Newbie question...what is protocol?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I don't care who is behind me, if they aren't tailgating. 10' sounds too close. Usually I am riding faster than groups and have to wait for a long straightaway, so I can pass the whole group. So I only follow a group when they are too big to pass.
Ride long enough, and you're going to have all kinds of "encounters" on the road. There isn't a specific protocol, but I never worry about another rider pulling into formation. I like having the extra visibility another rider provides, and it's not like I'm expected to talk to them. I don't ride any differently than I would if they weren't there.
Last edited by Mike; Aug 3, 2015 at 09:40 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 679
Likes: 8
From: Southern California
Was riding this weekend solo, on some great mountain roads, and came upon a group of 6 guys. I thought I would fall in behind them, but as traffic moved... I got placed right in the middle of them, and couldn't get out...
I felt like an idiot. Busted up their group ride on this nice twisty road.
Normally I like to pull up and ride with others in solidarity.
This time it backfired, and I still feel like a jerk.
If you guys are out there... forgive me ! !
I felt like an idiot. Busted up their group ride on this nice twisty road.
Normally I like to pull up and ride with others in solidarity.
This time it backfired, and I still feel like a jerk.
If you guys are out there... forgive me ! !
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
You wait til you can pass the whole group??? I pass as many as I can when the opportunity arises. If it means I have to bust into their formation, so be it. Most understand I'm just trying to yo on my merry way and make room for me til I can leap frog them all. Some move right and wave me on in their lane while others in the group are clearly not comfortable sharing lane space. Only ever had 1 group approach me at a stop and chew me out...and it happened to be a group that I passed in one clean move using the oncoming lane.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,868
Likes: 17,946
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Newbie question...what is protocol?
I don't like anyone trying to share a lane with me and I don't share a lane with anyone.
I avoid packs of bikes because the larger the group, the greater the chance there is an idiot among them. I don't mind if it is one or two others, but three or more I will drop back.
I always give a minimum of four seconds of space, but often more. I am always staggered.
I never intentionally go on a group ride because most people don't take into account how their actions affect others. Once in a blue moon, I might ride with my dad but that is about it.
Protocol? There are no formalities, just common sense is all.
I avoid packs of bikes because the larger the group, the greater the chance there is an idiot among them. I don't mind if it is one or two others, but three or more I will drop back.
I always give a minimum of four seconds of space, but often more. I am always staggered.
I never intentionally go on a group ride because most people don't take into account how their actions affect others. Once in a blue moon, I might ride with my dad but that is about it.
Protocol? There are no formalities, just common sense is all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Unless the bike pulled a U-turn to specifically start following you, don't worry about it (ok, pulling up alongside is not so cool). I often come upon a bike, or a bike catches up to me, on the way to work. We just stagger our positions, keep the same distance we would give any other vehicles, and give each other visibility. I suck at keeping a steady speed when I am in the lead, so I probably irritate the other biker at times, but that is what passing zones are for.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Ride long enough, and you're going to have all kinds of "encounters" on the road. There isn't a specific protocol, but I never worry about another rider pulling into formation. I like having the extra visibility another rider provides, and it's not like I'm expected to talk to them. I don't ride any differently than I would if they weren't there.
Group rides we match axles and that is totally different and you better know who and what you are riding next to. Newer guy goes on the inside/ center of the lane. If he f's up you have somewhere to go besides dead.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
If someone I dont know comes up and rides 10 feet behind me Im waving them on.
You said that your a newbie and have only been riding for a month with a week or so under your belt? I would highly reccomend toning it down and not zipping and zooming through traffic as you mentioned you normally would. Also riding in the right track of your lane is a poor lane position for a alone or lead bike. You might want to seriously think about enrolling in a msf course.
You said that your a newbie and have only been riding for a month with a week or so under your belt? I would highly reccomend toning it down and not zipping and zooming through traffic as you mentioned you normally would. Also riding in the right track of your lane is a poor lane position for a alone or lead bike. You might want to seriously think about enrolling in a msf course.
Last edited by ynots; Aug 4, 2015 at 05:35 AM.
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Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, MO
OP, when a rider comes up behind you like that it means he is riding faster than you and caught up to you. If he or she stays behind you it means either they are satisfied with the speed (maybe a turn coming up shortly for example), or there is nowhere for them to pass comfortably. Protocol? If they are clearly riding faster than me I let the rider around, slow down and/or move over if needed to accomplish and wave past. I want to ride my ride and let them ride theirs. I tend to ride faster than a lot of folks around here it seems and so I am usually the lone rider that comes up behind someone. I never crowd another rider, don't want them to push too hard or not enjoy their ride, but I REALLY appreciate it when they move over and wave me around so I can get back to my ride at my pace.
