Triumphrat

Tbirdnz

I've seen a lot of links promoting staggered formation in group riding, that is where each rider is off-set to the one in front of him, at a 2 second distance, as opposed to riding single file.

I've also seen links where staggered formation is a big no no, in that the following riders who were say 2 seconds behind each other at corners or sharp bends then move on the inside of the lane, away from opposing traffic and thus the 2 seconds distance becomes 1 second and compromises both the rider in front and behind as well as himself.

Anyone any firm views on the correct way of riding in small or large groups.


---------------
Ride on !

skiTTles

I'd think staggered on a big highway would be the smart thing (if nothing than increased visibility to upcoming cagers), though on a small curvy two lane backroad there isn't any reason to do the staggered thing, it would just be one more thing for you to spend concentration on. $0.02

andrewb

Having rode both in small (3~5) and large (300+++) groups. I can add the following:

The offset way is a good way, there's room for expansion and contractions in the group. If you fixate on the nice tush (nan-lo!) in front of you there's braking room to correct.

In a drilled (serious)group ride it can be a beautiful experience,

However,

In small groups staggered (loosely) on the straights and single file in the curves. At least when sport riding.

In large groups, it's a f-kin nightmare, a 2 second gap leaves room for cars to pop in and out, and they will. Some0ne folks in the group will inevitably want to be squids and others will slow poke. Serious PITA.

Won't do group rides larger than maybe 10 people because of this, and then only with folk I know.

ymmv,
Andrew

andrewb

The larger rides I've done were HD rides, and after a few I was done with it. I did a ride in Nutley, NJ that had over 1,300 riders, line snaked for miles, and crawled, even with taking over intersections and halting traffic. We were also at a large ralley in CT to protest the income tax that Weiker was imposing. Being there didn''t change the outcome of the tax, but it was a lot of bikers. Happily we all rode in in smaller groups (30~50) and it didn't get heavy until everyone converged at the Capitol. Was nice being cheered like heros by the people though

All the small group rides I've done in the last 10 years were sport riding oriented usually less than 10 people in a group. With staggered (tight) riding on highways, and looser form riding on secondary's and single file on the curvier parts.


Yeah I know lot of reading....however,
IMO, Staggered riding has it's place, just try to do it with people you trust.

ChurnDog

Our RAT pack rides staggered on our monthly rides. However, when we get to twistys it goes to single file and ride at your own pace. Typically they sport bikes are up front followed by the aggressive riders, followed by the less aggressive. The group up front will pull off the side of the road every now and then (when safe) and wait for the slower riders to catch up in the less twisty portions.

So far I have not had too many bad experiences with staggered formation. Of course the groups that I have ridden in (with several thousand riders, such as The Miracle Ride and the Loop for Life) have sections of the road closed down to car traffic, so people jumping into the group isn't much of a problem.

propforward

I have never liked staggered riding.

The smoothest flowing group riding I have ever seen is when every rider rides as though they were alone. To my mind this is the only way to adequately allow for hazards. Otherwise you are putting half the riders too close to the centre line a lot of the time.

I am in favour of people queing 2 up at traffic lights, but when moving I prefer the "ride for yourself" approach.

Having said that, the group I ride in tends to ride staggered, until we get to twisties when we go single file. We haven't had any problems, but I don't like it all that much.

EDIT: I tend to only ride in small groups (5 bikes max) so riding single file isn't such a big deal.

__________________
Rule 1: Cardio

Rustic Road Progress

Catenaccio

I agree with you prop.

HiDesert

I like staggered; I don't like being directly behind someone. You can't see as far ahead. In curves, that isn't an issue, so single file makes more sense.

__________________
I won't stop riding because you tell me about someone who died in an accident, just as I won't stop eating because someone died of e.coli.

HiDesert's ride photos

Tbirdnz

Well I posed the question but didn't give my own preference. I normally only ride with one or two other bikes at the most, but mostly solo, yesterday I rode with 3 others (all Triumphs !).

If I am riding with only one other bike and I am the tail-end charlie I stagger, gives me more forward view and gives me more reaction time in stopping as I can always come alongside the leading rider, rather than ploughing into the back of him, but I observe a 2 second gap (most of the time !)

Yesterday I was tail-end charlie for the ride out and we were all in single-file, as tail-end charlie I like to drop back a bit on the straights then play catch-up on the twists and corners. When you're riding in a group you normally ride to the pace of the slowest rider.

On the way back I was leading, so I pick the pace, then if necessary slow down on the straights for the slower rider to catch up.

On my vintage bike club where we have more than 30 bikes on a run, I don't generally like this large number of group riders, and in fact missed the scheduled last Sunday group run and went my own way. With different capabilities of bikes and riders it's more like a procession, although it does tend to break down into 5 or 6 smaller groups. I will go now and again to keep up the club spirit but in general I don't like such style of riding.

-------------
Ride on !

Wombat

Here is what is taught/promoted by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf

__________________
Bob

Click to see My Photo Album

Age is of no importance, unless you are a cheese.