New London Motorcycle Club
Formation/Operations/Appearance
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FORMATIONS:
Drill Team:
Assembly: Variable (1) Road Captain (2) Selected Team
@ Made up of the best Club riders with the highest professional skills, chosen by the Road Captain to become part of an elite drill team that represents the Club at parades and event demonstrations.
Honor Guard Riding/Escorts
Assembly ( 2 x 2 ) (1) H.G. Captain (1) President
8”0” Apart (2) Road Captain (2) Sgt at Arms
___ ___ ___ ___ (3) Blocker R. Sgt.* (3) Blocker R. Sgt.*
___ ___ ___ ___ (4) 2nd V. President (4) V. President
Mid Group Leader/Observer (CB)***
Rear Sweeper/Observer (CB)
@ Honor Guard Riders are solo riders, no passengers allowed. Good riding skills are required.
Standard Club Sanctioned Rides:
Assembly (Dual Stag.) (1) Road Captain (2) President
___ ___ ___ (3) Blocker* (4) Blocker*
___ ___ ___ (5) V. President (6) Sgt at Arms
Mid Group Leader/Observer (CB)**
Rear Sweeper Observer (CB)
@ Club riders participating with a Club riding group must have fair basic safe riding skills and are able to follow the Club riding protocol. Riders must also possess a motorcycle driver’s license and carry insurance on their motorcycle.
Secondary or Split Club Sanction Rides:
Assembly (Dual Stag.) (1) Road Captain/Sergeant (2) Ranking Officer***
(3) Blocker* (4) Blocker*
Mid Group Leader/Observer (CB)**
Rear Sweeper Observer (CB)
County District Rides:****
Assembly (Dual Stag.) (1) Road Sergeant (2) Chairman
(2) Co-Chairman
@A Road Sergeant leading a County group to a Club ride will relinquish the lead upon joining the main column lead by the Road Captain, designee, or a ranking Club Officer
*Note: Blockers must be solo riders. No passengers allowed while blocking
**Note: Mid group leaders can be any designee of the ride leader. Mid group leader will also serve as an observation function, identifying yoyo riders, unsafe riders, or riders not following the protocol. Reporting same to the ride leader.
***Note: Ranking Officer are (1) President (2) V.President (3) 2nd V.President (4) Secretary (5) Treasurer (6) Honor Guard Captain (7) County Chairman (8) County Co-Chairman
****Note:
1. County District Road Sergeants will be made upon recommendation of the County Chairman. Approval is done by the Club Road Captain and the position expires on election day each year, on the first Thursday in November.
2. County District Chairman will take the place of Road Sergeant if no such position exists in said County District.
OPERATIONS
Signals/Pointers:
*Use electrical turn signals only. Do not use hand signals to indicate a turn.
1 Finger Raised – Single File behind the ride leader. If leader stays to center move to center, if to the right move to the right of roadway. Watch for recovery of blockers or emergency equipment approaching.
Left Arm Raised - pointed up and overhead pointing right indicates object in roadway,
right side. Recover position after passing obstruction or pedestrian
2 Fingers Raised – Side by side riding assembly 2 x 2 leave 1 bike length in front of you
Stay in position until new signal is shown
Left Arm w/Fist - pointed up w/clench fist forming an “L” means return to dual staggered positions
Bar to Bar - A term used to identify position, leaving some parking lots. Leaving a parking lot with a wide opening, riders will form lateral rows (10-12) filling in the entire width of the opening. On signal the first row exits out to the center line and the second row out to the inside or right side of road. A third row would fill in the back. This gets a large group into the roadway in a matter of seconds.
Ready to Go - Traffic Lights - When the group is stopped at a traffic control signal, all riders should be prepared to move as soon as the signal changes. This means you have down shifted to 1st gear upon stopping and holding the clutch ready to go. If you delay you will create a domino effect, preventing the rear of the column from legally getting through the light. DO NOT light a cigarette, start poking through your bags or any activity that delays your readiness when the signal light changes.
Ready to Go – Stop Signs - The first two bikes will stop or slow to a stop at stop signs. At this point the column will bunch still slowly moving. The lead will then proceed, possibly using blockers and the column will then move through the intersection tightly as one long unit. If blockers are use prepare for single file after the intersection to recover the blockers back to the front. Move back into position immediately following the blockers passing you on the left.
Deployment of Blockers – The leader may from time to time deploy blockers at intersections for safety purposes. It is safer to move the entire group at once than leaving decisions up to the individual riders who may become anxious as to not loose pace with the group. Safety is always the number one goal. When blockers are deployed, said blockers will deploy left or right turning back with the flow of traffic and then to a stop. This is the same as an unrelated vehicle deciding to stop at the intersection allowing the entire column of motorcycles to pass through as a courtesy.
