Group Ride Etiquette

1olbull said:

This is good stuff for sure. If we keep the groups down to eight or less, it would be much easier and the lead could keep track of following riders without electronic communications.
I do NOT promote racing; but, I would suggest riders not experienced or comfy with keeping up at 1 sec intervals in staggered formation, please choose to ride in a slower group and toward the rear. Just, my 2 cents.

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That is how we do it in the Wing and Valkyrie clubs that I belong to
Staggered groups
Guide and all comfortable between 65-105
Middleman between both groups also know Guide's routes
Slowpokes between 45-65 followed by tailgunner who also knows the route

ROCKETHEAD said:

That is how we do it in the Wing and Valkyrie clubs that I belong to
Staggered groups
Guide and all comfortable between 65-105
Middleman between both groups also know Guide's routes
Slowpokes between 45-65 followed by tailgunner who also knows the route

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Hey HEAD!
A little PC may be good here. Not all possess the affliction for twisties and speed. Some actually enjoy the ride as well as the scenery. We all have different comfy zones.
Me, I be fortunate in that I enjoy swinging both ways!

1olbull said:

This is good stuff for sure. If we keep the groups down to eight or less, it would be much easier and the lead could keep track of following riders without electronic communications.
I do NOT promote racing; but, I would suggest riders not experienced or comfy with keeping up at 1 sec intervals in staggered formation, please choose to ride in a slower group and toward the rear. Just, my 2 cents.

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That is correct group protocol. Your sweep/tailgunner will still be responsible for them.

1olbull said:

Hey HEAD!
A little PC may be good here. Not all possess the affliction for twisties and speed. Some actually enjoy the ride as well as the scenery. We all have different comfy zones.
Me, I be fortunate in that I enjoy swinging both ways!

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I was usually the Guide or tailgunner with the cb, cell phone, nav, all rider info so I can relate to the scenery aspect of the ride, I usually video'd everything as well...
As long as we set a comfortable speed for all to enjoy and if the individual is not comfortable in keeping the speed limit through turns then they need to hang back. Seen to many guys trying to hang with the guy in front of him and end up causing problems for the folks behind him...

I will bring my medpack, aed, etc with in the event we need to take care of someone.

My 2 cents...

I like to use the pace method.

link here

Anyone can go fast on the straights, the challenge is control in the turns.

When the leader hits a straight, he doesn't speed off, he maintains a pace, this gives following riders a chance to catch up if they need it.
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The other thing is this staggered formation BS......OK, it has a place when riding open interstates/parades/going through towns but once the riding gets technical...SINGLE FILE!!!

When you go single file you also expand your following distance (2 second interval is the very minimum).

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When riding with large groups, the "DROP OFF method" is my favorite technique.

There is a designated LEADER & CABOOSE. (often a flag or something is used to make those bikes distinguishable)

At any change of rt #, turn, or other potential confusion point, the leader "drops off" the rider immediately behind him. (with a pointing signal)

The DROP OFF then stays there and directs all following riders until the CABOOSE arrives.

Then the CABOOSE yields to allow the "DROP OFF" back into the pack.

The fun part of this method is for the faster riders because they can pass (only when safe & only on left & always properly signaling). They can work their way back up to the leader (but never pass the leader).

The slower riders can "ride there own ride" without fear of getting lost from the group.

Also this prevents congestion of the whole pack stopping and waiting at a turn (which can be dangerous or difficult).

Ideally the LEADER & CABOOSE can have helmet bluetooth (though there are times when cell phones or radios don't work)

In special circumstances, even if there are no turns for a long ways, a LEADER may get suspicious that there could be a problem back in the pack. He does a DROP OFF (who will be one of the faster riders) The DROP OFF waits for the CABOOSE & IF AN INORDINATE TIME GOES BY WITH NO SHOWS, he backtracks & either finds everyone coming safe or gets to the scene of a problem. He can then become a messenger back to the LEADER when communication devices are not working.

nolton said:

Have you ever rode with a large group ?

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Yes, I've ridden with a few groups. One was a local BMW group, that one was almost fun. Speeds rarely dropped into double digits, they were insane. Managed to keep up on my K1200RS but for the sake of my license I didn't repeat the encounter. The couple of cruiser groups I've ridden with felt like being in a parade. Putting along in the right lane, taking forever to get somewhere to eat.

No offence to those who like that sort of thing, but I ride to ride, not to socialize. I stop for gas and if necessary eat at gas stops. Over the years I've found a couple of people whose riding style and pace fit my own. In those instances riding with one or two others was rather enjoyable. I can't imagine riding in a group larger than three and when encountering large groups I tend to view them as moving chicanes.

Obviously, I'm not the social type.

GPMAZ said:

Yes, I've ridden with a few groups. One was a local BMW group, that one was almost fun. Speeds rarely dropped into double digits, they were insane. Managed to keep up on my K1200RS but for the sake of my license I didn't repeat the encounter. The couple of cruiser groups I've ridden with felt like being in a parade. Putting along in the right lane, taking forever to get somewhere to eat.

No offence to those who like that sort of thing, but I ride to ride, not to socialize. I stop for gas and if necessary eat at gas stops. Over the years I've found a couple of people whose riding style and pace fit my own. In those instances riding with one or two others was rather enjoyable. I can't imagine riding in a group larger than three and when encountering large groups I tend to view them as moving chicanes.

Obviously, I'm not the social type.

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see "drop off technique" above...lets thing keep moving...I hate parades!!!

I think for the most part we are on the same page, but a pre-ride meeting to go over things and discuss distances between fuel/food/site seeing stops and end destinations is a must each morning. I have been on to many group rides where the evening social and morning coffee discussions don't match up and halfway through a ride you realize that what you were thinking your going to see was deep six'ed the night before...

ROCKETHEAD said:

I was usually the Guide or tailgunner with the cb, cell phone, nav, all rider info so I can relate to the scenery aspect of the ride, I usually video'd everything as well...
As long as we set a comfortable speed for all to enjoy and if the individual is not comfortable in keeping the speed limit through turns then they need to hang back. Seen to many guys trying to hang with the guy in front of him and end up causing problems for the folks behind him...

I will bring my medpack, aed, etc with in the event we need to take care of someone.

Click to expand...

You know I was yanking yer chain?
Bring all the good stuff for sure. I'm going to buy a Sena for my new helmet for this ride just so I can use my cell while riding.
PLEASE don't tell anyone as I have bashed phones and music for years.

this is why i never ride in a group of more than 3 people... just take a bus and save yourselves the headaches...