Standard staggered formation. You should be 1 to 1.5                                                                                                     seconds behind the staggered bike, which would put                                                                                                     you 2 to 3 seconds behind the bike directly in front of                                                                                                     you. If you like to ride slow or are new to group riding                                                                                                     get up front. Those who like to ride fast should ride in the back. New riders may think they want to ride in the back, but the reality is just the opposite, they need to be near the front.    Spread out a little around tight corners. Most will need a little extra space. We don;t want anyone riding off into the ditch. No wheelies, stoppies, etc. People should also not slow way down from the group, then zoom back up to the group. While it may be fun to goof around with your bike when you;re alone, it can create problems with the safety of the group.

                                                    The following guidelines for riding in a group are not gospel. There are situations in                                                       which they don’t apply. Some organizations may have different terms for these concepts, as well. These guidelines have been tested for many miles, however, in clubs whose members ride all brands and models of motorcycles, and they have sound safety rationales to support them. If you as a rider find yourself in a group which does not follow these guidelines, you can usually find someone who will explain what rules that organization follows, if any, or how they differ from what you learn here. At most responsible group rides, a riders meeting will be held prior to departure, in order to clarify what is expected of all the riders who are to participate. If you find yourself uncomfortable with the riding style of a group at any time, DROP OUT. Your safe arrival at your destination is far more important than conforming to rules you don’t like or don;t understand. People who ride in a group usually appreciate knowing what they are expected to do, and what to expect from others who are taking part in a hazardous sport in close proximity to them. Road Captains and those who frequently ride lead or drag are particularly urged to become familiar with these terms and guidelines in order to explain them to other riders who may show up for a scheduled ride without having any group riding experience.

                                                                                                     Entering Traffic: When the Lead Bike for each group                                                                                                      sees that all riders are helmeted, sitting on their                                                                                                      bikes, motors running, and ready to depart, he or she will check for traffic and enter the roadway. Usually the Lead Bike will not attempt to exit a parking lot unless there is room for all or most of the group to follow immediately. If the group is split, the Lead Bike will normally take the slow lane and keep the speed relatively low until the group can form up in the positions the riders will keep for the duration of the ride. This may mean traveling slower than surrounding traffic, to encourage four-wheelers to pass and allow the group to form up. Occasionally this cannot be accomplished until the group has made a lane change or entered a freeway, depending on where the entrance ramp may be. Regardless of the Lead Bike’s signals, a rider is responsible for his or her own safety at all times. Ride Your Own Ride. Once all members of the group are together, the group will take up a staggered formation and will stay in it most of the time during the ride, unless the Lead Bike signals for a change or the need for a change is obvious. Reasons for changing out of a staggered formation could be a passing situation or poor road surface (single file), dog or other animal charging the group (split the group), or coming up to a traffic signal (two abreast while waiting for a light). When a group of motorcycles is changing lanes, many safety considerations come into play. Should every rider move into the adjacent lane at the same time? If not, should the Lead Bike go first, or should the Drag Bike move first to “secure the lane”? What if another vehicle sees a gap in traffic and tries to cut into the group? If part of the group gets separated from the other riders, should everyone change relative positions (tracks) so that the new Lead Bike is now riding in the left track? The recommended procedure for a group lane change maneuver depends on how the surrounding traffic is moving at the time. The goal for the bike which moves first is to create a gap into which the other bikes can fit. Regardless of what other riders in the group are doing, each rider must personally check to see that the new lane is clear of traffic before entering it.

                                                                                                       Changing Lanes as a Group     There is virtually no                                                                                                        time (absent an emergency) when a group of riders                                                                                                        should all move at the same time into a different lane, in regular traffic conditions. The wide gap required for a whole group to move is difficult to find in heavy traffic, and if it exists, it will be an invitation for other drivers to jump into it, perhaps while the group might be moving.     Spacing Out; Especially on less-congested rural backroads, the riders in a group may spread out to create larger intervals between motorcycles. This allows a rider to relax a bit, to enjoy the scenery and the ride. If no four-wheelers are trying to pass the group, this is fine. However, the riders should remain close enough to each other to be able to see hand signals being passed back from the Lead Bike. It is possible that a rider will also “space out” in terms of losing his concentration and will forget to practice safe riding strategies. If a rider is not riding safely enough to avoid endangering others in the group (because of lack of experience, medical problems, fatigue, or some other reason), the Lead Bike will usually discuss the problem privately with that rider at the next stop. If a problem cannot be solved reasonably in this way, the Lead Bike has absolute discretion to request that a rider leave the group and is entitled to expect the group to support this decision. In the case of a mechanical or minor medical problem, it is not unusual for another rider to accompany the distressed rider to get help. Sometimes if the Lead Bike just re-assigns the riders to new positions within the group, this is enough to bring a spaced-out motorcyclist back to a state of alert awareness.  

                                                                                     On any stretch of curvy road and in any corner, a group may                                                                                     ride in single-file momentarily, to enable each rider to corner at his own speed and to have as much room as possible for maneuvering. This is especially important to riders with little experience in a group, as they may “wobble” or be nervous about making turns with another bike to their side or riding close behind them. This is an accepted variance to staggered formation; usually the Lead Bike will not signal for single-file at each turn but will expect the riders to choose their own path of travel.

                                                       Certain hand signals are optional in group riding: turn signals on the bikes                                                        ahead will usually advise a rider that a turn is coming up, for example, and hand signals in a turning situation may actually add to the danger for some. However, other hand signals are extremely helpful to the rider who has no other means to communicate. The most important two hand signals are these: pointing to an obstacle in the road, warning the rider to avoid it; and pointing to the tank.  

Pointing to the tank: No matter what your reason, pointing to the tank on your bike, will be telling everyone that you needs to stop as soon as possible. This may be because needing fuel; to make a “potty stop”; because you are having a mechanical or equipment problem; because your co-rider is uncomfortable; because a medical problem; a crisis of confidence; or for any other reason at all. Such a signal should be relayed throughout the Group. If possible, the Lead Bike may orchestrate a stop by the whole group. If not, the affected bike can count on the Drag Bike to stop with him to try to help him.  

Back off -- Palm of left hand shown to group, pushing motion toward rear of bike  

Ready to ride – “Thumbs up” high enough in air to be visible to Lead Bike  

Single-file formation -- One finger points to the sky on top of the helmet  

Slow down -- Left arm is held out straight, then goes up and down 

Smoky alert (police or emergency vehicles) -- Hand taps top of helmet several times  

Speed up or close ranks in formation -- Left arm makes “windmill” sign  

Staggered formation -- First finger and little finger point to the sky on top of the helmet, also known as the “Hook ‘em, Horns” sign.  

U-turn -- Left hand makes circle in air over head