SAFETY
Ulysses Limestone Coast Branch Ride Safe Report Welcome to the first Ride Safe Report.
The following articles have been taken from various magazines and Internet sites that have written about riding a motorcycle safely. Most of it is common sense and lessons that have been learnt the hard way.
GROUP RIDING. Is not for everyone, it requires a certain level of skill and self discipline you need a good sense of what others in the group are likely to do -and what they expect you to do. It is also a matter of personality, in that group riding requires good communications, courtesy among riders and a willingness to look out for the safety of others while riding your own ride. The following guidelines for riding in a group are not gospel nor do Ulysses have any strict policy as such but they have been tested for many miles by experienced riders in many clubs.
1. Arrive on time with a full tank of fuel, and physically ready to ride (sober and alert).
2. Pack your tools, tyre repair outfit and first aid kit and know how to use them,mobile phone, RAA card and wet weather gear.
3.Make sure your bike is in good condition it is both unsafe and inconsiderate to show up for a ride with a dud bike.
4. Be aware that even in a group you are responsible for your own safety and ride within your limitations. A group ride is not a race.
5. Keep an eye on the rider in front of you but also look well ahead for any hazards.
6.Ride in single file and allow at least three seconds gap between you and the bike in front.
7.Watch your mirrors and give vehicles that want to pass plenty of space .You do NOT want to be run off the road by some clown having a road rage fit.
8. If you overtake or change lanes remember the rest of the group will need to do so as well so signal your intentions early and clearly.
9.If you wish to pull out of the ride and leave the group let the ' tail end ' rider know your intentions so your fellow riders do not have to stop, turn around and go searching for you.
10. Group riding can be good fun in addition to learning a good deal about the sport of motor cycle riding and the opportunity to socialize and to share valuable tips and techniques. So join in and ride safe.
Tim Snigg (Safety Officer) # 3200
A good rider By John Karmouche
A Good Rider accepts ownership of the responsibility for their safety.
A Good Rider doesn’t boast about “high speed exploits" and other “stunts”.
A Good Rider stays at least 20% inside the performance envelope of their motorcycle.
A Good Rider knows that they enter a corner at less speed than the limit of their tyres and maintain a constant speed until they can see a straight line out of that corner.
A Good Rider knows that water and oil have one thing in common – they are both lubricants.
A Good Rider applies the “Three Second Rule” without question by acknowledging that it takes one second to react and up to two seconds to stop, and that anything that is moving and is up to three seconds away is a threat that they must counter.
A Good Rider always maintains a three second braking distance in the dry and four seconds in the wet.
A Good Rider knows that the road surface becomes slippery and dangerous at the first hint of rain, and well before the road starts to look wet.
A Good Rider understands that rain brings oil to the surface of the road and consequently slows to make allowances for oil slicks on a wet road.
A Good Rider knows that car drivers have blind spots – and knows where those blind spots are, as well as how to stay out of those blind spots.
A Good Rider accepts that unless you can see the ‘whites of their eyes' – they haven’t seen you.
A Good Rider knows where their own blind spots are and frequently scans those areas. A Good Rider conducts head checks frequently.
A Good Rider never finds the need to apply their brakes inside a corner.
A Good Rider knows when to replace their brake pads and tyres, and understands that a properly serviced motorcycle will help keep them safe.
A Good Rider fears the consequences of making a mistake that will result in an accident and respects the environment in which they are required to ride.
A Good Rider doesn’t claim to be perfect and acknowledges that there is more to learn.
A Good Rider knows that the open road and a racetrack bear little resemblance to each other and acknowledges that, even though their motorcycle may have been bred on a racetrack, the open road is not the place to duplicate a racetrack environment.
Tim Snigg ( Safety Officer )
Hot weather riding.
Riding in hot weather presents its own challenges. However, rather than staying home and missing all the fun, with a little planning it is still possible to enjoy our favorite roads.
Dressing properly is very important. A T-shirt and shorts are not the answer. Exposed skin is not only dangerous in a crash, it’s a major source of dehydration and sunburn. Add to that the long-term danger of skin cancer and covering up becomes the clear choice.
