The Pace
RECOMMENDATIONS
Group riding can be made more enjoyable for you and other participants by practicing a small set of group riding guidelines. These are only suggestions, not rules:
1. Ride YOUR Own Pace:
Don’t permit someone else (who may have greater or lesser skill) to set your pace.
Control your speeds, and don’t follow too closely.
When following other riders, it is usually most comfortable to "stagger" riding position in straight sections—the first rider occupies the left side of the lane, the next the right, the third the left, and so-on in staggered formation about 2 seconds apart—this generally provides both good visibility and "cushion". When approaching corners, form a single line. There is no requirement to follow the leader—feel free to pass, or facilitate passing by another, where you feel it is appropriate. If you pass the ride leader, it’s a good idea to wait for the group at major rendezvous points.
2. Wait at Major Turns (or intersections):
A large group of riders can become very spread out, especially in urban areas. It is a good idea to determine who is following you; as a point of courtesy at any major intersection or decision point, wait so that the following rider can see where you are turning. As each rider arrives, they should stop and wait for the next rider. Like a relay race.
3. Passing:
How should a rider indicate they wish to pass the bike ahead of them? We suggest they move to the left side of the lane (making sure they are visible in the rear view mirror of the rider ahead), and turn on your left turn signal. Don’t "push" the rider in front into making an error. Pass bikes only on their left. The rider being passed retains the right of way and needs to position his or her motorcycle to maintain safety.
4. Being Passed:
A rider being passed should allow the passer to get by easily. Don’t speed up to stay in front, and don’t allow a following rider to "push" you into making an error, or into occupying a portion of the road or lane that is unsafe or uncomfortable. When the "in front" rider determines that it is safe for passing, he or she can move to the right side of the lane (if safe), and hand signal the pass with a "play through" motion.
5. Leaving the Group:
Let the ride organizer, leader, or sweep know if you choose to leave an event early. If you are unable to talk to them directly, tell someone else in the group. That way we won’t spend all our time either looking or waiting for you.
THE PACE
by Nick Lenatsch, Motorcyclist magazine, November 1991
Group riding can be made more enjoyable for you and other participants by practicing a small set of group riding guidelines. These are only suggestions, not rules:
1. Ride YOUR Own Pace:
Don’t permit someone else (who may have greater or lesser skill) to set your pace.
Control your speeds, and don’t follow too closely.
When following other riders, it is usually most comfortable to "stagger" riding position in straight sections—the first rider occupies the left side of the lane, the next the right, the third the left, and so-on in staggered formation about 2 seconds apart—this generally provides both good visibility and "cushion". When approaching corners, form a single line. There is no requirement to follow the leader—feel free to pass, or facilitate passing by another, where you feel it is appropriate. If you pass the ride leader, it’s a good idea to wait for the group at major rendezvous points.
2. Wait at Major Turns (or intersections):
A large group of riders can become very spread out, especially in urban areas. It is a good idea to determine who is following you; as a point of courtesy at any major intersection or decision point, wait so that the following rider can see where you are turning. As each rider arrives, they should stop and wait for the next rider. Like a relay race.
3. Passing:
How should a rider indicate they wish to pass the bike ahead of them? We suggest they move to the left side of the lane (making sure they are visible in the rear view mirror of the rider ahead), and turn on your left turn signal. Don’t "push" the rider in front into making an error. Pass bikes only on their left. The rider being passed retains the right of way and needs to position his or her motorcycle to maintain safety.
4. Being Passed:
A rider being passed should allow the passer to get by easily. Don’t speed up to stay in front, and don’t allow a following rider to "push" you into making an error, or into occupying a portion of the road or lane that is unsafe or uncomfortable. When the "in front" rider determines that it is safe for passing, he or she can move to the right side of the lane (if safe), and hand signal the pass with a "play through" motion.
5. Leaving the Group:
Let the ride organizer, leader, or sweep know if you choose to leave an event early. If you are unable to talk to them directly, tell someone else in the group. That way we won’t spend all our time either looking or waiting for you.
THE PACE
by Nick Lenatsch, Motorcyclist magazine, November 1991
- Set cornering speed early. Blow the entrance and you'll never recover.
- Look down the road. Maintaining a high visual horizon will reduce perceived speed and help you to avoid panic situations.
- Steer the bike quickly. There's a reason Wayne Rainey works out—turning a fast moving motorcycle takes muscle.
- Use your brakes smoothly but firmly. Get on and then off the brakes; don't drag 'em.
- Get the throttle on early. Starting the drive settles the chassis, especially through a bumpy corner.
- Never cross the center line except to pass. Crossing the center line in a corner is an instant ticket and an admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing terms, your lane is the course; staying right of the line adds a significant challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future.
- Don't crowd the center line. Always expect an on-coming car with two wheels in your lane.
- Don't hang off in the corners or tuck in on the straights. Sitting sedately on the bikes looks safer and reduces unwanted attention. It also provides a built-in safety margin.
- When leading, ride for the group. Good verbal communication is augmented with hand signals and turn signals; change direction and speed smoothly.
- When following, ride with the group. If you can't follow a leader, don't expect anyone to follow you when you're setting the Pace.