Motorcyclists are social types. We tend to enjoy each other’s company, which translates into club events, gatherings, and group walks.

Group rides can be a lot of fun, but like anything else, there are good and bad ways to do them. When hiking in a group, doing certain things incorrectly can lead to disaster. The bigger the group, the more likely things will go wrong. A chain reaction motorcycle pile-up can ruin your day.

So far, very little information has been released on how to take a group tour in a safe and well-organized manner.

Ride Captains and Tail-Gunners – The Complete Guide to Group Motorcycle Riding by Mark Turkel is a great resource written by a rider who has been there, done this, and learned effective techniques to help ensure safe and successful group rides.

Turkel draws on thousands of miles of first-hand group riding experience, plus feedback and suggestions from many other experienced riders to create a unique and comprehensive guide.

Turkel is an avid biker with over 15 years of riding experience, a former security guard and racing captain in a club of over 400 bikers.

Turkel explains his motivation for writing the book: “It is important that everyone who goes on a group ride understands the safety rules of group riding and knows ‘why’ we are doing the things we do for a group ride. more fluid in which everyone can be safe and enjoy the day. “

At first glance, experienced bikers may say this is all common sense. The rules of the road apply whether it’s solo, two, three, or 200 – of course they do. However, Turkel uses common sense and the rules of the road in the context of a group ride, its dynamics, unique challenges, and safety strategies that only apply to a well-organized group ride.

For example, something as simple as changing lanes on a multi-lane freeway is pretty basic when you’re riding alone, or with one or two others. Turkel explains a safe strategy for lane change that makes sure the whole group can do it safely and stay together. It details the roles of the arena captain and the tail gunner, and how they can work together to keep the ride safe and on track.

In Ride Captains and Tail-gunners – The Complete Guide to Group Motorcycle Riding, Turkel provides advice on trip planning: individual pre-trip preparation for participants and their machines; group training; spacing and pace of bikes; hand signals to facilitate communication during the journey; manage various traffic situations; compensate for the different skill levels of riders; variations in the group on the return trip from the destination; how to keep the group together and come together when disturbances arise in the group; rest area and parking tag; manage bad weather; suggestions for dealing with emergencies; and much more.

Ride Captains and Tail-Gunners – The Complete Guide to Group Motorcycle Riding Fast facts

• Author: Mark Turkel
• Published in 2021: paperback; 67 pages 6.25 “x 9”; 38 color and black and white images and illustrations; self-published; ISBN: 978-0-578-30008-5

Ride Captains and Tail-Gunners – The Complete Guide to Group Motorcycle Riding Price: $ 15 (order directly)