You’ve probably seen motor officers (and also big bad bikers) riding side-by-side in 2 columns. The side-by-side formation looks really impressive, but a staggered formation allows for more maneuvering room. In a staggered formation, riders follow at a 2-second interval behind the machine in that wheel track. The staggered formation moves the same number of bikes in the same road space, but allows machines in either column to temporarily move sideways to avoid hazards such as a car door, pothole, or edge trap. The staggered formation also provides a slightly better view of other riders. Two seconds is the minimum distance to provide a space cushion, while keeping the group as compact as possible. If everyone pays attention, it is easy to establish and maintain a staggered 2-second formation. It’s the Captain’s choice whether to ride in the left or right wheel track. The bad news is that we must be prepared for a Daffy Don to join us. When you are signaling "start your engines", Daffy will still be chatting with that chickie-babe on the pink Sportster, with his riding gear still on the counter in the coffee shop and his keys in an inside pocket. Daffy will be constantly drifting over into the wrong track, or creeping back an extra 8 or 10 seconds to really upset the rear guard and make them miss the traffic light. Of course, Daffy will also expect you to find a gas station in a few minutes, because he only fills up after his bike goes on reserve, and that won’t occur until for at least another five miles. Don’t think you can ignore him-he’ll roar up through the pack to tell you when he’s ready.
It’s a smart idea to have a short riders’ meeting before taking off to explain where you’re going, what sort of formation you’ll be using, the meaning of various hand signals, the radio channel you’ll be using, and what to do in case of a breakdown. This also establishes in everyone’s mind who the leader is. It’s also a good time to pass out route sheets. You might also suggest that if anyone needs to split from the group that they notify Charlie, so he won’t have to run the whole route backwards looking for a ‘stranded’ rider who’s been home for a couple of hours suckin’ on a cold one. Clubs which ride together on a regular basis often find it useful to have CB radios, especially on the lead and tail-end bikes. The Captain can explain what’s coming up next, and Charlie can report what’s happening back at the tail-end. For example, Charlie can whine that he’s had to stop with Daffy, whose dry battery has finally expired, and would the next participant with a radio kindly assume the Charlie job?
Hand and light signals
are quick ways to communicate, with or without radios. I once happened
to pull in behind a group of Gold Wing riders during a run, and was
privileged to observe their proficient group skills. The ride leader
maintained a slow enough speed to allow the others to quickly catch
up as they pulled onto the road. Once rolling, all riders maintained
exact position and following distance in a nice staggered formation.
At the sight of a pothole, the leader flashed his stop light twice,
and all the others passed the warning signal back. Where the road
narrowed, the leader held up one finger, and everyone shifted smoothly
into single file. Through a twisty section, the riders cornered briskly
at the same pace. Where the road widened again, the leader held up
two fingers, and the group immediately changed back to a staggered
formation. To change lanes, the leader positioned the group next to
a space in traffic and signaled. Charlie immediately signaled, and
the whole group moved over as one. Their ride was truly an impressive Cranking a finger in a
circle with your right arm means, "Start your engines".
The left hand patting the top of your head or helmet means, "Turn
on your headlight". A hand held high with the fingers opening
and closing means "Turn off your turn signal, Daffy". Pumping
your hand down (palm down) means, "Slow down". Pumping your
hand up (palm up) means, "Speed up". Waving your hand forward
means "Go ahead and pass me" or "You lead." Waving
your hand up and down (palm toward the rear) is a warning to delay
the pass. Pointing vigorously toward the general position of your
fuel tank There are other hand signals you might find useful (See Below)
My suggestion for Road
Captains blessed with a "Daffy" is to expect everyone to
conform to the group, and make that clear at the riders’ meeting.
When it’s time to go, GO! Leave Daffy running around in circles
in the parking lot if he’s not ready. Keep the rest of the group
moving when Daffy runs out of fuel during the ride, and let poor Charlie
handle the problem. When the group stops for fuel, expect everyone
to top off their tanks and/or drain their bladders.
