What About Road Guards?

Less than 10 riders – Probably not needed

10 to 20 – Could use one or two

20 to 30 – Yes, definitely probably two or four

30 to 50 – If experienced riders – two or four, if a new group – six or eight

50 to 99 – Eight to twelve with a Road Guard Captain

Over 100 – Think about splitting into groups of 50 to 60

Where do you get these riders?

They should be experienced riders from within W&FMC who are riding solo and are going to be on the whole trip whether it is a day ride or 30 days

It is of great help when riders watch good road guards doing their jobs, it helps give them the courage to try their hand at doing the job, too

With a group of Road Guards there are some jobs easier than others such as holding traffic while the group turns into a gas station or stop verses holding an intersection with two lanes in each direction and left turn pockets

New Road Guards should start with the easier jobs

Some riders, after observation of their riding skills, may be approached to ‘volunteer’ to Road Guard and while they may not have had confidence to step up, they will trust your judgment and probably agree to help

Road Guards exist to help the group travel TOGETHER SAFELY, rather than have the group spread all over or caught at different lights/stop signs because of traffic patterns, it is easier to move them TOGETHER. It also means drivers will not be distracted by a few riders and miss the others until they become a hood ornament

Most people don’t mind giving up a few seconds of their day to watch the riders go by, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER you are asking for cooperation not demanding it. A smile, salute and mouthing "Thank You" goes a long way towards gaining the publics cooperation

The Road Guards generally ride side by side in a column directly behind the Road Captain on the left and the Navigator on the right at the front

When the Road Guard(s) need to be deployed the Road Captain will signal or a prearranged place will be reached and the Road Guard(s) should pull out smartly, ride ahead, secure the route and wait until the last of the riders/group has passed

Common signals used include one finger for one Road Guard to ride forward and secure the route. For example exiting an Interstate and turning right at the top of the ramp, one guard can hold traffic in the lane the group is turning into, the group can slow up, roll through the stop sign/light and proceed

For two Road Guards two fingers can be used. If the whole guard is to move, then the Road Captain can use the whole hand

Some places obviously need to be blocked, while others do not because they have to yield anyway. Cross traffic that does not stop, signal/sign controlled intersections, turning left in front of traffic, entering or exiting driveway to gas stations, restaurants (where there may be a lot of traffic), etc. are all examples of places that need control. If the group is on a through street without signals/signs to stop them, but signs for cross streets, then you need not control those intersections

Road Guards will help direct the group. An advance guard may be sent out to check the area of stop for construction, traffic congestion, best flow in and out of stop area and is it the right stop area (yes, sometimes the wrong exit number/name is on the directions). The group MUST watch the signals of the Road Guard – remember TOGETHER SAFELY!

Road Guards should not ride on the shoulder to the right of the group unless absolutely necessary. There is a lot debris, grit, bad road surface, etc.

If the group is on a two lane road (one lane each way) and the Road Guard(s) must get back up front make sure the group knows to give them room and a safety spot to slid into if needed. The Road Guard(s) should pass with care and everyone’s safety in mind

To keep the group from cutting off semi-truck while passing them, a Road Guard may be stationed in front of the truck to help the driver maintain speed. Rider should NOT pull in until after passing the Road Guard

When changing lanes on Interstates (especially in cities) the Road Guards may "capture" a lane to allow the group to move easily. There may be a need to move across several lanes (like to make a freeway change), so everyone must be ‘heads up’, give room, but stay TOGETHER SAFELY

Anywhere traffic moves regularly it will move debris, grit, etc. out of the normal traffic lane, therefore it is right where the Road Guard(s) may have to stop. Therefore, the Road Guard(s) must be ‘heads up’ about this and SLOW DOWN before entering the ‘debris field’ (this is especially true where the roadway splits at the "V" of Interstate interchanges). Many Road Guards have gone down or dropped the bike in this sand, rock and debris

If you have gone ahead to ‘capture’ a portion of the route, do you get off or stay on the bike? It depends. If you are a distance ahead and the group is large – yes – stop your bike, put the kickstand down, get off and FACE the direction that the conflicting traffic (not the group) is coming from. If however, the group is small and right behind you – no – stop, put your kickstand down (might save your bike if you have to bail out of the way), hold up your hands and again FACE the oncoming traffic

As a Road Guard you will be surprised how hard it is to get out in front of a group and how quickly they will be on top of you. Give yourself plenty of time.

