Riding in groups - Some of you have no idea!

[outlawtorn]

So hear begin my concerns....I have been on heaps of rides, some small, some large. But recently I have sat up and taken notice of how people ride in groups. And people ride badly!! I mean really badly!!

I have noticed a few incidents on previous rides over the years, but since riding with my mates from SA, they have pointed out to me the dangerous way that some people ride in groups over here, and I have started to really see how some riders just do not have a clue.

My first real eye opener was on the ‘Ride Against Violence’ (Auckland 7 Sep), there was a large amount of people there who simply did not have a clue about riding safely in large groups. The latest Auckland WIMA ride, saw more dangerous riding again and most recently the Boulevard Cruiser ride this Sunday took the cake. Some of the riders in that group were happy to travel on the motorway, at 100kph, 1-2 metres directly behind another bike, is it just me or is that really stupid? I have seen plenty of people jumping into staggered formation riding, causing some serious consternation and pissing off a few riders too. We went on the HOG ride on August 3rd and before we left we were all reminded of staggered riding and it was a real pleasure to ride with them, other groups/ride organisers should take a leaf out of their book.

Come on people, riding in groups is something we all need to learn, read up about it here: Ride Forever

Staggered Riding is explained as:
The minimum recommended spacing to the bike directly in front of you should not be less than two seconds (the two second rule). The bike in the lane to your left or right should not be less than one second ahead of you. You will find that two seconds is a long distance when riding at highway speeds. That is, it's a long distance when everything is going well. Unfortunately, when things go wrong, two seconds distance is gone in the time it takes to realize you are in trouble. The two second rule is a rule of thumb you should try to adhere to whenever possible. Especially at highway speeds. There are times, however, when it is best to squeeze together - while on city streets and slowing for a stop. This will help prevent cars from entering the group.

Riders, staggered riding!! Get used to it and ride to it!! Please!! This is also my life and my bike at risk as well as yours and the other road users around you.

People who are organising rides, please make sure you tell everyone about staggered riding before you leave, even if people do know how to ride in groups, reiterate it over and over, it only takes one person in a group to bugger it up for all of us.

OK, got that off my chest, thanks.

[DIN PELENDA]

Thank you !!!!

[ynot slow]

True and simple,have been guilty of getting close to rider in front at times,then usually back off a bit,can happen before and after turns etc.

[sinfull]

Your not torn at all are you !

[Blossom]

...Some of the riders in that group were happy to travel on the motorway, at 100kph, 1-2 metres directly behind another bike, ...

Yes been there seen that,
Admittedly The only group rides I have ever been on have been as a pillion and after those experiences the chances of me riding in a group ride are low. I am still refamiliarizing myself with riding again after 15 yrs and do not think I could handle someone tailing me that close..

So if you haven't been on a group ride with a club or whatever, how do you find out what the riding etiquette is? Is it basically the same for every ride or does it differ from ride to ride?

[James Deuce]

Don't ride in groups. Simple.

[jrandom]

Don't ride. Simple.

Amazing how a special case of that solution covers every issue on these forums, isn't it?

[CookMySock]

eh? Its good fun riding in close formation. It gives me something interesting to do while we putter along at 90k.

Yeah some things are dangerous, but also they are fun so we do them from time to time for kicks. Thats what motorcycling IS innit? Or do we always ONLY do safe stuff? Why ride a bike if we can't misbehave? Whats the point to that?

Steve

[Usarka]

Every time i've done the group thing i've been left taking up the rear of some big fat hog.

Um, what I meant to say was that every time i've been in a group ride the front rider has had a different idea of where he should be - some say the front is a free-floater, some say he lives in the middle, some say left and some say right.......

Is there a hard and fast "rule" for this?

[jrandom]

eh? Its good fun riding in close formation. It gives me something interesting to do while we putter along at 90k.

outlawtorn's problem (and I've seen it too) is that some knobjockeys have no idea what 'staggered formation' is. Processional group rides (as opposed to squidly road races) are quite safe when done properly in that way.

[PrincessBandit]

My group riding has been quite limited, but I did do the WIMA ride () I saw some riding which just had me shaking my head but none that I considered particularly dangerous. I guess while we all know to be responsible for our own safety you kinda assume that other riders will be considerate when you're in a group. Judging by some of what I've read on this site that kind of assumption is likely to lead to big visits from the fu@kup fairy. There are inconsiderate riders too, and you just have to ride as if everyone else travelling with you is another potential danger, whether they are intentionally or otherwise. Although I enjoyed the pink ribbon ride immensely I think I'll stick to smaller group rides for the most part until my riding experience and skills have been developed more.

[Katman]

eh? Its good fun riding in close formation. It gives me something interesting to do while we putter along at 90k.

Yeah some things are dangerous, but also they are fun so we do them from time to time for kicks. Thats what motorcycling IS innit? Or do we always ONLY do safe stuff? Why ride a bike if we can't misbehave? Whats the point to that?

Steve

Every time I think you might just be starting to learn something you come out with a post that proves you're still the same fucking moron you've always sounded like.

[jrandom]

Every time I think you might just be starting to learn something you come out with a post that proves you're still the same fucking moron you've always sounded like.

Yes, there is that.



Keep taking the blue pills, DB!

[Swoop]

Is there a hard and fast "rule" for this?

The harder and faster the group is riding, the more space you leave...

[slimjim]

Every time I think you might just be starting to learn something you come out with a post that proves you're still the same fucking moron you've always sounded like.

O Dear...someones had grapefruit for breaky..