Corner marking is a major factor in the success of our rides. Corner Marking allows us to concentrate on the road between coffee breaks without worrying about where we are, which is the responsibility of the ride leader. S/he will mark corners on the route by placing the rider following him/her at or just before the corner where we need to change direction. We can just enjoy the ride!

A few "guidelines" for successful corner marking:

* The lead rider (he/she with the map) and the rear (or tail) rider (always the last rider) will be introduced to you at the ride pre-amble before the ride starts. Note that they will usually be wearing very visible safety vests so that they will stand out and will be very obvious to all on the ride.

* At the corner (yes, even the most obvious ones such as leaving a car park or service station driveway), the lead rider should place a corner marker. During the ride, s/he will do this by pointing to indicate where s/he wants the next rider to stop and corner the mark. If the traffic is heavy, this may well be a couple of hundred meters before an intersection, and the lead rider may well place a second corner marker at the exit of the intersection or roundabout.

* This is where a bit of common sense comes into play. If, as a rider, you see a spot that could be confusing and has not been marked by the lead rider (or maybe the person who was meant to corner mark didn't stop for whatever reason) display some initiative and mark that corner yourself. Your mates that are following will be happy, the lead rider will never know, and you may well be instrumental in getting the whole group to the next bakery!

* The corner marker must always stop in a spot that is safe for him/her and is where they can be easily seen by the riders of the group. A safe location is very important.

* Having located yourself in a safe location as corner marker, you then need to signal to the ride group the direction in which they are to proceed. Do this by waving an arm and/or use of your indicator. It is appreciated that not all bikes turn indicators work when the engine is switched off. Sure, you can stop the engine if you need to but don't flatten the battery with your headlamp on just to have the indicator working! A vigorous wave of an arm is effective. (Pillions come in useful here). It is suggested that you stay on your bike, this saves time and when the tail rider comes on to the scene.

* Now read this IT IS IMPORTANT!! As corner marker, you must wait in position until the tail rider arrives and clears you to proceed. Usually this takes about ten minutes or so for the group to pass but if something has gone wrong with a bike or rider then the tail rider may take a considerable amount of time to sort things out and get to your location. As corner marker, you MUST stay in place until the tail rider comes along, even if it takes an hour or more. If you move on before the tail rider arrives then the tail rider and others will not know which way to go at the spot that you were corner marking! They will not be happy - understandably!

* As the tail rider approaches you, he/she will indicate with headlamp or horn (or a wave) and this is your signal to leave your spot and rejoin the ride, getting ahead of the tail rider as soon as it is safe to do so.

* A golden rule if a corner marker is not marked, is to always follow the main road, and to follow the bitumen where a dirt road goes straight ahead and the bitumen veers off.

* One last thing. If you are immediately ahead of the tail rider, ALWAYS keep their headlight in view. This does not mean that you have to sit two seconds ahead, but rather have an occasional look in your mirrors (you do scan them regularly, don't you?). If you cannot see the tail rider's headlight then ask yourself why and if necessary wait or turn around and look for the tail rider. Being the tail rider can be very lonely indeed if something goes pear shaped.

Thanks to Shearwaters for their permission to copy this article from their newsletter. If we all practice these golden rules we will help to ensure that the day is pleasurable for all. HAPPY RIDING!