PRESENTATION - DISCUSSION on RIDING A MOTORCYCLE ON GROUP RIDES TECHNIQUES, SUGGESTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS DINNER MEETING MAY 16, 2012 SLOW RIDERS MC at Ted s 355 Big City Kitchen CHAIR SIDE PHILOSOPHY OF MOTORCYCLING ----- Why do we ride a Motorcycle and why do we join Motorcycle Clubs. 1. Friendships.- develop & establish new & lasting ones...hopefully 2. Comradeship - share & enjoy motorcycling experience together. 3. Like, love & live (some do) to ride...whether solo or in a Group. ------ Issues we need to always leave out our riding experience single or Group, especially Group Riding LEAVE THEM at HOME AT ALL TIMES! THE 7 SINS OF RIDING = If they ride as your Co-Rider your ride will definitely end in Disaster! (There more but these are the most EVIL ones) 1. EGOS... 2. PRIDE 3 THIN SKIN 4. SELFISHNESS 5 SUBSTANCE ABUSE 6. IMPATIENCE - FRUSTRATION 7. ANGER & HOSTILITY! Either one of these can only do harm to the individual and/or the Group they ride with. GROUP RIDING (The do s & the not to do s) Riding alone, you only have to account for yourself, riding with others, you must take into account the needs and abilities of the other riders. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation s Guide to MOTORCYCLING EXCELLENCE
At all times whether riding in a group or riding solo you always ride: SAFE & LEGAL! 1A. The most important thing that a rider can bring to a group ride is COMMON SENSE! 1B. Never bring to the Group the 7 Sins of Riding 2. Never put yourself or the group at risk! 3. Always ride at your level, your comfort zone, if not comfortable or feel at risk when riding with a group...leave! Say thank you and get the h out of there! (See below how to leave) 4.Group Rides require ones full concentration and attention at all times - This is a MUST! 5 Group Riding DOES NOT make a better (skilled) motorcycle rider. Use your skills but improve them on your own - not when riding in a group. Otherwise it could result in sensory overload - to much information to process at one time. SPEED & BRAKING STOPPING DISTANCE AT DIFFERENT rate of SPEEDS - CHART When viewing the table on Stopping remember that when a Motorcycle speed is 60 mph it traveling at a rate of 88 feet/second. SPEE D MPH REACTION STOPPING TIME (feet) DISTANCE(feet) 20 mph 22 14 36 30 mph 33 32 65 40 mph 44 57 101 50 mph 55 89 144 60 mpu 66 128 194 70 mph 77 175 252 TOTAL(feet) The Chart is base on a number of trial runs by experienced riders like those members of the Slow Riders MC...most anyway. I - FORMATION NUTS & BOLTS OF GROUP RIDES 1. Safest & regarded as the classic style for riding in formation for a Group Ride is to stagger the bikes in the following manner: (Sanctioned by States, MVA & MSF) 1 st Bike, also know as the Leader, always rides close to the Center line (real or imaginary as in unmarked roads) 2 nd Bike, referred to as the offset Bike, rides close to Fog Line i.e. the right side of the lane. Note: this part of the road in different locations can be somewhat challenging due to the road conditions, therefore the rider in this position automatically moves, regardless of formation, to the left to preserve life & limb + motorcycle 3 rd Bike takes the position behind the 1 st bike 4 th Bike takes the position behind the 2 nd Bike. This style of riding formation is carried throughout the entire number of bikes involved in any Group Ride regardless of anything else. That is 1st bike - Inside(close to center line - 2 nd bike-
Outside (close to the fog line) - 3 rd bike-inside - 4 th bike-outside...etc. 2. Roads that have NO lane demarcations, i.e. center & a fog line (rt side of road - marker), and/or have a high center crown, and/or a drop off on the right side, sometimes require the Group Ride formation to change to a SINGLE FILE only, for safety & obvious reasons...no darn room!!. (more on this below). 3. If the number of motorcycles & riders number more than six(6) to ten(10) bikes it is usually advisable to split the group into two(2), or three(3) smaller groups so as not to impact on area traffic. This is usually decided by the Leader and, if there are, other Road Captains (potential leaders of the pack (group of riders) and the Sweeper (last bike of whole group-see below). 