Overtaking whilst on a group ride

[chickenfunkstar]

Hi,

Lets say you're in a group ride where there's a bit of a riding pace differential between different members of a group.
This is sort of hard to explain so i've drawn a picture which shows what I mean.

Lets say that you're one of the 'faster' riders (bike B) and you pull up behind one of the slower riders (bike A) who is still faster than the car and is waiting for a good place to overtake the car.

Should bike B wait for bike A to overtake the car and then overtake the slower rider or should he just pass them both at the same time?

The reason I ask is I nearly saw a couple of high speed accidents yesterday due to bike A pulling out to overtake the car without realising that bike B was pulling out to overtake them both.

My view point was that the bike behind should wait untill the slower bike has passed and then pass the slower bike. Thats what i'd do if I were the faster bike unless the slower bike pulled to the left to let me through. Just seems a bit more curtious / safer that way. If I were the slower bike and couldn't find a good place to pass the car within a reasonable period, then i'd pull left to let the other bike through. However i'd expect the bike behind to give me a fair crack at overtaking the car first.

Is there a general guide line about this? I imagine its only gonna be a matter of time before theres a high speed collision otherwise.

[jrandom]

I think you're just too slow, and you haven't figured it out yet. Perhaps you should give up riding motorcycles.

Rule of thumb: always err on the side of caution by letting any rider with a larger penis past before attempting maneuvers.

[Ixion]

But the guy with the large penis will doubtless be the one on the small bike riding slowly . You mean letting any rider compensating for a small penis past.

[marty]

it's law of the fittest - always check your mirrors before changing lanes, or are you one of those wankers doing 105 in the left lane, pulling out on the m/way to pass someone doing 95, while nearly causing 10 nose to tails behind you cause you checked (by not checking) the line of cars/bikes doing 110 in the 'fast' lane.

if someone faster is overtaking, it's up to you to either 1. speed up or 2. get out of the fucking way.

[Matt Bleck]

Wait for the slower to take the car and then take him, all done from behind, of course!!

[The Stranger:Me]

In all cases where a vehicle (bike or not) is going to overtake they should check their mirror AND head check before pulling out, so bike A should see bike B ok.

Now we know what should happen, but reality is we know that it doesn't at times. Knowing this bike B would be wise to be wary anyway.

I don't see a need to wait for the slow bike to pass first, but I think they appreciate the support. Also if they are noobe it may be better to take care not to freak them out.

[chickenfunkstar]

it's law of the fittest - always check your mirrors before changing lanes, or are you one of those wankers doing 105 in the left lane, pulling out on the m/way to pass someone doing 95, while nearly causing 10 nose to tails behind you cause you checked (by not checking) the line of cars/bikes doing 110 in the 'fast' lane.

if someone faster is overtaking, it's up to you to either 1. speed up or 2. get out of the fucking way.

I was more talking about the open road, unless anyone fancys a group ride down the motorway???
There's always a blind spot about directly behind you which spreads out to about 1 meter either side if a bike following you is about 3 meters or so behind you. If someone was following you a couple of meters behind you and just to the side of you, there isn't much of a chance to see him.

[bugjuice]

the rule of thumb I hear the most, and I think makes sense, is that it's the responsibility of the overtaker to make sure it all goes well. If there's a good staight coming up, chances are the slower bike is going to make a break for it. If there's a short straight, and little chance of the slower bike having a go, then the faster bike could buzz both of them. Each case on it's own merit I guess, but generally, I'd wait for the slower rider to overtake first, unless there was a spot of road that there would be absolutely no chance of the bike having a go, but I could, I'd then buzz past safely if I can

[Biff]

What Marty said. Biker A (everyone - always) should always check their mirrors before making a move. Who is to say that the bike/car overtaking him/her is even a member of the same group?

In general I'd let bike B go first. But if they're hesitant, and there's plenty of time/room I'd go first - with caution.

[M1CRO:Me]

If someone was following you a couple of meters behind you and just to the side of you, there isn't much of a chance to see him.

Sounds like Yoshi blatting passed me yesterday, one second he was in my mirrors and the next he wasnt.. Scared the crap outa me when that bloody noisy thing goes past ya and your not expecting it!

[M1CRO:Me]

the rule of thumb I hear the most, and I think makes sense, is that it's the responsibility of the overtaker to make sure it all goes well. If there's a good staight coming up, chances are the slower bike is going to make a break for it. If there's a short straight, and little chance of the slower bike having a go, then the faster bike could buzz both of them. Each case on it's own merit I guess, but generally, I'd wait for the slower rider to overtake first, unless there was a spot of road that there would be absolutely no chance of the bike having a go, but I could, I'd then buzz past safely if I can

Sometimes its not even the bike but the rider that is prepared to "give it a go"..

[pyrocam]

Bike A should check before pulling out. Bike B should go really wide and keep his eye on bike A incase

[The_Dover]

I would use the same etiquette that is enforced on ski slopes really, the person in front has the right of way because you have a clear enough view of them to make the better decision on when to pass. Always give way to the slower rider because if you're riding a big fast bike you should be responsible enough to wait for the right opportunity to pass, be it bike A or a car or both at the same time.

Why scare the shit out of someone or risk an accident just to get past in a hurry? They shouldn't have to give way to you just cos your bike is faster, it's good manners and if they know you are there then more than likely they'll wave you by, but they have track position and you are the one that has to perform the safe overtaking manouver.

[bugjuice]

Sometimes its not even the bike but the rider that is prepared to "give it a go"..

true, and I did think of that while I was typing, but the chances are, if you've been sat behind them for a wee while getting ready to overtake, you can start to get an idea of their riding style and judge if they'd make a move or not. And most of the time, most people change their 'body language' on the road when they're about to make a move, so you can see from those indications too that it wouldn't be the best time to give it a go

[chickenfunkstar]

What Marty said. Biker A (everyone - always) should always check their mirrors before making a move. Who is to say that the bike/car overtaking him/her is even a member of the same group?

In general I'd let bike B go first. But if they're hesitant, and there's plenty of time/room I'd go first - with caution.

I do agree with you, I'll always check my mirrors and turn my head, but if bike B is now in this position, bike A probably won't see him even if he checks. There will always be an area behind you on a bike which you just can't see (bar standing up and twisting right around).
These were more like the positions from which a couple of close calls happened yesterday.