Group formation riding

[SteveWilko]

Following on from the Police Riding Handbook thread and with the chatter about grouping up to travel to the 2007 National meet, I wanted to ask opinions and seek advice about safe travelling in groups.

I have often travelled in 2,3&4 packs but only a couple of times in a large group (30+)..... Once did a funeral with 200+ bikers but all very slow.

Travelling in large numbers is great fun, but does have hidden dangers...

OK.... Get started then.... lets have it....

Im hoping to Wiki this so keep it clean (if thats possible)

[Cie]

Outside of small groups ie 4 there are two systems that I know of, convoy or markers.

Convoy means that you never lose sight of the guy behind you, if he's dropping back then you slow down and stop until he catches up again. It's tiresome, hard work, and doesn't allow for any individual riding, you all travel at the same speed.

Markers means that you have a leader and a back marker who know the route well. At every deviation from the main route, or possible uncertainty the run leader places the rider behind him at a point to indicate the route. Back marker (who everyone knows to look out for) waves when he comes upon a marker and sweeps them up. The joy of this is that you don't need to know where you're going, you just go where the markers tell you, and it allows for individual riding styles, you can ride as slow or as fast as you want. Of course, you can find yourself stood at a junction for 10 mins waiting for the next rider or back marker to appear!

[Robster]

The marker system works very well yeah. I'd also advocate riding "staggered" when riding relatively close - kinda offset like the teeth of a zip. This makes it easier for everyone to see ahead (rather than just the tail of the guy infront) and often provides a relatively clear view to the head of the convoy.

It also means that you have that little more forward vision to spot brake lights going on up ahead, and slightly more braking space between you and the guy in front.

[Hagrid]

Ummm... Interested in this one... I've never done a real 'Large' ride out...

Doesn't the slowest Rider go up front...? (That knows the route?)

[SteveWilko]

Ummm... Interested in this one... I've never done a real 'Large' ride out...

Doesn't the slowest Rider go up front...? (That knows the route?)

Good point Fletch..... and also....

smaller machines (less power)
Two up machines..
Outfits

Should they be taking point?

And for those without coms.... are there any type of hand signals or gestures that are commonly used to indicate a problem.... ?

[Cie]

If you're going to convoy ride then yes, the slowest bike needs to go at the front. If you're going to user markers then it doesn't matter at all. What will probably happen is that the slower bike will get overtaken a lot by the more progressive riders. That's not a problem, and infact some prefer it that way because they don't have to mark the route, all the fast riders race to the front, mark, race to the front, mark instead of the slower guy who just potters along

[Whealie]

are there any type of hand signals or gestures that are commonly used to .... ?

I have one for Volvo drivers. And BMW drivers. And...er, actually...

[BlindPugh]

Small group 4-6

Put somebody at the front who knows the route or has GPS, everybody keeps the rider behind in sight when checking mirrors. No rider visible in mirrors then slow down or stop and wait. Bunch up in towns so you all get through traffic lights together and work out who has the worst tank tange and plan refuelling around them ( never the rider on the AT in my experience )

Do not put the slowest rider at the front as you will drive everybody mad - similarly do not have somebody who is likely to blast off with loads of dodgy overtakes. This turns it in to a nightmare for the following group - who when pi**ed off by the above behaviour are likely to stop for a coffee or turn off and take another route!

Large group

2nd man drop off as previously discussed.

[Chad]

I have one for Volvo drivers. And BMW drivers. And...er, actually...

perhaps you can do a workshop on this at the meet wingcommander

[MacP]

In the rideouts I've arrnaged and been on -some of them quite large 60+ - the marker / cornerman system works really well its the best way IMHO.

However everyone needs to be clear on:
They need to do go to the point given
Stay there until the back marker comes
Be on the bike ready to go when the back marker passes (i.e it's not a fag break)

Also having 2 back markers as a team works well too - in a matching T shirt or hiviz as people will be looking for the 2 backmarkers so less chance of missing the tail

Also I'd suggest slower riders towards the front but not leading - the progressive riders will as Cie has said will mark a point and then make progress to the front to mark again.

Leader has GPS but if possible post the way points on site for people to load up too.