Group Ride Etiquette
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
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Group Ride Etiquette
I rode to Blue Springs, Mo. today, to watch my daughter race in a BMX (bicycle moto-cross event.....btw, she showed the class of (-Intermediate boys how to WIN a race)......
Anyway, I took a secondary highway back home, and on a two lane stretch of it, I came upon a group of about 14 Harleys, riding a staggered formation in the right lane. The leader (or at least the guy at the head of the pack was probably 20 bike lengths out in front, and did NOT have anybody staggered off of him).
I was moving past them in the left lane, just a bit faster than they were moving, when Some jackazz in a cage, decided that he wanted to get a close up view of my license plate. Rather than impede his obviously important trip, I signalled right, and moved into the right lane, where I then took up a staggered position off of the previously mentioned leader. I rode with them for probably the next 10 miles or so, until they as a group turned off.
Nobody shot me any dirty looks, and the other guys maintained a staggered formation around me, so I really don't think I ruffled any feathers.....but, out of curiosity, it is considered an intrusion, to join a formation you were not originally a part of? I guess I am asking, because I jumped in right at the lead of it, and didn't tack on to the tail end.
Anyway, I took a secondary highway back home, and on a two lane stretch of it, I came upon a group of about 14 Harleys, riding a staggered formation in the right lane. The leader (or at least the guy at the head of the pack was probably 20 bike lengths out in front, and did NOT have anybody staggered off of him).
I was moving past them in the left lane, just a bit faster than they were moving, when Some jackazz in a cage, decided that he wanted to get a close up view of my license plate. Rather than impede his obviously important trip, I signalled right, and moved into the right lane, where I then took up a staggered position off of the previously mentioned leader. I rode with them for probably the next 10 miles or so, until they as a group turned off.
Nobody shot me any dirty looks, and the other guys maintained a staggered formation around me, so I really don't think I ruffled any feathers.....but, out of curiosity, it is considered an intrusion, to join a formation you were not originally a part of? I guess I am asking, because I jumped in right at the lead of it, and didn't tack on to the tail end.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,682
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From: Dallas, TX
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
Could not say. I would have probably gone past them when I could, but real riders don't mind too much. You seemingly did not make it look like you were trying to usurp the rest, but no one knows how people take things until you talk to them. Kinda like the internet. If you do not display the emotion intended, how does one guess.
...oh, and
...oh, and
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
It's generally not considered proper to join a formation, especially in the middle of it. Tagging along behind is usually OK under most circumstances. But given the circumstances you describe, tucking in behind a leader who was way out front of the group was pretty much the safest thing you could do. If possible it might've been better to safely leave their formation at the first opportunity. In this case, there didn't seem to be a problem - no harm, no foul.
A ride leader should never let the group fall back 20 lengths. That's an invitation for an idiot cager to dive into the formation. Sounds like that leader either didn't have it together, or his group needed a spanking.
A ride leader should never let the group fall back 20 lengths. That's an invitation for an idiot cager to dive into the formation. Sounds like that leader either didn't have it together, or his group needed a spanking.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
I do not know about the "etiquette" part of it but for safety sake, fourteen riders on a two lane road should allow for others, bike or cage, to not be able to pass the whole group at once. What you did is correct. I would not have stayed in the group if I had a chance to pass and get out front.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: Group Ride Etiquette
Oh, I'm not gonna lose sleep over it. I was just curious that should a similar situation come up (or, if I just happen to come up behind a formation), if I am committing some sort of tabboo by joining in.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
Had this identical thing come up today. Our group of 21 bikes was riding a two lane road going to lunch in the mountains. Several times rice bikes moving faster than us had to come around us parts at a time. Since our group rides pretty much on a monthly basis, we all just moved and made room for the bikes, then they moved on when the chance came.
Other times we've all moved to the right side of the lane to let the ricers come through when there is no passing for a long time. Just common courtesy but it must be done carefully and the group has to be aware of what is happening.
Other times we've all moved to the right side of the lane to let the ricers come through when there is no passing for a long time. Just common courtesy but it must be done carefully and the group has to be aware of what is happening.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: USA
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
You are probably fine due to circumstances ........I wouldn't break into anyones formation unless I had to. 
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
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From:
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
I'd agree the leader shouldn't be more than 6 seconds ahead of the pack. If you have to duck into formation for safety as long as you do so safely and exit at the first safe opportunity , riders will understand. They likely will have seen the reason if they were paying attention (shich they should be) Outside of that necessity , I'd not break into a formation.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
RE: Group Ride Etiquette
I think most of the posters were correct. You did what you had to do to get a cager off your azz. I probably would have passed the leader asap safely, thrown him a jaunty wave and moved on out ahead of the group by a 1/4 mile or so then slowed back to cruising speed. As stated, good alert riders knew why you jumped in but were probably puzzled as to why you stayed in for 10 miles. Just my .02
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