Group rides...
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 6
Group rides...
Yup, can't do the bar hopping thing much more and got a goup of about 6-8 old farts like me for day trips and overnighters. Looking for some things to consider when doing group rides. Hand signals, bike placement etc. Did a search here and got nothing. Any web sites out there that explain it well. Never needed it before; the bars were always close to each other.
RE: Group rides...
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Group rides...
talk to me ...what do you need to know...do a lot of group and friend rides.......from small groups - large organized rides....my wife for years has been and is a MSF Instructor...and I'm a little more reshearched than the norm......between both of us over 45 (+) years..........BC
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 1
From: Katy, Texas
RE: Group rides...
Typically you would ride in stagared formation with 2 seconds between the bike directly in front of you. I only ride side by side if I am very comfortable with the skill level of the other riders. Designate ride leader & tail gunner to watch the front & back
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 6
RE: Group rides...
Ok, OK. I just got off the AMA web site and saved the section on hand signals. Is everyone familar with these? Are they commonly understood? Good idea to copy and pass on to all riders? That's the first I've seen them. With a small group of 6-8 if the last guy catches the light should we all wait? As a rule how long do you ride before taking a pee break? I don't think our bladders can wait for the gas stop. My Heritage has about 150 mile range. Should everyone have a copy of the route? Should cell numbers be exchanged?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Clemmons, NC
RE: Group rides...
ORIGINAL: Tucker99
Ok, OK. I just got off the AMA web site and saved the section on hand signals. Is everyone familar with these? Are they commonly understood? Good idea to copy and pass on to all riders? That's the first I've seen them. With a small group of 6-8 if the last guy catches the light should we all wait? As a rule how long do you ride before taking a pee break? I don't think our bladders can wait for the gas stop. My Heritage has about 150 mile range. Should everyone have a copy of the route? Should cell numbers be exchanged?
Ok, OK. I just got off the AMA web site and saved the section on hand signals. Is everyone familar with these? Are they commonly understood? Good idea to copy and pass on to all riders? That's the first I've seen them. With a small group of 6-8 if the last guy catches the light should we all wait? As a rule how long do you ride before taking a pee break? I don't think our bladders can wait for the gas stop. My Heritage has about 150 mile range. Should everyone have a copy of the route? Should cell numbers be exchanged?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Group rides...
I will probably get flamed for this but....seems that someone always has to complicate things. I often ride with 6 -8 bikes, not always the same people. When we start we all know the end destination or direction and we try to stay together. If someone catches a light we try to pull over and wait or slow down if safe to do so. Seems like on a couple hundred mile ride we go a hundred stop for gas and the restroom, and then go. That is why i stopped riding with the local hog chapter...too many freaken rules. Now this is just my opinion...i have rules to follow monday thru friday at work and i dont need more to enjoy a ride.
mike
mike
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
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From: King George, VA
RE: Group rides...
There are always some generaly accepted or understood hand signals, I.E. slow down, speed up, change lanes, turns etc. Other hand signals are usually covered before your ride begins, I.E. need gas, can be pointing at gas tank or patting top of helmet, single file or staggered and what ever else ya might thing of.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Salem, OR
RE: Group rides...
Here You Go:
START ENGINES
With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
LEFT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
RIGHT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.
[align=left]
HAZARD LEFT
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.[/align]
HAZARD RIGHT A
Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.
HAZARD RIGHT B
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet.
SPEED UP
Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.
SLOW DOWN
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.
STOP
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
SINGLE FILE
Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.
STAGGERED or SIDE-BY-SIDE FORMATION
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
TIGHTEN UP
Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.
TICKED OFF
Extend your left arm straight out with your elbow bent 90 degrees. Carefully extend your middle finger to clearly demonstrate your dissatisfaction with the other guy. NOTE: It is not recommended
START ENGINESWith your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
LEFT TURNRaise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
RIGHT TURNRaise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.
[align=left]
HAZARD LEFTExtend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.[/align]
HAZARD RIGHT AExtend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.
HAZARD RIGHT BExtend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet.
SPEED UPRaise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward. This indicates the leader wants to speed up.
SLOW DOWNExtend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.
STOPExtend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
SINGLE FILEPosition your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward. This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.
STAGGERED or SIDE-BY-SIDE FORMATIONExtend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
TIGHTEN UPRaise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion. This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.
TICKED OFFExtend your left arm straight out with your elbow bent 90 degrees. Carefully extend your middle finger to clearly demonstrate your dissatisfaction with the other guy. NOTE: It is not recommended
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Group rides...
As far as I'm concerned group riding is the least of my riding pleasures. I much more enjoy riding alone. I've ridden in groups and I'm sure I willagain but I will do it as little as possible.
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