The Drop-Off System - used by Heart of England Section and others
Provided all riders follow ‘The Drop Off System’, club rides no matter what distance may be accomplished smoothly and will bring great satisfaction to all taking part and prevent anybody having to worry about being dropped by their fellow riders.
Introduction:
The idea of this group riding system is to provide a series of movable markers for all the riders in the group to follow, despite any gaps which might occur during the ride.
The Drop-Off System allows each rider to go at their own pace while still remaining part of the riding group without the need to feel, especially when riding an older or smaller machine, that they are being forced to keep up.
How the System Works:
The group will have a designated 'Lead Rider' and 'Tail End Charlie’ and the positions of these two riders will not change throughout the run. They will be agreed at the start of the ride and should always be easily identifiable. The group must always remain between these two people although the other riders will change positions as the ride progresses.
Change of Direction Markers
All riders other than the ‘Lead Rider’ and ‘Tail End Charlie’ will during the course of the ride take turns in marking any change in direction they do this as follows.
The ‘Lead Rider’ when making a change of direction will indicate to the rider immediately following a ‘Marker Position’ and that rider must stop in a safe position which can be seen by approaching riders and clearly indicate to them the direction they must take.
‘The Marker’ must stay in that position until they see the designated ‘Tail End Charlie’ and will then re-join the ride directly in front of them. If however for safety reasons it is not possible to let the Marker in, the ‘Tail End Charlie’ will pass and allow the Marker to pass them, re-establishing the correct running order as soon as it is safe to do so.
Even if there is a long delay between seeing other riders the ‘Marker’ must NEVER leave their position until the arrival of the ‘Tail End Charlie’.
Clearly once the ‘First Marker’ is designated the next rider in the group will automatically be behind the Leader where he will remain until the next change in direction takes place and he becomes ‘The Marker’ – this will continue throughout the ride thus allowing all riders other than the ‘Leader’ and ‘Tail End Charlie’ to move up and down the ride group.
The Leader must always have at least two riders visible behind at all times! Depending on length of ride/numbers involved they will, if necessary and when safe to do so, pull in to allow everyone to regroup. They can then receive any updates from ‘Tail End Charlie’ regarding possible drop outs or breakdowns that may have occurred during the ride.
The Group must always follow the direction of ‘The Leader’ and all riders must take up their position as ‘Marker’ when the leader indicates.
The Marker must always position themselves safely, clearly indicate directional changes and NEVER leave their position until the arrival of ‘Tail End Charlie’
Tail End Charlie must always 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 rider’s details and reporting this to the Run Leader when possible.
Note:
Change of direction must always be indicated by a ‘Marker’ who at roundabouts will normally only need to be positioned at the exit junction.
It is not necessary to have a marker at standard traffic lights and or cross roads as the direction of travel unless marked will always be straight ahead.
At all times riders must be courteous to other road users. They should always ride at their own pace and within the law.
Have a Great Ride
Thank you to Matt of ENCMCC for this clear and succinct guide.
Smaller group rides simply rely on all riders ensuring they can always see the rider behind and slowing / stopping if they cannot – this would then work up the line until the leader stops – the leader would then turn back on the route picking up the other riders en route until they discover the problem and ensures no individual rider is left stranded at the roadside.
Provided all riders follow ‘The Drop Off System’, club rides no matter what distance may be accomplished smoothly and will bring great satisfaction to all taking part and prevent anybody having to worry about being dropped by their fellow riders.
Introduction:
The idea of this group riding system is to provide a series of movable markers for all the riders in the group to follow, despite any gaps which might occur during the ride.
The Drop-Off System allows each rider to go at their own pace while still remaining part of the riding group without the need to feel, especially when riding an older or smaller machine, that they are being forced to keep up.
How the System Works:
The group will have a designated 'Lead Rider' and 'Tail End Charlie’ and the positions of these two riders will not change throughout the run. They will be agreed at the start of the ride and should always be easily identifiable. The group must always remain between these two people although the other riders will change positions as the ride progresses.
Change of Direction Markers
All riders other than the ‘Lead Rider’ and ‘Tail End Charlie’ will during the course of the ride take turns in marking any change in direction they do this as follows.
The ‘Lead Rider’ when making a change of direction will indicate to the rider immediately following a ‘Marker Position’ and that rider must stop in a safe position which can be seen by approaching riders and clearly indicate to them the direction they must take.
‘The Marker’ must stay in that position until they see the designated ‘Tail End Charlie’ and will then re-join the ride directly in front of them. If however for safety reasons it is not possible to let the Marker in, the ‘Tail End Charlie’ will pass and allow the Marker to pass them, re-establishing the correct running order as soon as it is safe to do so.
Even if there is a long delay between seeing other riders the ‘Marker’ must NEVER leave their position until the arrival of the ‘Tail End Charlie’.
Clearly once the ‘First Marker’ is designated the next rider in the group will automatically be behind the Leader where he will remain until the next change in direction takes place and he becomes ‘The Marker’ – this will continue throughout the ride thus allowing all riders other than the ‘Leader’ and ‘Tail End Charlie’ to move up and down the ride group.
The Leader must always have at least two riders visible behind at all times! Depending on length of ride/numbers involved they will, if necessary and when safe to do so, pull in to allow everyone to regroup. They can then receive any updates from ‘Tail End Charlie’ regarding possible drop outs or breakdowns that may have occurred during the ride.
The Group must always follow the direction of ‘The Leader’ and all riders must take up their position as ‘Marker’ when the leader indicates.
The Marker must always position themselves safely, clearly indicate directional changes and NEVER leave their position until the arrival of ‘Tail End Charlie’
Tail End Charlie must always 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 rider’s details and reporting this to the Run Leader when possible.
Note:
Change of direction must always be indicated by a ‘Marker’ who at roundabouts will normally only need to be positioned at the exit junction.
It is not necessary to have a marker at standard traffic lights and or cross roads as the direction of travel unless marked will always be straight ahead.
At all times riders must be courteous to other road users. They should always ride at their own pace and within the law.
Have a Great Ride
Thank you to Matt of ENCMCC for this clear and succinct guide.
Smaller group rides simply rely on all riders ensuring they can always see the rider behind and slowing / stopping if they cannot – this would then work up the line until the leader stops – the leader would then turn back on the route picking up the other riders en route until they discover the problem and ensures no individual rider is left stranded at the roadside.