Family & Friends Following a Rider

Most of The Tour du Rouge will be ridden on small back roads where space is limited. We discourage riders from having their own follow / support vehicles. We strongly recommend that riders make arrangements to have Family and Friends meet you at the motel for each day's ride, and not along the daily route. For special circumstances, with prior approval of the Ride Director, Family and Friends, may accompany the rider.

If you do have F&F following you to New Orleans, we ask that they follow these guidelines for everyone's safety

• Follow all applicable traffic laws at all times.
• If there is an accident in the Tour, please stay out of the way.
• Do not impede the normal flow of traffic. That is, do not drive behind the rider as he/she rides. While you may want to protect your loved one as he/she rides, it's not a good idea. Slow moving vehicles blocking the roadway actually increase the accident potential. Other drivers get frustrated at the slow pace and take unnecessary risks to pass. Cars approaching from the rear may not see the rider. After passing they may cut back into the lane quickly, hitting or forcing the rider off the road.
• If you stop to wait for your rider, pull completely off the rideable road surface. If you just park on the paved shoulder, you force the riders to merge into the traffic lanes. This increases their exposure to an accident.
• Before the ride each day, setup meeting places for the car to park and wait for the rider. A safe place is a location where both the rider and vehicle can pull completely out of traffic, off the road. Parking lots, service stations, convenience stores and side streets are good examples.
• Some rest stops will have adequate room for visitors but not all. Please check with the rest stop personnel before parking. We also ask that you keep the road leading to the rest stop entrance and exit clear.
• F&F will have to arrange for their own lodging and meals. Also, rest stop food and drink is for the riders. You'll need to provide your own snacks and drinks.
• Plan on leaving the hotel no earlier than 30 minutes after the riders start. This will give the riders time to spread out and establish their position.
• When passing riders, give them at least 3 feet of safety space as you pass, 5 feet is better.
• If you pick up a rider for any reason, either the rider or you should contact a ride official so we know where that rider/s is and not spend time searching. Also notify a ride official when the rider resumes riding.
• Cheer the riders as you drive past them and they ride past you. Both of you will feel good.

Thank you for your cooperation.