More group riding tips…

  • When riding as a group, lane changes into a lane that is moving slower than you are should be done just as you do when passing a car - one at a time, first bike to last. The formation moves from front to rear with the last bike to make the lane change. Observe that so long as the lead bike returns to the slower lane and maintains speed, the hole in the target lane gets larger and everybody can move over (one by one) with minimal time consumed. Only after the sweep has made the lane change should speeds for the group be changed (lowered) to insure that everyone can get into the new lane. NOTE: there may be a requirement for the sweep to block the lane for safety factors, however this does not allow for the rear bikes to begin the lane change!
  • Another tip is that your mirrors only say NO. That is, if you see a problem in your mirrors, they are telling you not to move into that problem. If they do not show you a problem that is not the same as them saying yes, make your move. Head checks every time (just like you learned in your MSF or Rider’s Edge class)!
  • When you are riding in a group as other than lead or sweep your principal activity is ’station keeping’ - that is maintaining proper distance between yourself and the bike ahead of you. Since the vast majority of accident threats present themselves to you from the front, each person should be encouraged to focus their attention primarily in front of them. In other words, it is dangerous to spend too much time watching your rear-view mirrors.
  • Doing the “wave.” In a group, only the group leader should wave to the individual rider/group and vise-versa. In a group you have TWO SECONDS to react to the rider in front of you! You need to keep formation and accept that the group leader will do the waving for you otherwise you’re just putting yourself and everyone else in jeopardy.
  • If it’s shiny or black, ride a different track. Just because you are in staggered formation does not mean that you have to stay in your track. There is a whole lane at your disposal without encroaching on the traffic rights of other motorists. You ride staggered to give you maneuvering room in case you need it. Rather than ride over a patch of shiny or unusually black surface (i.e. tar snakes), assume you need it.
  • An individual rider can always initiate a hand signal telling the person behind him/her to slow down. This is the way to reduce concern about an inexperienced rider in the rear driving too close to the bike ahead of him. On the other hand, nobody but the lead bike is entitled to originate a hand signal telling the person behind him/her to speed up (this is another way of saying that spacing in a group is usually specified in terms of minimums ['no closer than 1 second'] - the riders can individually decide to use a larger space).
  • There is nothing magic or sacred about avoiding the center track of your lane. Debris usually ends up not in the center track, but on the lines on a freeway. Since there is so little stopping on a freeway, the center track is usually not significantly more greasy than to either side of it. So, in high wind situations, favor the center track. Passing between a pair of 18-wheelers, use the center track. Riding in the fast lane with a guard rail or retaining wall near by, use the center track.

Also, as a group sometimes the lead and sweep ride leaders might miss things that could be a danger to the group (i.e. animals crossing) so don’t be afraid to signal the lead or sweep to a problem - of course without breaking out of the group or placing yourself in harm’s way. If it’s another rider and it’s NOT LIFE THREATENING, then discuss it with the road leader(s) and the rider at a break or at the end of the ride.