Let's get a handle on what it means to ride as a group vs solo

[loisk]

Similar to breadcrumbs, but more certain..

We use a corner marker system - at a turn, the ride leader hand-indicates to the next rider, who then pulls over with indicator on and arm pointing so all following riders make the turn. When tail end Charlie arrives, he/she flicks high beam lights and the rider doing the indicating and pointing pulls out in front of tail end Charlie.

The only time I have seen this method fail is when the indicating rider had some deep urge to get back to the front of the pack and overtook unnecessarily and dangerously - we were all at about the same pace. Note this is one rider out of oodles.

 

[asp125]

A variation of the breadcrumb method is the 5 minutes or 5 miles rule. If you lose sight of the rider behind you, ride a bit slower than the prevailing posted speed for about 5 minutes, or 5 miles. The objective is for the slower rider to catch up and you resume previous pace. If after that time/distance they don't appear, pull off and wait. After 5 minutes and no rider, backtrack to begin searching for the lost rider.

The advantage of this over simply waiting, is if the dropped rider had a mechanical problem or has fallen off their bike, you begin a search for them in about 10 minutes instead of waiting for long periods wondering if they will catch up. Also in mountain twisties there may be no intersection or corner for miles and miles, often the case out west.

 

[UtahPete]

A variation of the breadcrumb method is the 5 minutes or 5 miles rule. If you lose sight of the rider behind you, ride a bit slower than the prevailing posted speed for about 5 minutes, or 5 miles. The objective is for the slower rider to catch up and you resume previous pace. If after that time/distance they don't appear, pull off and wait. After 5 minutes and no rider, backtrack to begin searching for the lost rider. The advantage of this over simply waiting, is if the dropped rider had a mechanical problem or has fallen off their bike, you begin a search for them in about 10 minutes instead of waiting for long periods wondering if they will catch up.

I like that. Thanks.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

we ensure that each ryder is familiar with the "Breadcrumbs" method of group ryding. This method states that if a group becomes split, the last rider in the front group will pull over at the next turn and wait for the trailing group to catch up.

That is a very important rule in group riding of ATVs or dirt bikes in the mountains. Don't continue beyond a fork in the trail until you know for sure the one behind you knows which way you are headed. A wrong turn in the mountains can cause a lot of consternation! :lecturef_smilie:

 

[NorCalBud]

After 5 minutes and no rider, backtrack to begin searching for the lost rider.

The advantage of this over simply waiting, is if the dropped rider had a mechanical problem or has fallen off their bike, you begin a search for them in about 10 minutes instead of waiting for long periods wondering if they will catch up. Also in mountain twisties there may be no intersection or corner for miles and miles, often the case out west.

IMO, this is the duty, and importance, of the "Sweep", or "Tail End Charlie". Those following behind the disabled ryder should also pull over and wait for the Sweep to arrive before ryding on and catching up to the rest of the group. If the Leader finds themselves with nobody behind them, then they need to turn back and collect the ryders at each turn or where ever they have stopped along the way. This ensures that nobody is left behind. That's worked for us so far... ray:

 

[Easy Rider]

• Make sure to explain the rules before every ride

And, provide for a fun food stop!

Comments?

I thought I replied to this once already.............

If the group consists entirely of "regular" members, no need to "explain the rules" yet again. Just hit the high points as a gentle reminder.

And the group I ride with most often NEVER schedules a ride without food on it somewhere. :thumbup:
Well almost never.