Hartford H.O.G. #1124 - Road Captains Column

It´s Time To Ride!

   Hi. My name is Robert Dorau and I am the HEAD ROAD CAPTAIN this year for Hartford HOG. I’ve been a member of this club for ten years now and for nine of them I have been a Road Captain leading or sweeping rides to various destinations or charity rides. Most of the rides were short in state day trips, while others were weekend or week long trips with great friends. All of these rides have a couple of things in common; good times and good people hence the HOG motto "Ride and Have Fun.".

   We have many good Road Captains in our club who put their heart and soul into providing you, the member, with a safe and enjoyable ride that you will remember for a lifetime. But we can always use more help, new minds, new ideas, new roads, equal new memories.

   So what exactly does a Road Captain do, and what does it take to be a Road Captain?

   First, the responsibility of a Road Captain, as specified in the HOG manual, is to safely plan a route to a predetermined destination and either lead or sweep the ride. We all know some nice roads out there so why not lead a group down those roads or provide support as a sweep.

   Second, I will guide you as to "how to become a Road Captain", what to look for, what to avoid, and so on. Along with some former Head Road Captains, the Safety Officer and I, we will guide you into becoming a Road Captain and not just "throw" you in front of a group without any guidance. It’s not difficult to lead or sweep a ride; it just takes some foresight to think as a group rather than an individual. It can be intimidating the first few times leading but with time and training you will join the ranks.

   So, do you have what it takes to be a Road Captain? Of course you do!

   I look forward to working with everyone this year in organizing our ride schedule and also recruiting new Road Captains.

   If anyone has any questions please email me at road-captain@hartfordhog.org and watch the website for future postings/meetings.

Robert Dorau
2010 HEAD ROAD CAPTAIN
860-276-0389
road-captain@hartfordhog.org