Riding Pack

Since a lot of us are planning to ride somewhere Saturday ( and hopefully more days to come )

I thought this might help with some "pack" understanding and safety while riding in a large group. I know some have said they have never ridden with more than say, a half dozen or so. Personally I have ridden with more than 300 and the pack stretched for close to five miles. So while I will never claim to be any sort of expert, I do know firsthand how easily things can get out of hand and/or dangerous.

One thing this article did not cover as far as I saw is the rule of "except for turns, curves and road hazards, stay in your lane. " What I mean is while you should take turns and curves in the section of road at the speed that is most comfortable for you, return to the side or "groove" of the road you started the ride in once that is completed. Wandering in a lane causes the others to adjust to maintain a safe distance and could easily cause a "domino effect" on the pack that could become quite dangerous. Nor are these tips any sort of Bible, certain clubs and groups form their own rules and sets of signals, but this is a good starting guide.Comments or questions are of course welcome.

Riding Etiquette

I"m gonna be last...less stress! So thats my spot, no one else can claim it!

Sweet. Read most of it. will read the rest of it later.

Read and understood it. Seems to be sound advice. Nothing to add.

Deannsei wrote:I"m gonna be last...less stress! So thats my spot, no one else can claim it!

Might wanna read about riding the Drag position, deannsei....

"Drag Bike: a person who rides in the last position in a group. The Drag Bike must secure a lane for the rest of the group during lane changes into faster traffic (move first to block oncoming traffic) and close the door (move to block passing traffic) when a lane is lost in a merging lane situation. Usually this is the most experienced rider in a group, for the Drag Bike is the rider who stops to assist a rider who has mechanical trouble, loses control, or drops out of a ride for some other reason. The Drag Bike should be prepared to render aid to a downed or disabled rider in a group. If at all possible, the Drag Bike should have a co-rider who can assist with traffic control if a serious problem arises. If there are three groups on a ride, there will be three Drag Bikes. The rider in this position is sometimes called the tail gunner."

This is usually my spot.
But I try to get two "co-riders" that take over in case of me pulling off to aid a breakdown rider. Will talk to you at the BBQ about it, it's one of the two MOST stressful positions in a pack. *Wink*

ok well what ever is the lest stressful is where I wanna be..... you tell me smarty lol

Don't worry Dragon. I will ride tail gunner with you if you need the help.

The last hand signal is the one I see the most. lol

Yeah, even the damn cagers stole that one from us...

Guess I need to read this stuff if I have to ride 3 hours!!

Actually around an hour to Pensacola, maybe fool around there a bit, stop for a lil while, then back. That's all. ederas first time back on in awhile, I for one am not riding it hard. We stop about every hour on longer rides. I ride for the ride, not to GIT THERE.