Hand Signals

START ENGINES

With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.

RIGHT TURN

Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.

HAZARD LEFT

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard. Some riders will point with their left leg.

HAZARD RIGHT A

Extend your right arm at a 45 degree downward angle to signal the hazard. Some riders will point with their right leg.

HAZARD RIGHT B

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet.

SPEED UP

Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.

SLOW DOWN

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.

STOP

Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.

SINGLE FILE

Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.

STAGGERED FORMATION

Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie fingers extended. This indicates that it is safe to return to a staggered formation.

TIGHTEN UP

Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.

Pointers

1. Before any ride, use the TClock checklist: Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, and Kickstand.

2. Always start each ride with a full tank of gas and an empty bladder.

3. Make sure you leave dressed in the proper riding attire, particularly a good pair of boots with thick soles, a DOT approved helmet if desired, long pants, etc.

4. All CP HOG rides use a staggered formation (see diagram below). The lead rider will be an experienced member of the CP HOG and will be positioned in the left third of the highway lane. The next rider will be one second behind the leader in the right third of the lane. The third rider will be directly behind the leader with a two second interval. There will be an experienced road captain at the end of the formation; we call this position the sweep rider.

5. You must learn various hand signals before riding in an organized ride to safely run in formation. Of course, always use your turn signals.

6. There will be some instances when the formation will be riding in single file, when an extra cushion is needed for maneuvering. These are when entering and exiting interstates or freeways, construction zones, winding roads, varied terrain, in poor visibility, and roads with bad surfaces, to mention a few.

7. If a bike should pull out of formation, for any reason, the riders should change position. Never pass any bike to fill a position.

8. Before going on the ride, try to familiarize yourself with the route and scheduled stops. Don't be afraid to mention known possible delays or detours that may affect the route.

9. When riding on a multilane highway, we will try to stay in the center lane to minimize dealing with traffic that is entering or exiting the highway.

10. It is important that you do not let long gaps develop between you and the rider in front of you. Also, if a vehicle needs to cross into your lane, please back it down slightly to allow them to move over.

11. When passing a slower vehicle, the group will pass one at a time. After a rider passes, they should return to the right position to open up room for the next rider.

12. Drinking and driving DO NOT MIX! In a group ride you not only endanger yourself, but the riders who are on the ride with you.