Harley-Davidson HOG Manchester England

RIDE OUT PROGRAMME 2011
NEW RIDEOUT HOTLINE 07910213299

All club members please note there will be rideouts leaving the dealership most Sundays and some Saturdays. Dates not listed below will be unofficial ride outs with depart times and venues to be decided on the day unless otherwise informed. Suggestions for ride outs: Please contact Trev.B 07748966730 or email headroadcaptain@hatterschapter.co.uk.

This season we are hoping to set up some very informal, but vital New Riders ride out sessions. The aim is to help build confidence when group riding. Also, it will make you aware of the standard which we ride to at all times. These sessions will be held on Saturdays if interested, please contact Trev. B, these will need to be requested.

This year I have tried to find a destination at the end of the ride, places of interest that we can spend some time and have some fun and encourage more of our members to attend and get involved in the rides.

Please try to be at the dealership 30 minutes before the departure time, with a full fuel tank (there is a petrol station near to the Dealership).
For those that have not been on a ride out, you can bring a packed lunch but we do try to stop somewhere for food.
Some rides cover long distances and can be tiring but very enjoyable.
We make sure that we stop for fuel when the Sportster tanks are getting low (Approx 80/100 miles).

We have pickup points enroute (see meeting points on table) to save you riding all the way to the dealership. Please check the website regularly for updates, as these can be changed at short notice, due to weather conditions etc.

(2nd Man Drop Off) This year we are going to try the second man drop off system, this system uses all riders in the group, instead of just marshalls, this may concern some riders but it is a pretty simple system and a lot of riders will have probably been involved in this type of system before and will find it fun by being involved.

Whilst out group riding all riders in the group may at some point be asked to mark a junction or direction that the ride is heading, these points will be indicated to the rider immediately behind the marshalls by the second lead bike, when it is your turn to mark, indicate to the direction where you are going to stop and pull over in a safe manner and allow all bikes to pass, then rejoin the group in front of the rear bike/sweeper when indicated for you to do so.

The whole group may not get a turn, but if pointed out to you please stop, so it allows the ride to continue in a safe and continuous manner.

Anyone that has any issues with this new system please do not hesitate to contact Trev on 07748966730 or any of the Road Captains/Marshalls.

NORTH	The Tickled Trout. M6 junction 31.
SOUTH	Knutsford Services M6.
EAST	Birch Services M62 between junctions 18 and 19.
WEST	Chester services M56 junction 14.

If you would like to meet at the services, phone Trev to arrange it. Please allow approx an extra 40 minutes to the start time.

Lets do some riding.
THESE RIDEOUTS ARE NOT FIXED IN STONE, AND IF YOU HAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW....

ABBREVIATIONS AS FOLLOWS: P/F = POSSIBLE ENTRANCE FEE, H = HOTEL

DATE	DEPARTURE TIME	DESTINATION	MILES	ABBR	MEETING POINT
Sun 10 Apr	12.00am	Roughleys Egg Run			Dealership
Sat 16 Apr	11.00am	Harley Exhibition Manchester Museum			Dealership
Sun 17 Apr	10.30am	Traditional first rideout of season - Southport	80		Dealership
Sun 24 Apr	10.30am	Holmfirth	60		Dealership
Sun 1 May	10.30am	Trentham Gardens	90		Dealership
Sun 15 May	10.30am	Peak Village Tour	120		Dealership
Sun 29 May	10.30am	Talke Pits - Stoke	70		Dealership
Sun 12 Jun	10.00am	Forest of Bowland	160		Dealership
Sun 19 June	9.00am	Bala Lake	220		Dealership
Sat 25 Jun	12.00	Chapter Camp Rideout			Camp Shop
Sun 3 Jul	10.30am	Castleton CANCELLED	80		Dealership
Sun 10 Jul	10.00am	Robin Hood HD	132		Dealership
Sun 24 Jul	10.00am	Kettlewell	130		Dealership/Little Chef Haslingdon
Sun 7 Aug	9.00am	Mystery Tour	170		Dealership
Sun 14 Aug	10.30am	Castleton	80		Dealership

Welcome to the Hatters ride-outs

Please take a few minutes to read this advice sheet. The following points are just advice for you to enable yourself and others to ride in a group safely. Please make sure you make a few checks on your bike ie, lights, oil leaks, tyres, etc, so that it is in a road worthy condition when you meet up for the ride, always dress for the weather at the start of the ride ie, waterproofs/warmth as it is not always possible to find a safe place to stop.

