Group Riding Page Two
Take the lane, this means the trail bike should move over and take the lane, for a lane change early enough for the entire pack to move over before you get to the turn off. Sometimes, a mid group bike has to take the lane if traffic is too tight. It is much easier for a group to move into a lane that already has a rider in the rear to stop over running traffic. We should all move like a connected snake. Not only is impressive to all the other car traffic and they realize what we are doing, it is safer for us.
Approaching traffic signals should be as a tight pack, don’t wait until the last minute to catch up because the delay factor won’t give those behind you enough time to tighten it up when you reach the intersection, and you will leave someone sitting at the light. The question is, now, do we all pull over and wait, or slow down and wait for those left at the light? There, pops up the risk factor again. It is much safer to continue at a slower pace allowing those left behind to catch up unless there is an extremely safe large area to pull off and take a quick break for everyone. It gives you a breather and time to discuss the next plan.
Watch far ahead at the PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL LIGHTS, they tell you the status of what the signal light is going to do. A flashing light means that the Intersection traffic signal is ready to change. A steady green or white means that you have time to approach and get safely through the intersection. Be aware of the gear that you are in. If you are day dreaming and don’t down shift, you will stall out in front of everyone. Now that is embarrassing!
Break downs are going to occur so be prepared. That is why we watch in our mirror for those behind us, so when it happens, flash your lights, high, low, high, low and blow your horn if necessary. The group can safely pull over at first opportunity. If you were lagging too far behind, guess what, see you at the next rest stop, because nobody saw you pull over. Running out of gas at highway speed can be extremely dangerous, and you will put your friends riding with you at risk when you suddenly slow down in front of them trying to find the reserve lever.
Stopping for a rest or at a place of business for fuel also adds to the risk factor, so it should discuss prior to the stop happening. Move your bike as soon as possible after fueling up and make room for others and car customers.
While stopped, walk around your bike and inspect it for any parts missing or hanging loose, and don’t forget to tell your fellow biker about that burnt out light bulb, because he didn’t know about it. Use your front brake because it provides 70 to 75% of the braking power. Stay with the group, because if you park way across the lot by yourself, you will not know the plan for the next stop or turn, and that places you or the bike behind you in a risk zone. The bike off by its self is the one that hit by the car.
Pulling out is a very important topic because it can be the number one dangerous thing you do. First of all, make sure all bikes are running and everyone is ready and gives the high sign that they are ready. Second, the pack should be tight and ready to go at the same time if possible. If you don’t make it out, the group leader will hold down the pace until you catch up. Some groups like to use road guards but this is dangerous and illegal, but sometimes it can be done safely if the traffic isn’t roaring by at high speed. Whoever pulls out and acts as road guard will wind up in the rear of the pack, so discuss ahead of time of who wants do to it.
Leaving intersections has a few things that can affect the risk factor so you lead off traffic, pause a second or two for that idiot that just ran the light then accelerate through the intersection then up to the speed limit rapidly. This should place you far out in front of the traffic where they can see and hear you. You are riding a high performance machine just itching to go fast. Everyone should do the same thing and not stretch out the group by riding like my grandma. Use another vehicle as a shield if you can by staying on the opposite side as you move through the intersection. Also watch out for the vehicle that was left in the middle of the intersection when the light changed, he will not yield to you, and instead, he will proceed after the light is red, no matter what happens. It can lead to a serious “T Bone” crash.