When you’re leading
a group through controlled intersections in traffic, it is unlikely
that you will get everyone through before the light turns red. There
is a temptation for the following riders to speed up and run the yellow
to stay with the group. Tail end riders may panic and run the red
also. Explain at the riders’ meeting in the beginning that riders
are expected to obey all traffic signals, and that you will slow down
as necessary to let
When we think "group ride", we usually imagine a long string of bikes in formation, but there are other ways to move a group. Formation rides are fun, but socialization takes place mostly on the rest stops and meals, not on the road. One technique I have used is printing up route sheets, which detail the route and schedule. Participants who wish to ride in formation can follow along. Those who would rather ride alone are advised to leave before the scheduled time, so that we’ll know if they have had a problem. It’s relatively easy to make up route sheets by snipping pieces out of an official tourist map and adding schedule information alongside. If you are concerned about copyright infringement, you can make a simplified tracing of that part of the map. The longer the trip, the more important it is to divide a larger group into smaller units. Ken Craven, that irascible British tour leader (now deceased) used to suggest that participants on his trips to Spain divide up into teams of three riders. Ken had noted that accidents always involved four or more riders, never two or three. One reason should be obvious; three riders can all see each other. With four or more, at least one of the riders can be hidden. Poker runs are a form of group ride in which everyone usually rides at their own pace
Group rides are a lot more enjoyable when the leader is more like Boss Man Bill, and less like Daffy Don. If you’ve never ridden in a group, make a point of staying close to the Road Captain rather than at the back of the pack. It’s a lot easier to maintain speed and position if you are no more than two or three bikes from the front. To avoid being a Daffy yourself, fill your tank and empty your bladder before the scheduled departure time. When the leader is ready to go, get your key in the ignition and get ready to roll. Once underway, maintain the requested interval and lane position. Try to avoid drifting back and creating a big hole in the formation. If someone ahead suddenly wakes up to being in the wrong track and moves over, every following rider should immediately re-establish the proper staggered formation. Watch the leader for hand signals. When riders ahead give warning signs, pass the signal back down the line. If another rider has a problem and pulls over, stay with the group and keep rolling unless the leader also pulls over, or asks you to stop and help. It’s Charlie’s job to deal with the problem. When the group pulls into a parking lot, follow the parking drill with everyone else. Don’t ride up behind the next rider, but pull up alongside to the left, and immediately roll your machine back into the parking space. Avoid "creative" parking decisions on your own, which might result in a line of others following you and blocking tail end riders still trying to get off the street.
Of course, you might just happen to join a group that elected Daffy Don to lead, or find yourself with a thirsty gang that makes tavern stops every five miles, or encounter a "magnetic" rider who wants to tag along. If you find yourself in a group that starts doing dangerous things, excuse yourself and quit the ride. If you’re embarrassed about leaving, remember that it is ridiculously easy to get separated. Ease off the throttle, signal others to pass, and make a pit stop. Or, make a "wrong" turn and get "lost". Definitely avoid a group where riders are drinking during the ride. The possibility of finding some new buddies isn’t worth the risk of an accident. The same logic holds true for magnetic riders who are attracted to other motorcyclists and zoom over to create a group without asking. If you would rather ride alone and concentrate on what you are doing, wave "so long" and change lanes. If necessary, take the next exit, or stop for coffee, or just stop and see what they want.
OK, you got the group rolling. You’ve managed to efficiently herd everyone through town without losing Charlie or causing an accident, and it’s been a pleasant ride. Now, how do you get a long string of motorcycles stopped and parked for lunch without creating a traffic hazard? The most important consideration is having a parking area that’s big enough for the whole group. You don’t want to
get half the group off the road and leave the other half stranded
out there like sitting ducks. The best scenario is when the group
has space to motor into a parking lot and park side-by-side to conserve
space. Riders should pull up to the left of each rider ahead, so they
can immediately back into the parking space without waiting. With
a little experience, the whole group can get parked quickly, which
If you have been avoiding group rides like the plague, consider joining up once in a while as part of your skill improvement program. Maybe you will even discover some fellow enthusiasts with whom you enjoy riding. If none of the others measure up to your standards of group leadership, maybe you’ll just have to be a Road Captain and show ‘em how it’s done. But remember; riding in a group once in a while doesn’t mean you can’t go droning off toward the horizon by yourself when you feel like it.
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