If you are holding a lane and the group turns the other way (mistake, lack of communication, etc.), shrug, wave at any drivers waiting, smile and get on your bike and get out of there

If the group is going for a ride and you all regularly ride together, then a few minutes before you leave have a Road Guards meeting to make sure everyone is on the right page.

If the group is a mixed group of riders from all over and new to each other, then the Road Guards, Road Captain, Navigator, Coordinator and other interested parties should meet no less than ONE DAY before the ride. Discuss duties, goals, flow of information, type of riding, etc. and get to know each other. Take a ride and watch each other. IF a rider cannot be at the first meeting, the rider may not ride as a Road Guard on the first day.

Each morning there should be a Road Guards meeting before the morning riders meeting. Any changes to the days schedule should be discussed

Each evening there should be a meeting of the Road Guards, Road Captain, Navigator, Coordinator, local coordinators and contacts and interested parties to discuss the day’s events and plan for the next day and changes

Anyone who has the group’s safety in their hand shall not use alcohol, drugs or anything that would impair their ability to ride safely while riding each day (evenings are on your own, but show up with a hang over and you ride with the group that day!)

The riders selected to be Road Guard(s) should be responsible, alert, good natured, comfortable with a group, able to talk to others easily, experienced riders and if possible, completed a Motorcycle Riders’ Safety Course

If the group is large, consideration should be given to have some kind of distinctive armband, headgear, etc. that helps other riders see them

When a Road Guard stops to control other vehicles they must make sure they will be out of the path of the group. Remember people start cutting a turn tighter and tighter – allow some room

If stopped by local authorities, be courteous and NOT argumentative. A Road Guard only ASKS for cooperation and does not demand it like law enforcement can. It is their ‘turf’ and they may not appreciate you ‘breaking the law’ without their knowledge or permission

Contact authorities whose jurisdiction you will be traveling through to let them know who you are, why you are riding, what you plan on doing and when you will do it. I had one Arizona Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) Sergeant in my face because we controlled intersections as we exited the Interstate for a gas stop. After he vented, I asked if he had the authority to control the intersections, he answered he did, but not us, so I asked if he and his officers would hold the intersections for us and they did

In my over 15 trips across the US with large groups, I’ve only had one Road Guard receive a ticket. It was in Kentucky and he had passed an unmarked Highway Patrol car at 80-mph. on the right shoulder of the road trying to get ahead. Friends handled ticket at the State Level, but avoid the ticket

Often as a Road Guard approaches the area to control the rider pays more attention to the traffic than to where to stop and what is under foot – watch where you stop and put your FEET down. Once your feet start to slide, it’s very hard to stop the bike from going down, but if it does DO NOT try to stop it after a certain point – you can really hurt yourself. Others will come quickly and help you pick up your bike and IF you are all right the only damage will be to your ego. Don’t sweat it – we have all dropped our bikes or gone down – it’s part of riding

There is a difference between Road Guards and Escorts. Many times someone will meet you to take you to a specific place or route, but they may not provide control of traffic. Make sure you know what is happening

The Road Captain, Road Guard Captain and Coordinator should meet with any escorts to make sure everyone is on the same page. Who will lead, who will control intersections, what speed the group will travel at, what route will be taken and what the destination is are just a few things to consider. On one stop because the word did not get out that the City was paying for all the gas, many riders paid for their own gas. Gotta communicate

WHENEVER the group is in a parade, going slower than the normal traffic flow and/or maneuvering as a group, FLASHERS SHALL BE ON! It helps the public identify the group as being together and includes chase vehicles and other cagers. Watch the flashers in front of you and turn them on and off, as a group and even if the idiot in front of you forgets, do not forget YOURS

The Road Guards should use thier flashers whenever they leave the group and are doing traffic control

Terry (Skipper) Porter

W&FMC National Road Captain