THE DROP OFF SYSTEM **PLEASE READ**

[Fuzzrr]

I have found this explanation of the system we intend to use for riders who want to ride within the group, or for riders that do not know the exact route. Please read it.... I have also added some notes of my own at the end for the marshals to read. Would all riders please read these aswell, as it may concern them at some points on the ride.

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The Drop Off System
The whole idea behind the system of riding called the drop off system, is to provide a series of movable markers for all the riders in the group to follow, irrespective of any gaps which have occurred in the ride, so that riders don't have to "keep up" with the rider in front.

It acknowledges the fact that the ride can get strung out over a long distance, due to a variety of reasons - e.g. Road works, traffic lights, give way junctions, roundabouts etc. Also, not all riders will have access to a map, and might be on unfamiliar roads.

It allows the riders to ride at their own pace without worrying about keeping up, getting lost, or which way to go.

How it works.
The Drop off system will be explained to all riders in a briefing at the start of the ride, where riders should get to know their colleagues. The group will have a designated 'Ride Leader' and a 'Back Marker'. The positions of these two riders will not change throughout the run. They will be introduced to all the riders in that group and be easily identified by a day-glow jacket or other identifier if possible.

Riders in the group may alter their own relative positions
As they see fit whilst out on the road providing they always remain between "The Ride Leader" and "Back Marker".

When the Ride Leader makes a direction change at a junction or roundabout the new direction of travel should be marked by the rider directly behind the ride leader, (The Marker). To do this, the Marker should pull in at the side of the road, in a safe place where he/she will be visible to the rest of the riders, so the direction can be indicated to the following riders.

It is most important that the marker stops in a position where :-
It is safe to do so.
They do not put themselves at any risk.
The rest of the ride can see them clearly as they approach the direction change.
The Marker
Should maintain that position until he/she can rejoin the rear of the section in front of the approaching Back Marker. The Back Marker will always try to give sufficient space for this to happen otherwise the Marker should allow the Back Marker to pass, then overtake when a suitable opportunity presents it self, thus re-establishing the correct running order.

It could happen that number two rider forgets to mark a direction change - in which case the next rider (Number three) should take it upon himself to drop off and mark the direction change to prevent the chain from breaking.

Do Note
It is always better to mark all direction changes rather than assume that the route is so obvious it is not worth doing.

Remember
As number two rider, you might think the ride direction is apparent - but you don't know when the riders behind might get split up, and one of them might not be familiar with the junction in question.

Please
Any riders wishing to fall out from the group or who have a breakdown should report, en route, to the Back Marker who will note the situation and act accordingly.

If it is impossible to mark a direction change because of the danger to the Marker or other road users it is better that the direction change goes unmarked. Sometimes the Marker can park up safely a short distance away and return to the direction change on foot to direct followers.

The Drop Off System allows for the riders to go at his own pace and still remain part of the riding group. Speed limits should be observed at all times.

However, in this imperfect world, the group may sometimes become very 'strung out', causing anxiety to some riders, and the Leader may then decide to stop, in a safe place, to allow the group to re-form before continuing.

 

EXTRA NOTES FOR RUN LEADER AND BACK MARKER.
The Run Leader
At the start of the run, the leader should explain the System to his group and ensure that they can recognise each other on the road, stressing the danger of a rider inadvertently joining another group, or even a totally separate set of riders going the same way.

He should not make a DIRECTION CHANGE unless he has at least two riders in view behind.

He should ensure that the 'no.2' rider stops at a direction change, pointing out if necessary the best place for him to pull in, bearing in mind visibility and road safety, having noted such places in his preparations.

If it is not possible to mark a direction change because of danger to the Marker or to other road users, it is better that the direction change goes unmarked. Sometimes the Marker can park up safely a short distance away and return to the direction change on foot to direct the following riders.

If the Leader has previous knowledge of such a problem, it should be mentioned at the pre-start briefing, and the possibility of a 'follow-the-leader' treatment of that direction change.

On a long run, it can happen that the group becomes very 'strung out', causing anxiety to some. The Leader may then decide to stop in a safe place to allow the group to re-form.

Back Marker
The Back Marker should familiarise himself with the route beforehand.

He must be especially aware of any following traffic when pausing for the Marker to rejoin in front of him and be prepared to carry on past the Marker if conditions demand, slowing for the Marker to overtake him in due course.

Experience with this system has shown that the Back Marker needs to leave a large gap in front to allow the Marker to rejoin easily and safely.

He should also be on the lookout for any rider dropping out and act accordingly, either waiting with the stationary rider if the problem is temporary, or making note of the stationary riders details, and reporting this to the Run Leader if the rider is leaving the run permanently.

You are in charge of your motorcycle at all times and responsible for your own safety.

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Some Other Points :-

There will be marshals on the ride with bibs on to identify them. These marshals will run throughout the group, with hopefully one marshal behind the 'lead man' at all times, ready to drop off.

If you find yourself in the position where you are behind the lead man, with no marshal in front of you, please try and observe the 'lead mans' signal at a junction or roundabout. If he signals for you to stop, then please do so safely as stated in the explanation above. Wait at the side of the road until a marshal gets to you, who will then stop and let you carry on your way.

If you are riding and you observe a marshal coming up behind you, then please give him room. He will be trying to get a position near the front to either stop at the request of the 'lead man', or to make sure a ride participant can carry on their way after stopping.

