Los Güeros has two basic rules we ask all members to follow:

  1. Ride safe, and
  2. Treat other members with respect.

Group Ride Orientation

When riding in a group, we ride in a staggered formation.  The lead motorcycle will ride in the left “tire track”.  The second motorcycle will ride in the right “tire track”, one second behind the lead bike.  The third bike will ride in left tire track, two seconds behind the lead, and one second behind the second bike.  Other bikes will alternate left and right tire tracks, and maintain one second and two second spacing from the next two bikes ahead.

Dealing with Topes (speed bumps)

It’s even more important to maintain the 1 & 2 second gaps with riders in front of you when the group needs to slow down for topes.  Larger bikes often will need to take a tope at an angle in order to not have the bike hit the tope.  If that happens and the bike behind comes up beside, the risk of the two bikes hitting goes up significantly.  Do not come up beside the motorcycle ahead of you.

Hand and Foot Signals

The lead bike will make hand and foot gestures to communicate with the group his intention.  That could be taking an exit, stopping, a road hazard,  or other.  See this page for a guide to different hand signals.

Why We Ride in Staggered Formation

Safety.  Keeping our spacing tight helps keep the group together and not have cars darting in and out of our formation.  Keeping two seconds from the rider in the same tire track as you provides you with enough time to be able to stop.  Keeping your left or right side clear with a one second gap from the next rider ahead of you allows you to be able to turn left or right in case of road hazards, etc.

Updated Club Ride Rules and Etiquette

  1. All rides are club rides open to members and invited guests (3 / year)
  2. If bringing a guest let the LRC (lead Ride Captain) know before starting.
  3. Ride skill level will be Posted (1-5) with ride emails .  ( 5 = easy riding)
  4. Club ride days;  will remain Saturday and Wednesday only.
  5. General Speed maximums:
    • 110 kph on Toll Highways
    • 100 kph on Major Free roads 
    • 90 kph on Narrower secondary roads with lower speed limits
  6. Twisty road rides, We will inform the group at the beginning of the Ride and ask that riders position themselves toward the back for a more conservative pace.  This can be done at a stop before the twisty section LRC will stop to allow a regrouping.
  7. Aggressive passing;  LRC will Avoid passing in towns or in heavy traffic
  8. Group Awareness;  All riders Must stay aware of the riders in front and behind and allow for them in your maneuvers.  I.E. Leave room for them while passing.
  9. New Hand signal;  Pull over and Stop will be a right Fist up and thrust to the right opening the hand   Pull over in single file to allow traffic to pass will be Left hand motion over the head pointing right.
  10. Signal to go;  Lead Road Captain (LRC) wait for the Sweep rider to signal All Ready to Go with wave to the lead Ride Captain.
  11. Single file; for bad Topes and when road condition is poor or if traffic behind the group needs to pass.
  12. Following distance; 1 second behind. Never occupy the track adjacent the rider in front of you while moving.
  13. Rest Stops; Gas station on right side of the road whenever possible.
  14. RCs will Maintain hand signal for single file while passing all the way past the vehicle to alert oncoming traffic.
  15. Three wheelers (Trikes)  will ride at the back of the group just in front of the Sweep to avoid any lane position confusion.

Note: The rules are intended for safety and ride enjoyment.

Riders that can not stay within the guidelines will be advised and if not corrected will be suspended from going on club rides for a two week period.  On a second occurrence on not riding within our club guidelines, the rider will be suspended for a four week period.  A third occurrence may result in the rider being banned from future club rides.