Six Things We Hold Each Other To

Riding in a group is most of the fun and all of the responsibility. Before we get into lane positions and hand signals, here's what "the D76 way" actually means. Six things we hold each other to:

• Ride your own ride.
• Don't pressure another rider.
• Don't leave anyone behind.
• Respect the traffic around us.
• Save the drama for the parking lot.
• Everybody makes it home.

Everything else in this course is how.

What that looks like on the road

Ride your own ride. The pace is not a test. You ride what you and your bike can do today, and you catch up at the next stop. The next lesson is all about this one.

Don't pressure another rider. Nobody gets crowded, tailgated, or talked into a corner faster than they'd take it on their own.

Don't leave anyone behind. It's why every ride has a sweep, a briefing, and planned stops. If someone drops out, somebody stops with them.

Respect the traffic around us. We share the road with every car on it. A group of bikes should make that road easier for everyone, not harder.

Save the drama for the parking lot. Whatever it is, it can wait until the kickstands are down. On the road, your attention belongs on the road.

Everybody makes it home. That's the whole point. A great ride is one where every rider who set off pulls back in.

The short Motorcycle Safety Foundation video above says it their way: go with the pace of your least experienced rider, nobody should feel pressured to keep up, and it's a ride, not a race. Ride what you ride. Rep who you rep. Respect everyone.

This course is for education. It doesn't replace a state-approved rider course or motorcycle licensing.