THE ROAD IS BETTER TOGETHER?

Riding together is one of the great pleasures of being part of the Widows Sons Lebanon Chapter. It brings together brotherhood, the open road and our shared passion for motorcycles.

This guide is intended to help every Brother enjoy our rides safely, responsibly and respectfully. It sets out the basic principles we follow whenever we ride as a Chapter.

Every rider remains responsible for his own motorcycle, decisions and safety. At the same time, when we ride together, our actions affect everyone around us. Good group riding therefore depends on discipline, awareness, communication and consideration for one another.

New members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this guide before joining their first Chapter ride, while experienced riders should revisit it from time to time.

Above all, remember:

We ride as Brothers. We look after one another. We arrive together.

A good ride does not need much:

• Good weather.

• A beautiful road.

• A reliable motorcycle.

• Good company.

• And, most importantly, the ability to keep enjoying all of them for many years to come.

That last point depends largely on how safely we ride.

Safety should not feel like a set of restrictions. It should become part of the way we ride: instinctive, habitual and present every time we get on the bike.

There is an old principle worth remembering:

You don't know what you don't know.

So whether you have been riding for twenty years or twenty days, a few fundamentals are always worth revisiting.

CHAPTER RIDES

Chapter rides are organised by the Widows Sons Lebanon Road Team, which determines the route, meeting point, departure time and general riding arrangements.

Ride details and any last-minute changes will be communicated through the Chapter's designated communication channels.

Chapter rides may be:

CLOSED RIDES
Reserved for active Widows Sons Lebanon members and specifically invited guests.

OPEN RIDES
Open to other approved riders or guests, as announced by the Chapter.

Unless otherwise stated, Chapter rides should be considered Closed Rides.

THE ROAD TEAM

Every organised ride will be led by a designated Road Captain and supported, whenever possible, by a Sweeper and other members of the Road Team.

Road Captain

The Road Captain leads the ride and is responsible for:

• Planning and reviewing the route.

• Identifying potential hazards or difficult sections.

• Setting the appropriate pace.

• Selecting the riding formation.

• Conducting the pre-ride briefing.

• Coordinating stops and regrouping points.

• Making decisions concerning the safety and organisation of the group.

Sweeper

The Sweeper rides at the rear of the group and helps ensure that no Brother is unintentionally left behind.

If a rider needs to stop because of a mechanical problem, discomfort or another legitimate reason, the Sweeper or a designated Road Team member will assist whenever circumstances safely permit.

Riders

During an organised Chapter ride, all riders are expected to respect the instructions of the Road Captain and Road Team.

This is not about hierarchy for its own sake. On the road, clear leadership prevents confusion and confusion creates risk.

BEFORE THE RIDE

ARRIVE READY

Every rider is responsible for arriving prepared, both physically and mentally.

Before joining a ride:

• Wear appropriate protective riding gear.

• Make sure you are rested and fit to ride.

• Check the weather and dress accordingly.

• Bring suitable rain or cold-weather gear when necessary.

• Avoid anything that could impair your judgement, concentration or reaction time.

• Make sure to have your legal documents: motorcycle registration, valid driving licence and proof of payment of the "mécanique" fees. 

If you are tired, unwell or uncomfortable riding that day, there is no shame in sitting one out. There will always be another road.

ARRIVE ON TIME

Please arrive before the announced departure time.

The time before departure allows riders to greet one another, prepare their motorcycles and, most importantly, attend the Road Captain's briefing.

The briefing may include route changes, hazards, fuel stops, riding formation and other information relevant to that particular ride.

If you miss the briefing, you may miss information that matters.

YOUR SAFETY GEAR

A helmet can save your life, but protection does not stop at your head.

Proper riding boots, gloves, protective clothing and suitable eyewear can make an enormous difference when something goes wrong.

Dress for the ride, but also dress for the possibility that the ride does not go exactly as planned.

YOUR MOTORCYCLE CHECK

Look after your bike and it will look after you.

Before a ride, take a moment to check the essentials: tyres, tyre pressure, brakes, lights, indicators, horn, fluids and controls.

If something feels wrong, investigate it.

A five-minute check before leaving is considerably more pleasant than discovering the problem halfway up a mountain.

Your motorcycle should be roadworthy, legally compliant and properly maintained.

• Before departure, check the essentials, including:

• Tyres and tyre pressure.

• Brakes.

• Lights and indicators.

• Oil and other fluid levels.

• Controls and cables.

• Mirrors.

• Fuel.

Any luggage or accessories attached to the motorcycle.

If something does not feel right with the bike, deal with it before joining the group.

FILL YOUR TANK

Arrive with a full tank of fuel.

Fuel stops will normally be planned according to the motorcycles with the shortest practical range, but every rider should begin the ride fully fuelled.

LISTEN TO THE RIDE BRIEFING

The pre-ride briefing is not simply a repetition of the ride announcement.

It is where the Road Captain and Road Team communicate information that may matter once we are moving: route conditions, formations, fuel stops, hazards, regrouping points and any special instructions.

Give it your attention.

The same applies to instructions from the Road Team during the ride. Their role is to keep the group organised and help everyone enjoy the ride safely.

GROUP RIDING RULES

Group riding requires discipline, order, communication, and respect for the Road Captain. 

Members must follow the ride formation, maintain safe distance, avoid reckless behaviour, respect the route, and obey road laws at all times.

A safe ride is a successful ride. A disciplined group reflects a disciplined Brotherhood.

DURING THE RIDE

CONTROL YOUR SPEED 

The faster you ride, the less time you have to react.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying the power and character of your motorcycle, but public roads are not racetracks.

Ride at a speed appropriate to the law, the road, the weather, the traffic and, most importantly, your own ability.

The objective is not to arrive first.

The objective is to arrive.

DRINK OR RIDE. NEVER BOTH. 

This one needs very little explanation.

Alcohol and motorcycles do not mix.

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect judgement, coordination and reaction time. If you drink, the motorcycle stays parked.

Simple.

READ THE ROAD 

Do not ride looking only at the few metres of road immediately in front of your wheel.

Train yourself to look further ahead.

Read the road. Watch the traffic. Anticipate the bend, the junction, the car preparing to pull out, the gravel on the corner or the pothole waiting to introduce itself to your spine.

The earlier you recognise a potential problem, the more options you have to deal with it.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Give yourself space and position your motorcycle where you can see what is happening ahead.

Avoid following directly behind a vehicle where possible. A good road position can improve your visibility and give you more time to react to potholes, debris, sudden braking or other hazards.

And remember:

If you cannot see ahead, you cannot properly anticipate what is coming.

CHECK YOUR BLIND SPOT

Mirrors are essential, but mirrors are not enough.

Before changing lanes or significantly altering your road position, physically check your blind spot when it is safe to do so.

That quick look over your shoulder can reveal the motorcycle or vehicle your mirrors have missed.

Make it a habit.

STAY OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BLIND SPOTS

Being able to see another vehicle does not necessarily mean its driver can see you.

Position yourself where you are visible and avoid remaining unnecessarily alongside vehicles, particularly larger cars, vans and trucks.

If you suspect the driver cannot see you, ride accordingly.

Never depend on being noticed.

NEW RIDER? TAKE YOUR TIME.

Everyone was a beginner once.

Ride as often as you comfortably can. Build experience gradually and join easier rides whenever possible.

Do not feel pressured to ride faster simply because someone else has more experience.

Smoothness, awareness and good judgement matter far more than speed.

A Brother who knows his limits is a better rider than one trying to prove he has none.

ONE LAST THING

We ride because we love motorcycles, the road, and the company of our Brothers.

Safety is not there to take the enjoyment out of riding.

It is what allows us to keep enjoying it.

So prepare properly. Stay alert. Respect the road. Respect the Road Team. Look after yourself and look after the Brothers riding with you.

And when the engines start, enjoy every kilometre.