3A. When the Group is so large that it requires multiple smaller Groups, the exception to this is if the Group Ride has an escort, such as the police, then each smaller Group will have it s own Leader & Sweeper (see below). 3B. Each splinter (smaller) Group is responsible for their own Group & all road techniques, i.e. formation, single file, turns, stops etc applied to all splinter Groups. If the splinter group is within visual distance then they will follow the lead of the 1 st Group. It is the responsibility of the Leaders & Sweepers to maintain contact with the other splinter Group Riders. (We did not discuss this at this presentation - will be discussed hopefully at a future round table discussion). II.- FOLLOWING DISTANCE (Please refer to the chart on Stopping Distance when necessary:) 1. The accepted following distance between each bike is: (See MVA handbook on Riding a Motorcycle and/or the MSF Motorcycle guide to Motorcycling Excellence): The 1 st bike of the formation (The Group Ride), the Leader, always sets the pace (speed) of the ride (mentioned throughout this doc.) The distance/spacing between the rest of the bikes in a Group Ride is based on the 2 second Rule:! 1. For all the INSIDE Bikes (nearest the center line) 2 seconds apart and for all the Offset bikes the same, 2 seconds apart. 2. Spacing between the Inside Bike (center line) & Outside Bikes (fog line) is 1 second apart. 3. This distance/spacing of the bikes, 2 second, 1 second is carried out for the entire Group regardless the number of bikes.. 3. Following distance only works well when all participating motorcycles are maintaining the same speed as closely as possible. 4. The tighter the formation the easier it is to maintain the same speed! Note: this is where members of the Slow Riders MC. had a heated discussion. Some members felt that the 2 second/1second recommendation was too challenging and would lead to more accidents...they were afraid of the domino effect: one down two down etc. They lobbied that we adopt a 3 second/2 second rule. Comments are reserved! III.- ROLE PLAYING
1. THE LEADER = - Responsible for the route - Sets & maintains the speed (should stay within reasonable speed of the posted speed limit) - Insures that all Drones (Riders) have time to negotiate intersections (all types-see below) & have time to regain speed with the group before the leader regains normal speed. - Signals road hazards - Determines when the Group Drones (Riders) move to a SINGLE FILE/LANE - Responsible to signal all lane changes - multi-lane roads & limited access hyways - Determines the appropriate time to pass on two lane roads. 2. THE SWEEPER. - The Last Motorcycle Rider in the Group - Helps the integrity of the formation - prevents the stringing out effect. - Prevents other vehicles from breaking the Group s formation in lane changing by moving 2 nd after the Leader into the lane. - Notes exiting bikes from the Group Ride to make sure they are not in trouble. - Stays with down bike with introuble - assesses the incident and determines the appropriate action to take. Most often the sweeper returns to the ride & leaves another bike at the incident. 3. THE DRONE - Pays ATTENTION & pays ATTENTION - Responsible for observing the Ride behind - offset Drone (Rider) - Maintains correct separation - 2 seconds/1second spacing. - Maintains constant speed as set by the Leader - Responsible for passing along all hand signals & road hazards - Stays with a down bike if appropriate. IV. - EXECUTION 1. SEPARATION ANXIETY - When Drone (Rider) is riding behind another Drone (Rider) in the formation, & drops too far behind, Drone(rider) in front is then forced to decide do they slow down, wave the hand to make the move, or just get frustrated and give them the bird??? This does create problems for the entire Group Ride - keep your spacing & maintain your speed! 2. HAND SIGNALS - (Foot Signals). There are a myriad of different gestures (no smart remarks) but universal is the # 1 sign which indicates to the bikes behind to form a SINGLE LINE. Using the index finger on one of your hands, raise it above your helmet to alert the Drone Pak behind you.. Pointing down with either your hand or foot usually indicates a road hazard. 3. HELMETS - wear them at all time required by Maryland-not in PA. (Still wear them (all the time.
