Star163 Tin Stars:  Michael Chapman & Kirk Hedegaard

Tin Star:

Over one hundred years ago, small towns on the American frontier knew that there was one person they could turn to for help in an emergency, the local sheriff. The frontier sheriff was a combination police officer, and emergency coordinator identified by his distinctive “Tin Star” badge. STAR Touring, like the citizens of the frontier towns, at times need special assistance. People trained as police officers, physicians, nurses, fire fighters, paramedics, EMT’s or Search and Rescue fill this role.

SOME RIDE RULES:

• All bikes will be maintained in a safe condition. Motorcycles with malfunctioning lights, brakes, or worn tires (less that 2/32 thread) will not be permitted to participate in a Chapter ride.
• All motorcycles will be fueled (topped off) prior to arriving at our meeting area. Or at our meeting area.
• No drinking or drugged driving is allowed.
• All traffic laws will be strictly obeyed.
• When riding in a group, motorcycles will be ridden in a staggered formation.
• One rider will be designated as the Ride Captain. The Ride Captain is responsible for planning, mapping and coordination of the ride.
• One to two riders will be designated as the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner is responsible for keeping all riders in formation. Should a rider need to leave the group, only the Tail Gunner will stop to assist them.
• Riders who elect to drop out of a ride (i.e. they do not desire to go further due to time constraints, prior commitments, etc.) will notify the Tail Gunner before doing so.
• One rider will be designated as Sergeant at Arms. The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for keeping the peace, enforcing chapter and charter rules and the collection of monies for all tolls, etc.

RIDE SIGNALS:

• To signal that the pack must SLOW DOWN, the left had will be held downward with the open palm facing back.
• To signal that the pack must STOP QUICKLY, the left hand will be moved in a pumping motion along the left side of the bike, while using a closed fist.
• If the Ride Captain wants the pack to ride in a SINGLE FILE FORMATION, he will raise his left hand above his head with his index finger extended. All riders following the Ride Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
• If the Ride Captain wants the pack to ride in a Double file Formation, he will raise his left hand above his head with two fingers extended, and waive the hand from his left to his right. All riders following the Ride Captain will relay this signal back to the Tail Gunner.
• Freeway Lane Changes will be made in the following order. The Ride Captain will signal the lane change. The signal will be relayed down the pack to the Tail Gunner. The Tail Gunner will move over into the lane and hold that lane open for the pack. Once the lane has been secured. The two riders preceding the Tail Gunner will move over only if it is safe to do so. Turn signals will be used at this point. This procedure will be repeated, two bikes at a time, until the entire pack has moved over.

HELPFUL INFORMATION:

California Motorcycle Handbook: (PDF)
Motorcycle Safety Foundation: (Website)
MSF Basic Rider Course Handbook: (PDF)
MSF - You & Your Motorcycle - Riding Tips: (PDF)
MSF - Carrying a Passanger - Quick Tips: (PDF)
MSF - Group Riding - Quick Tips: (PDF)