Cover all exposed skin to reduce dehydration. A long-sleeve cotton shirt, cotton jeans, and gloves plus all the normal safety wear, are the clothing of choice.
Many riders use the old biker’s trick of soaking the body of a heavy cotton sweatshirt in water, leaving as much water in the shirt as possible. The sleeves are left dry from the elbows down, as well as from the waist down, to allow for moisture wicking down. The wet shirt becomes an evaporative cooler that leaves the rider in blissful comfort for at least an hour.
Apply plenty of sunscreen to the face and any exposed skin. Look for a product that is strongly water-resistant so it won’t run into the eyes from perspiration. Use at least SPF 30, and since sunscreen loses potency with age, make sure it’s fresh. Most people fail to put on enough sunscreen and do not reapply throughout their ride.
Start the ride well-hydrated, taking in at least one litre of liquid before departure. Contrary to logic, this will not necessitate extra pit stops. Take in at least 500 ml of liquid such as water or sports drinks every hour. If the temperature or heat index is very high, increase that intake, since fluid loss can top over two litres an hour. Riders who do not need to make a pit stop every couple of hours are dehydrating and should sharply increase their fluid intake
.Break the ride into segments with extended cool-off periods every couple of hours. These can be fuel stops, points of interest, or just spending 30 or 40 minutes in a shop/cafe, sipping a cold drink. Caffeine tends to increase dehydration, as does alcohol.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion (profuse sweating, dizziness, flushed face, weakness, muscle cramps) and heat stroke (no sweating, pale face, shallow respiration, collapse). Riders and co-riders should watch for them in themselves and in others. At the first signs, seek a cool place and cool the victim down as quickly as possible. In heat stroke, seek emergency medical help.
With a little preparation and common sense, beating the heat is a lot more fun than staying home.
Tim Snigg ( Safety Officer )
Sleepy zzzz!
It's our two archenemies, fatigue and drowsiness, talking to us again in their usual monotones. They are indeed powerful, but they can be beaten with a little knowledge and planning. Let's practice the old adage--know your enemy.
What are fatigue and drowsiness?
Fatigue is a weakness or weariness resulting from physical exertion or prolonged stress. It can be both physical and mental.
Drowsiness is a state of lowered consciousness, reduced alertness, and dulled perception. Knowing what they are is only the first part.
We also need to know what causes them and how to fight them.
They usually occur in prolonged riding because of monotony, tight schedules, heavy traffic, or bad weather. After two to three hours of continuous riding, the central nervous system becomes fatigued, senses become dulled, and perception is lowered.
Highway hypnosis can sneak up on you. Highway hypnosis is the drowsiness caused by lack of visual and physical stimulation while riding.
Several things contribute to it--straight, unvarying roads, riding alone, few riding operations and being surrounded by the monotonous engine sound and wind noise.
How can you fight these enemies?
If you've had a hard day, physically or mentally, you need plenty of sleep before riding. Go home. Sleep.
Leave the problems of work behind and get a fresh start in the morning.
Plan the trip for no more than two hours of straight road at a stretch. Vary your speed, lane, and lane position. Listen to music, start singing or better yet, talk on the two way to your co-rider/passenger. Take rest breaks.
They help to raise alertness levels.
Riding demands more attention and requires more skills than driving.
You need that extra edge--not just when you start your trip, but always.
A little planning can keep you sharp and safe for the whole trip.
Tim Snigg ( Safety Officer )
St John DRABC action plan
When you come across an accident follow the St John DRABC action plan to effectively manage casualties and the accident scene.
The first thing to do is to direct someone to call 000 or 112 (mobile) for an ambulance.
Danger Check to see if it is safe to approach the injured person.
Response Check if the person is conscious or unconscious. Shake them lightly and shout to them. If they don't respond they are unconscious.
Airway The airway must be protected, roll them onto their side, being aware that their neck may be injured and needs to be stabilised whilst they are being rolled. Breathing Once on their side check that the mouth is clear of any obstructions such as blood or vomit and make sure that they are breathing.
Circulation Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure with bandages or clothing. If possible, elevate the bleeding part above the level of the chest.
Keep the injured person as still as possible by packing clothing and equipment around them to prevent movement to the spine and any broken bones.