4. SINGLE FILE - Any Rider moves to a single file position when road conditions warrant it. Other Riders can or can not follow that Rider s lead - Leader will/should determine when to move the Group Ride to a single file - poor road conditions, challenging curves (decreasing radius) - Unmarked roads, no center line &/or no fog line, high crowns & shoulder drop offs - Entering & exiting limited access hi-ways 5. MULTI-LANES - Ride in staggered formation - Changing lanes - the Leader makes the move 1 st with the directional signal (to alert the Group) & then a few seconds later moves over. - The Sweeper moves 2 nd to block on coming traffic & protect the integrity of the Group. - Drones (all other riders) move last & re-establish the stagger formation. 6. PASSING - Two lane roads, Caution-the operative word, only pass when there is adequate time & space. - Leader makes the decision when, where & it s safe & legal- signals to the Drones via directional signals. - The passing Drone makes sure that there is room for the next bike before pulling back into formation. - Passing is an individual decision and no Drone should put himself at risk to make any pass at any time - If all bikes can pass- Leader adjusts the Group Ride till all Drones have joined up again.. - this issue needs to be discussed in depth. 7. SPEED & AT SPEED - The Leader is responsible for the speed & pace of the Group Ride. - - Always safe & legal - The Group Ride only works if all the Drones maintain the same speed as the leader. - At all turns, stops, intersections, etc. the leader DOES NOT bring the Group back to speed until ALL have executed the maneuvers and are back in formation. This prevents the drones having to break speed limits to catch up. - Group Riders must maintain speed on HILLS, MOUNTAINS & VALLEYS, all ups & downs otherwise it greatly disturbs the sync of the ride & bikes could stretch out for miles. 8. INTERSECTIONS, STOPS SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS 1. This always monitored & controlled by the LEADER & the SWEEPER. All Riders have to execute the intersection whether controlled- traffic lights and stop signs or uncontrolled only when it is SAFE for them as an individual. 2. Never put yourself or the bikes behind you AT RISK by doing something STUPID or by trying to make the intersection just to stay up with the other bikes.
3. Turns under certain conditions can be made with 2 bikes, maybe three, but that is an individual situation and an individual decision...never PUT YOURSELF AT RISK!!!! 4. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEADER IS TO SLOW DOWN, WAIT OR EVEN STOP TILL ALL BIKES HAVE CLEARED! V. PROBLEMS - DOWNED BIKES, LEAVING THE GROUP EARLY. 1. EXITING THE RIDE EARLY - If Possible notify the Leader & especially The Sweeper of your intension to leave early, before the ride ends - If the route is know to you let them know approximately when& where - you are exiting. - When exiting the ride- wave off to the Drones behind you - The Sweeper if possible. - The Group that you ride with may have an establish hand signal for exiting. Ask - Always make sure that someone knows you left the ride on you own volition & that your not ill or some other hidden reason that might in danger you on your solo ride back 2..DOWN BIKE DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS - Those Drones in front of the problem (down bike) continue on riding till the Leader finds an appropriate stopping place - The Drones behind stop with the Sweeper to assess the problem bike - Based on the determination of the problem the Sweeper sends the all but one bike (more if necessary) to re-form with the rest of the waiting riders - The Sweeper, if appropriate, leaves one bike or more to assist the down bike. - The Sweeper then joins the other & the Group to determines if the ride continues or some other course of action is necessary. 3.. DOWN BIKE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. - The same protocol is usually followed as a down bike with mechanical problems - The exception is based on the seriousness of the incident - If dealing with an extreme situation, it may require a number riders to remain at the scene especially if there is police & EMTs involved - This should be base on the riders who witness the accident and those who can assist the responders without causing chaos. - If an ambulance is involved, one of the Group should accompany it to the hospital if given the clearance to do so.. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NEVER BE AN ISSUE FOR THE SLOW RIDERS!! Submitted by Michael J. Tanenhaus - June 2012