Formation riding
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
RE: Formation riding
When riding in staggered formation, with a two second interval with the rider directly in front and back of you, that means the riders in the other half of the lane are only one second in front and back, just a few feet over from you. At 60 mph, you are traveling at 88 feet per second. It looks like a big space, but it's still only a second of time between you and the next closest rider.
The average rider takes more than a second just to react to a hazard. Group riding is dangerous...everyone needs to be onguard.
A good rule of thumb for all group rides--The following rider should be able to look into the mirror of the staggered rider in front (on the other side of the lane) and see their face in the mirror. If you can't see their face, they can't see you when they look in the mirror, and you are following too close.
The average rider takes more than a second just to react to a hazard. Group riding is dangerous...everyone needs to be onguard.
A good rule of thumb for all group rides--The following rider should be able to look into the mirror of the staggered rider in front (on the other side of the lane) and see their face in the mirror. If you can't see their face, they can't see you when they look in the mirror, and you are following too close.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
RE: Formation riding
I'm a member of a motorcycle club. I started riding with them in the staggered formation discussed in previous posts very soon after I got my license. Now THAT was scary, but they were all very kind and patient with me. In the beginning though, I often said "I'll ride at the back", until I got more used to it all. 3 seasons later and I hold my own and am usually in the first half of the pack , but honestly, I am not crazy about pack riding in the twisting country roads we tend to do a lot of riding on. We do say to people who might ride with us who have never ridden in a pack that if they aren't comfortable with it, don't be embarassed to say you'll ride in the back.
What I will NOT do is ride side by side. I hear that some chapters of our club out in Arizona ride that way. THen again, they have long stretches of flat straight highway, so maybe it's not so bad. But I think if I were ever to go out there, I'd say "Ill rid in back".
What I will NOT do is ride side by side. I hear that some chapters of our club out in Arizona ride that way. THen again, they have long stretches of flat straight highway, so maybe it's not so bad. But I think if I were ever to go out there, I'd say "Ill rid in back".
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