This
page describes some of the group riding skills that we use
on our rides. This page is not a substitute for our Group
Riding Class and it is strongly recommended that you take
this class before you join us on any of our rides. Please
see our calendar for the next class date.
That
said, here are some of the important points about how we
ride together:
1.
We obey all traffic rules
except the speed limit law in some cases.
2.
We ride in
staggered formation, 2 seconds behind
the bike directly in front of us, 1
second behind the bike to our left or to
our right. The safe riding distance is 2
seconds.
3.
We fill gaps by moving
directly ahead. We NEVER cross in front of the
path of the bike behind us, except during
passing.
4.
When making a turn or
passing, check your mirrors. Both of them.
5.
This animation
illustrates how we pass a car on a
divided highway. You can play, stop, and
restart these animations as many times
as you like.
Here
are some things to look out for:
a) We
never take the slot occupied by the passing
bike until that bike completes the pass. He
might need to come back.
b) We
pass as individuals after checking both
mirrors and doing a head check.
c)
After passing, pull far ahead of the car to
keep it from slowing down and ruining the
ride for your buddies behind you.
d)
Always pass on the left!
6.
Changing lanes is
less tricky. Sometimes the sweep will
clear the road behind to make this
maneuver easier, but don't count on it.
Changing lanes to the right is similar.
7.
Taking turns in a group
requires that you be skilled enough to feel
comfortable negotiating and carving turns at the
posted speed limit or above. We ride through the
turn staggered in a group, but we don't violate
the space to the side of the bike in front of
us, in the event they need to do an emergency
maneuver.
If you've
taken a
Team Oregon class
(if you haven't, you really should) you may have
learned the OUT - IN - OUT rule demonstrated in the
animation below:
The white
lines in front of the bike show the moving straight
line that is available to you through the turn if
you need to straighten up and stop suddenly. You
always stop straight up, with your handlebars
square, to take advantage of the tires' maximum
traction. Straighten up first - then slow down.
Notice how these straight lines don't immediately
cross the double yellow lines or the edge of the
road, giving you some braking distance before you
get in real trouble.
We ride
similarly in a group, except that we stay in our
half of the lane through the turn. The following
animation demonstrates this:
However,
notice that the 5th bike is following the path taken
by the solo rider in the first animation. Since we
don't violate the space to the side of the bike in
front of us, the group was able to handle this less
experienced rider, but he really should go get some
practice so he can take turns like the others in the
group, which brings us to the next point...
8.
If you are a new member,
new to riding, new to group riding, or are not
yet skilled enough to be able to take a turn at
the posted maximum safe speed limit, or higher,
then PLEASE ride in the rear or the last group.
This will let you and others in the group enjoy
the ride more.
9.
We ride in a group as
individuals. We ride within our own skill
ability & comfort zone. If you get caught in a
situation where you are uncomfortable with the
speed of the bikes around you, then ride at the
speed that you are comfortable with. If you need
to pull over and stop, then scan ahead for a
safe location, signal your intent, and do so.
See #10 and #11 below.
10.
We always use our turn
signals. We also use hand signals and these will
be described by the road captains before the
ride. They are also taught in our Group Riding
class.
11.
We NEVER
leave anyone behind. That's why we have a sweep
road captain. He/she will help you or help you
to get help.
Check your
mirrors often! If you notice the person behind you
is missing, then please wait at a safe and visible
location at the next turn to help that person find
us. The following animation shows what we call the
bread crumb (or cookie crumb) method:
