RUN PLANNING GUIDELINES
Overview
The ride planning guideline is to assist the ride planner in determining ride type and classification, routing and logistical
support needed. It is intended to be a guide only and not something that is written in stone. The number one priority is
that safety of the riders be observed and taken into account. Ride classifications will be divided in four categories and will
be detailed later in this document.
Ride Type
What type of ride will this be?
Type Description
1 Ride that begins and ends on the same day at the same beginning and ending point.
2 Ride that begins at point “A” and concludes at point “B” with a possible overnight stay.
3 Ride that spans multiple days before concluding back at the rally point.
Ride Classification
Knowing the type and classification of ride will aid not only the planner in figuring out logistics it will aid the participants in
planning for their personal needs during the ride.
Class Distance Description
Short 60 miles or under No planned stops. Local runs or rides. Stops as needed.
Fair 61 to 75 miles There may be at least one planned stop before the return leg if needed.
Medium 76 to 100 miles There will be at least one planned stop before return leg.
Long 101 miles and over There will be a minimum of one planned stop for every 130 miles traveled. Hotel
accommodations along with food availability will be planned out as well.
Planning the Ride
When you plan the ride it must be mapped out with a time line. Consideration must be made with the riding levels of all
participants taken into account. The formation can only move as fast as the slowest member. The formation can only go
as far as the gas supply of smallest tank or poorest gas mileage bike will allow. Above all, frequent stops for food, fuel
and rest will do nothing but aid in the safety of the group.
When planning the ride you will use the Ride Plan document to be the marching orders. It will detail who, what, where,
why and how. The ride plan is to be complete with maps and directions, once you have the ride plan completed you will
forward the ride plan to the Activities Officer and Run Captain for presentation to the membership and finalization.
Considerations
Your ride plan can not be written in stone because considerations have to be taken into account. You may have a ride that
is scheduled for only one stop. More maybe needed to account for weather and temperature. If it is to hot or too cold you
will need to make more comfort stops for hydration and or warming of the body.
If you are planning the ride think carefully of the route and availability of gas along that route. If you are fortunate enough to
have a newer bike with the 6 gallon gas tank that gets 50 miles per gallon you have to plan the fuel stops for the bike that
only has a 3 gallon gas tank and only get 30 miles per gallon. If your route takes you through an area were there isn’t
ready availability of gas every 100 miles or so then you will need to make provisions to assure all motorcycles can cover
the distance and be prepared to vary the route.
If your ride is to a destination for an event that starts at 10:00 and it is two hours away do not make your Kick Stand Up
(KSU) time 08:00. Build in some extra travel time, believe me you may need it.
The ride planning guideline is to assist the ride planner in determining ride type and classification, routing and logistical
support needed. It is intended to be a guide only and not something that is written in stone. The number one priority is
that safety of the riders be observed and taken into account. Ride classifications will be divided in four categories and will
be detailed later in this document.
Ride Type
What type of ride will this be?
Type Description
1 Ride that begins and ends on the same day at the same beginning and ending point.
2 Ride that begins at point “A” and concludes at point “B” with a possible overnight stay.
3 Ride that spans multiple days before concluding back at the rally point.
Ride Classification
Knowing the type and classification of ride will aid not only the planner in figuring out logistics it will aid the participants in
planning for their personal needs during the ride.
Class Distance Description
Short 60 miles or under No planned stops. Local runs or rides. Stops as needed.
Fair 61 to 75 miles There may be at least one planned stop before the return leg if needed.
Medium 76 to 100 miles There will be at least one planned stop before return leg.
Long 101 miles and over There will be a minimum of one planned stop for every 130 miles traveled. Hotel
accommodations along with food availability will be planned out as well.
Planning the Ride
When you plan the ride it must be mapped out with a time line. Consideration must be made with the riding levels of all
participants taken into account. The formation can only move as fast as the slowest member. The formation can only go
as far as the gas supply of smallest tank or poorest gas mileage bike will allow. Above all, frequent stops for food, fuel
and rest will do nothing but aid in the safety of the group.
When planning the ride you will use the Ride Plan document to be the marching orders. It will detail who, what, where,
why and how. The ride plan is to be complete with maps and directions, once you have the ride plan completed you will
forward the ride plan to the Activities Officer and Run Captain for presentation to the membership and finalization.
Considerations
Your ride plan can not be written in stone because considerations have to be taken into account. You may have a ride that
is scheduled for only one stop. More maybe needed to account for weather and temperature. If it is to hot or too cold you
will need to make more comfort stops for hydration and or warming of the body.
If you are planning the ride think carefully of the route and availability of gas along that route. If you are fortunate enough to
have a newer bike with the 6 gallon gas tank that gets 50 miles per gallon you have to plan the fuel stops for the bike that
only has a 3 gallon gas tank and only get 30 miles per gallon. If your route takes you through an area were there isn’t
ready availability of gas every 100 miles or so then you will need to make provisions to assure all motorcycles can cover
the distance and be prepared to vary the route.
If your ride is to a destination for an event that starts at 10:00 and it is two hours away do not make your Kick Stand Up
(KSU) time 08:00. Build in some extra travel time, believe me you may need it.
| Compliments of Buford, Ga Post 127 |