faz
07-01-2002, 12:11 PM
Here are some suggestions for anyone who is attending a group ride, or just a ride on his/her own. I know most of these are common sense and good practices that many of us already follow, but having a checklist that you can refer to doesn't hurt. It will also help newbies.
I am hoping that others will contribute to this post and hopefully some sticky post somewhere will include some of these suggestions.
- Proper gear is a must. Minimum recommendations: protective jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and of course a helmet with shiny CLEAN visor.
- Check weather conditions; if needed, carry additional gear that helps you stay warm and dry if conditions change.
- Have a printout of the map or description of the ride with you. Don't rely on others to have one.
- Check tire pressure on the morning of the ride before you start your bike (cold tires).
- Quick visual check on liquid levels: Brake fluids (front and rear), coolant, engine oil.
- Quick visual check on brake lights, headlight, signals.
- Gas up the night before, or leave earlier to have time to stop at the gas station BEFORE getting to the ride. Adjust tire pressure if needed at this time.
- Leave enough time to get to the ride on time. Rushing to get to a ride can be pretty tiring, and dangerous.
- Get a good night's rest and avoid drinking extensively the night before. Skip the ride altogether if you are not feeling a 100% that morning. Most rides take place on weekends, and any fun loving rider can still be influenced by the activities from the night before (hang over, sleepy, etc.)
- Carry an emergency tag (or a paper that you have written the info on) with you, that has as a minimum: your name and address, emergency contact info, allergic reactions to any medication, etc. Necklace tags are the best, but if you don't have one, write the info on a paper and have it in your pocket. I have a hand written piece of paper that I permanently have right behind my drivers license (in the clear cover section of my wallet.) Right before going for a ride, I simply pull that paper out and put it on top of my drivers license, (i.e. covering my drivers license with it.) That is the first place anyone will look at. (Tank and tail bags are usually ignored and mostly left behind in an accident.)
- Sunglasses (in absence of tinted helmet visors) are a must to carry in any ride. Depending on the direction of the ride and the time of the day, the sunlight can become your worst enemy! If you have a tinted visor, bring the clear one with you. You may end up having to ride back in the dark.
- Your bike's toolbox. Don't leave home without it. If you don't have one, order one from your dealer. A small tire repair kit is a good addition to any toolbox.
- if carrying a passenger, adjust your suspension preload. It is quick and easy to do. If you don't know how to do this, ask someone in the group to do it for you. (may be you shouldn't be carrying a passenger if you haven't done this before!)
I am hoping that others will contribute to this post and hopefully some sticky post somewhere will include some of these suggestions.
- Proper gear is a must. Minimum recommendations: protective jacket, pants, boots, gloves, and of course a helmet with shiny CLEAN visor.
- Check weather conditions; if needed, carry additional gear that helps you stay warm and dry if conditions change.
- Have a printout of the map or description of the ride with you. Don't rely on others to have one.
- Check tire pressure on the morning of the ride before you start your bike (cold tires).
- Quick visual check on liquid levels: Brake fluids (front and rear), coolant, engine oil.
- Quick visual check on brake lights, headlight, signals.
- Gas up the night before, or leave earlier to have time to stop at the gas station BEFORE getting to the ride. Adjust tire pressure if needed at this time.
- Leave enough time to get to the ride on time. Rushing to get to a ride can be pretty tiring, and dangerous.
- Get a good night's rest and avoid drinking extensively the night before. Skip the ride altogether if you are not feeling a 100% that morning. Most rides take place on weekends, and any fun loving rider can still be influenced by the activities from the night before (hang over, sleepy, etc.)
- Carry an emergency tag (or a paper that you have written the info on) with you, that has as a minimum: your name and address, emergency contact info, allergic reactions to any medication, etc. Necklace tags are the best, but if you don't have one, write the info on a paper and have it in your pocket. I have a hand written piece of paper that I permanently have right behind my drivers license (in the clear cover section of my wallet.) Right before going for a ride, I simply pull that paper out and put it on top of my drivers license, (i.e. covering my drivers license with it.) That is the first place anyone will look at. (Tank and tail bags are usually ignored and mostly left behind in an accident.)
- Sunglasses (in absence of tinted helmet visors) are a must to carry in any ride. Depending on the direction of the ride and the time of the day, the sunlight can become your worst enemy! If you have a tinted visor, bring the clear one with you. You may end up having to ride back in the dark.
- Your bike's toolbox. Don't leave home without it. If you don't have one, order one from your dealer. A small tire repair kit is a good addition to any toolbox.
- if carrying a passenger, adjust your suspension preload. It is quick and easy to do. If you don't know how to do this, ask someone in the group to do it for you. (may be you shouldn't be carrying a passenger if you haven't done this before!)