Group riding protocol / etiquette

[happychappy]

As a relatively inexperienced rider, especially in groups of 3 or more, are there any unwritten rules or codes of conduct as to how you should behave when out "en masse"?

[Redeye]

The first rule I was taught was - "You do not overtake the bike in front".
Second - "Ride at your own pace".
Third - "Keep your distance from the rider in front".

[Harv]

I Always Use The Marker System

This requires a leader, a tailender, and the riders.

The leader - is familiar with the route, and follows it. He should carry a mobile in case of problems on route. He should point out to the first person behind him where to sit to be best positioned to mark each junction.

The tailender - is idealy familiar with the route also, but doesnt have to be. They will stay at the back for the entire ride and will be pointed out at the beginning of the ride. They may wear a fluro vest to make them obvious. The tailender is exactly that, so they should move the junction marker on once they arrive, this also ensures there is no confusion as to who is the rear bike.
They should carry a mobile with the leaders number in case of problems on route.
If anyone drops out of the group. Stop with them and find out what is going on.
If there is a problem they should get in touch with the leader, or if they are just stopping for a pee wait with them so the marker stays in place at the next junction.


The riders - at any point the route deviates from the strip of tarmac in front, the first bike behind the leader will stop on the junction in a prominent place to mark the way. They will stay there till the tailender arrives.

They can then work their way carefully back towards the front. Overtaking is ecouraged, but please be courteous!
If anyone sees someone making dangerous overtakes (repeateadly - we all make mistakes sometimes) point it out to the leader, who will have a quiet word. If they carry on they will be asked to leave.
Meanwhile the group all move forward one, so number two, becomes number one behind the leader so marks the next junction.

If people are going to drop off the back of the group (behind the tail ender), they must inform the tailender what's going on.


Next to your own personal safety, should come consideration towards others in the group.

Do not ride above your ability/limits to try and keep up. There will be a bike waiting for you at the next junction. There will be regular stops for a breather/fag break during which you can catch up safely.

Do not get pushed along by a faster bike behind you. Move over and let them through. Only play hard with people you know and trust. Slower riders, beware you may be holding up a faster rider and move over, let them past.


If you are the faster bike, dont make stupid manouvres to get past (especially passing them on the left! ). Wait till they let you through, or find a safe place to get past.
Faster riders, please give plenty of room when passing and only go for a safe clean pass.



It doesnt matter whether you ride like a foggy or a fanny, just go at your own pace.

Its not a race and you wont get left behind. Just cos you cant see the bike in front doesnt mean youve got to ride like a loon to catch it up again. Take it steady, someone will be waiting somewhere.

[GlenWatt]

Harv,

we used a very similar method to this marker system on the way back from the VFRClubs Germany trip last year and it worked a treat. Much better than the shambles on the outbound trip.

Although any delays at a junction still caused fag breaks to prevent any serious progress 

[Harv]

Barry should confirm it worked ok in the Cotswolds.....as leader the idea is to fek off into the distance if ya see the whites of the 2nd mans eyes in ya mirrors....

[MacValk]

Only one rule, don't ram into the back of me on Sunday at the egg run 

[happychappy]

You mean you're at the front???

Aye, that'll be right !

[Barry T]

Barry should confirm it worked ok in the Cotswolds.....as leader the idea is to fek off into the distance if ya see the whites of the 2nd mans eyes in ya mirrors....

It did in deed work very well.   But it took me a little time to work out Harv's actual philosophy.

Other groups that I have ridden with, ask that you keep the rider behind you in sight.   When riding directly behind Harv, I was having a problem in keeping both the rider behind in sight as well as keeping Harv in sight.   I found myself shuttling between them..

It took  me a little time to realise that Harv doesn't like being able to see any of the group directly behind him!   But it worked and every one was able to enjoy 'their' ride.

Martin DT, ran a similar system on the Welsh ride - although I think the system was under pressure on the ride from Aberystwyth along the A44!

[Harv]

.....talking of which, where is the  elusive Mr du T?
Anyone had recent contact? 

[Silver Fox]

I have perviously ridden with the local IAM group who use the marker system all the time.

Some 30 bikes can be strewn across the county but all linked by the marker system - we all get there in the end and everyone makes the run at their own pace. Some will never make it to marker position, and some faster riders manage to overtake the group and perform several. No problem.

A few hints for success though...

everyone must know the system..the leader has to rely on this so let him know if you don't

when overtaking cars with a group ride pull in left after your overtake as someone may be behind
you..some riders will sit on the line leaving you behind them committed to the overtake and facing the on coming traffic

you don't need to mark a crossroads or roundabout if the group is going straight ahead...unless it is ambiguous

the marker should always find their own drop off spot which is safe and visible to the others following...there should be no need for the leader to indicate a drop off ... it may not be safe and you don't want to hear ''well you told me''

keep going unless you see a marker...I was once left marking a junction for ages as the group behind thought they knew the way....another time I marked a junction for ages as someone had fallen off..the leader eventually was able to back track all the markers

It does work

Philip

[happychappy]

I'm mightily impressed and grateful for your input. I think it will be of help not only to me, but to anyone else who has never, or only rarely, ridden in a group

Cheers 

[Barry T]

.....talking of which, where is the? elusive Mr du T?
Anyone had recent contact??

I posted him direct a couple of days ago.  If I don't hear from him in another couple of days, I will phone him.   I have his mobile number.

[Rob D]

The other thing when riding in groups is to ride in staggered formation on straights so you're not directly behind the bike in front - doubles your available stopping distance and increases your view.  Of course if you're riding with behind Harv it's difficult to remain in the same county, never mind directly behind 

[Barry T]

Rob D, you may find it difficult to stay in the same county, but on the Welsh run, you did manage to get to the right hotel first, whilst the rest of us had overshot the mark, parked up, unloaded and were trying to book into the wrong hotel !   

There has to be a moral there somewhere !

[owen]

Why don't you all follow the yellow brick road,it certainly worked on holgast beer
Cheers Owen