- First, Ride Safe! Showing off will not impress us. We are recreational riders looking for fun, scenery and relaxation. There's no competition during the ride and no races to be won along the way. The idea is to blend in, not stand out.
- Come to the monthly Membership Meetings. This is a great way to meet your new buddies and to find out what's going on. We don't bite (most of us don't) so look for an empty seat (we might bite if you sit on us) and introduce yourself to the table. See, you just made some friends, already!
- Read the Newsletters. Members are encouraged to also contribute to our Newsletter. You might have an interesting story... your first ride, worst ride, best ride... tell us! (Reminder that submissions for the newsletter must be received by the Thursday following the monthly Members Meeting of each month).
- Visit the Members ONLY section of this website. You'll find copies of the Newsletter and other Members only features there. (This area is Password Restricted).
- Join eBCHog, the Bucks NewsGroup mailing list! It's your way to stay informed between meetings and Newsletters. A subscription will be created when you request access to the Members Only section.
- Shop at Brian's H-D where the Loyalty Advantage Program (LAP) entitles you to rebates and discounts on most purchases at Brian's H-D. Sometimes Brian surprises us with even greater sales and savings throughout the year.
- Introduce yourself to the Safety Director, who may have some things of interest to review with you.
- Volunteer! Help us build a better organization with plenty of activities and fun. Volunteering is one of the fastest ways to get to know people and what we're all about.
- We urge you to partake in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. For your convenience, we have available more information at: MSF Course schedules. These courses are free to Pennsylvania residents. They may result in reductions of your insurance premiums. As a member of HOG, you may be eligible for rebates toward other accredited courses, as well.
- After you have read and understand the Group Riding section below, come Ride with us! Every year we have our "Welcome Ride" which is especially for getting to know each other and share Group Riding tips.
- Until you are accustomed to riding with the group, you should ride one-up. Your S.O. will be more than welcome once you are experienced and comfortable riding with the group.
Always bring your lid! While some states do not require helmets, you never know what state lines one of our rides may cross. Always have a helmet.
Group Riding:
- Group riding is in a staggered dual line. Bikes form two columns in a lane. The first rider (Ride Captain) is to the left side of the lane. The next is behind and in the right side of the lane and so on. Leave a minimum of two seconds between you and the bike ahead of you in the same lane.
- Maintain your level of comfort! Do not feel you must keep up or meet anyone's expectations and sacrificing safety as a result. We will not lose you and the group will adjust to everyone's comfort level. Always think safety for both you and your fellow riders.
- Try to keep the formation tight, but allow traffic to merge through the group to enter and exit the highway. Don't feel impatient to regroup if a car integrates. We are not tethered together. You do not have to act recklessly on the impulse that a car has split the group. Most cars are as uncomfortable being in between bikes and in time they will leave. Just be patient!
- Passing other vehicles should be done one-by-one, two's at the most but never as a group. The lead bike should not attempt to initiate passing unless he/she estimates that there will be sufficient room and time to allow the entire mini-group to pass safely. The leftmost rider should yield extra space so the rightmost rider has room to pass.
- Maintain your lane position unless you need to ride up to fill a gap in the formation.
- Fill gaps in the event a rider drops out of the ride. This should take place with the vacated column moving forward. In other words, Rider 1 is up front on the left. Rider 2 is to the right, rider 3 to the left, 4 right, etc. If rider 2 drops out, riders 4, 6, 8, etc should move forward filling the gap. This minimizes the danger of left and right shifting lanes as would happen if rider 3 had moved into position 2.
- At traffic signal stops, pull side-by-side. When starting out again, both bikes leave together with the left being allowed to accelerate a little faster in order to restagger the group.
- Hand Signals should be understood by every rider in the group and passed back when used by the lead riders. Print these examples and learn them.
- Avoid waving to other riders or pointing to things while riding in a group which may be misinterpreted as hand signals.
- If another bike gets too close to your comfort level, signal him/her to back off.
- On turns at intersections, let the rider who was traveling ahead of you go first.
- Know the route ahead of you and never run stop signs or traffic signals to keep up... the group will slow down, pull over or exercise the Last Rider Rule, allowing all to catch up.
- The Last Rider Rule: After making a turn, look behind you. If the group has separated from behind you - WAIT - at that intersection for the rest of the group to catch up, so they don't miss the turn. Any section of the group ahead of you will be waiting at the next turn to direct you, and so-on. This is important so that everyone knows where the group has made turns.
- If you are going to leave the group inform the group leader. If you become separated from the group, stay on the designated route. If you make any stops, stay within view from the road so as to be spotted by road captains.
- For Emergency Pull-Off, signal your intentions to the bike following and proceed to the shoulder. A Road Captain behind will pull-off to render assistance. The remaining bikes should stay on the road to continue to the next rest stop or designated stop, whichever comes first.
- Pay attention to directions and instructions from the Road Captain prior to departure.
- Each rider is expected to have their cycle in proper working condition with a full tank of gas (but empty bladder). Be prepared for inclement weather. You should be alert and feeling well. Perform a safety check (tire pressure, turn signals, stop lights, oil, parts loosened by vibration). Your bike is to be licensed, inspected and insured.
- Alcoholic beverages and recreational drugs are frowned upon by the club. You're riding in formations and must be sharp and alert.
- Group riding involves BrainPower, not HorsePower. It is easy to be mesmerized and/or hypnotized into feeling connected to the bike in front of you. It is important to avoid this, and to stay alert.
- Don't be afraid to split from the group if you are uncomfortable or the group is becoming a "bad experience". If the bikes you're with are not riding safe or you're having a tough time, hang a right and get "lost". It's fun to ride in a group but it's equally fun to cut loose on the back roads alone.
- Refer to the Safety Page, for other tips and guidelines.
- We also recommend the Harley-Davidson Riders Edge program.
Related Links:
- These animated
Hand Signals were found on another biker web site..
- The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a "must visit" link. You should seriously consider one of their sponsored training courses.
You should also refer to our own FAQs, (Frequently Asked Questions) for other rules and guidelines.
Calendar | Safety | Contacts | FAQ | L.O.H. | History | Members ONLY | Maps | Photos | Merchandise | Favorite Links
Return to Bucks H.O.G Home Page: 
