Although most of this article is from the point of view of the Road Captain, riders should also find the information helpful. This is just the beginning. There are many things this article doesn't cover. My goal is to update this from time to time with additional information.

The duties of a Road Captain can be both challenging and rewarding. There's a lot more to planning, organizing, and executing rides than many riders realize. The following are my thoughts on what the responsibilities and qualifications of a Road Captain are, and methods used to help ensure everyone's safety and to provide an enjoyable ride. The primary responsibility of all Road Captains is to provide for the safety and welfare of all individuals within the group and any surrounding motorists or pedestrians.

There are several types of Road Captains and people use different terms to describe them. At the front of the pack are two Lead Road Captains. No rider should ever ride in front of the Lead Road Captains. At the back of the pack are two Tail Gunners, also called Sweep. No rider should ever ride behind the Sweep. Additional Road Captains, sometimes called Assistant Road Captains and/or Road Guards, may be placed in various positions in the pack.

It is important for all captains and riders to know who is in charge. Once the ride starts, these people are the ones in charge:

1. Senior Lead Road Captain
2. Lead Road Captain
3. Senior Sweep
4. Sweep
5. Remaining Road Captains

All Road Captains share certain duties and responsibilities.

1. Every Road Captain should know and have ridden the route before the day of the event. If you don't know the route and road conditions, you are not a Road Captain.
2. Use correct hand and blinker signals when appropriate.
3. Prevent unsafe gaps in the formation.
4. Instruct any rider to ride in a specific position within the group, or leave the group entirely, for reasons of misconduct, disorderly or unsafe riding, or faulty/unsafe equipment. Common sense and tact should be used.

The Lead Road Captains duties also include:

1. Maintain a Safe Speed for Conditions and Rider's Capabilities.
2. Signal Riders of Intended Lane Changes, Stops, Road Conditions and Formation Changes.
3. Place blockers at intersections where appropriate.
4. Maintain Control and Integrity of the Group.
5. Make allowances for Road Construction and Hazards
6. Brief Riders before the Start of the Ride.

Sweep duties include:

1. Assisting the Lead Road Captain in the performance of his or her duties.
2. May be required to assume the duties of Lead Road Captain in his or her absence.
3. Safely clear blockers from intersections.
4. Take charge in emergency mechanical and/or medical situations

Riders also have responsibilities. Riders should:

1. Show up with a full tank of gas.
2. Alert a Road Captain to any special medical, physical, and/or equipment conditions.
3. Alert a Road Captain of any medical or other training which could be of use in an emergency situation.
4. Listen carefully and follow all Road Captains instructions.
5. Use proper hand signals.
6. Show up with a full tank of gas ... really.

Hand signals are very important to the safety of a pack. It is the responsibility of all riders to provide hand and blinker signals. All hand signals but one are done with the left hand. Hand signals are initiated by the Lead Road Captains and passed back by the riders through the pack. It is the responsibility of Road Captains within the pack to ensure hand signals continue to the rear.

1. Left Turn: Raise your left arm horizontal and fully extended (point left).
   
   
   
2. Right Turn: Raise your left arm with your elbow bent 90 degrees (raised hand).
   
   
   
3. Slow Down: Extend your left arm down at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.
   
   
   
4. Stop: Extend your left arm down at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
   
   
   
5. Single File: Raise your left hand over your head with your index finger extended (point up).
   
   
   
6. Return to Staggered: Raise your left hand over your head with your index and middle fingers extended (two fingers up).
   
   
   
7. Hazard Left: Extend your left arm down at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.
   
   
   
8. Hazard Right: Extend your right arm down at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.
   
   

Emergency situations generally fall under the responsibility of the Lead Sweep. Riders and other Road Captains have additional responsibilities as well. Bikers tend to have big hearts and want to help out in emergency situations. Unfortunately, this has the opposite effect when riding in a pack. Imagine a pack of 100 bikes going down the road and a bike in the middle has a problem. If everyone pulls over, access to the scene will be blocked. In a medical emergency, this could cost a rider his or her life. Other than medical personnel, no more than two bikes should pull over. If the emergency is mechanical and the bike and rider are in plain site, even these two are not necessary. If you have medical training and would like to assist in an accident, please feel free to pull over and lend a hand. When the Sweep approaches the scene, they will have several new responsibilities.

1. Call 911, if needed.
2. Ensure emergency vehicles will have access to the scene.
3. One Sweep should escort riders away from the scene and to the next stop, if needed.
4. Provide and/or assist with basic emergency medical care of any injured riders.
5. Turn the scene over to emergency personnel on their arrival.
6. Stay out of the way of the professionals.
7. Assist with the disposition of bikes, if needed.
8. Escort any remaining riders to the next stop.

I hope this information is found to be useful. This is just the beginning. There are many things this article doesn't cover. I would like to take your comments and suggestions and add them to this article. Please, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , if you have any ideas.