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NORTH TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD RIDER MEDAL OF HONOR MOTORCADE - 2011

IT IS THE POLICY OF THE NORTH TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS THAT WE DO NOT ROAD GUARD. 

Any rider who takes it upon him or herself to block traffic will be dismissed from the mission. The only exception will be at the specific request of a Certified Law Enforcement Officer.   This does not include requests from members of funeral escort Companies. 

RIDING IN FORMATION
Ø  Motorcycles will travel in two columns, in a staggered formation. 
Ø  Each motorcycle will be 2 seconds behind the motorcycle in front of them. The slower you go the closer you ride. Your spacing is set on the bike directly in front of you, not the bike to your 11 or 1 o’clock position.
Ø  Do NOT ride beside someone.  Stay in the staggered formation. This will allow room to avoid road hazards without changing into the escort’s lane.
Ø  Do not lane-cross in the formation. Changing from your side of a lane signals the rider behind you of a road hazard in the pathway. If the rider in front of you must leave the formation for any reason or moves forward to fill an open position. Move forward to fill in the hole. Do not start the procession with any vacant spots in the formation. 
Ø  Watch the vehicle in front of you.  The moment you take your eyes off that vehicle will be when they hit the brakes.  
Ø  Use of stock emergency flashers (hazard lights) is optional.  Any other auxiliary lights should be used as authorized in advance by the Ride Captain.  
Ø  All riders will use hand signals.
Ø  All hand signals will be passed back to those behind you. 
Ø  Be conscious of escort riders or police traveling at higher speeds in traffic lanes next to the procession.  They may use horns or sirens.
Ø  Lane changes will be done following the back tire of the bike in front of you. DO NOT take it upon yourself to move the formation. “Follow the bike in front of you.” 
Ø  If you cannot ride in the entire procession do NOT ride in the procession. 
Ø  If you must leave the procession, be certain that your exit lane is clear of police officers or escort riders. Use caution!!!
Ø  If you are late to a mission, do not ride in the procession until you review the mission briefing with the Ride Captain. 
Ø  Prior to arriving at the staging area, be sure you have adequate fuel.  
Ø  If you leave the procession for a detour, unscheduled fuel stop or any other reason, rejoin at the rear of the procession.  Do not try to re-enter your previous spot.
Ø  All cages will follow the motorcycles. 
Ø  All cages must travel with the flashers on and are not required to use hand signals 
Ø  Follow the person in front of you. 
Ø  If a vehicle tries to enter or cut into the procession, do not block them.  Let them through and offer them room to fit in.  They will likely move on as traffic allows.  Keeping good spacing in the formation will discourage but not prevent this; vehicles need to use freeway exits, etc.  

Use of obscene, rude or otherwise unfriendly gestures or creating a dangerous situation with a motorcycle or cage will result in the rider being dismissed from the mission.

The Ride Captain in charge of the mission has the authority to dismiss a rider from a mission or other activity.

If you have any questions ask the mission Ride Captain. 

YOU ARE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY

Let’s all make it our policy to be safe, stay safe and watch out for each other so that we can do what we came for, and that’s honor our service heroes and their families.

Mike “Gunner” Lambert 
Deputy State Captain 
North Texas Patriot Guard Riders
