How to Pack Ride by Skipper
I've been contemplating your
question for a few days as the question has come up before, but never have
we addressed a formal answer so I'll give you what I believe to an answer.
Yes, for Wind & Fire Club rides there is a specific
formation, but for other rides the rules vary.
A Club ride is one sponsored or hosted by the club
be it a National or local club event.
The National President should always been invited to
ride in the front as he is the leader of our International Motorcycle Club
and his better half will ride with him or on her own ride. Next
should be the National Road Captain and his lady. Then any and all
International Board Members and their ladies. Next should be any National
Club Officers such as Merchandise Coordinator, Historian, East & West
Liaisons, etc. and their ladies or better halves. Following them should
be the local club officers and then all Wind & Fire members of the hosting
chapter and the other chapters WEARING their Club Colors, then all those
without club colors, but members and then all others.
Notice in the first sentence I said "invited" as
this is a courtesy extend to those that work for you, but it is not carved in
stone. The local coordinator and any honor guest maybe and should be the
ones to lead the local event ride.
Our club is unique in that normally a club does not
ride far from home and the club president would lead the club to where ever
they are going and back on their run. But our club has many chapters
that host rides and any or all national board members and/or officers may show
up (like the Ride To Remember in Colorado - many were there and they rode in
the front behind the event leader and a special guest). As a motorcycle
club which has recognized colors throughout the world it is important that we
follow protocol whenever possible as we are in the 'eye' of other clubs.
The respect us if we respect ourselves. We don't want our members hassled
by any other club and do 'the right thing' goes a long way to prevent that from
happening.
At other club rides which we support, you as their
responsible person if there is a place we should ride and then we ride as a
group within a group following their lead.
This is all subject to good sense and a desire to work
together in the motorcycle community.
The National Board Members and Officers don't have a 'right'
to displace any other member, but out of courtesy to their hard work on
our behalf and to recognize their contribution it is nice to acknowledge and
respect them, but no one will be offended as we are all fire fighters and
riding to support whatever cause a particular ride is organized for.
If a ride is an 'open' ride (i.e.: any motorcycle
rider can join in) then the organizer/coordinator establishes the riding order
if any.
Your club officers try to make as many runs as possible to
support any and all chapters to meet and greet the members and so you all can
meet them. JR seems to be all over the place, Eddy (the European
Director) has been across America many times, I've ridden over
250,000 miles on club rides and the founder, Jerry 'Evo Red' Eibert has
ridden over 350,000 and I might mention as the founder Jerry should always be
the guest of honor and invited to ride right up front (he'll probably decline,
but the offer should be tendered and any past presidents, board members and
national officers should be extended the same - again they'll probably decline
- they started the club so the brotherhood of Fire Fighters who also ride
Harleys and support charities could get together have fun and enjoy each other
not follow a bunch of rules).
Skipper
International Road Captain
Wind
& Fire MC International