*Always fill up your bike before the ride starts as the next time we stop for fuel could be 80-100 miles away*

GROUP RIDING IS NOT FOR THE SELFISH!!!

All official ride-outs will be led by a lead road captain or marshall.
Never pass the lead bike unless instructed to do so, strictly no over taking, it is not a race, only MARSHALLS may overtake.
When directly behind the Lead Road Captain, you may be directed to stop at a juctiion as a marker post so everyone follows the correct route *look out for the hand signals* Click here for riding hand signals and stay there until the last bike, the (Sweeper) signals you to rejoin the group in front of him/her this is called (Second Man Drop), if there is no marker it means the group has gone straight on at the junction or roundabout.
Don't pull out to overtake until the rider in front has made his move, on entering a dual carriageway/motorway via slip roads observe the flowing traffic and make sure it is safe to join the flowing traffic, don't just follow the rider in front, AS IT IS A MAJOR CONCERN IN GROUP RIDING WHERE ACCIDENTS CAN OCCUR.
On motorways try not to leave a gap between bikes as this allows cars to separate the group.
Only white line between the 2nd & 3rd lanes on a motorway anywhere else is dangerous and illegal.
Try to keep the rider behind you in view. This is called (The Buddy System) *If you are new to group riding* Let the Road Captain know.
When stopping at lights pull along side the bike in front, this allows more of the group to get through, and then return to your position.
Whilst riding try to maintain a constant speed, this stops the 'Elastic Band Effect'.
Try to keep the staggered position behind the marker bike i.e. near or offside with a 2 second gap from the rider in front when safe to do so ie motorways/dual carriageways, in certain situations there is a need to ride in single file ie two way traffic/narrow roads/lanes or bad road surfaces or to overtake or allow others to overtake, only return to staggered formation when it is safe. In wet weather increase the 2 second gap to a safe distance.
If a rider drops out for any reason in front of you, hold your position, do not switch as this encourages the whole group to change their position.
Use your mirrors at all times and look out for the marshalls trying to pass. If possible move over to allow them through.
On occasion the marshalls may have to form a rolling road block to slow traffic so all bikes can join the road. Please take great care and observe their signals.
Remember you are responsible for your own safety and you must obey the road traffic acts.
If you have any medical conditions please let someone know.
Don't panic if the group gets split up at lights etc. The lead bike will find a safe place to pullover and wait for the rest of the group, if this is not possible the rear gunner will know the destination and if needs be will take over the lead.
Always try to carry some basic tools and first aid kit. If you breakdown it is your own responsibility to have breakdown/recovery cover, the rear gunner will stop to offer assistance, but all other riders should pass and carry on riding.
If you intend to leave the group please let a marshall know.
If you have any safety concerns please tell a Road Captain or Marshall.
In an emergency please co-operate fully with Captains and Marshalls.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RIDE AND HAVE FUN

HEAD ROAD CAPTAIN: an elected committee member and works closely with the club director and events officer organising the ride out calendar and rally rideouts.

ROAD CAPTAIN: assist the Head Road Captain to plan and organise the sunday ride outs and rally rideouts they also assist in marshalling the rides.

ROAD MARSHALS: have the responsibility of looking after the members when out riding.

Trev Bradley (Head Road Captain)
Aidan Clayton (Road Captain)
Pete Davies (Welsh) (Road Captain)
Keith Ratcliffe (Ratty) (Road Captain)
Malcolm Broadbent (Road Captain)
Brian Dixon (Marshall)
Gillian Cox (Marshall)
Mandy Bradley (Road Captain)
Arthur Arrowsmith (Marshall)
Pete (2 Pints) (Marshall)
Gillian Cox (Safety Officer)
Ross Fearn (Photographer)