Overview
Leading a group ride is one of the most rewarding experiences in being part of the Mornington Wanderers.
It’s a chance to share the joy of riding, explore great roads, and contribute to the safety and enjoyment of our members. While it can feel intimidating at first, it doesn’t need to be, it is great fun.
Our Ride Co-ordinator, Ride Leades and Committee are here to help with suggestions and tips – just ask the Ride Co-ordinator or one of our experienced Ride Leaders for assistance.
A ride does not have to be ‘Unique’ every time, we just like riding, having fun and being with friends.
This overview is designed to help you prepare, plan, and understand the responsibilities that come with leading a group ride.
When you wish to lead a ride and have your details ready, email ridecoordinator@morningtonwanderers.orgwith the details and optimal date you would like to conduct the ride (providing optional dates is also a good idea).
The Ride coordinator will schedule in our website events calendar, if it does not fit on the dates you have asked for you will be contacted for alternative dates.
Please read this entire document.
“More Ride Leaders = More Rides = More Fun!”
Key summary points
- Group riding dynamics is very different from riding solo
- Rider safety is paramount
- Plan your ride – departure point, breaks, end destination, ride length
- Be prepared for unforeseen circumstances – breakdowns, emergencies
- Brief group before departure
- Remind group – when corner marking not leave post until TEC flashes lights
- Remind group – last rider Infront of TEC to regularly keep sight of TEC
- All riders to complete Ride Sheet before departure
- Photograph and send pic of ride sheet to Ride coordinator before departure
- TEC to carry ride sheet during ride
Understanding group riding dynamics
Riding in a group is very different from riding solo.
Even small changes in the number of riders can affect the feel and flow of a ride. For example, the dynamics of a four-rider group differ from a group of seven, and a fifteen-rider convoy behaves quite differently again.
A well-planned strategy allows for flexibility as group size changes.
To illustrate, at around 60 km/h in dry conditions, a group riding in a staggered formation on a straight road may occupy approximately:
- 4 riders: about 80+ metres
- 7 riders: about 130+ metres
- 15 riders: about 300+ metres
These are illustrative estimates only. Actual spacing should always be adjusted for rider experience, road type, speed, visibility, traffic, and weather.
It is not unusual for a group of 15 riders to spread over 1km of road.
These figures are estimated on dry conditions – in wet or unfavourable weather, the space between bikes should increase accordingly.
Do all riders ride at the same pace and skill level?
No, and that’s perfectly normal.
For example, often there is an assortment of bikes on a ride, each with inherently different handling characteristics. A sports bike handles very differently to a cruiser.
Some riders may be more experienced or confident, others may have more or less powerful bikes, or they might be adjusting to a new machine, these variables are just part of every ride.
The Ride Leader is not responsible for the capability of each rider.
Each rider will have chosen to come on the ride based on the description you provide in promoting the ride in the ride Calendar.
Planning the Ride
Good preparation makes for great rides.
When planning, consider the following key factors:
📍 Start and finish points – Choose logical, accessible meeting locations. (as per Branch recommended departure points)
⏰ Duration – Specify total time, including breaks.
🍔 Breaks – Plan stops for rest, refreshments, lunch, toilet breaks and enjoyment.
⛽️ Fuel stops – Base them on the smallest tank capacity in the group.
🚩 TEC (Tail End Charlie) – Confirm who will fill this role before departure.
👥 Regrouping stops – Often it’s not possible to pre-plan these, be mindful on the ride to regroup where you believe this is appropriate.
The spot you choose should be safe and able to accommodate the number of bikes on the ride.
Remember, a ride doesn’t have to be long.
For new Ride Leaders, shorter group rides (1–2 hours in the saddle) are ideal.
The quality and enjoyment of the experience matter more than the distance.
- 📍 Start & Finish. Every Mornington Wanderers ride must have a clear start point where all riders assemble before departure.
Include in your ride promotion:
- Date of the Ride
- Departure time / stands up – Riders must be fuelled and ready to go by this time.
- Departure location.
- Estimated round trip distance (km).
- Planned breaks when appropriate to ride (coffee, lunch, fuel, etc).
- Estimated finish time.
- Finish location – separation point.
- Duration ⏰
- Specify total estimated ride time (e.g. 4 hours including breaks).
- Define saddle time – the expected time on the bike (optional).
- Describe type of ride, kms e.g. lots of twisties etc.
- 📣 Communication.
Clear communication keeps a ride flowing smoothly and safely.
Before departure:
Conduct a short ride briefing covering the route, conditions, regroup points (if known) else just mention that you may regroup occasionally if you feel it is required.
Check if riders know the basic hand signals we use. (see other relevant documents on website)
Staggered formation when riding where possible – safest.
Explain what to do if someone needs to stop – the TEC will stop with the rider, and the group will continue.
⛑️ Define First Aider/s if available on ride.
During the ride:
Use hand signals and indicators to mark hazards, turns, or regrouping points.
Maintain a steady pace and avoid abrupt speed changes.
If helmet comms is used, keep chatter minimal and reserve them for navigation or safety messages.
Regularly check your mirrors.
- Unforeseen Emergency Situations
Even with the best planning, unexpected events can occur. Stay calm, act methodically, and prioritise safety.
If a rider goes down:
The TEC stops with the downed rider.
First aid should only be provided by those qualified to do so.
Protect the area by warning oncoming traffic if required.
If necessary, call 000 and provide precise details (location, number of injured, nearby landmarks).
If a rider breaks down:
TEC remains with the affected rider.
The leader should find a safe place to stop the rest of the group.
Decide whether to wait, send help, or continue – communicate the decision clearly.
Weather or route hazards:
If conditions deteriorate (rain, debris, roadworks), slow the pace or adjust the route.
