Ulysses Club Melbourne Branch 

Ride Protocols​

 

One of the principal purposes of the club is to enable older motorcyclists to get together for companionship and mutual support, and one of the best ways to do this is on an organised branch ride. Members love to ride their bikes and to socialise with other members, talk about their bikes and rides they have been on. An organised ride enables them to achieve these ends.

 

Sunday Rides

 

Melbourne Branch has organised rides most Sundays, as well as occasional mid-week rides, of various length and duration. There is no specific format for rides, length or appropriate destinations, except that Sunday rides will usually start at 10am sharp, stop for a morning tea break between 11.00am and 11.30am and arrive at the lunch destination around 1pm. There may be an organised ride home from lunch but members may also ride home in small groups or on their own.​

Note that any rider is welcome to join a Sunday Ride or two before joining Ulysses Club to see whether it suits them. If it is your first time with us please arrive a little early and make yourself known to the Ride Leader who will introduce you around and explain our corner marking procedure.

 

Weekend Rides

 

Additionally there are a number of weekend or longer rides organised during the year to attend events such an the National Ulysses Club AGM/Rally, or to visit other states and areas more than a day's ride from Melbourne.

 

Annual Odyssey

 

The branch also holds an Odyssey each year in early summer where members go away together for riding and dining and sight seeing.​ The venue of the Odyssey changes regularly to provide experience of various parts of Victoria. Partners are most welcome at these events.

 

Ride Start Time

 

Riders should be at the start point fully fuelled and ready to start by 10am unless the event notice on the calendar specifies a different time.

The Ride Leader (RL) will usually wear a high visibility vest or jacket and the Tail End Charlie (TEC) will be similarly attired.

 

Corner Marking

 

We use a corner marking procedure where the RL will motion with his left hand when approaching a corner. The rider following will pull over in a safe place and direct the following riders in the direction the RL has gone by using their indicators and/or giving hand signals. The following riders will follow the directions of the corner marker until the TEC arrives and the corner marker will then re-join the ride in front of the TEC. The RL may often also signal for a following rider to pull over and mark the corner once the turn is complete to ensure all riders remain on track.

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The Corner Marking system allows all riders to proceed at their own preferred and safe speed. It is NOT necessary to keep other riders in sight nor to stay in a group. Riders are able to proceed alone with confidence that any turn-offs will be marked by another rider as corner marker.

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Riding with the group

 

Passing other riders during a ride is permitted but the road rules should be followed and courtesy paid to the rider being overtaken. Riders should not pass in unexpected circumstances or come too close or cut off the rider they are passing so all remain safe.​

 

Ride Practices.

 

​Member safety is always the prime consideration whenever planning, leading or taking part in an organised ride. Leaders and organisers of rides should always take into account the age of participants, riding abilities, road and weather conditions and any other issue which may affect the ride when leading or planning a ride, and plan accordingly. The ride needs to be publicised well ahead of the departure date in order for potential participants to review whether they will feel comfortable enough to attend that particular ride or not.​ For example, a ride length in excess of 200 kilometres may not be suitable for everyone as each rider has their individual limits.

 

Likewise, a ride in a twisty or challenging environment may not suit all riders, especially those new to motorcycling. Therefore clear notice needs to be given well in advance for the precise location and times for the start of the ride as well as the proposed destination point. ​All persons taking part in a ride should be licensed to ride their mount of choice, and such motorcycle should be registered. Any ride leader, or committee member who becomes aware that a person intending to take part in the ride or taking part in the ride is unlicensed or riding an unregistered bike should ask that person to leave the ride forthwith. The presence of an unlicensed person or an unregistered machine places the safety of other persons on the ride at risk. Likewise, riders of machines that are clearly un-roadworthy, for example with bald tyres, should be asked to leave the ride as these pose a serious threat to other road users.

 

Members on a ride should be reminded that they are to adopt safe riding practices and to ride within their limits at all times. They should be reminded that as they are riding on public roads or anywhere defined as a road under the various State acts, or Private Parking Area acts, they are required to comply with the relevant State laws at all times. The destination of the ride, any stopping points and route to be taken should be made clear to ride participants prior to the ride commencing, especially newer riders who may not wish to ride in a group formation.

 

The National Committee has advised and directed that branches are to abolish any Branch Ride Rules, either written or otherwise. The Club does not carry insurance for members on rides, as members are required to comply with State laws in relation to registration and insurance of their vehicles, and to comply with the requirements of the various laws and also the conditions of their insurance policies. The Club policy is that “the Club does not endorse any ride procedure, rather a meeting place for rides to leave from, and individual’s choice as to where and how they ride, subject to road and traffic conditions and regulations".

 

Members are also reminded here again of the Club rule regarding the wearing of the ‘Old Man Logo’ as a back patch in that no other patch, badge or symbol may be worn with it. The Club has appointed an Ex-Officio Road Safety Coordinator for matters concerning road safety; members are encouraged to bring their concerns to his attention. Contact details are listed in the Club journal and on the Club website.