Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Ammerman on March 31, 2010 at 6:27pm

waiting for planned rides also....

Permalink Reply by Paul Lizotte on March 31, 2010 at 6:29pm

UUUmmmmm??? Not sure what is going on. I know we might have to be in Farmington in the afternoon. If not I will let you know Friday night. It would be great to get a group ride in unofficial... :)

Permalink Reply by Vicky Blanchette on April 1, 2010 at 7:17am

I'd love to go for a ride. Saturday looks like it will be almostr 80 degrees.
Email me at star483bangor@gmail.com

I'll ask more folks in the STAR group.

BLVD07, send me your email.
Thanks,
Vicky

Permalink Reply by Norman and Christine Springer on April 1, 2010 at 9:22pm

would love to but big ol bon fire bbq for a buddy...

Permalink Reply by Vicky Blanchette on April 2, 2010 at 11:31am

Hello Everyone,
The Ride on Saturday - sorry that we could not accommodate every one's schedule, but we will ride again...who knows, maybe Sunday!- so keep that in mind.

Meet up at 10:00 am in Brewer at the North Brewer Shopping Center (on route 9/178) North Main Street. Make sure your bike has a full tank of gas and is road ready. Be ready to roll out of there by 10:30. There are two gas stations right there, which usually have really good prices, so you can gas up there if you need to.

As far as a designated stopping place and a place to stop and have lunch. How about Ruth and Wimpy's on Route 1? If not, does anyone have any other/better ideas for the route we are taking? If so, let me know because I want to give them a heads up that a group may be coming.

To Schoodic: Route 9-179-182/200-1-186
Back: Route 186-1-193-9

This is not an official STAR chapter ride, but soon we will be official, so I have copied the ride rules and regulations that we will soon be using for us all to keep in mind. They are good safety tips and rules to help us all communicate and keep everyone safe on the rides. Safety is key.

We'll designate a road captain and a tail gunner for this ride and we'll ride in staggered formation. This ride will give us all a little practice in using our hand signals and in riding in a group in general.

Here is a good resource from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation on Group Riding:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7410513651875791175#

Let me know if you plan to ride on Saturday and if you have interest (and experience) in being the road captain or tail gunner (sweeper). I'd like to get a general head count to tell the folks at the meeting place.

Also, please bring your cell phones in case we need to call each other for road assistance or if the group gets cut off. We will designate a meeting place. How does Ruth and Wimpy's sound?

Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Vicky
Area Coordinator
STAR 483 Chapter
star483bangor@gmail.com
207-944-2695


Ride Rules and Regulations

1. All bikes will be maintained in a safe condition. Motorcycles with malfunctioning lights, brakes, or worn tires (less than 2/32 tread) will not be permitted to participate in a Chapter ride.

2. All motorcycles will be fueled (topped off) prior to arriving at our meeting area.

3. No drinking or drugs while driving or participating in a Chapter ride is allowed.

4. All traffic laws will be strictly obeyed.

5. When riding in a group formation, motorcycles will be ridden in a staggered formation.

6. One rider will be designated as the Road Captain. The Road Captain is responsible for planning, mapping, and coordinating the ride. If the Chapter has a large group riding, it may be necessary to have two Road Captains so that the Chapter can break into two groups.

7. One to two riders will be designated as the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner is responsible for keeping all riders in formation, Should a rider need to leave the group, only the Tail Gunner will stop to assist them.

8. Riders who elect to drop out of a ride (i.e. the do not desire to go further due to time constraints, prior commitments, etc) will notify the Tail Gunner (at the stop prior to leaving the ride if possible) before doing so.

9. The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for keeping the peace, enforcing Chapter and Charter rules, and the collection of monies for tolls, etc.

Ride Signals

All riders will familiarize themselves with the following hand signals (or signals as revised by the Chapter). These signals will be strictly adhered to at all times.

1. If a rider NEEDS FUEL, they will waive their left hand from side to side while pointing at their fuel tank. All forward riders will relay the signal until the Road Captain acknowledges it.

2. If the Road Captain wants the group to ride in a SINGLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with his index finger extended. All riders following the Road Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.

3. If the Road Captain wants the group to ride in a DOUBLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with two fingers extended, and waive his hand from his left to his right. All riders following the Road Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.\

4. To signal a right turn or lane changes to the right, the Road Captain will hold his left arm out, bent at the elbow, with the hand at head height.

5. To signal a left turn or lane changes to the left, the Road Captain will hold his left are straight out from his body, perpendicular to his back.

6. To signal that the group must SLOW DOWN, the left hand will e held downward with the open palm facing back.

7. To signal that the group must QUICKLY STOP, the left hand will be moved in a pumping motion along the left side of the bike, while using a closed fist.

8. If the group becomes separated (i.e. some of the bikes didn't make it through a signal light) the last rider in the first group will flash the motorcycles high beam lights off and on. This signal will be relayed forward until the Road Captain acknowledges it.

9. FREEWAY LANE CHANGES will be made in the following order, the Road Captain will signal the lane change using hand signals only. The hand signal will be relayed down the group to the Tail Gunners. The Tail Gunner/s will move over into the lane and hold that lane open for the group. Once the lane has been secured, the two rider preceding the Tail Gunners will move over only if it is safe to do so. Turn signals will be used at this point. This procedure will e repeated, two bikes at a time, until the entire group has moved over.

10. BREAKING INTERSECTIONS must be done with the total cooperation of other motorists on the road. We are requesting permission to BREAK the intersection, not demanding it. The two lead bikes will begin by securing the intersection. Once the intersection has been secured, the two lead riders will signal the group through. As the group drives through the intersection, they will automatically fall into a single file formation to the right side of the roadway, and travel no faster than 30 MPH. The two lead bikes will follow the group through the intersection and cautiously pass the group on the left. As bikes are passed, they may fall back into a double file formation.

Permalink Reply by Paul Lizotte on April 2, 2010 at 7:58pm

Sorry everyone but I'm Riding to Farmington for my sons gymnastics meet. See ya next week!!!!