Frequently Asked Questions

General info and admin

What is Team 5?  The IAM RoadSmart and York Advanced Motorcyclists’ primary aim is to improve riding skills through courses and coaching.  However, we don’t want that to be the end of your journey with YAM.  Team 5 is the social side of the club – a place for likeminded bikers to meet and enjoy the friendship of regular rides around the beautiful Yorkshire roads.

Why is it called Team 5?  Great question!  Originally there used to be four training teams of associates (Teams 1 – 4) and then Team 5 was the social team.  We don’t have different “teams” of associates now but the name of Team 5 has stuck.

How do I join Team 5?  Once you’ve passed your Advanced Motorcycle Test and move from being an Associate to a full member of YAM then you automatically join Team 5.

How much does it cost to be in Team 5?  There is a local YAM annual fee of £10 and as long as you maintain your IAM RoadSmart membership then you’ll remain a member of YAM and Team 5.

Why do we need to sign a Risk Assessment doc when we join T5?  The IAM insists on all Associates signing an RA doc and T5 have their own version covering the type of activities and challenges we encounter.  It also serves to demonstrate our responsibility to the Police should there be an incident on a Group Ride.

Where can I find a copy of the Risk Assessment doc or the check ride form?  Both of these are in our document store here

How can I find the email address or mobile ‘phone number of another member of T5?  If you are logged into to the site with the email address you have supplied for us, you can go to T5 People and see the details there.

Rides

What are check rides for?  One of the overriding aims of Team 5 activity is to maintain our skill levels and this is one way of measuring them.  Conducted by an Observer, a number of skills are assessed and recorded on a Check Ride Sheet for the T5ers benefit; this is not an exam but we do all agree to do it every 2 years.  It also serves to demonstrate our responsibility to the Police should there be an incident on a Group Ride.

Where do the Saturday morning rides start and end?   Traditionally rides would always start from Squire’s Biker Café, however recently we’ve also (but now less frequently) been meeting at different locations around York and the surrounding areas (Sainsbury’s at Monks Cross, Garforth Garden Centre, Strawberry Fields Café on the A19, etc.).  The ride description in the calendar will tell you where the meet is for a particular ride.  Rides can end up anywhere depending upon the ride leader.  Quite often, once the ride has finished, people either ride home by themselves or ride back to different locations in smaller groups, depending on where people live.

How far are the Saturday morning rides?  The Half Day rides are around 3 hours (about 60 to 70 miles) to the final destination, including a halfway T&P break.  The All Day rides usually last up to 5 or 6 hours (can be 90 to 140 miles) to the lunch destination, including a halfway T&P break and sometimes a final stop on the way home.  They can finish over on the coast or elsewhere so your total ride could be a fair bit more depending on where you need to ride back to.

What is a social ride?  A monthly ride organised by T5 on the 1st Sunday of the month which takes all day and can include 3 to 4 T&P stops.  On these rides you can bring along a pillion along.

Can I bring a pillion passenger?  Not on a Team 5 ride – see monthly ride outs for more information.

Is there a cut off for putting our names down for a ride?  Ideally by Thursday evening before the ride. However, we do realise that people will want to come right up to the last moment.  Don't worry - please just turn up at the meeting point and make yourself known to the leader.  It's still important that everyone completes the online registration process so that we have a record of everyone that's on the ride. If you haven't done so already you can do it on your phone before we set off!

Drop off system

How does the drop off system work?  It's easy - please read the guidance on the Important information page

If I’m marking a junction, how long should I wait before doing something?  Up to 15 minutes can be reasonable but if you have the ‘phone number of either the Leader or Back Marker it would be reasonable to call them after 5 to 10 minutes.

If I’m marking a junction and I’ve waited for the prescribed time, what should I do next?

1. If you haven’t called the Leader or Back Marker and you have those details, try to call them first.
2. In any case try and retrace your steps along the route to see if you can ascertain a reason for the delay, if e.g. you come across another member marking the previous junction you should both retrace.
3. If you cannot discover the reason for the problem and you know the next stop/destination you could try to get there anyway.

Group riding

How does everyone keep together on rides - do you use intercoms?  We don’t use intercoms but we do use the “Second rider drop off system” to ensure we all stay together. See the Important information page for full details

Should I overtake slow members of the group?  No - where possible keep up with the pace of the group within the speed limits etc. 

Why aren’t we allowed to overtake on T5 rides?  We are a team that look after each other, overtaking can be intimidating and may preclude a team member from experiencing the Drop Off system properly.

What happens if the ride gets split up?  Stop and wait – the back marker will catch up with you and make contact with the ride leader to regroup the ride, if contact cannot be made or you get lost then proceed to the next stop i.e. tea or lunch stop (or go home).

If I’m the ride leader what happens if the group gets splits up?  You should always ensure you have the contact details of the back marker, they should call you if the ride gets split up and arrange to regroup.

Should we wait in a long line at junctions?  No - where safe to do so stop two/three abreast and minimise the space between riders. Ensure you stop slightly staggered so each rider can see traffic, remember to set off again in the same ride order.

Planning and leading a ride

If I put down for a ride and state I am prepared to lead, can I choose my own route, start and finish points etc?  Yes, you can.

Need help to plan a ride?  You should already have received a link to the Ride Planning section and soon everyone will receive an invitation to the Team 5 Group on MyRoute App.  These are great tools for planning and sharing your route.

How can I find the email address or mobile ‘phone number of another member of T5?  If you are logged into to the site with the email address you have supplied for us, you can go to People and see the details there.