I have been riding for 40 years and have been coordinating group rides for 24 years. As the Head Road Captain for a group of 25 female Road Guards called “Women In Motion,” I hope this article offers good advice and useful information, whether you are coordinating or participating.
Group Riding can be great fun when done safely. This topic has several different facets: Planning a group ride, executing a group ride, and participating in a group ride.
Planning a group ride:
Whether planning a short or long ride, there are several things you, as the coordinator, should consider.
- Plan a ride that matches your riders’ skill level. While choosing a route with curves and hills is good, choosing a route with hairpin curves and significant uphill right-hand turns can challenge even experienced riders.
- Try to plan your route so that it maximizes right turns and minimizes the number of intersections you need to go through. Left turns may require assistance in order to get everyone through the intersection if your group is large.
- Plan to stop every hour or so to give riders a chance to eat, drink, stretch their legs, and use the restroom.
- Be sure to plan a gas stop every 80-90 miles.
- Try to keep your groups small enough that they can get through intersections with minimal problems. This will require that you have enough experienced riders to help at both the front and the back of each group. Even small groups of 12 or so can get split up, so have a plan for how you will regroup, for instance, signal single file and then move all riders to the shoulder of the road while you wait for your rider, so gather again. Allow traffic to pass you before pulling back out to continue your ride.
Executing the Group Ride:
Communication is the key
- Communicate with your riders by giving them maps of what your route will be, the times you will be at each location, planned gas stops, and your phone number. This reduces anxiety, and if the person gets left behind, or shows up late after the group has left, they can catch up with you at the next stop
- Ask your riders to arrive with a full tank of gas and an empty bladder.
- Give riding instructions that include hand signals and staggered riding. For an excellent group riding instructional paper that can be handed out to riders and/or sent to them ahead of time. Check out this video: Group Riding tips by “Girl On a Bike”.
- Have someone assigned as the group leader. Your group leader should be the person who gives pre-ride instructions. You should also have one, preferably two people assigned at the rear of the group, often called the “Sweep”. The people at the rear of the group should be familiar with the route and should have tools for minor breakdown assistance, a cell phone to call for help if needed, Accident Scene Management (ASM) training by Road Guardians (the only accredited program in the USA), and basic tools and supplies in the event a person needs assistance. The reason for two people at the back is so one can help while the other continues with the group, or, if something more serious appears to be happening, one can help while the other manages the scene.
- If you have a “chase vehicle,” be sure it has water, medical supplies, and tools. Instruct this person to maintain a safe distance from the back of the pack. This person should activate their 4-way flashers to indicate they are at the back of the group. They may get split up from the group at traffic signals, but they will still come upon anyone who has pulled over needing assistance.
- Inform riders that if they have a medical issue during the ride, they should pull over and notify the sweep. The sweep should be prepared to record the person’s name, emergency contact, medical condition, and medical history. They should be prepared to help with minor issues or call for help as needed.
- Communication can be very helpful between the front and back of the pack. Test your communication systems before you get out on the road. A helmet with communications is the best.
- New riders often want to ride in the back and maintain an excessive distance from the person in front of them. While this creates an issue with traffic wanting to cut through or into the pack, pushing the new rider to ride beyond their comfort zone is not typically a good idea either, so be patient! Consider pairing them with experienced riders to provide a buffer and help with traffic that might make its way into the pack. Make sure the sweep is behind everyone and to help this person have a good, safe experience.
Participating in a group ride:
Hand signals and staggered riding are a must.
When riding in a staggered formation, you should consider a road lane to have 3 sections. Left (inner) section, Right (outer) section, and the middle of the lane. Two-wheeled riders should take the left or right lane positions in a staggered formation as shown below. They should judge their distance by the motorcycle in front of them, not the one to their right or left. Each motorcycle should have the ability to swerve to miss a pothole or something in the road without fear of another rider being beside them, so at no time should a rider come alongside another rider unless they are carefully passing to close a gap or are stopped. As the riders get on the road, people may find a gap in the riders in their lane. You may need to move up in your lane to create a staggered pattern, but at no time should you cross over to the right or the left. Only the riders at the very back of the pack can change lanes after verifying it is safe and signaling.
Check out the information at this link on HAND SIGNALS and what they mean.
Make sure everyone in the group is using the same information and hand signals, and you will enjoy a wonderful experience.
For more information or advice, please feel free to contact Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo at Vicki@roadguardians.org
