask that!

Identify riders who are First Aid certified

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Comfort level in riding on various road types (1 or 2 up, not in a group)

Please indicate your comfort level below by placing an X in the appropriate box

where: 1 is not comfortable, 3 is OK and 5 is very comfortable

1 2 3 4 5Two lane road, moderate traffic

Two lane road, where passingis necessary

Mountain road easy,like Peak to Peak

Moutain road moderate,Iike US 36, Lyons to Estes Park

Mountain road difficult,like US 550, Ouray to Silverton

Interstate easy

like, I-90/94 in MontanaInterstate with heavy trafficlike, I-80 across Wyoming

Comfort level in riding in any position in a group of 6 – 10 riderson various road types

Please indicate your comfort level by placing an X in the appropriate box

where: 1 is not comfortable, 3 is OK and 5 is very comfortable

1 2 3 4 5

Two lane road, moderate traffic

Two lane road, where passingis necessary

Mountain road, easylike Peak to Peak

Mountain road, moderatelike US 36, Lyons to Estes Park

Mountain road, difficultlike US 550 Ouray to Silverton

Interstate, easylike I-90/94 in Montana

Interstate with heavy trafficlike, I-80 across Wyoming

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