STAR Guide to Group Riding

[John G]

This is the Official Guide to Group Riding for STAR Chapter #154, Northwest Cascades. Every rider and passenger should read this completely.

[dstanley]

Here's a suggestion for group riding that has come from experience and I guess common sense. The bright green shirts ( or two other matching bright colors) would best be served on the Ride Captain and the Tailgunner only. It is very hard to see the Tailgunner when everyone is wearing the same color coming out of an intersection. And if the Ride Captian and Tailgunner ride in the center of the lane while all other riders are staggered, it's even easier to see them. We are always looking to what the Gunner is doing because he is initiating the lane changes after he is signaled. When everyone is wearing the same color it is difficult to identify quickly who is who.
On another note, I feel the least experienced riders should be placed in the back and not in the middle of the group. They slow the group up too much when they are in the middle. I've talked to two other riding clubs and they both put the slower riders in the back. The Tail Gunner ( who is experienced) can keep and eye on them and the group will always wait at a designated stop if they need to catch up. They will not feel so "pushed" and more comfortable until their skills are improved and they "know" their bike better. It takes lots of practice to reach this level.
Bikes are fun but so much is common sense driving and what works best. The bigger the group, the more dangerous it becomes.That's why safety is so huge. I would like to hear some comments from those who read this. Thanks. Bruce & Debbie

[Zippo]

Here's my opinion:

Keep the group small, no more than 10 bikes; with an exception, maybe, for mostly low speed runs like the Oyster Run.

The Tailgunner is the only bike in the group to ride with his/her high beam on (other than the RC, if they wish). Makes it much easier to see the bike back there. I think the center of the lane is one of the least safest places to ride and would not enjoy riding in that position in the lane and would hesitate to ask someone else to ride there. All of the oil/grease and other fluids concregate in that area of the road along with road debris and sand/gravel making it more hazardous than either outer lane. It might also make it a bit more difficult for following traffic to see the size of the group ahead and might encourage them to take a chance on passing the group. Having the smaller group makes it pretty easy to see the TG with the high beam on in whatever position they're riding in back there, IMO. When a lane change from right to left is signaled, watching the rider(s) behind you makes it pretty easy to know when it's your turn to change lanes.

I like the idea of bright green fore and aft but my mesh jacket, which I wear in the summer, is bright green and I wear it for safety. I'd rather not have to stop wearing it just because I happen to be riding in the group. As soon as I can justify the expenditure my winter riding gear will also become hi-vis green. It's just one more item in my small arsenal of anti-cager weaponry...

I like your suggestion of keeping the less experienced riders towards the rear. For another reason, besides the ones you've mentioned, should they go down they're less apt to take others in the group with them. Although our spacing is supposed to allow adequate separation to avoid those kinds of issues there are many times when our spacing gets a bit too tight and having the less experienced riders towards the rear adds another small measure of additonal protection.

This is a good discussion to have, whatever is decided, and thanks for starting it.

[dstanley]

High beams are not a good idea ! They are too blinding and inconsiderate to the people that are looking in your direction. A happy medium could be met. To expand on the colors, the coat is fine if the shirts are covered up. Again, two matching colors was my original suggestion. They could be orange. I understand you don't wish to buy another coat. And an experienced rider( TG or RC) knows how to ride around road debris and conditions so I have to disagree on that one. For the most part the roads are clean around here and are swept to the side ( or so they appear to be ). But again, would love to hear other opinions on this too.

[Lenny]

Kevin and Bruce,
You both bring up good points. Some I agree, some I don't. I ride in front most of the time so am responding as a Road Captain. I have an orange vest that will go over anything I am wearing. I wear it when I ride to work and don't have a problem wearing it on a group ride if the group thinks I will be more visable. I believe the Tail Gunner should have his brights on. The RC looks for it and it will not blind oncoming traffic except in the dark (which we seldom do). A visible color (green, yellow, or orange) on the TG is not a bad idea. There is a lot of oil and gravel dust on the center of some roads so I would not mandate the center lane idea. More than 10 in a group is a management problem. Group spacing in formation is important, 2 seconds behind your track, 1 second behind the other track. Inexperienced riders in front of the Tail Gunner is probably the best way to go.

Looking forward to the next riding season!
Lenny

[TailGunner#2]

This is a good disscussion. I agree with most of the things recommended. I think the idea of the tail gunner wearing a distinctive bi-color is a good one. I have a florescent orange and green traffic waver type vest and will bring it on the next ride. I or whomever is the TG that ride can wear it and we'll see how it works. Putting the newer riders in the back seems to make more sense to me. Kevin's remarks re: riding in the middle of the road are germane and corresponds to all the reading I have done on the subject. When our riding group is long (8+ bikes) I will come into the center of the lane just after we have straightened out from an inntersection turn. I think with my bright s on this lets the RC eyeball me more easily and see that we have all made the turn O.K..

New : For discussion.....Our group is most likely to get split up at intersections with stoplights or signs, where those other inconsiderate AH's get between us and the frontof the group . When we are ridingin an urban setting, while traveling streets with several stop signs and intersections why don't we close up and ride side by side if the speed limit is 25 mph or less? This is usually the speed limit in the towns we ride thru. It would make the group more compact and not likely not to be split up at the intersections.

Observations from the rear...... Serparation and lane riding integrity. I have been riding behind our group on most rides for thelast two years and wish to mention a bad habit we all need to work on. This problem occurs most frequently when we are riding on curvy roads. The problem is some people not staying in their own lane, usually in curves, but other times when just not paying attention. Most riders are at their highest concentration level when the group goes into the curve...we are concentrating on not violating the prime directive, keeping or interval distance, and trying to keep up our situational awarness. That's a lot for somepeople and they let themselves drift into the center or the lane next to them. Even just drifiting towards the center can give the person behind you the hibby jibbies. You've got to maintain your curve riding line.

[Zippo]

"When we are riding in an urban setting, while traveling streets with several stop signs and intersections why don't we close up and ride side by side if the speed limit is 25 mph or less?"

I think that riding side by side is illegal in this state.

As for riding the curves and lane holding... that's a tough one. It's always nicest if riders can hold their lanes; makes it easier to know what those around you are doing. But there may be times when leaving your lane momentarily is a good idea. A little looser pack, when circumstance allow, may make that less of an issue?

[TailGunner#2]

Kevin: You are right regarding the riding side by side in town below 25 mph. I should have checked theregs before I tried to insert the riding boot !

RE: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motormanual.pdf


Page 54 says lane sharing with another M/C is unsafe and shall not be etc...

[John G]

OK, got it. Slower riders should be just ahead of the TG. Our TG can try the bright colored safety vest. No one should ride in the center tire track.

Our group riding guide should have something in it about getting split from the pack while riding through town. The RC and the main body of the group will pull off where it is safe and wait for the split group. In general, the RC will pick a spot at the edge of town before exiting the town completely. If this is a very large town with mutiple turns at intersections, the RC must wait at a safe spot where the split group can see them or do not complete more than one turn once out of sight from the split portion of the group. Each member of the group is responsible for acquiring the cell number of the RC and TG before departure. Bring you cell phone and keep it updated.