STAYIN’ ALIVE--WHOO HOO HOO HOO--STAYIN’ ALIVE

OR

GROUP RIDING WITH THE NIAGARA FRONTIER LADIES

                 Riding with a group should be a pleasurable and relaxing experience.  There is bonding and camaraderie in getting together to share rides and encounters.   However, when riding in a group, you forfeit some personal autonomy.  It is important to have a basic understanding of the ‘rules’ so you are riding in a cohesive group, as opposed to an undisciplined pack.  In addition, a group rider must be proficient at basic riding skills.

                 All motorcycle riders should be confident of their ability to maneuver safely in the riding environment they are in.  New members or less experienced riders should be as close to the front as possible, not at the rear of the column.  The back portion of the group is constantly exposed to the slinky or accordion effect, and is most likely to be separated from the group at intersections.  In order to enhance mutual support, each rider is directly responsible for the rider behind them.  If a rider starts to fall behind, you should also start to slow down.  This controls the speed of the group and helps keep it together.  You should never feel that you are exceeding your capability or comfort zone just to keep up.

                 Safety of the riders is the most important feature of any ride.  Group riding is never a race.  Hot dogging or racing of bikes is out of the question.  If you are not comfortable at the groups’ pace, inform the ride leader at the next break stop and she will either separate the ride into two groups or proceed at a slower pace so that all members will feel secure.  Each participant is responsible for the safety and control of their own bike. Consuming alcohol and other substances can impair your ability to operate a motorcycle.  It is impossible to safely operate your bike if impaired.

 Generally, a group ride will include a ride leader and a drag rider.  The ride leader must be aware of the intended route, the highway entrances and exits, traffic, merges, etc.  All directions come from the ride leader, and  she makes all the decisions regarding lane changes, breaks, etc.  To keep a ride consistent, no individual should assert themselves independently without direction from the ride leader.  If you plan on dropping out during a ride, tell the ride leader.  They will get very annoyed if they have to look for you, only to find out that you went home.

                 The drag rider serves as the eyes of the ride leader.  She watches the formation for problems, other vehicles approaching, kickstands are up, merging lanes, etc.  She will also assist in any emergency situations that may develop.  The drag rider may ride on whichever side of the lane she prefers, and may have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation of the moment.    

 Traditionally, riding is done in a staggered formation.  In staggered formation, the bikes form two columns in a lane, with the leader at the head of the left column, so she can see all the bikes in the rearview mirrors.  The second bike heads the right column, and will ride at one second behind the leader (and in the opposite side of the lane).  The other riders will position themselves two seconds behind the bike directly in front of them, which puts them one second behind the diagonal bike.  This formation allows sufficient minimal safety space, and discourages other vehicles from cutting into the lane.  There should be no more than a three second gap between bikes, as too much space can allow an aggressive cage driver to force their way into the lane.  The only time it is acceptable to ride with a one second gap to close up the formation is on parade or if you are in a town and the speed limit is less than 35 mph.  When the formation stops, the group generally forms up side by side.   When starting off, the rider on the left starts first.  At traffic signals and street signs, each rider must obey the traffic laws as an individual. 

Be careful to stay in your lane when negotiating curves and turns.  Downshift and slow down, so you do not swing wide and end up in the lane of the bike behind you.  Look into the direction of the turn where you want to go.   

It is each riders’ responsibility to ride in the half of the lane as dictated by the next rider in front.  You should stay in your position in the formation until the next break stop, where you may then change your position in the ride.  If a rider in the formation needs to drop off for any reason, the bike behind should close up the gap to the two second rule and reorganize the stagger.  Never change lanes to close a gap.  Do not pass another bike unless it has pulled over to the shoulder and indicated an intention to stop.  The drag rider is responsible for aiding any rider pulled over.  The next to last bike then becomes the drag.  The ride leader will lead the group to a safe stopping place, if needed.  If you want to ride with someone, the best advice is to stay in the same lane together, one in front of the other.  That way, if the group re-adjusts to fill gaps, you will still be with your riding buddy.

   When riding in curves or on narrow roads, the stagger may no longer be warranted, and a single file type of formation may be needed.  The ride leader will indicate this change in lane position with a hand signal.  Single file riding allows the riders more room to negotiate curves and obstacles in the path.  It is generally best to enter and exit a highway in single file, and resume formation after safely merging onto the roadway.  When in single formation, the following distance between riders should be increased to 3-5 seconds.  Always be aware of the bike in front of you and never assume the rider will continue at his current pace.

 The group should keep in the center lane of a multiple lane highway whenever possible, and try to avoid constant lane changes.  All lane changing starts with a radio request from the ride leader to the drag rider.  The drag  rider determines if it is safe to do so and will inform the ride leader when the lane is clear.  When it is safe, the drag rider will move into the requested lane and signal the ride leader, who will then use the directional signal as an indication she is about to change lanes.  As each rider sees the directional signal on the bike in front of them, they will turn on their own bike’s signal,  so all riders following are made aware of the coming lane change.  No bike moves until the bike in front of him has moved.   This is the most commonly used “simple” lane change.

 The “block” lane change is impressive to watch but requires more attention.  After the drag has secured the new lane, the ride leader puts on the directional, raises her left arm straight up, and lowers her arm to point to the lane into which she is moving and initiates the change.  All riders move to change lanes at the same time.  This allows the entire formation to move from one lane to another as a single block.   

If a long enough gap cannot be maintained in the new lane because of the flow of other vehicles cutting into the opening in front of the drag, the “rear fill-in” lane change can be used.  After the drag has secured the new lane, the ride leader (at the suggestion of the drag) will call for the group to fill in the space from the rear.  This is signaled by raising her hand to shoulder height and ‘pushing’ it towards the new lane.  All riders should repeat the signal, and the last bikes will move into the space in the new lane ahead of the drag.  Then the whole column fills in from rear to the front ride leader. 

 Each rider and passenger should duplicate all the hand and directional signals given by the rider in front of her, so that the signals get passed all the way to the back of the formation.  Standard signals are right turn, left turn, slow and stop.  Additional signals to learn would be stagger formation, single file, tighten formation, move up, road hazard, block lane change, fill-in from rear, rest stop, and fuel stop. 

Make plans in advance so you can relax during the ride.  All riders are responsible for making sure their motorcycles are mechanically sound.  Be prepared to ride at the specified time of departure with a full tank of gas, an empty bladder and the proper gear for the day.  It is best to arrive at least thirty minutes before you are expected to leave.  Plan for breaks and regrouping.  For example, every 100 miles or every hour.  Exchange cell phone numbers of everyone who has them, and ensure yours is on when you stop.  Give a briefing of the whole trip at the start, and a more detailed description for each leg of the journey.  Tell people any known hazards along the way and have more than one person carry a map.  When traveling a longer distance, it pays to be mutually dependent.  For example, you might have one first-aid kit, one tire-repair kit, one set of good tools, each packed on a different bike.   If you need to stop for a rest or if you need to make a comfort stop, make the appropriate hand signal and let the group know your needs.  This is not an endurance test.   

When parking, the ride leader will try to get the group off the roadway in an orderly method as quickly as possible.  When pulling off the road, the area should be able to accommodate the entire group.  The ride leader will pull into the area, ride to the end, swing the front of the bike out and then back up to the curb.  All bikes should follow suit.  This makes for a neat formation when parked and leaves more room for other groups or non-riders.  Avoid parking downhill or head-in.

Group riding can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  Different clubs have different rules and riding styles, but common sense will always be in order.   Ride your own bike, don’t be a lemming, pay attention and keep the shiny side up.

 Pat Maren