One of the fun things bikers get to do, especially those who are part of a motorcycle club, is to ride in a parade. You get to show off your motorcycle, your gear, your jacket covered with embroidered patches, and let others know just how fun it can be to ride a bike. However, riding in a parade does require you to be aware of a few things. You don't just join in the group and ride however you like.
First, you need to know the parade route and your place in it. Whoever is organizing your club's ride in the parade should know and share this information with everyone riding. That way, you won't end up going out of the parade route or getting ahead/falling behind of the group in front of and behind you.
You also need to know how fast your club will be going. Most of the time, a parade moves very slowly since there are some people marching on foot. Five to ten miles an hour is probably fast enough, and you'll spend some time stopped. Be ready to have your feet on the ground fairly often.
Because there are so many bikes riding near each other, plus pedestrians and other groups in the parade, you have to be aware of everything around you. While you want to wave to the audience, don't get too distracted by them. You wouldn't want to run into that float in front of you or, worse yet, get in the middle of a marching band.
Some bikers choose to go without helmets when riding in a parade. That's often okay, but remember to be aware of safety. This is especially true if you have a passenger on your bike who isn't used to riding.
Keeping these things in mind will guarantee you have a great parade experience!
