Group Riding FAQs
It is often challenging to meet the needs and expectations of everyone on a group ride, but there are some things that can be done to get closer to that goal. Understanding what everyone’s needs and expectations are is a good starting point. Attempting to gain this knowledge in advance of the ride can help you prepare a ride that will satisfy more people.
You might plan a variety of optional activities along the route to address various interests. Let the group know that everyone should gather at a designated point at a specified time for the official end of the ride. This would allow riders to participate in some of the things along the way and still finish the rider with the group.
You might plan multiple routes for your ride. One could be an easy scenic route while another could be a more challenging ride. A third might be a direct route for those who just want to get there. All routes would end at a certain time at the same location. A really well planned ride might even have different starting times for each of the routes so that everyone arrives at the destination at the same time.<back>
The first question to ask yourself is if you need to fill the gap. Will the gap fill itself at the next stop sign? If you feel the gap needs to be closed up, the best way is to move across the lane, one at a time.
Assuming the rider on the right drops out, the next rider is on the left two seconds behind the rider ahead. This rider can speed up a little and move into the empty slot. The rider behind is two seconds back and the space is now on the left. This rider speeds up slightly and moves left. This process repeats until the hole falls out the back of the group.The advantage to the crossover method is that there are never two riders side-by-side as happens in the slide up process which is illegal in many states. All riders always have their full lane available to maneuver around a pothole if necessary.<back>
he best way to change lanes with a group is for the leader to signal the change and make the move. The next rider then makes the lane change after signaling and checking to make sure the lane is clear. Each rider in turn follows this process as the group moves into the new lane from the front to the rear. Even within a group ride, each rider must ride their own bike. Using this technique allows everyone to keep their focus on what is happening in front of them while they wait for their turn to move over
It is possible that a few cars might get mixed in with the group while changing lanes, but most likely they will move out of the group as soon as they can. Because of the challenges of moving a group of motorcycles into a new lane, lane changes should only be done when absolutely necessary, such as when a lane is ending or to reach a left turn lane or exit.<back>
Before passing, the ride leader must determine if it is safe to pass, if it is legal to pass, and if it is necessary to pass the other vehicle. If the leader decides that it is safe, legal and necessary to pass this vehicle, the leader should signal, check for traffic ahead and behind, and execute the pass. Each rider in order behind the leader then passes, one at a time, when they feel it is safe to do so. The lead rider must keep the group moving so there is room for each rider to pull back into the lane ahead of the passed vehicle without jeopardizing minimum following distances.<back>