STN National Ride Rules?

[zer0netgain]

What are the rules for STN rides during the National Rally?

I ask because another group I'm with just finished a rally, and we ASSUMED everyone knew what rules we follow.  A couple got popped by a LEO (he let them off with a warning), but they were pissed because they thought we "hung them out to dry" when we were simply doing what we had always done.

It taught me the importance of covering the "rules" before a ride and never ASSUME that a new attendee will be okay with them.  Had we known there was an issue, we would have dealt with it before anything happened.

I don't know if this should be addressed online, but certainly the morning rider meeting should cover the policies the ride will adhere to so nobody is in the dark about what to do in the following situations.

1.  Encounters with LEOs

2.  Accidents (injuries or not).

3.  Mechanical breakdowns.

4.  People lagging behind in a given group.

5.  People wanting to change groups or end day and go back to the hotel early.

[Cablebandit]

People tend to break into smaller groups during the evening parking lot beer BS session to figure out where they are riding / who they are riding with the following day.  Just find a group with similar riding habits as you, or head out on your own.

[zer0netgain]

People tend to break into smaller groups during the evening parking lot beer BS session to figure out where they are riding / who they are riding with the following day.  Just find a group with similar riding habits as you, or head out on your own.

Ah, so rather than "organized" rides we subscribe to the "herding cats" method?  

[chornbe]

Sometimes, yeah. It tends to keep the groups smaller, and/or the larger groups tend to collect like-minded riders from what I've seen so far.

There's a lot of "X is leading a ride, and Y has ridden with X before, and I've ridden with Y, so that's the one I'll go on" grouping.

Plus, people like Ken and Garry and Doug announce very clearly what the ride is all about in terms of stopping for pictures, the pace and route, etc., and if you're^[1] honest with yourself^[1] as to your wants and pacing, then it usually works out well.















_{[1] - the general "you", not you in particular.}

[Mr.Black]

1. Don't talk about STN National ride rules.

/rules

[birdrunner]

A) Never try to "Keep up" with a group.     Ride your own pace.
B) Never pressure a rider to "Keep Up".   We were all noobs once.
C)  If you're seriously keeping back a group,  excuse yourself at one of the  re-group stops, and let them have their fun.  However, chances are you REALLY aren't slowing them down that much,  it just seems that way.   The fastest rider I rode with enjoyed the chance to stop every once in awhile to have a puff or two, most of the others rarely had time to pull a camera out before I was in view.
D)  Leaders stop and re-group at most intersections,  unless everyone was VERY clear on directions.
E)No Formation riding.
F) Give everyone the room to have fun,
G) Slow riders give faster riders a safe chance to pass.
H)  Most of the people I've rode with from STN use  "The Pace"
I) Beer is for AFTER the ride.

Accidents?  .... Don't
Cops?  ....  "I know nothing about all those other speeding bikes, officer."

STN rides are very informal.  Speedos are optional,  but only under proper riding gear.  (chaps don't count).

[mxvet57]

Rules, I need no stinkin rules

[R Doug]

I pretty much ride solo anymore.  I like catching up with folks in the evenings over beers and, as Leon said, telling lies.    

I agree with zer0netgain, the best thing to do is have a group meeting and lay out the ride's expectations.  As Chris mentioned, the ad hoc discussions the night before generally form the groups for the next day.  

Find your dancing partners and set a time to roll out then enjoy your day.