If you are planning a group ride

[OrangevaleFJR]

If you go the the ride planning section and click on the main topic link it brings you to the link provided below. Scroll down, and below the various regions are some threads. The two at top are:

1) Group riding safety guidelines

2) Hand signals

These would be good to link to if you are planning a ride. Also, we will be modifying the original posts as time goes on to incorporate good ideas from others. Submit a suggestion if you see that anything has been missed so far.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showforum=64

thanks

 

[HaulinAshe]

I'm going to throw in a tidbit here. Never having done group rides before owning the FJR, I have formed some strong opinions from recent "group experiences".

1. The toughest position to be in is #2. There you must be concerned not only with the road, oncoming traffic etc., but also avoid target fixation on the leader, and try to stay aware of the (sometimes) countless riders on your 6.

2. Whenever possible, establish bike-to-bike communications between the leader and someone further back in the group, typically position 3 or greater. The leader is learning things that can be of great benefit to the rest of the group and help avoid sequentially discovered surprises. VOX or PTT radio communications are vastly safer to perform than hand signals and way more informative.

3. Make sure everyone knows where you are going and has a map. Group riding with unclear directions produces anxiety. That anxiety often leads to someone attempting to constantly keep pace to avoid missing a turn. Well-established check points are a key contributor to allowing people to "ride their own ride" rather than focus on formation.

4. Explain 1-3-1-3-1-3 to everyone. Plus, make sure that the group understands what it means to the group formation when the leader takes a lane-2 position.

That should do for now.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'm going to throw in a tidbit here. Never having done group rides before owning the FJR, I have formed some strong opinions from recent "group experiences".
1. The toughest position to be in is #2. There you must be concerned not only with the road, oncoming traffic etc., but also avoid target fixation on the leader, and try to stay aware of the (sometimes) countless riders on your 6.

2. Whenever possible, establish bike-to-bike communications between the leader and someone further back in the group, typically position 3 or greater. The leader is learning things that can be of great benefit to the rest of the group and help avoid sequentially discovered surprises. VOX or PTT radio communications are vastly safer to perform than hand signals and way more informative.

3. Make sure everyone knows where you are going and has a map. Group riding with unclear directions produces anxiety. That anxiety often leads to someone attempting to constantly keep pace to avoid missing a turn. Well-established check points are a key contributor to allowing people to "ride their own ride" rather than focus on formation.

4. Explain 1-3-1-3-1-3 to everyone. Plus, make sure that the group understands what it means to the group formation when the leader takes a lane-2 position.

That should do for now.

Those points are so good that I already had them in there except one...your first point. Thanks. I'll add something about target fixation and such.

Also you had good points about radio comm and its use that I can add to my radio blurb.

Thanks!