Following the pack

I've seen some varying ideologies when it comes to riding in groups and I wonder if anybody else has had differing or similar experiences.

Generally, everybody agrees that the person who knows the terrain and ride plan should lead. That seems obvious enough. While they're riding, they point with their left hand or right foot if there are things that others need to see. Obstacles, hazards, interesting sites, etc.

In my experience, the less experienced riders group staggered in the body of the group and the more experienced riders follow up to keep an eye on things and make sure that nobody falls behind, gets left behind and to catch up and try to head off potential problems with the more inexperienced riders.

Collectively, the riders form a capsule, keeping together and looking out for each other while enjoying the ride.



Additionally, when riding in pairs and small groups, I've heard others talk about keeping others (particularly if inexperienced) at their immediate side. That sounds contrary to what I'd expect given I don't know you and how you react and don't know if you can ride safely in parallel. It seems to me that if we stagger, one of us will be in the others mirror at all times and that seems more appropriate.


From what I've seen and heard, in the Harley community, there is a lead or leads and everybody is pretty much on their own to keep up and inexperienced riders may often trail behind. Maybe this is actually fairly common?

Staggered formation. Experienced guys up front and behind, everybody else in the middle.

If the group's big enough, and the ride's long enough, the leaders will have to stop and wait for the trailers. It's inevitable.
It's hard to know if you lost a rider because his bladder's full, or his chain came off. I like the "wing man" system. Pair up, and ride with your buddy. If he stops, you stop. If he breaks down, you can give him a ride if you can't get the bike running.

If by "immediate side" you mean side by side, that is a definite no, no. It's always staggered, unless of course you have some squids in the group, they don't pay any attention to the "rules" anyway.

Staggered, you ALWAYS want somewhere to go just in case! Always have an out...

Staggered, no question...and everyone follows the 2 second rule, as well. In fact, it's illegal in the province of Alberta to ride any other way with 2 or more bikes together.
For long distance rides, EVERYONE has a map and EVERYONE knows where the stopping places are for lunch, dinner and bedtime. As posted by ltdrider, the buddy system works great and sometimes even 3 buddies together.
In my experience there seem to be the three groups of riders on most long road trips:
1) the hard core radar busters
2) the average guys running at 5-10 over the limit
3) the slow guys at 5-10 under the limit
We all get to the same places each day.....some just faster or slower than others.

Bluemeanie wrote:

Staggered, you ALWAYS want somewhere to go just in case! Always have an out...

Exactly my thought. I've seen a lot of side by side lately and it makes me uncomfortable just to watch. Suddenly something as simple as that gust of wind could take you both out in a heartbeat.

Post edited by: Virii, at: 2007/07/28 02:48

I wonder if a lot of it comes from the local Sherrif and State Patrol bikes. Those guys are always riding side by side.

In the curves,single file.On the straights staggered
unless you realy know the rider's habits.Also watch
for riders that stagger but ride in your blind spot
in your mirrors.Make sure the guys in the back have
cell phones.

When the road allows, staggered formation. Once the road starts developing into winding turns, you will want to go single file so that everyone has the opportunity to use the lane as they need. I was on a pretty good sized group ride earlier in the year, I was running sweep with a buddy of mine. We had a rider go down in a pretty twisty section of road. He admitted to trying to maintain the staggered formation, and in the process ran off into the soft section of the shoulder. He wasn't hurt, except for his pride, and his bike was still rideable, save for a tweaked shifter. It was a valuable lesson for him.
I've also lead a few group rides, and for the most part many have been able to maintain my pace. However, one did make a good point. When the road straightens out, slow down a bit so that the stragglers can catch back up. In the curves it's natural for people to spread out. I once left a buddy of mine in the back of the pack and I took off like a bat out of hell. Three miles later after I turn off onto a new road and waiting for the slower riders, I watched him go past where I turned off. After that day, I make sure I regroup everybody, and that the sweep IS able to catch up to those that stray.

Staggered, 2 second rule, experianced and "trail boss" (knows the route best) up front, all noobs and not so good riders, or those unfamiliar with where we are going, in the pack, sweep in back should be as good as the point.

I am usually two up with alot of sportbikers- so I ride sweep as the slowest bike as well.

If we have a large group we break up into groups of five or six with plenty of time between groups. This seems to lessen the tendency to pogo with it's dangerous stacking up phase.

Of course the staggered formation with the two second space is expected. Each group's leader signals the protocol by holding up a single finger as the road tightens up, two fingers once the road straightens.

On straight wide open stretches I will ride dual with another rider if he or she's comfortable with it.

My brother and I often ride dual in town partly because it's fun and partly because we can. It's not uncommon to see two motor cops riding dual and most folks think that only the cops can do it legally.

KZCSI