Group Riding Courtesy

[tbhlaw]

What are your rules or advice for riders and leaders of a group ride?

[CapNCrunch]

What are your rules or advice for riders and leaders of a group ride?

We tell our group riders to hold their position. Don't go barreling ahead, passing everyone else. That's VERY bad manners. If you want to ride closer to the front, just wait until a rest stop, and then change your position.
CapNCrunch : =)

[SPYD3R]

when riding in groups....
1. the leader needs to be somebody that all other riders trust.
2. when following the leader, even with a SPYD3R, stager your positions so you can be seen by the forward rider in his/her mirrors... leader should be on the left side of the lane, #2 rider on the right side, #3 left, #4 right, so on...
3. if, while leading, the rider behind is too close, speed up, if he/she is too far behind, slow down... if too close, and person in front should signal the rider behind to back-off...
4. never compromise your safety...
5. agree on GAS STOPS and FOOD STOPS prior to departure...
6. agree to destinations prior to leaving, except when it's a 'ride to nowhere'... then just follow and have fun...

[Don in E Texas]

While I do not care for group rides in general, my best suggestion to anyone that will doing their first such ride is to get to the head of the pack. The folks at the end are like the end of a whip - either full throttle or on the brakes. Just my observation. My favorite group ride is along the line of a "Poker Run" where you are given a map and you can do it by yourself or with a group of friends; your choice. Great way to enjoy the ride and stop whenever you want.

Again, just my $.02 worth

Don

[Oldmanzues]

Ask a Gold Wing Group or rider would be your best bet. I do not have the information in a e-file
Lots of things
Arrive with full tanks, empty bladders and maybe food depending on ride
Ride staggered2 or so second from the bike directly in front of you, 1 sec behind the bike in the other lane.
Learn and use hand signals, if everybody does not a CB. Soiognal on internet from several groups
Leave on time from starting point
Plan for a breakdown/accident. Who does what.
Agree with no sling shosts from above.
Ride the slowest riders ABILITY
Ride YOUR ride. If they are going to fast, move and wave them on.
Have prearranged singal if you are leaving the group in mid travel
lots more
Be safe and have fun

added
I have no information Harelyother group rides, (with exception of PGR rides which have a special purpose.)would assume some of same

[Jeriatric]

Our next stop is 'X'. Get there at a pace that's comfortable for you and whomever you pair up with. Be safe and we'll see ya there.

Group meeting is so much safer than group riding. Especially when skill levels can vary so widely.

[ARtraveler]

Group riding:

:ani29:: We usually break up into groups of 8 or less. Each group has a leader and a sweep. Leader and sweep are usually in communication with each other.
:ani29:: Groups are stagger started. Every minute to two minutes, so that a large group of riders is not going to impede the movement of traffic.
:ani29:: Riders are in groups with "like" abilities. Faster riders with one, regular riders, slower riders, newbies to group riding, etc.
:ani29:: MSA hand signals are used so that all riders are aware of the intention of the pack leader.
:ani29:: We ride in stagger formation. Only do the side by side when coming up to stop signs or stop lights.
:ani29:: Common courtesy dictates that you arrive with a full tank of gas and an empty bladder.
:ani29:: The ride plan is discussed prior to leaving, at the pre ride meeting.
:ani29:: Group riding is not for everyone. You need to be very aware of what is going on around you, and must anticipate stops or others not paying full attention. The club I refer to has had a 15 plus year safety record. No incidents, or accidents.
:ani29:: I have done both road captain and sweeper duty, as well as working with newbies.

[Pennyrick]

What are your rules or advice for riders and leaders of a group ride?


Been riding for 41 years and have yet to enjoy or feel safe on any group ride. Started out with GWRRA rides but too many times we ran into too many jackasses who spoiled things for the group. Trying to hold a group of motorcycle riders in some kind of order is like herding cats. There always seems to be a few hot dogs in the group and usually an equal amount of timid riders.

The last group ride we were on with Spyder folks we had to continually worry about a rider who took turns too wide, lagged behind everyone else and was on and off the throttle constantly.

We now will not participate in a group ride unless it is a parade of some sort escorted by law enforcement.

Best to pick a destination and agree to meet there at some predetermined time and enjoy the ride on the way without having to worry about members of a group.

