The first thing you want to do is organize the ride. This can be as informal as standing around in a parking lot, or as complicated as a special meeting to hand out maps and cell phone numbers.

Remember that riding in a group does not mean you surrender any decision making when it comes to your safety. Ride your own ride, and don't go any faster than you feel comfortable going.

When picking your route and the stops you'll make along it, consider the stamina of the group, the experience of all the riders, and the limits of the motorcycles in the group. Remember, these are your friends. If it's going to be a long ride, be sure to have a few break stops along the way.

You'll need to communicate while on the ride, so make sure everyone knows the signals you'll use.

When creating your formation, it's wise to have your experienced riders at the lead and running drag. Positioning the less experienced riders immediately behind the leader. This allows the front rider to adjust the pace if necessary.

Ideally, the drag rider (tailgunner) will have a cell phone to call for help if a motorcycle is disabled, or if there has been an accident.

If the goal of the ride is to keep the group together, the leader should only go at the pace of the least experienced rider.

While riding, don't fixate on the motorcycle in front of you. Instead, remember your basic training. Look well through the turn to where you want to go.

If the group is riding faster than you are comfortable with, let the tailgunner know you're dropping out and ride at your own pace. So you may reach your destination a few seconds behind the others, but you will get there, and that's what's important. Keep in mind, it's all about fun.

All riders are also responsible for making sure their motorcycles are mechanically up to the task. Before you even meet up with the group, make sure you've got plenty of fuel in the tank, and you've taken care of all those maintenance issues. You really don't want to be the reason for stopping the group for something mechanical you could have prevented. 

Click here for the MSF Pre-Ride Check List

If it's going to be a large group, consider establishing a buddy system among the riders, or divide the group into smaller groups of perhaps 6 to 8 bikes. That way, if something goes wrong, you don't have 25 motorcycles sitting on the side of a busy highway. Also, smaller groups can more easily navigate through city streets.

On the road, motorcyclists should have at least a 2-second cushion in front and behind them. If you want to keep the group tight, consider a staggered formation. Leave enough room per lane so each rider can maneuver side-to-side if need be. Avoid side-by-side formations as they shrink your space cushion.

Trikes and sidecars should stay in the center of the lane, and should be given the same amount of cushion as if they were a car

As turns get sharper, or as visibility decreases, move back to a single file formation. You'll also want to use single file when entering or exiting a highway, at toll booths, or when roads have a rough or questionable surface.

At intersections where you've come to a stop, tighten the formation to side-by-side to take up less space. As the light turns green, or when traffic opens up, the bike on the left proceeds through first.

Remember we share the road with many other vehicles, and it's against the law to block an intersection.

When parking, try to get the group off the roadway as quickly as possible. If you can, arrange in advance to have pull-through parking at your destination, or at the very least, make sure there is ample parking for your size group.