YOYO Rider - Some riders loose focus and loose pace. It’s always the same riders. When Interstate or Highway riding, this allows access for 4 wheelers to break the formation. It also stretches out the column causing greater time lapses. This is also a real big problem on secondary roads controlled by traffic signals as a stretched out column will not make it through green control signals causing the front section of the column to have to pull over to the shoulder to wait for the slackers to catch up. This delays the ride and ruins the dynamic flow of the ride. Maintain a maximum distance 20 feet between you and the bike in front of you. Don’t be a recipient of the YOYO Award!
XXXXXXXX 20’ XXXXXXXX
/ 6’ XXXXXXXX 6’ /
Formation Change If a bike drops out of formation changing the dynamics of the formation, do not cross over. Just move forward. If the opening is not in your lane and the other lane is not moving forward, motion to those riders to do so. They may not know what to do.
Entry/Parking (1) Single file is automatic unless otherwise signaled. Follow the bike in front of you. If room allows, the leader will drive to the far end of a parking area, left or right side, make a turn out to back the bike in. The bike in front of you does not start to back in until you made your turn out. (2) 2 Fingers up means you enter 2 x 2 and stay in formation. The lead will park facing out 2x2 stacking behind. If that fills up a second group of 2x2 will form on the left or right also facing forward. (3) 4 Fingers up means Quad parking, 4 bikes to a standard parking spot, find what you can. Attempt to group.
Drill Team – The NLMC has a riding unit designated as the drill team. The drill team is used during parades and events that allow demonstration of skills. Members are selected by the Road Captain after tryouts are completed. Anyone can try out.
Honor Guard – The NLMC maintains an Honor Guard. Anyone with good basic riding skills and the uniform can belong to the Honor Guard. Some Honor Guard events may be open to all Honor Guard Members, while other events may have limitations. These decisions are made only by the Honor Guard Captain.
APPEARANCE
There is no requirement of the New London Motorcycle Club to wear the Club colors or any specific garments with the exception of the Honor Guard, or when riding in parades, which requires Honor Guard wear. However, it is strongly encouraged that members display Club colors when on their motorcycles, with or without the Club, solo, and even when they are not on their motorcycle in the off season. You are the best advertisement for the Club.
Standard Wear:
The standard wear for the Club is a black leather vest with the Club patch. If you endeavor to purchase a new vest be sure to get lace up sides with heavy duty laces. This way you can expand the vest to wear over cold weather clothing.
The Vest:
- 12” large patch should go on the back
- The patch should be located 6” from the top for all vest (L) large and bigger.
- The patch should be located a ½ inch less from the top for each size smaller.
- Though not prohibited, other patches makes the vest look busy distracting attention from the main patch. Not encouraged, not prohibited.
- The brass nameplate should be located on the front left side, slightly above the top front snap of the vest. The only thing that should be worn above the nameplate is an American Flag. Nothing should be higher than the Flag.
- 3” small round patch should be located on the right side of the vest.
Honor Guard Wear:
The Honor Guard has a specific uniform that is worn to all events identified as an Honor Guard Events.
Uniform:
- Black boots that will take a shine.
- Black jeans
- White L/S or S/S T-shirt w/graphics on sleeves only. L/S or S/S will be called for by the Honor Guard Captain as the uniform of the day
- Black Ascot hat w/small round patch sewn on the front. Off bike & parade wear
- Black/Gloss shorty helmet for road riding into an event
- Black leather vest (laced sides)
- Large Round Patch only on the back
- Special Brass Nameplate only on the front left breast side
Parade Wear:
Traditionally, only Honor Guard solo riders have ridden in Parades. Rules were are relaxed for 2009 to allow additional members to ride as double riders, in the rear of the column as straight line 2 x 2 riders with appearance requirements for both operator and passenger.
Standard Wear:
A. Standard Wear Black Vest
B. Black Ascot, Baseball, or Knit style hat
C. White Honor Guard Shirt or blank white L/S or S/S t-shirt
D. Black Helmet any style when helmets are required or desired.
NOTE: These are minimum standards set in place for the image of the Club and ultimately for the success of the Club. Exceptions may be made for brand new members not prepared. It is not our intention to leave anyone out if possible.
________________________________________________________
LEATHER VEST PROTOCOL
by Jim Moran, President
BACK
- Size L and up - the large round patch should be located 6 inches down from the top.
- Size M - the large round patch should be located 5½ inches down from the top.
- Size S - the large round patch should be located 5 inches down from the top.
FRONT
- Brass nameplates should be located on the left side, small round patch on the right.*
* If you need or want to relocate your small round patch, see an E-Board member for a free replacement.