[2Paw]

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/street/resources/groupriding.aspx

[bruiser]

I'm the road captain for our RC. All of our members have been through the MSA course and some have been through an advanced course.
We always have a meeting prior to a ride to discuss plans and make sure everyone knows where we are going.
We never leave anyone behind. If someone drops out, the person behind them drops out with them to make sure all is ok or help.
If caught at a traffic light, the rest of the group slows down until the remaining group catches up.
We maintain our spacing, but if a cage pushes their way in, we let them. Doesn't pay to argue.

I've been in small group rides with as few as 10 bikes and rides with up to 900 bikes. We've been in large group rides where we have pulled out because we didn't feel safe or the ride captain didn't control the ride.

Best advice, pay attention at all times, maintain spacing and if you aren't comfortable, pull out.

[Chupaca]

Group rydes are not for everyone. You have to go into one knowing that you cannot ryde your ryde. You will have the fast and furious and slower pokier ones. It is a chore keeping this event from falling apart. You need a good lead that won't run away from the pack. Good idea to have a middle ryder with good knowledge of the route and your sweep pulling up the rear.Grouping up staggering at lights helps get the group across and an eye to rear keeps the group tight and cages from sqweezing in. If you cross a light incomplete regroup in a safe spot and if spread out last one through a turn waits fro the ones behind. A lot will depend on your group size. Great suggestions above with all this information you should be able to handle a ryde. If you can have communication between lead and sweep you will be ahead of the game...:ohyea::ohyea:

[Spyder Tony]

when riding in groups....
1. the leader needs to be somebody that all other riders trust.
2. when following the leader, even with a SPYD3R, stager your positions so you can be seen by the forward rider in his/her mirrors... leader should be on the left side of the lane, #2 rider on the right side, #3 left, #4 right, so on...
3. if, while leading, the rider behind is too close, speed up, if he/she is too far behind, slow down... if too close, and person in front should signal the rider behind to back-off...
4. never compromise your safety...
5. agree on GAS STOPS and FOOD STOPS prior to departure...
6. agree to destinations prior to leaving, except when it's a 'ride to nowhere'... then just follow and have fun...

:agree: The only thing I would add is for each ryder to be responsible for the person directly behind. If you take a turn & the person behind does not see (maybe too far back, etc.)...stop and wait at the intersection/junction point until they have line-of-sight. This saves on the whole group repeatedly stopping for lost members. I ryde regularly in groups of 30-40...and in hundreds (broken into smaller groups) on the larger Toy Runs etc. and this method helps the ryde stay together and fun for all.

[den1953]

I'm still on two yet and hold position of Ride Captain with our American Legion Riders. Correct about the leader staying left towards the centerline and yes passing & horseplay is dangerous and pisses off the riders. We ride staggered and the following distance to the rider directly ahead of you is doubled from what you'd see in a car. The captain uses hand signals along with his turn signals. We usually travel at no more than 5 mph over the posted speed limits. Generally any of our members on trikes try on their own to take up the rear. This is more for safety as they are more visible to cars approaching from the rear. I don't see where a group ride made up of entirely trikes or Spyders could stagger their formation. The rules of the ride would otherwise be the same though.

[Bob Denman]

when riding in groups....
1. the leader needs to be somebody that all other riders trust.
2. when following the leader, even with a SPYD3R, stager your positions so you can be seen by the forward rider in his/her mirrors... leader should be on the left side of the lane, #2 rider on the right side, #3 left, #4 right, so on...
3. if, while leading, the rider behind is too close, speed up, if he/she is too far behind, slow down... if too close, and person in front should signal the rider behind to back-off...
4. never compromise your safety...
5. agree on GAS STOPS and FOOD STOPS prior to departure...
6. agree to destinations prior to leaving, except when it's a 'ride to nowhere'... then just follow and have fun...
:agree: with all of them; except number 4...
That one; I agree with TWICE! :D :2thumbs:

[Cruzr Joe]

Try to group ride with people who ride like you do.

Be courteous, and careful

Have a planned route with planned stops

the more people in the group, the harder it is to stay together, like some one else said, too many and it's like herding cats

Now get out of the way and let me pass.:roflblack::roflblack:

Cruzr Joe

[Sarge707]

Our next stop is 'X'. Get there at a pace that's comfortable for you and whomever you pair up with. Be safe and we'll see ya there.

