The 'Stagger' riding formation
As with most things there are many ways to do it. Group riding is one
thing that needs control and planning so everyone has some idea what
the others are doing and where they are. Most of the group will not
ride together enough so they can be comfortable with the reactions of
the rider in front, back or beside them on every ride so on many occasions
our chapter will use a stagger formation.
The lead motorcycle should be in the left 1/3 of the lane, the second
motorcycle should be in the right 1/3 of the lane, one second behind
the first rider and so on. Leave enough room between each motorcycle
so that any rider can maneuver to the right or left without hitting
anyone else. Always stay in line with the bike in front of you. Do NOT
switch between left and right side of the lane. If a rider should fall
out of formation, the next rider on the same side of the lane where
the vacancy exists should move up to fill that spot and so on down the
line. Reminder: As a courtesy to your fellow rider, please show up for
group rides with a full tank of gas. Hope to see you all on the next
ride.
It is important to maintain your lane, and not switch from side to
side, If a gap should open up to one side of you, the rider behind the
gap should carefully motor ahead to fill the gap. The bike behind him/her
will then move up to fill the new gap, and so on.
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 during the ride
if the pack re-adjusts to fill open gaps, then you will still be with
your riding buddy.
Following MSF guidelines, the following distance used within the formation
is based on the "2 Second Rule" of thumb. That is you should
be 2 seconds back from the bike directly ahead of you and 1 second back
from the bike either ahead left or ahead right in stagger from you,
within the lane. This following distance is designed to provide a space
cushion around each rider that gives each one in the formation enough
time and distance to brake and/or swerve in case of a sudden, unexpected
hazard that requires evasive action by any part or all of the group,
while keeping the group tight enough for group safety.
REMEMBER! Too much following distance can be just as bad as, and frequently
is WORSE than too little following distance. If the formation lacks
uniformity in what we appear to be doing, then we don't "look"
like we are "together" as group. And we become regarded as
random individual vehicles in the traffic pattern, and not like a group
or unit trying to function as one vehicle. Too much following distance
INVITES cars into the formation, splitting it up in traffic. And if
we don't control our lane space the cars WILL take it away from us.
Be prepared! Non-motorcycling car drivers really do NOT understand what
we do when we ride as a group or why. So, if a car starts to blindly
move into or through the group LET THEM IN. We can always re-form the
group a little later down the road.
Footnote:
If you are new to group riding or are uncomfortable riding in a group,
please let the lead and /or sweep rider(s) know. Excessive following
distance defeats the purpose of maintaining an equally spaced stagger
formation. It is much better for your safety and the safety of the group,
that you ride individually 1/4 mile behind the group. And we want to
encourage you to be comfortable about making that choice.
More information:
Ride safe and have fun.
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