1. Order
The order is determined individually. Basically: beginners, less experienced or leisurely riders ride at the beginning of the group right behind the tour guide. Also riders with weaker motorcycles - the less power, the further ahead you should ride. This way everyone feels safer and the tour guide can adjust his speed accordingly.
The order once taken is maintained - even after interruptions (!). Everybody should know the person behind him or her and this is the best way to ensure that nobody gets lost on the way.
Deviations from the original order may only be made in consultation with the tour guide!
No overtaking within the group will take place unless this is expressly permitted for certain sections of the route (e.g. passes)!
2. tail light and "rag picker
In the case of group trips, a final vehicle and, if necessary, "safety driver" will be determined in addition to the tour guide. These drivers have to coordinate the route with the tour guide so that they can collect any drivers who may have gotten lost and bring them back to the group without his guidance.
3. Offset driving
As long as the roadway and the road width allow it, driving is staggered. This keeps a closed group and still allows sufficient safety distance. 1. machine (tour guide) moves left towards the middle of the road, 2. machine moves right towards the edge of the road, 3. machine then moves back towards the middle of the road, etc.
This means that the group does not pull apart as far.
If it is necessary to stop at traffic lights, the motorcycles in rows of two unlock so that the whole group can pass through within one traffic light phase if possible.
To avoid misunderstandings, the motorcycles will start in the same order as they stopped.
4. responsibility for the following vehicle
Each participant is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle following him or her is not lost and checks by regularly looking in the rear-view mirror whether the following vehicle is still in line.
At junctions - to the left or right, or when driving straight ahead on a turn-off priority road - everyone must pay attention to the vehicle behind him/her.
If the vehicle is behind im, the vehicle continues to drive. Otherwise, the driver waits at the turnoff until the next motorcycle comes and sees where he continues.
This rule applies to everyone - except the closing driver!
Everyone must be able to rely on the fact that the biker driving in front of him waits if the main direction is deviated from!
If the route is long enough, meeting points and stops should be arranged.
5. "we overtake"
The tour guide makes sure that he only overtakes if there is enough space so that at least the next, or better the next but one, machine can follow.
On winding roads where visibility is poor, the guide will give hand or flashing signals after overtaking so that those following know that no vehicle is approaching and can catch up, even if they themselves cannot see clearly enough. (Alternatively, in right-hand bends he can also drive in the left lane, so it is most obvious that there is no oncoming traffic).
After overtaking, the first one should immediately turn right to the side of the road, so that the rear one still has room to reeve!
Basically: Nobody should feel compelled to overtake, everyone overtakes at his own responsibility and only if it is compatible with his own driving skills !
6. "we are being overtaken"
If faster individuals or groups come from behind, the safest way to drive is to let them follow your urge as quickly as possible, i.e. you let them overtake you and those driving on the far left will make room if necessary.
7. stopping without obstructing the flow of traffic
If an unscheduled stop of the group occurs, the group does not stop in several rows next to each other, but always in one row at the outermost edge of the road, better still in parking lots, in recesses, etc.
If one person has to refuel, everyone should refuel! Constant refuelling stops every 100 km are extremely annoying!
8. everyone drives at their own responsibility
It goes without saying that everyone has to pay attention to the track themselves. Should the group inadvertently disregard traffic rules, everyone is responsible for their own behaviour and it is not the fault of the tour guide.
Nobody should feel urged to drive too fast or too recklessly or to overtake. This endangers not only yourself, but also others! Whoever rides according to their abilities automatically influences the riding style of the whole group. The slowest vehicle determines the cruising speed.
This increases the safety of the whole group.
If you like to ride fast, you should get in the back, the taillights have to go faster from time to time to stay with the group.
9. high-visibility vests
For larger groups it is recommended that both the tour guide and the person closing the tour wear a high-visibility vest. But this is no obligation !
The recognizability as a belonging together motorcycle group towards other road users will be increased enormously.
10. communication
Everyone should know the mobile phone number of the tour guide so that he or she can inform the guide directly in case of possible problems.
11. together ...
If you are part of a group, you stay with it from start to finish.
If you want to leave the group, you have to arrange this with the tour guide.
