[eon]

This is something I’ve been wondering for some time. If you come across a large group of slower moving bikes, how do you get by? What is the correct ‘etiquette’ in this scenario? And given that more often than not I’ll be part of that large slow moving group, how do you let someone by?

I’ve read sport bike guys bitch and moan about the large group of cruisers they come across and how they have to force their way through. One of the groups I ride with like to ride in close formation and even though I know the ride leader can ride like a bat out of hell, he will keep the pace moderately slow in order to be safe. I tend to hang off the back as I don’t like riding so close so whenever a faster bike comes up from behind I’m usually the first one they come across. I tend to hang back a little to give them room to get in front of me but they still have to get by the others. Even 10 bikes in close formation takes up a lot of road so they have 3 bad options:
1) Try to pass the lot at once
2) Pass some and then barge in
3) Don’t pass at all and ride at the group speed.

I don’t want to ruin anyone’s ride but I’m not sure what more I can do. Suggestions?

[megaspaz]

the faster guys will get by on their own… if they won’t or can’t, then too bad. If it’s just you on the single lane road and there’s a faster guy wanting to get by:

1. do something to acknowledge you know he/she is behind you. a wave or a nod.
2. hit the right turn signal.
3. drift to the right of the lane.

if it’s me and i come across a gaggle of slow riders, if they’re in a good staggered formation, i’ll split them right down the middle.

j/k

just pass them like they were like a bunch of cars. One by one to be safest, or as many as you think you can per go. If it’s a group of hell’s angels or outlaw bikers, i suggest you pull over and enjoy the scenery for a bit if you don’t feel like following them.

[Munch]

Here I have noticed the tail dragger will watch for you and give you the go around motion with his hand low to let you know it’s cool to go by. In a large group there is always a message relay system set up. Like Mega said, do something to grab their attention then with your hands and or turn signals give them an indication of what your wanting to do. Most of the time they will relay the message forward and the ride captain will signal back the all clear to allow you zip past.
As for the latter… yea like Mega… pull over and enjoy the scenery. Don’t really want to be confused with them as you never know what they are riding from. Guilty by proxy is still guilty in a lot of LEO’s eyes. Alternate routes are a good choice also.
Check with your normal ride group on what you need to do as a tail dragger and what signals may be involved with it. The group should have something set up to allow the group of whats about ot happen just in case the ride captains timing is off and the faster rider has to make a quick duck in on the group .

[Author]

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