Advanced Group Riding
Rules and etiquette for safe, progressive group riding
From informal summer evening chip-shop jaunts, to full-on, all-day adventures, LADAM group-rides have rightly earned their first-class reputation. We try to run group rides every other week (British weather permitting) and they’re open to Observers, members and Associates* alike, so it’s not surprising that these sessions are extremely popular. They provide an excellent opportunity to socialises with like-minded riders and to put our advanced riding skills to good use.
Although we keep our rides quite informal we do have a few rules and guidelines to keep everyone on track, and help make the most of the day.
Check out some of our favourite Saturday morning destinations.
*Associates are very welcome to join our group rides, but for everyone’s safety, they need to be accompanied by their Observer, and to have reached a minimum riding standard.
Be on time for the briefing
We aim to leave promptly, so please arrive with a full tank of petrol and an empty bladder. Before we head out, the Group Leader will provide a quick briefing, detailing the important stuff like:
Our destination, distance and timings
Who’s going to be Tail-end-Charlie for the day (don’t worry, there’s plenty of details below about this vital role)
Any significant road conditions or tricky junctions
Wear a high-viz
Wearing a high-viz jacket or vest isn’t just a sensible safety precaution, it also helps enormously during the ride to spot one another, especially when marking important junctions and roundabouts (try spotting a biker dressed in black standing against a dark hedge at 60 mph to literally see what we mean).
To help identify the Group Leader and Tail End Charlie, they’ll usually be wearing a different colour high-vis to everyone else (typically blue, orange or pink).
Second Man Drop-off System (aka Drop-Off Marker System)
Understanding the Marker system is important, as every rider needs to do their part to avoid anyone getting lost.
Each group will have a designated ‘Ride Leader’ and a ‘Tail End Charlie’. The positions of these two riders will not change throughout the run. They will be introduced to all the riders in the group at the start of the run, when the leader briefs the group on the ride.
Whenever or wherever there is a change of direction at junctions, and all roundabouts, the rider, (now referred to as “Marker”), immediately behind the leader will indicate the direction taken by the leader. He stays as a Marker for all the following bikes. To do this, the Marker should pull in at the side of the road, in a safe place where he/she will be visible to the rest of the riders, so the direction can be indicated to all the following riders. It is most important that the Marker stops in a position where:-
It is safe to do so.
They do not put themselves at any risk.
They do not obstruct any other road users.
The rest of the ride can see them clearly as they approach the direction change.
The Marker should clearly indicate the direction taken by the leader, using hands.
When the Tail End Charlie approaches the Marker, the Marker should take up position in front of the Tail End Charlie. The Tail End Charlie should leave enough space for this to happen. If it is not safe to pull out in front of the Tail End Charlie then the Marker should re-join the traffic when possible and take up position in front of the Tail End Charlie as soon as it is safe to do so. It could happen that the number two rider (The Marker) forgets to mark a direction change – in which case the next rider (Number three) should take it upon themselves to be the marker, and mark the direction change to prevent the chain from breaking.
This approach involves the entire group and the Marker gets rotated from front to back and naturally moves up to the front.
Some points:
If you are unsure on any aspect of the ride, always ask advice or clarification. Safety is always paramount.
Inform the Leader if you are running low on petrol during the ride
If you are unsure as to whether you should mark a junction, then mark it anyway. It is better to mark a junction that doesn’t need marking than not to mark one that does.
A roundabout, or crossroads where you do not have priority, should be marked by parking in a safe visible position on the exit. Should a junction or roundabout not be marked, the default action is to continue straight ahead.
There is no need to play catch–up. With the drop off system there will be a Marker waiting for you at the next junction.
Everyone should keep a safe distance behind the rider in front.
A staggered riding formation may be adopted where appropriate to aid forward visibility and transit through traffic lights.
Avoid ‘follow my leader’ riding/convoy style riding, which could lull you into unsafe/unaware riding. Ride your own Ride!
When you are the Marker, wait for Tail End Charlie to arrive, even if this takes a long time. There may be a breakdown further back which you are unaware of. If necessary switch off your engine. If you leave your position everyone behind will suffer and the run will fall apart. Do not leave your position!
The group may sometimes become very ‘strung out’, causing anxiety to some riders. The Leader may then decide to stop, in a safe place, to allow the group to re–form before continuing.
If you want to leave the group, inform the Leader and Tail End Charlie at a rest stop. If unavoidable, you may pull in to the left in a safe, visible position and wave other riders past; when Tail End Charlie arrives he will stop and you can then inform him/her that you are leaving the group and why.
Riders are reminded that they must obey all relevant UK road traffic laws. They are to observe the Highway Code and heed the warnings displayed on roadside signs and signals (e.g. Local and national speed limits).
