Group Riding Etiquette (How-To Properly ride in a group)

[Rider]

A post I found on another forum.

Ok boys and girls,
With each ride a leader or leader(s) will be elected. Most often it is whoever posted up the ride to begin with. This person is in charge of choosing a route, and choosing where we will stop for gas and food. Longer rides we may pick up additional riders at other locals. If this is the case that local will be used as a meeting point for anybody who falls behind, gets stuck at a light and the likes. We will do our best to keep the pace down and/or stop and wait for the stragglers at the next Stop sign or safe location to pull to the side.

A group ride with people you have never met before is not the place for you to try something new; for example: drag a knee, wheelie/stunt, go faster than you have ever before. We've all seen it and you wont impress us with anything. Go at your own pace. And for those of us who are seasoned at group rides, NEVER EVER get on someones case for riding too slow. Everybody has their own pace, and if you don't like it safely pass them using the following instructions.


Basic Recommended Gear:
Leather/Textile Jacket, Helmet(duh) and Gloves.
We strongly recommend riding boots and riding pants as well.

Basic Formations:
On highway or any straight road (staggered):


On back roads and when entering a turn:


When Passing a Car:
Speed up to the car, pass and move in front of it by at least 50 feet, give the guy behind you room to get in front of the car also. DO NOT: pass and slow down to the speed of the car at X, this will give the next passing guy no room to come back into the lane, just keep going at least 5-10mph faster than the car (you did pass to go faster). Also don't pass 1 car out of a line of 3, only pass if you can really get ahead and proceed at a faster rate of speed. passing for no reason is just stupid and the group gets all messed up.


Once you've passed:
Use this hand signal to help the next rider pass by indicating he has the clear of way (in other words no on-coming traffic) If you are the rider who is being helped you do NOT have to pass the car unless you feel 100% about it. If you are worried about holding up others behind you let them come upfront and drop back. We do not want anyone to feel pressured into passing.


Move out of the way:
First tell the ride behind you to catch up or get closer, this is also used for any "speed up" situation:


If you feel you want the guy behind you in front for any reason or you simply want to drop back, wave him up:
Newer riders...if you are feeling pressured please signal the person behind you to pass.


NEVER PASS ON THE RIGHT:
The only time is when you have your own lane to do so, DO NOT DO A FLY BY, make the pass easy (5-10mph faster than the other riders).


Speeds:
Even though a ride might be Slow/Mid(5-20mph over the limit), doesn't mean it will always stay that way. Leaders usually know the roads and want to enjoy themselves, thus they might speed up for a turn just to push the bike a little, YOU DO NOT NEED TO FOLLOW ON HIS ASS. If you feel you are going over your head/limits back off, the leader will always wait for you at the next straight away, stop sign or turn. Remember, a group ride is not the place to try something new you have never done before.

Other Hand Signals:
Left Turn:


Right Turn:


U-Turn/Turn Around:


Stopping (Fist at 90 Degrees):


Your High Beams are on or turn signal still flashing (open and close hand repeatedly):


Road Hazard, Debris:
Don't be afraid to signal with your feet.


Slow Down or Bumpy road:


COP/5-0 (tap on helmet):


I Need Food/Drink:
Remember that the group leader typically arranges for stops for Food, but some rides they may not. So come with a full stomach or be prepared to go hungry for a bit. But if you are breaking off the group...let us know by waving goodbye and making this gesture.


I Need Gas (Point at tank):
Remember that the group leader typically arranges for stops for Food and Gas at some point, but if you absolutely cannot wait...this is what to do.


Getting Pulled Over by a Cop:
The Group Gets Pulled Over
Everyone stops. You don't know why, you don't know where you don't know anything!

One Person Gets Pulled Over:
Member X did a wheelie and is now getting pulled over, let him, just continue slow to the next rest area, store, parking lot and wait for him to catch back up. If you are also asked to pull over do so but you don't know why, what, when or how member X did something.

Leaving a Group:
No matter what happens don't just split off and not tell anyone. As part of a group ride you are to double check once in a while on the guy behind you, if you split off the guys upfront have no clue what happened and might think you crashed, turn around, do a search and so on. So never just leave, let someone know somehow that you are splitting off.

Remember to Have fun and be Safe!