Group Rides

[mroy05]

What is the best and safest way to learn how to ride in groups?

I have already taken the MSF course, but it didn't really cover this topic.

[gearhead1972]

Great article http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/groupRide.asp

[willprevale]

Read the aticle poted above and we'll talk. There's so much in so many areas it would tak roo long to cover in a post. Briefly... always staggered. New riders up front, lead man in constant communication with back man whether by radio or hand signal. Pass and return to lane as a group ( a real skill). I could literally do a 4 hour seminar on just group riding. It terrifies me to see some of these charity rides organized with good intentions with no real plan. Last year the local toys for tots run netted 4 or 5 bikes down and two mercy flights to the hospital. This year, nothing changed. Same disorganization. With the exception of the fellas I know, I avoid group rides altogether.

[Moved On]

Originally Posted by mroy05

What is the best and safest way to learn how to ride in groups? I have already taken the MSF course, but it didn't really cover this topic.

Join your local HOG and ride with them. When you go for your first ride with them, let them know that you are a new rider and they will give you some tips. They'll usually put you near the front or rear depends on the group. Go to the monthly meeting and try to find the safety officer, talk to him (her). They might have an extra copy of the group riding hand book.

Here's the basic rules from the Syracuse NY chapter. Here's another good HOG chapter page.

Gazza

[willprevale]

Gazza. Yer probably right as the HOG folks go. I always put newer riders up front so they can be watched. Also it insures that the faster bikes don't lead them into trouble.

[Moved On]

Originally Posted by willprevale

Gazza. Yer probably right as the HOG folks go. I always put newer riders up front so they can be watched. Also it insures that the faster bikes don't lead them into trouble.

Yea, I edited my post to be nonspecific...

I've seen groups do it both ways. If you put the new folks up front then the group can gauge their speed on the new riders abilities. That way you don't leave them behind. If you put them toward the back, then they can learn the hand and foot signals from watching the people in front of them and get to see first hand how the lane changes, merges, passing, etc. works. Our chapter tends to use the later method.

It really drives the experienced people nuts if you have a newbie up front that keeps changing lanes. I remember one ride last year where me and another guy were right behind a fairly new couple, they kept changing lanes back and forth. Me and the guy next to me were about ready to wring their necks. We were trying to keep the formation tight, but kept doing the advance and fall back dance... finally we just dropped way back and let them do whatever the heck they wanted to do. The safety officer had a "discussion" with them when we got to our destination

The best thing about learning with a group like HOG is that most chapters usually take safety pretty seriously. Learning to ride with a group like the Star Society is an oxymoron, it (learning) won't happen. Trying to learn on your own in a big thousand bike charity run, is just plain dangerous.

Gazza

[XLFREAK]

I hate being at the front of a group, and really hate riding point, or lead. I don't trust people behind me at all.

Plus I don't push my pace when I'm at the back. But when I'm up front I feel like I'm holding everyone back.

[willprevale]

Originally Posted by Gary

kept doing the advance and fall back dance.

a wreck waiting to happen. That's when cars get to cut in and out screwing everything up.

. Trying to learn on your own in a big thousand bike charity run, is just plain dangerous.

Well said Gazza, Thanks

[midnitewolf]

mroy05 ,
Like Will said there would be alot to cover in a post , but what I did was find a
couple of riding clubs in my area on the internet and then joined them for a
couple of there shorter rides . Any good club will have a short meeting with
the road captain before the ride to go over hand signals , filling in from front
or the rear , ect. The main thing is even though your with a group, ride
your own ride , don't push limits to keep up .


Of course the #1 rule is don't hit the guy in front of you