Right. What kept bothering me is, the exists come up so fast and 95 is so freaking crowded, as we are coming together as a group after entering ONTO the highway, you have some nutball in a cage seeing his exit is coming up so they hastily move to the right not seeing one of the bikes jockeying into position and wham-o.

I was hoping to make this type situation better by a contributor adding something I did not know about.

The input from others has been GREAT! Confirming the proper method of nothing else.

BuzzCap7

 

BC7 if you get on 95 going South at Linton the next exit at Congress is about half a mile down. There is a split second of time to be able to move across 2 lanes or else you will have no choice but to exit at Congress and U turn at the light and get back on. Don't ask how I know.

 

Do you have a California Vehicle Code section for this?
This is the lane change law I'm familiar with, nothing mentioned about changing one lane at a time.

21658. Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more
clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, the following
rules apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely
within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such
movement can be made with reasonable safety.
(b) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to
use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic
moving in the same direction, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the
directions of the traffic device.

 

I think the only thing you can do in this situation is the elusive & magical counter-counter-counter steer technique. I know it's tricky and I wouldn't be able to do it justice by explaining it, maybe someone can find a diagram of it, that they'd like to share.

 

When I ride with a group and enter a heavy traffic highway, we will change to the second or third lane as traffic allows and we use our own judgement when. Once we are out of harm way, we try to regroup and sometimes that will take a few miles. It is important that everyone knows where you are going and what the next exit will be in case you are seperated. In simple words, you should do what is safe for you and do not worry about staying together.

 

LOL! I understand funi girl. That is too common around these here parts. I was hoping for some GREAT new way to do it and we all stick together. Ok, I am dreaming. Always trying to tweak. GOOD info here tho.

TY for taking the time to write that up mate.

Thanks mate! Staying in the 2nd and 3rd lane waiting for others to fall in line is staying in more dangerous lanes longer than needed it seems. I would rather go to the far right and we re-group there. All individually get over there asap.

But it seems we need to get into say the 2nd lane to the LEFT, wait until we line up then go over one at a time to the left. That is basically what u r saying right?

BuzzCap7

 

Tail gunner works well.

One thing I might add (not sure if anyone beat me to it) is showing everyone before you kick off where you're going and what's coming up. Not a big deal when you have one turn off, but if it's a bit confusing the stress of keeping up will make it worse. That's usually my biggest complaint with a group ride is not knowing where we're going. The leader might cut over normally and for 6 people following him there was enough of a window, but for the 7th person they can't get over in time. Knowing what's coming up means you don't have to wait for the leader or wonder what's going on.

There should be a meet up point afterwards, maybe a buddy system. No one wants to be left behind or be the guy who didn't keep up, which means someone might have to do something stupid to try to follow. If they know you're waiting (and not on them) it takes the pressure off to get it right in order to remain in the group. If you're on the back roads having someone wait at a turn spot for anyone left behind is a good idea. Keeps the party from getting split if you got separated for a bit.

Just my experience from around here.

 

It's either DOT or NHTSA.
Not just Calif.

 

I'm the tail gunner in two groups I ride with and not bragging but the tail gunner can make or break a good ride in traffic.
Me and the ride leader tell everyone when he puts on his blinker no one goes till I move over. then as taraffic clears move over

 

Tail gunner is the way to go, I've tried to explain this lots of times.