01
ROAD CONDITIONS
Check road conditions when planning the ride and again the morning of the event.
Watch for closures, construction or anything that may interfere with the group leaving Phoenix.
CHECK AZ511 ↗
PHOENIX • ARIZONA • USA
RIDE CAPTAIN
GUIDEBOOK.
PLAN THE ROUTE. LEAD THE GROUP.
BRING EVERYONE HOME.
RIDE CAPTAIN FIELD GUIDE
01 / THE ROLE
LEAD
THE RIDE.
The primary responsibility of a Phoenix Ducati Ride Captain is to plan and lead group rides for club members.
Whether it is a short local run, a canyon ride or an all-day adventure, you are representing Phoenix Ducati as a member of the leadership team.
Ride Captains are expected to be professional, promote safe riding and create an experience where members can enjoy the ride together.
4+
RIDES PER YEAR
10–12
RIDERS PER GROUP
90–100
MILES BETWEEN FUEL STOPS
10
MINUTES BEFORE KSU FOR MEETING
02 / BEFORE THE RIDE
PLAN IT
RIGHT.
Great group rides begin before anyone puts a helmet on. Know the route, conditions, weather, fuel range and timing before you publish the event.
02
WEATHER
Phoenix weather may be perfect while mountain and canyon roads are significantly colder.
Consider elevation, seasonal temperatures, rain and other changing conditions along the entire route.
03
START TIME
Summer rides may require early departures to escape the Phoenix heat while winter can make afternoon local rides a better option.
Whenever possible, depart after sunrise and plan to return before dark.
04
FUEL + BREAKS
Plan fuel stops approximately every 90–100 miles.
Regrouping and allowing riders to stretch every 60–90 minutes can also help keep the group organized and comfortable.
05
FOOD
If your route crosses normal meal times, include food in the plan.
Let riders know whether the group is stopping for lunch, coffee, pie or another destination.
06
MAP THE ROUTE
Google Maps works well for building a route using multiple destinations.
Save the shareable route link so it can be included with the event information.
NEW RIDE CAPTAINS
START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW.
For your first few rides, choose roads and routes you already know well. Simple destinations such as Bartlett Lake or SR-87 toward Payson allow you to focus on leading the group instead of figuring out the route.
03 / CREATE THE EVENT
TELL THEM
WHERE WE'RE GOING.
For most rides, publish the event approximately two weeks ahead of time. Overnight trips, ticketed events or special rides may require more notice.
01
CREATE THE EVENT
Create the ride through the Phoenix Ducati Events area.
02
CHOOSE A STRONG PHOTO
Use a photo from a previous ride or an iconic location riders will encounter along the route.
03
NAME + DATE
Use the actual meet time as the event start time — not Kick Stands Up.
04
MEMBERS ONLY
Keep Phoenix Ducati group rides private and intended for members.
05
ADD ALL RIDE INFORMATION
Include meet time, KSU, address, route information, destination details and anything riders need to bring.
EVENT DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE
MEET: X:XX AM
KSU: Y:YY AM (15–30 minutes after meet time)
LOCATION:
Full address of meetup location.
RIDE:
Add a description that gets members excited about
the ride and explains what they should know or bring.
ROUTE:
Add Google Maps route link.
REQUIRED SAFETY NOTICE
If you don't have proper riding gear — helmet, gloves, boots, pants, jacket with protection or protective armor — please don't plan on riding. Safety is our first priority.
This is not a sanctioned Ducati ride. All riders are responsible for their own gear and personal safety.
04 / DAY OF THE RIDE
SHOW UP
READY.
Check the conditions one more time before leaving home and use the event page for any last-minute updates.
ARRIVE EARLY
Give yourself enough time to get settled, fuel your bike and prepare before members begin arriving.
MEET YOUR RIDERS
Greet members as they arrive. Learn names, faces and motorcycles whenever possible.
Knowing who is riding with you makes rider counts at future stops much easier.
CHECK THE BIKES
Look for obvious mechanical or safety issues including tires, leaking fluids and damaged components.
CHECK THE GEAR
Riders should have a helmet, gloves, boots, pants and appropriate protective jacket or armor.
GROUP MANAGEMENT
BUILD
THE GROUPS.
Larger rides should be divided into manageable groups. Each group needs leadership at the front and accountability at the rear.
10
TO
12
RIDERS PER GROUP
01
Allow members to self-select groups such as A / B / C based on riding ability.
02
Every group needs a lead rider who knows the route and controls the pace.
03
Designate a sweep rider for each group whenever possible.
04
The lead and sweep should exchange cell phone numbers.
05
Every lead should know exactly how many riders are assigned to their group.
05 / RIDERS MEETING
TEN MINUTES
BEFORE KSU.
Every rider should understand the route, groups, stops and expectations before anyone leaves the parking lot.
✓
Total mileage and route
✓
Planned stopping points
✓
Distance between fuel stops
✓
Weather + road conditions
✓
Group leads + sweeps
✓
Rider count for each group
01
RIDE STAGGERED
Maintain a predictable staggered formation where conditions allow.
02
HOLD A CONSTANT SPEED
Avoid accelerating and slowing repeatedly on the highway.
03
COMMUNICATE
Use turn signals and appropriate hand signals.
04
POINT OUT HAZARDS
Alert riders behind you to sand, debris and other hazards in the roadway.
05
LEAVE STOPPING ROOM
Maintain enough distance from the motorcycle ahead to stop safely.
06
RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE.
Never ride beyond your comfort level just to stay with a group. If the pace isn't right for you, safely move to another group at the next opportunity.
06 / WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS
NO RIDER
LEFT BEHIND.
Problems happen. The Ride Captain's job is to keep the rest of the group organized while making sure the affected rider has a safe path forward.
01
POLICE
If a rider is pulled over, do not break traffic laws or encourage other riders to intervene.
Continue safely to the next planned stop and determine where the rider is located.
If appropriate, contact the rider or send someone back to check on them.
THE GOAL: NO RIDER IS LEFT BEHIND.
02
MECHANICAL
Assess the situation and help the rider determine a safe path forward.
Tire or brake issues may require the motorcycle to remain stationary until help arrives.
Other problems may allow the rider to reach the next town or fuel stop safely.
CAPTAIN KIT:
Basic tools • Fuses • Zip ties
Basic tools • Fuses • Zip ties
03
ACCIDENT
Delegate responsibilities immediately. Someone should assess the situation and call 911.
Do not remove the rider's helmet or move the rider unless emergency personnel instruct you to do so.
Have other riders safely warn approaching traffic of the hazard.
When emergency personnel arrive, note where the rider is being transported.
CONTACT THE RIDER'S EMERGENCY CONTACT WHEN APPROPRIATE.
LEADERSHIP ACCESS
EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST
Before leading a ride, confirm that you have access to the Phoenix Ducati emergency contact list. Member emergency-contact information must remain confidential.
PHX DUCATI RIDE CAPTAINS
SAFE RIDES.
STRONG LEADERSHIP.
ONE CLUB.
REPRESENT THE CLUB. TAKE CARE OF THE GROUP.
MAKE IT A RIDE THEY'LL REMEMBER.