Group meeting is so much safer than group riding. Especially when skill levels can vary so widely.
:agree: See You at the Next stop! Have Fun?nojoke

[den1953]

I have been on numerous Poker Runs. Most of these will have bars/beer joints for poker stops. Most of the time the majority of riders have common sense and either limit alcohol consumption or just don't drink. However I've been on several where riders overindulge and have more than one drink per stop including doing shots. It got so bad on one run that I just left the ride after the second stop and didn't go the the next three because of so many drunken bikers weaving ahead of me. Another problem, especially on large runs with big groups is the accordion effect. This is usually caused by riders on bikes with loud pipes constantly slowing down then gunning their bikes to make loud noise. There was once a collision of several bikes because of this behavior and it held up several hundred bikes until the ambulance could get there.

[FaranH]

Two most common mistakes I've seen Spyder riders make (both in "mixed" rides with 2-wheelers and with all-Spyder riders) are:

1. Not staggering: yes, our Spyders are wide. But not so wide that you have to ride right in the middle of the lane. Stay on the opposite side of the lane from the person in front of you. And if they are in the middle, then I need to be the person to stagger correctly, staying right or stay left except when road or traffic conditions make it unsafe. Then you can see multiple tail lights in front of you and the riders behind you can too.

2. Riding too far apart: it took me a few rides to realize that it is actually safer for the group to ride fairly tight. Cars are less likely to "break in line" and cut off other riders. Spyderlady is fond of saying if the rider in front of you passes a landmark and it takes more than 3 seconds before you pass the same landmark, then you are lagging behind and need to speed up. However, some people are not comfortable with this and you have to ride where your skills/comfort allow. So know the route, ride toward the back and make sure other riders know you may end up at the destination later than everyone else. But don't slow the group down wondering where you are.

[webweaver]

My only addition to what has already been said is that the lead rider needs to check his mirrors often for stragglers or for those that maybe having some sort of trouble. :ani29: Penny

[USAFE7RET]

And, do not let members of the ride group try to stop traffic at lights or stop signs. Not only is it illegal, it is extremely dangerous for the bikers going through an intersection being "guarded" by some moron who thinks they have the right to do so. Leave that to the cops, they're trained for it, and have lights and authority to do so. We've had some serious accidents around here when the weekend warrior harley group goes bar hopping, trys to block traffic at a major intersection, and people just go by the lights and wham, picking harley pieces out of the grill of a kenworth or smaller.

That being said, I hate riding in groups, so I don't do it. Tried it enough to see that it isn't for me.

[SpyderLady]

Another important item in group ryding is using hand signals and passing them back. If you are the lead use the old fashion signals, even pointing out obstacles in the road. Then every one should pass the signal back so everyone is aware of what is going on or where there is a turn.

Also, the person in front of you is responsible for the person behind them. If you cannot see the person behind you start slowing down. This will have the total impact of slowing everyone down all the way up to the lead so no one gets lost it left behind.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I would love to see some training seminars for situations exactly like this at SpyderFest. When I look at the schedule I am seriously disappointed to not see anything truly educational on the schedule. As a GW rider moving to an RT, that is one of the reasons I've decided not to go to SpyderFest, at least not this year. Education is one of the foundation blocks of the Goldwing Road Riders Assoc, and seminars covering subjects like group riding are the norm at conventions. I'm very pleased to see the quality of the responses to the OP's question. It is a good question, too. Maybe the organizers of SpyderFest will consider adding such seminars in the future. I know many riders will say they go to SpyderFest to have fun, not to be preached at by safety instructors, and that's OK. But, the fun is enhanced when you know and practice the rules of safety while enjoying the ride. Nothing like an accident to take the fun out of the fun.

I plan to take the Trike Rider Course at the NW region GW convention this summer. Even though I've been riding off and on for more than 50 years, and put 52,000 miles on my 'wing since 2006, I know I don't know it all, and never will. There's a reason GWRRA stresses Friends - Fun - Safety - Knowledge.

[redflasher]

Gave up group riding years ago. Way too dangerous in my opinion.

[MidTNDawg]

Attend a MSF rider course. Some good advice in this thread, but the course is good. Some call it too basic. There is no such thing as too basic when it comes to safety.

[ARtraveler]

Attend a MSF rider course. Some good advice in this thread, but the course is good. Some call it too basic. There is no such thing as too basic when it comes to safety.

I have heard nothing but good from those who have taken the regular and the advanced versions of the MSF courses. Even experienced riders have come away saying they learned many new things.

IMO: You can't know too much about safety.