Berkshire Hills Harley Owners Group rides are conducted in a double file [staggered formation] format. There will be two lines of bikes — one on the curb side (inside lane) one on the traffic side (outside lane). Chose a lane when we are forming up and stay in that line while the bikes are moving. Do not change lanes when in motion!!!
Most large group rides will have bikes "flowing through" most stop signs, red lights and yield signs in order to keep the formation together and to prevent hazards in stopping and starting.
Road Captains will be blocking oncoming traffic lanes at these "flow thru" intersections. However, it is the responsibility of every individual motorcycle operator to ensure he or she can safely drive through these intersections. If, for some reason, you have to stop at a blocked intersection, give ample warning to the bikes behind you because they are likely to assume you are not going to stop.1. Left hand over head pointing to the curbside. This means there is an obstacle (car, bicycle rider, pedestrian) near the curb. Be ready for the bike on the inside lane to move toward the middle of the road in order to move away from the danger.
2. Left hand pointing to road (also right foot kicking out). This means there is something in the road that could be a hazard. Be ready to maneuver around a pothole or an object in the road. Be ready to avoid other bikes that may be rapidly maneuvering.
3. Left hand over head - one finger extended. No, it doesn't mean that!! This means the ride leader wants the formation to become single file.
4. Left hand over head - two fingers extended. This means the ride leader wants the formation to become double file.
REPEAT ALL HAND SIGNALS SO THOSE BEHIND YOU CAN SEE THEM.Do not drop out of formation to help someone else who has dropped out. A Road Captain will be riding "sweep" at the rear of the formation and will provide appropriate assistance.
FOLLOW APPROXIMATELY TWO [2] SECONDS BEHIND THE BIKE IN FRONT OF YOU IN YOUR LANE LEAVE APPROXIMATELY A ONE [1] SECOND SPACE BETWEEN YOU AND THE BIKE IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE OTHER LANE
To estimate the time between bikes, pick an object at the side of the road (sign, etc), when the bike in front of passes that object, start counting "one-thousand one, one-thousand two". If you are trying to keep a two second spacing, you should be at that object when you finish saying "one-thousand two". If you get at that point much sooner than that, you are following too closely. If you get to that point much later than that, you are following too far behind. The distance between bikes will vary depending on the speed you are traveling.
NEVER PASS THE BIKE IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE OTHER LANE NEVER RIDE BESIDE THE BIKE IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE OTHER LANE SINGLE FILE FORMATION FOLLOW APPROXIMATELY TWO [2] SECONDS BEHIND THE BIKE IN FRONT OF YOU