If you are wearing a HiVis, please ensure it is not the same as TEC. Sure you could imagine what this might cause.
And finally, be sure to listen to your Ride Leader before the start of the ride to ensure he/she has not made any changes to these procedures. Obeying these simple rules will ensure that our ride outs will be safe and pleasurable.
Objective and responsibilities of a Leading Group Rider.
Leading a group of riders can be enjoyable and rewarding. However, it comes with additional responsibilities and requires a high level of awareness, not only for ones own riding, but that of other members of the group.
Listed below are some of the areas needed to be considered before organising a group ride.
Who is appointed as the Leading Group Rider?
The Leading Group Rider should be at an Advanced or higher level of skill. Or where appropriate be under the guidance of an experienced Leading Group Rider.
Who will be riding within the group?
The Leading Group Rider should be aware of the skill level of riders with his group.
What’s the destination?
A successful group ride should have a predetermined destination.
Route planning
When planning a route, the Leading Group Rider should consider:
The skill level of those within the group.
Appropriate roads.
Adequate periods of rest.
Do rest periods have the necessary facilities?
Fuel stops.
Is there a theme to the route or destination and will this be achieved?
Ideally but not essential, the lead rider should have previously ridden the route.
Areas where a split and loss of the group is high, and can these be avoided or managed? Better to go around a town than through it.
The Leading Group Rider may not have previous knowledge of either the skill level of riders within the group, or fuel requirements. Therefore, the Leading Group Rider may need to adjust routes accordingly.
Number of riders within a particular group
The Leading Group Rider should consider the number within the group be that of a number they are comfortable with. This may be influenced by the skill level within that group. Or the skill level of the Group Rider
The Leading Group Rider should also consider if the number within the group facilitates the need to use the “Drop Off System”. Or is the number small enough to easily keep together. Also know as the “Buddy System”
Meeting point
Ensure the meeting point is appropriate and has the necessary facilities. Such as fuel, refreshments, and toilets.
Pre-ride briefing
Before commencing with a group ride, the Leading Group Rider should give a pre-ride briefing. This should include:
Introducing themselves to the group.
State the destination.
Inform if there is a theme to the ride.
Consider if an outline to the route is necessary.
Advise on junctions where a split level is high. (This could be where marking a junction such as motorways is not practical)
Advise on rest and fuel stops., and check all rider have sufficient fuel.
Clarify if using the “Drop Off System”. If so, are all riders within the group familiar with it.
If appropriate appoint a “TEC” and ensure all group riders are aware of who that rider is.
TEC – Where appropriate the TEC should be visible by the use of a PINK HiVis
Overtaking other riders within the group. There are occasions and circumstances where there is a benefit for one rider within the group to overtake another. An example could be where a group member is not familiar with the “Drop Off System” and so a more experienced rider might overtake to enable them to mark a junction. However, this is an exception and should be agreed before the ride commences.
Unacceptable riding. If necessary, briefly cover as you would with a new associate.
Advise that as per new IAM guidelines “off-siding” is now no longer acceptable.
Setting off
Ensure all riders are ready before setting off, although obvious, easy to overlook.
Leading the ride
This is where the fun begins.
As the Leading Group Rider, you now have the added pressure of not only riding for your pleasure but understanding what is happening with the group you are leading. Consider the following:
Junctions
This is where the risk of the group getting split is at its highest.
Well before the junction check and ensure the following group rider is a suitable distance behind you and take appropriate action if not.
On the approach to the junction consider where if you were the marker, where would be a good place to mark? If the following rider has not successfully marked that junction, what action are you going to take.
Is this a high risk junction where appropriate marking is difficult or not practical, such as slip road exits? If so, consider bunching the group up and negotiating together.
Emerging from junctions. Consider if waiting for another gap in traffic, would allow more of the group emerging together.
Making Progress
One of the advantages of using the Drop Off System” is the group can be spread out. Riders can focus more on their own riding and the concern for other riders is reduced. This can result in large group being significantly spaced out. As a Leading Group Rider consider if stopping at a suitable place or a short period where you reduce your own speed would be an advantage.
Consider where the next deviation or junction is. As the Leading Group Rider consider if overtaking the vehicle in front is feasible? Is there ample opportunity for another rider/s to do the same before a junction requires marking?
Consider how quickly you increase your speed from one speed restriction to another. When coming out of village’s other member of the group could have needed to stop for other traffic and been delayed.
Losing the group or getting split up
It can happen and sometimes it can be beyond your control. Here are the most common areas and remedial action whereas the Leading Group Rider you can help avoid them.
Avoid the group being too far apart.
Where appropriate allow the group to re-group before emerging at junctions.
Look where and how junctions are being marked.
Assess the competency of other riders and ride accordingly.
At rest stops talk to other group riders and identify if anyone is had difficulties.