WORDS OF RIDING WISDOM

Written by Vern Sand (better known as the FROG)

Reprinted from IA Chapter “L” Newsletter

Group Riding Front – Back – In-between

I was recently asked to come up with a safety article for the AGWA Newsletter.  As some of you know, I tried to do this once and wasn’t the best at putting my thoughts on paper, but I will attempt to try again.  Since a lot of our time riding is spent with others, as in group riding, I thought I would make a few comments about that subject.

When riding with a group everyone has certain responsibilities.  The leader, the sweep, the radio bikes interspersed throughout the group, and everyone else on the ride each has his own set of responsibilities.  One assumption I am making in this discussion is that most riders have a communications radio.

THE LEAD

The lead rider has a full plate.  He must obviously know the route.   Included in this should be frequent rest stops for restroom breaks, gas, and meals.  This should be completed well before the ride.  As much as possible, he should also know of any detours, construction, or other hazards that may be along the chosen route.

He should have a short meeting before the ride starts, outlining the route, potty, fuel, and meal stops, and anything that should be noted on the ride. 

He is also responsible for setting the pace for the ride.  This becomes more difficult in proportion with the size of the group.  A large group requires a very steady and light throttle hand.  He must set a pace that is well within the capabilities of the least experienced rider.  Even with the lead setting a constant pace of 55 MPH, the rear of the pack can see their speed vary plus and minus 25 MPH (sometimes even more).   When leaving a stop sign or a lower speed limit, as when leaving a town, the lead should not accelerate directly up to full highway speed as soon as he is clear.  He should keep his speed at a reduced rate until the sweep notifies him that everyone is clear of the lower limit and is close enough for the lead to accelerate without the sweep having to run 70 to catch up.  The lead should then accelerate slowly to the normal highway speed.

When approaching a lower speed limit, stop sign, turn, or other caution, the lead should announce the speed and or direction change.  This will keep surprises to a minimum, and will help alleviate the “Holy S---“ braking exercise.

THE SWEEP

The Sweep, Tail Gunner, or whatever you want to call the last rider, has the main responsibility of keeping the group together.  He should notify the lead if the group is fragmenting, if a rider has a problem, if a rider misses a turn, or any other abnormal thing that can and does happen on group rides.  He should notify the lead when he clears a stop sign, speed limit sign, or obstruction so the lead will be able to adjust the pace to compensate.  It is also “handy” if the sweep knows the route.  The sweep should also help with the pre-ride meeting.

OTHER RADIO BIKES

When the group gets too large for the lead and the sweep to see the full group, other radio bikes should be placed throughout the pack.  They have basically the same responsibility as the sweep.  They also may have to relay messages from the sweep to the lead if the group is too strung out or the terrain gets too hilly for reliable communications.  The radio bikes should also help with the pre-ride meeting.

EVERYONE

Each rider is responsible for arriving at least 15 minutes before the ride starts with a full fuel tank.  Everyone, including passengers, should attend the pre-ride meeting.   Each rider is responsible for making the safety checks on his bike.  Everyone is responsible for donning the proper riding apparel and completing the pre-ride bathroom stop.

On the ride, each rider is responsible to keep the formation as safe as possible.  This amounts to the proper spacing in a staggered formation and staying in your proper tire track.  The formation should be with the lead rider in the left tire track, the second rider 1 second behind and in the right tire track, the third rider 1 second behind the second rider and 2 seconds behind the lead rider, etc.  When curvey-twisties are encountered, the formation should change to single file with the spacing adjusted to the road.  Each rider is responsible for riding within his limits.  The last thing anyone wants is someone going down in the middle of a pleasant ride.  Do NOT use cruise control in the pack.  The only rider to use cruise control should be the lead rider, and that should only be used to keep the pace as steady as possible. 

There is much more to cover, but this is getting a bit long for my liking.  I will try to cover more in a later article.

For now, ride safe and have fun.

Vern Sand