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How to Plan and Post a Group Ride

A step-by-step checklist for organizing a safe, well-attended group motorcycle ride in Connecticut, with a ready-to-copy ride announcement template.

Anyone can lead a ride. The rides that fill up are the ones where the announcement answers every question before it gets asked. Here is the checklist, followed by a template you can copy.

Six steps to a good ride post

  1. Pick a destination. Choose somewhere worth the miles with parking for a group: a scenic overlook, a diner, a brewery that serves food, a landmark.
  2. Set the date and a rain date. Weekend mornings draw the most riders. Naming a rain date up front saves a dozen "is it still on?" comments.
  3. Choose a meeting spot with a real address. Commuter lots, coffee shops and gas stations near a highway work well. Check that the lot is actually open, since construction closes them without warning.
  4. Publish two times: meet and KSU. Give people 30 minutes between the meet time and kickstands up (KSU). Leave on time so punctual riders are not punished.
  5. Describe the route and pace. Back roads or highway? Total mileage? Planned fuel and rest stops? Riders decide whether a ride suits them and their bike from this.
  6. Post it and gauge interest. Share the announcement in the group and ask riders to reply if they are in. Once you have a list, start a group chat for day-of updates.

Copy-and-paste announcement template

Ride destination: Holy Land USA, Waterbury
Date: Saturday, June 6 (rain date Sunday, June 7)

Meet: 9:30 AM at Heavenly Donuts, 653 New Haven Ave, Derby
KSU: 10:00 AM sharp

Route: Back roads to Waterbury, about 45 minutes, relaxed pace.
Afterwards: coffee and pastry at a local bakery.

Please gas up beforehand, be on time and show up ready to ride.
Reply below if you're interested!

On the day

  • Hold a two-minute riders' meeting. Cover the route, the stops, hand signals and what to do if the group gets split.
  • Name a lead and a sweep. The sweep rides last, knows the route and stops with anyone who has trouble.
  • Ride staggered, single file in the twisties. Keep a two-second gap to the rider directly ahead.
  • Ride your own ride. Nobody should push past their comfort level to keep up. Regroup at the next stop instead.
  • Keep groups small. Split more than eight or so bikes into smaller groups, each with its own lead and sweep.
  • Share a phone number. Make sure every rider has the lead's number and knows the next stop.

Get it listed

Post your ride in the Facebook group as an event. Events shared to the group are picked up for the events calendar automatically. See how submitting works.