Rideout "Sections" or "Groups"

if the fast riders know where theyre going then, let them go, the rest can catch up at meet ups,

the slower ones of the remainer should then maybe be near the front of the group thats left, with an experienced rider at the front just to keep stuff under control,

group ride outs are great for the social side , i like company at the stops and its good to have aplay with other bikes, but do i want to ride behind someone when i dont know what theye gonna do or if htey can read the road prob not........likewise i dont want someone behind me whos not up to the job.

i think the pressure to keep up thing only comes about when the "rules" arent clear, no one gets left behind, the faster boys do theyre thing and wait patiently for the less speed afflicted................ the slower folk know that theyre still gonna get a decent rest stop and dont feel the need to hang on for grim death

Not been on that many "group" rides.... (3 so far) but +1 for the marker system & a TEC. Everything for everyone - except the TEC who's the nominated saint.....

My advanced group uses the marker system, and so do I. It's great for group riding. If you want to go faster then just mark a corner and drop to the back. Very difficult to get lost. If you want to go nuts then go out on your own!

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

My advanced group uses the marker system, and so do I. It's great for group riding. If you want to go faster then just mark a corner and drop to the back. Very difficult to get lost.

I notice a pattern- people who've used the marker system usually recommend it Though it's not the cure for all ills, if there's a huge speed gap or imbalance then that's always going to be an issue. I don't think we have that though, just that the way we ride just now really highlights it.

feel the marker system was more or less used on the ecosse rideout. the only difference with this ride out to normal ones was

1. carelesschucka wasnt there
2. first part was deadly slow


we still lost a couple of peeps albeit briefly

and someone still came off

good day though, i enjoyed myself. especially the stops and chat. that is the only reason I go on group rideouts

[northwind]

Yep, more or less... But you've got to be able to trust it, a lot of our guys have the sense to mark a possible wrong turning but I wouldn't really want to depend on that as it is.

I went on a ride with the SV1000 lot. About 50 bikes, divided into 3 groups, slow, medium, fast. Slow group set off 8 minutes before the fast group, medium group set off 4 minutes before the fast. All groups caught each other up in the last 3-4 miles and arrived at the destination at the same time. Worked really well.

Originally Posted by northwind

I notice a pattern- people who've used the marker system usually recommend it Though it's not the cure for all ills, if there's a huge speed gap or imbalance then that's always going to be an issue. I don't think we have that though, just that the way we ride just now really highlights it.

You're right, it's not perfect - but then it is a system used to control humans OF course it won't be perfect.
It's only as good as the Lead, and their decision on where to place the markers.....

Originally Posted by Caddy2000

You're right, it's not perfect - but then it is a system used to control humans OF course it won't be perfect.
It's only as good as the Lead, and their decision on where to place the markers.....

The tailender and group also need to understand how to make it more enjoyable. Pointed out above somewhere - if there is plenty of space between the group by hanging back - even waiting on their marks with the tailender a little bit the faster guys can create a better ride and enjoy the space and catch up, overtakes etc.

The marker system does fall down if there are too many bikes and a slow leader. Everyone gets bunched up behind waiting for their next mark - its tedious riding and the fast guys are going for dodgy gaps to get closer to their next mark. Everyone else is getting p1ssed by the antics. I would say max 20 riders and then split into seperate groups or even buddy up your marks.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Gmonsta

The marker system does fall down if there are too many bikes and a slow leader. Everyone gets bunched up behind waiting for their next mark - its tedious riding and the fast guys are going for dodgy gaps to get closer to their next mark.

Nothing says you can't stop at any other time, or have more than one person marking a junction... If people are riding like this it's down to them. I think some people miss this though.