Four Riders Up

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Most of the posts on this forum fall into 3 major categories. Number one is The Mission, the gut-based reason the ride exists, remembering the missing and the fallen, healing for the wounded, the expression of deepest gratitude for those who served and are serving.

Another is the friendly banter among friends old and new, joined by our many unique connections to The Mission and each other.

Then there is the ride itself.  Several hundred riders of varied experience trying to cross 3500 miles of landscape without loss or injury.  Not to discount the difficult emotional aspects of the Mission, this is the hardest and most dangerous part.

For what it’s worth, my workload in the shop is fairly light today, so I would like to offer these thoughts and observations on keeping the ride safe and enjoyable.  On a ride like this incidents can happen, some here can tell the stories.  Because of the superb instruction and training by the road guards, most of the "stuff" is just people getting adjusted to riding together over a lot of time and miles.  Just one avoidable incident is too many, so we need to think safety issues all the way through- keeping this ride the joy it is supposed to be.

The Road Guards are phenomenal.  They will bring so much good information and personal help both in the daily rider meetings and along the way.  Every individual is important and will get the help they need.  Last year, the worst incidents were people not in the main pack, not briefed on how the ride works.  One event was when 2 riders NOT YET REGISTERED roared down a ramp to join in and lost control, forcing riders in the platoon coming up behind them into emergency braking and avoidance maneuvers to stay upright.  Unregistered riders may not just pop in to the platoons, and the road guards will be watching for that.  But be aware- these things can happen without much warning.

Cars and trucks will need to cross through our formation to use ramps, so use judgement in letting them through.  Keeping our ranks tight will keep them from just floating along in the pack, but that is one of the main reason we are in platoons.  Our footprint can be several miles long and we are under the speed limit, so be aware of on-ramps and exits.

Our use of on-ramps can be especially dangerous, only because riders will see a gap and crank it on to “catch up” as they get up on the freeway.  Slowly, gently accelerate- the group will not leave you to go hide behind some trees around a curve ahead.  The Route Coordinator keeps the speed slow and steady, with 5mph speed increases as everybody gets onto the slab.  Once the RG’s have everyone up, the speed will increase to just under the posted limit.  But it takes a while.

The RG’s then need to move to the front of the pack for their next deployment.  They….go fast, watch out and don’t move out of your position.

My personal riding style is that I keep one eye on the bike I’m following, one eye on the bike four riders ahead, one eye on the rider next to me, and one eye on my mirror.  And a patch on the other eye…
Seriously, I work at riding as steadily as humanly possible, aware that this helps those following me keep steady.  Just a little bit of running up and back on the rider in front of me will expand rubber-banding problems all the way back to the last riders, increasing their risks greatly.  Move up sloooowly, back off sloooowly.  This keeps you from hitting brakes and transmitting panic.  Watch that guy 4 riders up to see what he’s doing.  By the time his actions and the other rider’s responses get to you, you will be ready.

Sugar.  Dangerous stuff!  The riding legs are about 2 hours each.  If you load up on sugar either at breakfast or the gas stops, you will get an insulin rush to bring your blood sugar down.  And you will get sleepy!  Drink plenty of water and eat more protein, which will metabolize slower keeping your blood sugar steadier.  Nuts, beef jerky- cheese- rather than candy and sweetrolls.   Personally I avoid coffee for the whole trip, it is de-hydrating and if you need to pee and it’s gonna be another hour in the saddle… you get my drift.  In short, the riding will be much safer and more enjoyable if you are alert and comfortable.

I have said before and will say again- it will make you proud to see how good this formation looks by the time we have a few days of adjusting behind us.  By the time we get to Arlington we will be a world class gallery of motorcycle art!  You will especially notice this when you experience Rolling Thunder.  Ugh- the worst examples ever of undiscipline!  Be really careful there!

Let’s get everyone home safe in 2012!

Also, I’m sure others have tips and pet peeves that we all should know about…

Edited by LaiKhe67tc - Apr-10-2012 at 3:28pm