I have been riding for a few years now, mostly a loner and this weekend my wife and I are going on our first run. There should be 1000 plus bikes there. Thought with myself and all the " newbie " riders that I would bring up the topic of riding in large groups and etiquette. So all you experienced riders please post advice, tips, or thoughts you have on how a person should handle themselves. Also examples of ride positions, speeds, on road communication and etc.

Thanks

Here's a couple resources. Also, google "group riding tips and hand signals" and you'll get many many more. Be safe.

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/groupride.asp

http://www.ridemyown.com/articles/riding/BTB-grouprides.shtml

From my experience newbie group riders should ALWAYS be at the front of the group right behind the lead. Riding in a group is very intense needs constant attention to speed and braking. And above all else keep a safe distance from riders ahead of you. Do not fall into the trap of closing the distance and tail gating. If you feel uncomfortable in the group at the next stop leave but tell someone so they do not look for you.
I do ride in groups sometimes but perfer to ride alone or a small 2-3 bike group.

Wow.... Where to start?????

I've been riding for over 20 years and by far the largest group I've ever been a part of has been the Trail of Tears Ride in Chattanooga, TN. I've done it twice, and both times there were, according to later reports, 90,000 plus motorcyclists at the start of the ride. So I know that riding in a large group can be (and usually is!) very nerve-racking. You don't know the experience level or the abilities of the people around and you are on constant alert, watching every single movement, no matter how small, that takes place.

As for how to handle yourself; be polite and respectful. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Common sense really.....

Riding positions are usually staggered, although some groups prefer side-by-side. In very large groups, it's usually the later, because it takes up less space.

Speed; Watch your speed!! Riding in a large group is like a huge accordion. Everything has a "ripple" effect. When the front of the group is taking off, it may be minutes before the end of the group starts to move. Same with stopping and slowing down. Again; Watch you speed and your spacing!!

Communication is usually the standard hand signals. Just keep an eye out several bikes in front of you.

Finally; Know your limitations!! If you don't feel comfortable, for any reason, drop out and jump back in at the end. There will usually be riders at the end of the group to pick up stragglers and make sure the group arrives together.

Bottom line; ride safe, use good riding skills and have fun. And don't let anyone push you beyond your skill limits!!

In The Wind,
Aaron

Excellant replies

Thanks

I've ridden in large groups and organized smaller groups (30 or few bikes). The smaller groups I know the people and know their abilities. I've seen really stupid riding in the large groups. These are usually rallies or charity rides. It is more nerve racking in a group and you must be alert of everything around you, but there is the added safety of not worrying about cagers as much. Though proper distance is required. Don't be so scared to keep so far back as that's an invitation for a cager to try to cut in. You should be no closer than 2 seconds behind the bike in front of you and no closer than 1 second to the bike diagonally from you, the later is more important IMO. Maintain as consistent speed as possible. Don't be one of those people that speeds up, slows down, speeds up, its annoying. I doubt in large groups they'll be using more than left and right turn hand signals as many of the people on the ride won't know the other signals. When I was the president of a star chapter, I made sure we had a safety briefing before every ride (especially when there were new riders with us), reviewing the rules, the hand signals etc. I've never seen this safety briefing with larger rides.

Main thing to remember is don't try to ride beyond your ability, if you are not comfortable drop out and hitch up at the end. I like riding in groups, but I have been on a few rides where grown men act like teenagers, putting themselves and others in the ride into dangerous situations, those rides I feel good dropping out of, I do not need to be in an accident because someone else is being foolish.

I would agree with these posts. I've been riding and racing bike since I was about 8 (51 now). The one thing I know for sure "If you don't feel comfortable - then DON'T DO IT" Riding over your head is the short path to a crash and in a group you are going to take others with you. It isn't scary or hard... pay attention all the time, be aware of what's around you, keep your distance and enjoy the fun.

If you are talking about the Baldwin Blessing -- ya, way more than a 1000 bikes. Depending on weather I'd expect closer to 5000 bikes. But they don't all ride in a group that I'm aware of.

2005Roadstar wrote:
Wow.... Where to start?????

I've been riding for over 20 years and by far the largest group I've ever been a part of has been the Trail of Tears Ride in Chattanooga, TN. I've done it twice, and both times there were, according to later reports, 90,000 plus motorcyclists at the start of the ride. So I know that riding in a large group can be (and usually is!) very nerve-racking. You don't know the experience level or the abilities of the people around and you are on constant alert, watching every single movement, no matter how small, that takes place.

As for how to handle yourself; be polite and respectful. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Common sense really.....

Riding positions are usually staggered, although some groups prefer side-by-side. In very large groups, it's usually the later, because it takes up less space.

Speed; Watch your speed!! Riding in a large group is like a huge accordion. Everything has a "ripple" effect. When the front of the group is taking off, it may be minutes before the end of the group starts to move. Same with stopping and slowing down. Again; Watch you speed and your spacing!!

Communication is usually the standard hand signals. Just keep an eye out several bikes in front of you.

Finally; Know your limitations!! If you don't feel comfortable, for any reason, drop out and jump back in at the end. There will usually be riders at the end of the group to pick up stragglers and make sure the group arrives together.

Bottom line; ride safe, use good riding skills and have fun. And don't let anyone push you beyond your skill limits!!

In The Wind,
Aaron


Yep, speed surging will ruin a good group ride.

Just got back into riding, and groups was never my strong point.
had the first winter to practice and get used to the bike.

repeating what was said in earlier posts hand signals,
if you have a passenger, get her to learn the hand signals.
She can to the pointing of debree in the roadway pot holes, turns, slow downs, most of the basics and you get to hold on to the handle bars and make sure the rubber stays down and the chrome up.. Big charity rides and rallies bring a lot of people you are not used to riding with, most rides will have you ride staggered (yes there is a hand signal for it) hope for a police escort... or at least a good Road Captain and Team, to keep the pace steady and block traffic that will cut into the group..

Ride Safe