Group riding safety

[endlessloop]

On unfamiliar roads where there are turn offs, I offered used the 3-Bike System for Convoy: The Leader, the Sweeper and the Marker.

I have used this system for numerous group rides up north.

 

The Leader knows the route and leads the whole convoy on where to go.

 

The Sweeper is the absolute last bike in the convoy. If there are bikes that break down, or temporarily need to make a side stop, the Sweeper will also stop to assist/monitor, and also to maintain it's absolute last bike status. The Sweeper should ideally know the route, just like the Leader.

 

The convoy is kept between the Leader and the Sweeper. The Marker rides just behind the Leader.

 

Default, the convoy always ride straight, even when there are junctions. Unless they see the Marker. This way, the convoy can lose sight of each other and yet no need to panic because of the convoy rules below.

 

The Marker is used to station to mark the junction which the Leader made a turn, so that the rest of the convoy, upon seeing the Marker, will know that they need to make a turn as well. So when the Leader needs to make a turn-off a straight road, he instructs the Marker, who rides behind him, to mark the turn off.

 

The Marker completes his job and can leave the junction when he sees the Sweeper, meaning there are no more bikes behind. In a small convoy, the Marker speeds up front to rejoin the Leader. In large convoy, different bikes take turns to be the Marker.

 

This way, the rest of the convoy need no really know the route, yet could ride in comfort, spaced out, without stress, and don't have to be bunched up.

 

For larger convoys, more complex routes, more bikes may be added such as multiple Markers, assistant Sweeper. The large convoy might be split into smaller sub-convoys. But these are all variations branching off the basic principles of the 3-Bike System.

[fatbar]

hmmmmmm... good info

[MrLau]

BIG convoy ride on NSH is a NO-NO, unless been escorted by the traffic police.

 

I witness a big convoy of bike overtake a coach (100km/h), hogged the right lane on the NSH with 110km/h...

 

A car coming fast from the behind almost bang the last bike, the car jam brake and another fast car is coming from behind....

[DeusExMachina]

BIG convoy ride on NSH is a NO-NO, unless been escorted by the traffic police.

 

I witness a big convoy of bike overtake a coach (100km/h), hogged the right lane on the NSH with 110km/h...

 

A car coming fast from the behind almost bang the last bike, the car jam brake and another fast car is coming from behind....

 

Better to break up into smaller groups right?

 

Another thing about big convoy is... someone in the front or middle fall, and if the convoy is a close one, you'll see bikes like bowling pins. All pile up.

[scubasimon]

sigh...it seems common sense does NOT prevail...think i have to edit my article a little so people won't take everything without thinking.

[DeusExMachina]

sigh...it seems common sense does NOT prevail...think i have to edit my article a little so people won't take everything without thinking.

 

Think of it as an extension to your article.

 

Your rules apply. Just add one more rule.

 

"Limit individual group size to less than 10 bikes" or something like that.

[scubasimon]

haha...i edited already. hopefully people will exercise some due diligence and not just follow blindly.

[antartica]

i know this was primarily meant for the loop ride

but we don't ever stop learning...

just saw this write up

and although simple, sounds very practical & right to me

 

 

 

A Few Nuggets of Wisdom from the Head Road Captain

Posted on January 7th, 2010 by Jay Green

 

This blog is in part meant to be a referance site for Road Captains all over the world. The how to and when to information on leading and sweeping group motorcycle rides is limited. Here are just a few nuggets from our Head Road Captain, Lem McMaster. These are pretty basic but important. I gleamed these from our monthly Road Captain meeting earlier this evening and was inspired to share them with you. Please drop in your own nuggets by leaving some comments.

 

The First Rest Stop: when you start a ride in the morning everyone is full of breakfast coffee and the first rest break should be set within the first hour or 80 miles. Let everyone use the restroom and adjust their gear. Sometimes you wear too much or not enough gear and you need to strip off or add some layers. Once this first stop is out of the way you can really roll.

 

Park Far Away from the Rest Area: when parking for a comfort stop don’t park at the front door to the gas station or convenience store. Park far enough away so you can walk a little bit and get the blood flowing through your body.

 

Be The Last: as the RC you should be the last to get gas, eat a snack, smoke a cigarette and so forth so that by the time you are done you know the pack riders have had enough time to do their thing and are ready to roll when you are.

 

Ride Your Own Ride: everyone must heed this advice. I am probably the worst about this. I worry about specific riders in the group and try to watch them in my mirrors. What I should be doing is focussing on riding my ride. There is nothing you can do for these people. They have to ride their motorcycles and you have to ride yours. If everyone is focussed on riding their own ride then everything will work.

 

You Are Always On Time: whatever time you get there is the right time. If you get there early, well you are still on time. If you get there late, well you are still on time. As long as you get there safe you are on time.

 

 

SOURCE

 

 

my personal fave is the last one...

[scubasimon]

its a different philosophy...but works for experienced riders for sure

[Guest pragya]

hi

 

i am pragya joshi i am viewing your site it is very excellent site

 

The following guidelines for riding in a group are not gospel. ... When a group of motorcycles is changing lanes, many safety considerations come into play. ...

Group Ride Safety. Group Ride Safety Briefing. 1) Riding Formations ... route map of the ride to allow them to catch up to the group in the event of minor trouble. ...

 

keyword research tips

Data Colocation Denver