Riding in Groups

Following on from Jelster's thread

Since being “born again”, I’ve taken a Bikesafe course and IAM. I have become quite passionate about motorcycle rider safety. Riding safe does not have to be at the expense of enjoyment. What seems to be lacking in both courses is the riding in a group element.

I had to ask on both these courses about group riding. The answer in both cases has been “Ride for Yourself”. However true this is, I went away unsatisfied with this response as it never answered the questions I had in mind but couldn’t quite express at the time.

The type of questions I had as a group novice were

· What if I can’t keep up?
· How will I know the way?
· How do I communicate with the other riders during the ride, eg I need fuel very soon or time for a comfort break?
· Can I overtake and how?
· I’m leaving the group (bye bye signal)
· Groups on Motorways?

The group I ride with usually adopt the mirror system. If there is a large meet then the club split up into subsections of no greater than 6 riders and depart at about 5 minute intervals. This works well for us as it allows us to divide into those that wish to push the boundaries and those that want to cruise around. The club is very different to riding with the .Org as the riders all have reached a certain minimum level of ability. The org is a much wider “church”.

The death last year of Dan (Haxsaw) on an .Org ride came as a very big shock, he was a very good rider. In his situation I don’t think that riding in a group was a factor and I don’t think there was anything that he could have done to avoid it. I was not with them.

Earlier this year we had a spill on a ride that I did co-ordinate, thankfully allis ok now, but he was new to group riding. I had given the pre-ride briefing, explaining the drop-off system and riding your own ride. I believe that group riding was a major factor in his off, perhaps I had not explained things well enough. I think perhaps he had fallen into the trap of fixating on the bike in front (we all do at some time) and didn’t see the dead bird on the riding line until too late.

If there is sufficient interest (say 5) then I would like to discuss the whole of the group riding subject, perhaps start off at a quiet pub, run through a briefing, ride out and return to the pub for an open question and answer discussion. I would not like people think this is a teaching session though, more of a “learn from the experience of everyone else”.

Mark (Rictus) has sent me his notes on the subject. Anyone interested?

Originally Posted by Mogs

I would like to discuss the whole of the group riding subject, perhaps start off at a quiet pub...........

The man said "pub"

Originally Posted by Mogs

Anyone interested?

The man said "pub"

Yep, if you think my presence will help

Originally Posted by Jabba

Yep, if you think my presence will help

Probably wouldnt


Mogs, on a serious note, I think this is a good idea. I would like to attend and also if allowed have some input.
I am new to group riding (5-6 outings) but have questions and maybe suggestions.

[fizzwheel]

If you think I can bring anything to this, then I'm happy to help out if required

I've lost count how many group rideouts I've done both within the .org and outside, so maybe I can help in the discussion.

id be interested, im still wobbling round corners, most ive been out with are 3 others

only too happy to help, out with the WRC 4-6 times a month 5-30 bikes

[squirrel_hunter]

I would be interested to get involved with this.

I remember my first group ride (an .org ride) like it was yesterday and would be more than happy to pass on any 'knowledge' I may have gained since then. The questions you raised I wondered myself, I played it by ear until I was confident in a group but the one that still makes me wonder is the communication to other riders...

Mark (Rictus) notes are very good and detailed, but are perhaps a bit more in-depth than I had in mind.

I suspect that we have all read around the topic, but a lot of it is still a matter of interpretation, every group seem to do things slightly different, it's here that confusion set in. I was thinking more on the lines of an open relaxed discussion on the subject. Newbies and Old hands can pitch their questions, and hopefully we will be able to draw up a set of guidelines that we can all agree and fully understand. We could then post these as a FAQ of group riding in the SWS region perhaps with a view to having them in some form adopted for the whole of the SV650.org

Mark has produced a very good pamphlet “Motorbike Rideouts – A Basic Guide”.

I propose that as a group we use some of his headings as the agenda for discussion.

Namely:

· Pre Ride-out Bike Preparation
· Emergency Information
· The Pre Ride Briefing
· Communication
· The Marker System
· The Modified Marker System
· Last Man in Mirrors System
· Group Riding Etiquette

So everyone is welcome, it’s just a matter of date and venue, any ideas?

I'm a bit of a virgin in this except for groups of 3 or so. I also ride alot on a push bike in groups and we have some very particular signals that we use to try and keep safe. I'd be interested to know how you guys ride and to join in a little more now that the weather isn't quite as bad!(okay so today is a bit crap but you know what I mean)