Safety always takes priority over sticking to the original plan.
Be prepared to adapt the ride according to conditions, even if this means shortening the ride or even cancelling the ride – safety is the major consideration in these situations – we all want to get home safely.
- Interaction with Tail End Charlie (TEC)
The TEC is your co leader and key ally throughout the ride.
If it is your first Ride Lead, ask for an experienced TEC.
Confirm communication channels before departure.
The TEC ensures no rider is left behind and signals any issues to the leader.
During regroup points, TEC can check on riders at the back and share feedback with the Ride Leader, as we now have the TEC ride to the ride leader when the ride leader pulls the group over before continuing.
TEC will let the ride leader know if all is ok, then pull In front of the ride leader and TEC will rejoin at the end of the convoy again.
A brief post ride debrief between Leader and TEC helps improve future rides.
- Managing Pace and Group Dynamics
A ride’s rhythm and safety hinge on the pace set by the Ride Leader. While it’s important to ride within your comfort zone, it’s equally crucial to maintain a steady flow that suits the conditions, the group, and the road environment.
Riding too slowly can cause the group to concertina or bunch up; while riding too fast has the opposite effect – it stretches the group, creating massive gaps that make riders feel rushed or pressured to keep up. Both extremes compromise safety and group cohesion.
A good Ride Leader sets a consistent, predictable pace that sits comfortably within legal limits and allows everyone time to react and ride within their own abilities. Remember, not everyone corners or accelerates with the same confidence – smooth riding helps everyone behind you relax and enjoy the road.
You can think of the group ride like an elastic band. At times, it stretches – for example, when leaving towns, overtaking, or navigating corners. Then, as traffic clears or the road opens, it contracts again.
This natural “rubber band” effect is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean you need to slow down immediately; the group will generally reform in this natural rubber-band fashion.
The key is to maintain a rhythm that avoids extremes.
Don’t chase a rigid formation – instead, trust that well-spaced riders, consistent pacing, and regular regrouping stops will keep the group connected without forcing anyone to ride outside their comfort zone.
Remember each rider has their own riding style, breaking, accelerating, cornering etc and that is also part of the fun of riding in a group.The corner marking process allows riders to comfortably ride at their own pace ensuring we all end up at the destination.
A corner marker should not leave the marking spot until either the TEC waves them on (by flashing headlights) or communication via the ride leader that an incident has occurred and they should continue to the meeting spot for the main group.
Familiarise yourself with the corner marking tips on our website ‘The Art of Corner Marking’.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Pace should be steady and legal – not the fastest or slowest rider’s speed, but a comfortable middle ground.
- Avoid quick acceleration after towns; the group will naturally close the gap.
- Use periodic regroup points to bring riders back together for a check in with your TEC.
- Communicate regularly with your TEC during periodic regrouping stops – they’re your best gauge of how the elastic band is stretching behind you.
- Leading a group isn’t about maintaining perfect formation – it’s about creating flow allowing the ‘rubber-band’ to do its thing.
- When the pace, spacing, and communication all work in harmony, the ride feels effortless, and every rider finishes with a smile.
- Ride leader tasks
Before departure:
- Ensure all participating riders have completed the Mornington Wanderers Ride Sheet.
- Use smartphone take pic of ride sheet.
- Email the photo of the ride sheet to the Ride Coordinator.
- Check that Tail End Charlie has the actual ride sheet.
Ride Coordinator: ridecoordinator@morningtonwanderers.orgThe ride coordinator will then forward the details to our ride statistician.
The Ride Leader is not responsible for the condition of participating riders’ motorcycles.
It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they hold a current motorcycle licence and that their motorcycle is in roadworthy condition.
If the Ride Leader believes a motorcycle is not roadworthy and or poses a danger to the other participants on the ride, the Ride Leader may refuse them participation in the ride.Group briefing before departure
It’s a good idea to choose your Tail End Charley (TEC) before the day of the ride if possible.
This might allow you to do a pre-ride together or at least go through the route you plan to take, so you both know what to expect on the day.
You might also work out how you’ll communicate at stops, i.e.: signals to show when everyone is ready to go, or if there’s a problem, i.e. a breakdown.
Introduce yourself as the ride leader and point out your bike.
Confirm the ride destination, the approximate total distance, the route you plan to take and roughly how long the ride should take.
Mention where stops will be for fuel, lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
Mention anything else that may be of interest or concern to the riders, such as dirt or gravel roads, road works or bad roads, i.e.: potholes etc.
Introduce Tail End Charley (TEC) and point out his/her bike and vest.
Explain why we have Tail End Charley (TEC) and how it works.
Explain that someone near the back of the ride should keep an eye out for Tail End Charley (TEC).
Explain corner marking and how it works.
Stress strongly that the corner marker must not leave the corner until the Tail End Charley (TEC) arrives or;
Ride leader contacts the corner marker with other instructions.
Ensure everyone has filled in the Ride Sheet and is fuelled up ready to go.
Tail End Charley (TEC) holds the ride sheet, but it’s a good idea to take a photo of the sheet/s with your phone if you can in case Tail End Charley (TEC) becomes separated.
Stress that everyone should ride within their abilities, and at their own pace.
Riders don’t need to keep up (or catch up if they fall behind).
Rider safety is most important, and Tail End Charley (TEC) is there for us.
Be sure to ask if there are any questions.
Final Notes
Being a Ride Leader is about more than navigation; it’s about leadership, awareness, and teamwork.
The goal is always the same – a safe, enjoyable, and well-paced experience for all riders.
With preparation and communication, every leader can ensure the Mornington Wanderers’ reputation for safe and well organised rides continues.
Download and printer friendly version of this document is available in the members area ‘handy links’.