As I have said before. If you do not need the help of the marshals, and want to go at your pace, then you are welcome to do so. If you are in this catagory, then you will probably know where to stop and meet up with the rest of us on route. If you are happy and competant enough to do this, then perhaps you would like to go ahead and get some photos of the group coming through for the website.

INEXPERIENCED / SLOWER RIDERS - The whole point of the drop off system is to cater for riders of varying skill levels and experience. Under no circumstances should you feel the need that you 'have to keep up'. There will always be someone showing the way to go, and the 'tail end charlie' will always be behind you. Just enjoy the ride, ride at your own pace and relax. This is not a race, and there is no need to feel pressured into proving anything. If everyone adheres to the drop off system then is no reason why anyone should be getting lost or left behind.

OTHER ROAD USERS- Please bear in mind that disruption to other road users MUST be kept to a minimum. Under no circumstances should traffic be stopped to allow riders out of a junction, or onto roundabouts. The drop off system will allow the group to progress using normal use of the highway code.

DEPARTURE TIME & STOPS- When we arrive at Abergavenny the hour break will start when the Rear Marker arrives. Please make a note of the time. Please do not start purchasing food or drinks when there is just 5 minutes of the stop left to go. Likewise up at the Burger Van, the 40 minute stop will start again, when the last man comes in. Obviously the place is going to be busy. But do not leave it until the last minute to get your yum yums in, as once the 40 minutes is up, the group will start to leave.
There is a big possibility if there are large numbers involved, not everyone is going to have the time to get what they want. Im sorry, but that may be unavoidable. But we cannot stop for hours on end for the sake of a burger and a bottle of pop.

LEAVING THE GROUP / TAKING AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE - I understand that some people may not want to finish in Bridgend, or not do the full route and make off home before the end. If you are in the group and intend leaving before the end, could you slow down or stop until the Rear Marshal is in view, then make him aware of your departure. The last thing we want to happen is for someone to start heading home, and dragging 15 others with them. You would probably end up making coffee at your house all evening.

MARSHALS NOTE - I think it would be best if the marshals spread themselves through the pack. If there are a large group of riders, the marshal that has stopped could find himself there for quite some time. Perhaps it would be a better option if the marshals could stop when they see another marshal on stop to eleviate him of his duty at that time, and to carry on with the route. Perhaps this could happen at the discretion of the marshals, and whether the marshal on stop wants to stay there or to carry on. Proper visual signals and comunication between the marshals at these situations should be paramount.[

[Fuzzrr]

Bump.

[Cruiser Guy]

War and peace ffs .

[Fuzzrr]

War and peace ffs .

Sorry..... Was that too much for you to take in Rusty?? 

[lumberjack]

 if some of us want to leave abergaveny in front for a burst for terrys is that ok

[Fuzzrr]

Yes mate. Like I said, I cannot stop anyone from doing their own thing. We are adopting this system  so we can get the people who dont know the route, or want to ride in a group around the route.

If people want to head off, and meet somewhere else then thats fine. Alternatively, if people want to take a different route back to Bridgend, that is also fine.

It is not my place to say 'you have to ride with the group', in fact the more that are able to sort themselves out and make their own way, the better. It will make mine and the marshals jobs alot easier. 

[lumberjack]

   

[phil evans]

   I have read it from start to finish!  Where are the gags?


 

[Steve_Cardiff]

Nice 1 Fuzzr, very clear and concise 

I wish i'd have known about this system BEFORE the Elan run - but at least i'll know we ain't gonna lose anyone on our Spain tour next year 

I'll bring my vid camera and shoot ahead a few times 

[ph03nix]

Thanks for the info, makes much more sense to a novice pillion rider like myself 
First rideout for me..... sounds like fun, looking forward to it 

[phil evans]

  Ok everyone listen up.

I have rewritten this b....y boring document and I can assure you that it is now a lot more interesting  and funny as f....k 

[Fuzzrr]

Ok everyone listen up.

I have rewritten this b....y boring document and I can assure you that it is now a lot more interesting  and funny as f....k 

Well I didnt write it. Most of it was googled....... You know Phill, that search engine that has vast amounts of basic information, for when people want to know something simple......

If I had written it there would have been a few f*cks and tw@ts in there for sure!!

[phil evans]

Ok everyone listen up.

I have rewritten this b....y boring document and I can assure you that it is now a lot more interesting  and funny as f....k 

Well I didnt write it. Most of it was googled....... You know Phill, that search engine that has vast amounts of basic information, for when people want to know something simple......

If I had written it there would have been a few f*cks and tw@ts in there for sure!!

  I see ...... well whoever writes material for this Google chap should be f....k sacked 
   
By the way Fuzz  we know that its not your fault ...... you are just guilty by association 

[Fuzzrr]

Ok everyone listen up.

I have rewritten this b....y boring document and I can assure you that it is now a lot more interesting  and funny as f....k 

Well I didnt write it. Most of it was googled....... You know Phill, that search engine that has vast amounts of basic information, for when people want to know something simple......

If I had written it there would have been a few f*cks and tw@ts in there for sure!!

  I see ...... well whoever writes material for this Google chap should be f....k sacked 
   
By the way Fuzz  we know that its not your fault ...... you are just guilty by association 

Some of the stuff i have been asked............... I think I should just put it all in pictures. 

[dhustonedave]

Right i have 3 radio's for use on the run no wires on your bike digital waterproof with 20 hrs battery life .

All that is needed is a Autocom headset , STEVE CARDIFF has one and myself  we can talk to the front rider and rear rider so a lost rider is looking like a thing of the past 

if people stick to the system these wont be required