ALT-1 What is a Motorcycle Run
A motorcycle run is a gathering of two or more motorcycle riders to ride together to a particular destination, or for a specific reason.
The run could just consist of a group of friends or members of a motorcycle club, or even several clubs gathered together, riding for fun. The run could also be to raise money for a charity. Some motorcycle clubs like to regularly raise money for charities, and there are charities that like to be associated with motorcyclists, because of the publicity generated. The club will often advertise their run and open it to other clubs as well as individual riders. The run could be from one place to another, or even a circular route beginning and ending at the same place, where there could be a party with food, beer and bands. Always a good draw for bikers. There can also be sponsorship from local businesses and motorcycle dealerships, who provide items, free of charge, to raffle in order to raise more money. Also, the run organisers can charge a fee to the participants, which can either be per motorcycle or per person attending.
It is always a good idea for the organisers of the run to consider the safety aspects of the run. For a large gathering, the risk of collisions between riders of differing abilities is greatly increased. It is recommended to have lead and tail-end riders, both of whom know the route and the final destination. For a small run every rider should know where they are heading, so if the group is split nobody will get lost. For a large run it is often necessary to have several riders as marshals, who will ride ahead to sit at junctions to ensure that nobody takes a wrong turn. On a charity ride, these riders will usually wear high-visibility jackets to distinguish them from the rest of the riders. The tail-end rider should be on a reliable, high-powered motorcycle and have a mobile phone in case any riders experience problems on the run. Depending on the numbers involved, it may also be a requirement to inform local law enforcement before the run takes place.
For a club run, the club members are expected to have checked their machines beforehand, in order to ensure there are no mechanical failures during the run. Sometimes a problem is unavoidable and club members will ensure that no-one is left behind.
