Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club

Meriden Branch

Club Logo

 

Club Logo

Join our club and improve your social life, take part in regular club runs and events.  Everyone made welcome.

 

Home
Who's Who
B.M.F
Reports
Calendar
Contact Information
Directions
TOMCC links
Non-club links
Adverts
Photo Page
How Far?
Quiz
Second Man Drop Off
Members and their Bikes

For those of you who are not sure how the "Second man drop off system" works, here is a description of what should happen. This was kindly provided by Denis O'Neil. If anyone would like to modify Denis's suggestion in any way, please email me, Bob Johnson.

 

FIRST

 

bullet

Before the start you need to identify both the leader and the tail end Charley, MAKING A MENTAL NOTE OF THEIR BIKES AND CLOTHING.
 

bullet

When you are the second man in the pack, and the leader turns off the main route to the left or the right. You should stop and mark the route for the rest of the pack. When you see the tail end Charley you should rejoin the pack just in front of him.  In this way with each man taking his turn, you will gradually get to the front of the pack and may become second man again. 
 

Two golden rules, which must be applied in combination with each other to make the system work.
 

bullet

 When you are the second man who has dropped off and are indicating the way wait for as  long as it takes for the tail end Charley, ( Do not under any circumstances move off until he comes along).
 

bullet

 Always keep the man behind you in sight, if you haven’t seen him for some time, slow down and if he still doesn't show, stop and wait for him, if a problem (say breakdown ) arises this process will then be  passed forward to the lead man who will soon know because there will be no one behind him. 
 

 

bullet

When rejoining the pack after marking the route, try and rejoin just in front of the tail end Charley but this is not always possible or safe. In which case rejoin after he has past and overtake him as soon as it’s safe to do so.
 

bullet

At islands where the leader goes straight on we do not normally mark the islands, but where straight on is not obvious (Island with more than four adjoining roads) it is best to mark the route. if in doubt, mark it. It does no harm to over mark.


 

bullet

When marking the route it is best to stop just inside the mouth of the road into which we are turning in clear view of the rest of the pack.  Every junction is different and it may be best to stop just in-front of say a left hand turning with your left hand outstretched pointing the way. But above all you must put your own safety first.

 

 

bullet

If you are new to the system and don't feel confident in taking your turn, don't worry just keep towards the back of the pack calling riders past and giving the thumbs up sign to let then know everything is OK. After you have ridden with us a few times you will soon catch on.

 

bullet

Because of their size combos do not take a turn as second man and should be towards the back of the pack.  I would suggest that when a combo finds himself in second position that he finds a safe place to pull over and let the rest of the pack pass him.  Otherwise when the combo becomes second man it falls to the 3rd man to drop of which causes complication and confusion and the lead man can't always see if the third man is on his tail and has marked the route.
 

bullet

Some leaders of the pack will give a left hand gesture to the second man pointing to where he wants you to stop and mark the route.
 

bullet

You may feel that some turnings are obvious, and don't need to be marked. But what seems obvious to one person is not always obvious to others. Marking a turning you think is obvious will do no harm but not marking a turning because you think its obvious may mislead followers.
 

bullet

 Try and have a little empathy and see things from other peoples point of view. When you have been left behind and worried about where to go and then see a fellow rider waiting and marking the way for you, it's very welcoming and makes you feel part of the group.. 

 

 Your constructive comments are welcome. 

 

  Den

Home | Who's Who | B.M.F | Reports | Calendar | Contact Information | Directions | TOMCC links | Non-club links | Adverts | Photo Page | How Far? | Quiz | Second Man Drop Off | Members and their Bikes


For problems or questions regarding this web contact bob.johnson@blueyonder.co.uk
Last updated: Saturday, 06. March 2010.