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Ride your own ride!
Voni
sMiling
An interesting idea that actually appears to work - never let the headlight behind you out of sight.
If this is followed right through the ride by ALL members, the string that stretches out will tend to compress, and the last rider won't be getting the snap-the-whip sort of problem they usually do.
And as Voni said - ride your own ride.
That said - I find more than 3 in a group to be a PITA and difficult.. so usually when we have club rides we will split up into groups of 3, and just become destination driven. We all - eventually - want to end up at the destination. However one group decides to do it doesn't matter to the other groups. People then tend to group according to their riding desires and abilities (ie - fast groups and sane groups..)
When I'm ride leader I try to make the following clear:
- I stress (and this is made MUCH easier with small groups) - that IF I go through the tail end of a green light, riders following me should NOT run the yellow (or red) to keep up. I *will* wait on the other side of the light as soon as I find a safe spot to pull off the road. And I do it. People learn to depend on it and ride safer.
- I stress that I use ALL of my lane. I stress never assume I'm going to stay in the left or right of the lane, since I like to "split hazards" (equal distances from potential hazard locations) I tend to move around in the lane.
- Equally - there is no "formation".. this goes along with ride your own ride.
- Don't tailgate. 3 second rule is vital for safety, I actually prefer 4-5 seconds between riders, but in some cases that does open you up for cars trying to break in between bikes..
- And - I do try to remember to use my brake even when I would normally just use engine braking riding solo. The brake light gives people behind me some clue that I'm slowing down. A few people following me suggested this
Honestly, I know some people enjoy formations, hand signals, group captains and structured riding, and that's absolutely fine. Each to his or her own, and I'm fully supportive of and eager to hear the good times had by those who do.Ride in a staggered formation, @3 seconds apart, NEVER side by side!! Although they teach this method at the police schools, it's never a good idea. Set up a series of hand signals and go over them PRIOR to the ride. If your group is large, split the riders up into several groups and stagger the departure times a few minutes. Nothing will drive a "cage" driver into doing something stupid (and therefore dangerous!) like have a L-O -N -G line of bikes to pass on a winding road.Have your ride captain describe the ride, how you will ride, where you will ride to, and what to do in case of a problem. Make sure that EVERYONE is "on the same page", and is NEVER, NEVER ride impaired!! Vaya con Dios, Dutch
honestly, i know some people enjoy formations, hand signals, group captains and structured riding, and that's absolutely fine. Each to his or her own, and i'm fully supportive of and eager to hear the good times had by those who do.
On the other hand, your post is pretty much a description of everything i find to be unpleasant about group riding dynamics. I'd last about ten miles in a structured riding formation like that before claustrophobia caused me to bolt in another direction at the first side road turnoff.
i declined to join the school marching band in high school for similar reasons.
+1ride your own ride!
Voni
smiling
+1honestly, i know some people enjoy formations, hand signals, group captains and structured riding, and that's absolutely fine. Each to his or her own, and i'm fully supportive of and eager to hear the good times had by those who do.
On the other hand, your post is pretty much a description of everything i find to be unpleasant about group riding dynamics. I'd last about ten miles in a structured riding formation like that before claustrophobia caused me to bolt in another direction at the first side road turnoff.
i declined to join the school marching band in high school for similar reasons.