CLUB ETIQUETTE
by Tom Lloret, Road Captain
PATCH RESPECT
Our club is big and growing bigger and I think it’s time to talk about the club. Every member should know some basic facts about the club so they can be a good representative for that club. “WHAT, you want me to talk? Hey, I just want to ride, I’m not interested in taking a course, I have a job.” If this is your attitude, LEAVE THE CLUB NOW! Belonging to this motorcycle club is not like belonging to any other club. The members of the New London Motorcycle Club are a group of riders who first-off share the joy of riding their motorcycles with each other. They have, over time and miles, formed close friendships largely because they are like minded people and also because their safety is in each other’s hands. If you don’t respect your clubmates, you can’t respect your club as they are connected. THE PEOPLE ARE THE CLUB. This doesn’t mean that you can’t disagree with as member or think someone is wrong on an issue, that’s healthy. You think you’re right about something, make your case and if it persuades the membership then that issue can be settled.
Unlike other motorcycle clubs, our club has a legacy because it has been in operation since 1939 and that means there were dirt roads in a lot of the area we ride in today and not many power lines. Over the years, there have been thousands of people who were members of this club. After 70 years, the club owns property and a clubhouse and thousands of members come and go and THE CLUB BECOMES A LIVING THING! Most clubs and groups meet at a dinner once a month – we don’t.
“But why do I need to know this stuff?” Like it or not, the NLMC is liked by many but resented by some as well. What they dislike about us can be anything but likely starting with our size and success. If you’re sitting in the dumb row and thinking life is good, you’re resentful of the guy next to you who is trying to move up because he shows you to be stagnant. If you’re standing still, you are really going backwards. When approached on the street by a nay-sayer, he will say what he doesn’t like about the club. A clean response will shut him right down but a poor response or a vacant glance just reinforces the nay-sayer’s position. Here are some facts:
- The club was formed in 1939 by Ralph and Ruth Strong
- The Strongs sold Indian motorcycles and that is why the Indian motorcycle is the club’s logo
- NLMC is the second oldest motorcycle club in the state of Connecticut (Meriden Motorcycle Club is the oldest)
- NLMC meets every week on Thursday and everybody is welcome including guests
- It takes 3 meetings/events to be considered for membership
- NLMC rides as a club 3 days a week or more (Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays)
- Guests are always welcome to ride with us
- NLMC does charity work in the community and puts on a positive showcase for motorcycling in the area
- NLMC is not an alcohol drinking club and has no club rule on helmets
MIND SET
When you ride a motorcycle, you are being watched and when you’re wearing the NLMC patch, you’re now considered a spokesman for the club. Anything you do wearing the patch, good or not, reflects on NLMC. If you ride like crap, a bystander will see the patch and conclude the whole club rides like you…crap. However, when that same bystander sees you with the patch and remembers watching the drill team in the light parade, he already is impressed and riding away leaves him thinking, “Yeah, that whole club rides great.” Remember that you are ALWAYS ON PARADE and you will do fine. If you’re alone, you’re being judged and if you’re with a clubmate, ride as perfect as you can.
PATCH CARE
In many clubs, earning a back patch is a long process and you are awarded parts of the patch as you progress to becoming a full member. Our club is not that way and on becoming a member, you are able to buy and wear a club patch and NLMC expects you to show respect for it. Mount the patch in the proper location (ask an E-Board member or see the club website for instructions). Hang the jacket on a hook with the patch showing as well as it can be. If no hook is available, sitting next to it in the booth is fine. Sitting on it is wrong, on the floor is wrong. Here’s why: If you don’t respect your club patch then you don’t respect my club patch as well. In dealing with other clubs, the golden rule applies – treat others as you would like to be treated. Respect brings respect.
WATCH WHAT YOU SAY
If you say, “Frank is getting real fat, I think he’s having twins” what you don’t know is that Frank’s friend overheard you and now fat Frank is coming to see you.
- Rule #1: Keep private conversation just that – private.
- Rule #2: Don’t say anything about someone you would not say to them in person.
NOISE IS JUST NOISE
If a band sucks, they just turn up the volume hoping you won’t hear the clinkers. It’s the same with motorcycle riders. It takes the skill of a 6 month old to rev up an engine; however, you never stop learning how to ride a motorcycle well. Most people are not impressed with making noise and many are angered. In the old days, bikes didn’t idle very well due to poor carburetors and burning engine oil and fouling spark plugs. The modern bike is well carbureted and maybe fuel injected with a powerful ignition system; they will idle all day.
CONCLUSION
Strive to put a good face on the club, smile. A lot of people think they need to have a menacing frown on and the question is, why? You’re riding your motorcycle with your friends. Riding skill equals riding safety. We have practice sessions and you should take advantage of the lessons – they’re fun and you will improve. This year I plan to put extra focus on braking and evading as I know the club is weak in this very important skill. We are a big presence when we arrive somewhere. Let’s work to put our best foot forward.
