Corner Marking

Corner marking is a system we use, it is is designed to ensure that all riders on a Mornington Wanderers organised group ride stay on the correct route, especially when navigating through complex intersections, corners or changes in direction.
To someone who is new to riding in a group it can seem strange, but be assured it isn’t complicated and you will get the hang of it quite quickly, it becomes second nature after a while.
Here’s a run through of how it works.

Key roles

Ride Leader:

The Ride Leader plans the route, sets a safe and comfortable pace, and leads the group. They also make sure the rider immediately behind them can see their signals.
No rider is allowed to pass the Ride Leader.

Tail End Charlie (TEC):

This rider stays at the end of the group to ensure no one gets lost and that all riders reach the destination.
Tail End Charlie (or sweeper) cannot pass any other rider and will always be the last rider during the group ride. TEC may be wearing a high-visibility vest to assist in identification.

The corner marking process

Indicating a corner:
When approaching a corner, junction or any change in direction, the Ride Leader will signal with their left arm a safe area to ‘mark the corner’ to the rider immediately behind them.

Positioning:
The rider immediately behind the ride leader will pull over at a safe distance before the turn and use their arm and bike indicators to show the direction to the riders following in the convoy.
IMPORTANT:  even though the ride leader has indicated an area they perceive is appropriate, it is always at the discretion of the rider marking the corner to determine a safe spot to pull over.
No rider should ever pull over unless they believe it is safe for themselves to do so!

Marking the exit:
After the corner, if there is any ambiguity or chance of directional confusion, the Ride Leader may again signal the rider immediately behind them to mark the exit of the corner or junction.
This rider should pull over just around the corner, preferably within view of the first corner marker.

Roundabouts:
At roundabouts, the Ride Leader will signal the rider behind them to mark the direction of travel either at the entry to the roundabout or on the opposite side of the roundabout.

Safety considerations

Parking and pulling over:
Note; a rider must never place themselves or others at risk.
Corner markers should park as far to the left as safely possible or on the curb side, traffic island, or median strip to avoid being hit by other vehicles and such that they can be seen by the group following.
Always be mindful of the conditions, ensuring the surface underfoot is stable and safe to stop on. The corner marker should remain seated on their motorcycle until TEC indicates that all is OK for the corner marker to rejoin in front of TEC (normally by the TEC  flashing the headlights).

Visibility:
Ensure that the bike and signals are clearly visible to the following riders. Avoid obstructing the view for the following riders.

Discretion:
Avoid parking on the wrong side of the road.

Common issues

Distraction:
Corner markers must stay vigilant and not get distracted (eg, smoking or chatting) as this can slow the ride and confuse other riders.
Clear indication:
It is crucial to clearly indicate the direction to avoid uncertainty and potential accidents for the following riders.

Advantages

Smooth ride:
The corner marking system allows riders of all levels to travel at their own pace without getting lost. Faster riders tend to mark corners more often, while slower riders may do so less frequently. By following these steps and considerations, the corner marking system ensures that our group rides are organised, safer and equally enjoyable for all participants.

No need for maps:
Riders in the pack do not need to constantly look at a map or know the route, as the corner markers guide them.

You’ve got a bike — which means you’ve got the itch to ride!
And the ride is always better when it’s shared. So gear up, ride smart, and enjoy every twist and turn with mates by your side.

If you would like to propose a ride route, lead a ride, be Tail End Charlie (TEC) on a ride, or simply want further clarification on anything regarding our rides please reach out to our Ride Coordinator: ride.coordinator@morningtonwanderers.org