I learned this on last weeks ride.

[bobnflorida]

I have been riding for many years. In that time I have developed good and bad habits. It was brought to my attention that I need to change one very important thing. When I am riding in a group, I tend to let the people ahead of me make some of my decisions. Like when you approach a intersection. If the people ahead of you go then you think that it must be clear. NOT BLOODLY LIKELY! I took a half-hearted look to my left and pulled out. The next sound I heard was the suv's tires skidding on the highway. He missed me but it was way too close.

After getting my heart rate back to normal, I figured out what I need to do. When riding in a group and coming to a intersection or pulling out of a parking lot, you need to ride as if you are completely ALONE. Do not let anyone ahead of you influence what you do. I completely block out those ahead and it works perfect. Hope this helps and ride safe.

[UHOH]

there is a different dynamic on a group ride.  
will have to watch next one and see what/how I do.
Thanks for sharing.

[Zerosum]

"Ride Your Own Ride."

My Dad repeated that to me many times during my first few rides while I was learning.  "You're not 'connected' to me.  Go when you're ready to go."

[shawn and gwyn]

i honestly detest ridding in groups.  not so much for the reason you describe.. but because you cant control whats going on around you.. i only ride with a very few select friends that i know thier ridding style.

shawn

[duceduceexplorer]

"Ride Your Own Ride."

My Dad repeated that to me many times during my first few rides while I was learning.  "You're not 'connected' to me.  Go when you're ready to go."

someone told me that while on my first long trip...no truer words have ever been spoken

[boomerang]

i honestly detest ridding in groups.  not so much for the reason you describe.. but because you cant control whats going on around you.. i only ride with a very few select friends that i know thier ridding style.

shawn

Ahh! But you can control what your doing while going a round.

[shawn and gwyn]

if and when i do end up in a group.. i always take the last position. at least that way i only have to worry about other bikers in front of me. then ones that scare me the most are the wanderers,, back and forth across the lane.  or try and pull up along side you ... hate that shit.

shawn

[Goat]

I usually ride toward the rear as well, what really irks me is when the group slows without giving any hint by just rolling off the throttle, I hate the accordian effect.  

[ST-DocLizard1]

This works for us and it establishes ground rules that everyone is aware of from the start. Hope you find it helpful.

Doc


http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,56.msg23654.html#msg23654

[jsanford]

I've seen a lot of near-misses (and no misses   ) on group bicycle rides, so I never cross an intersection any differently than if I were alone...and have been nearly rear-ended by the rider behind me, once or twice.

BTW, nice bike!  

[Peter B]

Going along with the not assuming the intersection is clear because he went idea. I no longer go just because a guy waves me through. At an intersection last year traffic was stopped in the lane in front of me at a T intersection. I want to go left so I had to cross between two cars. They stopped with ample room to let me thru as they wait for a light to change. The car to my left waved me thru. As started a car in the next lane came screaming thru. Had i not jammed the brakes i would have been the hood ornament on a Dodge Challenger.

Never again do I assume I'm clear because another person waves me on.

[county]

I have been riding for many years. In that time I have developed good and bad habits. It was brought to my attention that I need to change one very important thing. When I am riding in a group, I tend to let the people ahead of me make some of my decisions. Like when you approach a intersection. If the people ahead of you go then you think that it must be clear. NOT BLOODLY LIKELY! I took a half-hearted look to my left and pulled out. The next sound I heard was the suv's tires skidding on the highway. He missed me but it was way too close.

After getting my heart rate back to normal, I figured out what I need to do. When riding in a group and coming to a intersection or pulling out of a parking lot, you need to ride as if you are completely ALONE. Do not let anyone ahead of you influence what you do. I completely block out those ahead and it works perfect. Hope this helps and ride safe.

You need to put the kickstand down before getting off the bike too.