| End Time Warriors |
| Motorcycle Club "M/C" Protocol |
| Ride Your Own Ride |
Ride Your Own Ride
When you ride in a group it is unquestionably your first priority to take care of yourself, to ride
within your limits and the limits of your bike, regardless of what the rest of the group does. That's
often been described as 'Riding your own ride'.
But you ARE in a group and that means some new responsibilities and behaviors apply. You
ride at the speed the group rides, you stay in the lanes chosen by the lead bike, You stop when
and where the group stops. Sounds a lot like you are riding THEIR ride as much as your own,
doesn't it?
In business, management has recently come to realize that 'team work' is not always the best
way to get things done. Sometimes it is better to work as a group of collaborators than as a
team. A motorcycle drill team is a clear example of team work where everybody is expected to do
no more nor less than what is required by the boss to get the job done. Independent thought is
valued, but only to the extent that it contributes to the team doing its job.
When riding in a group there is certainly some team work going on, but each and every person
in that group is expected to 'ride their own ride'. Doesn't that sound just a little bit different to you
than each person being expected to do whatever it takes to make the team effort successful?
In collaborative efforts the assumption is that each individual is expert/proficient in some
specialty while generally being able to function in team efforts. That is a very subtle difference in
attitude. For example, in a collaborative effort, it is not unusual to find debate about what should
be done next as each individual contributes based on their expertise. What IS unusual in a
collaborative effort is that there is any rancor in these debates [well, there are sometimes rather
harsh arguments, but the point is that each member is heard and contributes based on their
specialty.] Each member RESPECTS the expertise of the other members and will generally defer
gracefully to that expertise. Further, in a collaborative effort the group will do what the boss
(lead bike) tells them to do unless there is a good reason not to.
The result is that almost invariably you have the best of the best from the best, though it looks
like team work.
Back to motorcycling in a group ... some in the group have more stamina, some have better
night vision, some have better navigation skills, some have better familiarity with the
surroundings, some have better emergency preparedness or EMS training, some are better
diplomats. You get the picture.
Respecting the skills and uniquenesses of each of the rest of the team results in getting the best
of the best from the best. Respecting yourself is riding your own ride. Respecting the others is
collaborative group riding. The group leader/road Captain in a well functioning collaborative
effort has certain responsibilities, each of the rest have theirs, and with respect, together they all
decide on the best way to do things for the group.
Rather than the lead bike making all the decisions for the group, in a collaborative effort, he/she
will consult with the others and give serious consideration to the expertise therein. Strategic
decisions (destination) remain the leader's responsibility while tactical decisions (how) might well
come from the members.
A Dictatorship it's not! Nor is it a drill team. Rather, it is a group of 'professionals' engaged
in a cooperative effort designed for the benefit of all. Safe arrival and a good time with maximum
contribution and participation by each may look like team work, but is more.
Ride smart.
When you ride in a group it is unquestionably your first priority to take care of yourself, to ride
within your limits and the limits of your bike, regardless of what the rest of the group does. That's
often been described as 'Riding your own ride'.
But you ARE in a group and that means some new responsibilities and behaviors apply. You
ride at the speed the group rides, you stay in the lanes chosen by the lead bike, You stop when
and where the group stops. Sounds a lot like you are riding THEIR ride as much as your own,
doesn't it?
In business, management has recently come to realize that 'team work' is not always the best
way to get things done. Sometimes it is better to work as a group of collaborators than as a
team. A motorcycle drill team is a clear example of team work where everybody is expected to do
no more nor less than what is required by the boss to get the job done. Independent thought is
valued, but only to the extent that it contributes to the team doing its job.
When riding in a group there is certainly some team work going on, but each and every person
in that group is expected to 'ride their own ride'. Doesn't that sound just a little bit different to you
than each person being expected to do whatever it takes to make the team effort successful?
In collaborative efforts the assumption is that each individual is expert/proficient in some
specialty while generally being able to function in team efforts. That is a very subtle difference in
attitude. For example, in a collaborative effort, it is not unusual to find debate about what should
be done next as each individual contributes based on their expertise. What IS unusual in a
collaborative effort is that there is any rancor in these debates [well, there are sometimes rather
harsh arguments, but the point is that each member is heard and contributes based on their
specialty.] Each member RESPECTS the expertise of the other members and will generally defer
gracefully to that expertise. Further, in a collaborative effort the group will do what the boss
(lead bike) tells them to do unless there is a good reason not to.
The result is that almost invariably you have the best of the best from the best, though it looks
like team work.
Back to motorcycling in a group ... some in the group have more stamina, some have better
night vision, some have better navigation skills, some have better familiarity with the
surroundings, some have better emergency preparedness or EMS training, some are better
diplomats. You get the picture.
Respecting the skills and uniquenesses of each of the rest of the team results in getting the best
of the best from the best. Respecting yourself is riding your own ride. Respecting the others is
collaborative group riding. The group leader/road Captain in a well functioning collaborative
effort has certain responsibilities, each of the rest have theirs, and with respect, together they all
decide on the best way to do things for the group.
Rather than the lead bike making all the decisions for the group, in a collaborative effort, he/she
will consult with the others and give serious consideration to the expertise therein. Strategic
decisions (destination) remain the leader's responsibility while tactical decisions (how) might well
come from the members.
A Dictatorship it's not! Nor is it a drill team. Rather, it is a group of 'professionals' engaged
in a cooperative effort designed for the benefit of all. Safe arrival and a good time with maximum
contribution and participation by each may look like team work, but is more.
Ride smart.
Check List
Group Riding
Closing The Door
Rubber Band Effect
Road Captain
Ride Your Own Ride
Not Playing Follow The Leader
Attention Limits
Before You Dismount
Coffee, If You Need It.....
Lower Back
Accident Management
After The Accident
Group Riding
Closing The Door
Rubber Band Effect
Road Captain
Ride Your Own Ride
Not Playing Follow The Leader
Attention Limits
Before You Dismount
Coffee, If You Need It.....
Lower Back
Accident Management
After The Accident
Romans 8:28 And we know that all
things work together for the good of
those who love God, to those who are
called according to His Purpose.
things work together for the good of
those who love God, to those who are
called according to His Purpose.