Your group riding sequence.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Front man for me, unless Dante is leading, then I hang back and enjoy the view... of the road scenery I mean...  

 

I often been volunteered to lead the group which is ok, but more stressful than if I was just riding solo or as tailgunner. As leader I try to pick a decent pace and know that I'm front man for any radar that may come over the hill    And sometimes it's fun to follow 'cause then I can critique other riders, or if they're good, they can teach me a thing or two about taking corners (bizarro comes immediately to mind on this last one)  

I generally move around within a day's ride, changing positions after gas stops, etc, to get a different view of the ride  

[Sport-Touring]

[Mike-H]

I always ride sweep.....mind you my idea of a group ride is between 3-5 bikes max....tends to cut down on the leo looks.....

[timmybob4]

I voted "It depends on too many things."

Factors: Familiarity with the other riders and the route, the number of riders, and even who is in the group. I sometimes ride with a gent on a BMW who is excellent at setting the pace. When he's along I like to be second in the group. If he's not along it does not matter what position I'm in if the group is small and comprised of those I have ridden with before. If I'm with unfamiliar riders I definitely prefer to bring up the rear and grant the rider in front of me plenty of space.

I believe I am safer riding in a group of 2 to 4 motorcycles than I am when riding solo. (If the riders are good riders and know how to ride in a group, of course.)

[denydog]

I generally move around within a day's ride, changing positions after gas stops, etc, to get a different view of the ride  

I'll go along with that.  For me, after a stop, it just depends on how we end up parked, and how the group happens to pull out.  Actually kind of boring in the same spot all day.

[ombrophobe]

Riding on a deferral and probation so further back will have to do until those clear.  The later chunk is fine if I can hang back in the straights and take the corners with good speed.  I only fear I freak out the rider directly in front of me when I roll up close.

Knowing the way is also key.  If the leader is doing weird on the route I will take it.

When I am going around 8/10 pace those that want to go faster are a**holes and those that go slower are idiots.

Great topic...

From this past weekend...
Both Dinolee and Dante have shown to be good pace setters for me.  I think Dinolee is very conscious of the group and Dante is just a little edgy.  I like the variety.

[chiltech500]

Great topic.

Being a good leader somes has too many "reponsibilities" though am frequently in that position because I know the route or when my wife rides her bike in the group ( I couldn't bear to watch her have an accident from behind).

I watched a buddy go down when a m.f. with a pickup and a LONG trailer decided to take a left turn in front of us - then froze and blocked both sides of the road with no escape. I was in the middle of 4 good riders and only the point man took the hit.

Generally I'm only comfortable in the middle when surrounded by good riders, but like many said before, it's great to follow good riders to watch and learn

[Mrs. DantesDame]

From this past weekend...
Both Dinolee and Dante have shown to be good pace setters for me.  I think Dinolee is very conscious of the group and Dante is just a little edgy.  I like the variety.

Oooooo - I don't think I've ever been called "edgy" before    




Um, is this a good thing?

[ombrophobe]

Oooooo - I don't think I've ever been called "edgy" before    




Um, is this a good thing?

Edgy is ambiguous... but it seemed to fit at the time.

You ride fast but controlled.  Not to fast and not too slow, right on the edge.

[Ant]

I prefer the sweeper position, means I can ride as leisurely as I want and I don't get the urge to ride like a bat out of hell (which I don't do anyway of course).
I've never ridden in a group however, I don't think 2 bikes constitute a group really!
If I was in a bigger group I like the idea that at the back I'm always around to stop if someone ahead of me has a problem and is forced to pull over while the lead group carries on oblivious. No one point out what would happen if I had a problem, I don;'t think about things like that (such as wasps flying into my jacket and stinging me 6 times while I'm doing 70mph around some twisties in the countryside with no where to pull over.... that was a fun time)

[evilmedic13]

If I ride in a group, Im usually the only medic so I take the back, I've never been needed but ya never know. Also, I don't consider myself as skilled as most riders ,so I'm most at ease back there, not having to worry about being rear ended while hard braking. That's my worst fear on those rides.

[Y.B Slo]

I don't care!! I'll lead, I'll follow, I'll ride in the middle.

[gradus]

Our rides are typically 'ride your own pace and see you at the turns.'  I frequently lead since I prefer a faster pace.  

But any time I can ride behind a faster rider, I'm all for it.  Get to watch their lines for a while, but if they leave me I won't push to keep up.      

[Farked Up]

I don't do groups!  

[ERR]

I like anything near the back, sweep is best. That way I can poke along with a gap in front of me waiting for a nice curve to catch up with the group.

[windsorgreen1]

Depends mostly on who is riding. Most of the time I'll wait to see who is riding where & stay away from those who scare me. I'm rarely a ride leader

[Busy Little Whiner]

No matter where I start within a group I look for opportunities to migrate to the front... however my favorite position to start with in the group is the #2 position... but if the leader make a mistake like brake for corners I'll assume the lead usually at the entrance at the next corner...    

[Jeff N]

I don't ride in groups anymore, seeing as I've moved away from my riding buddies that I'd ridden with for almost 20 years. Back then there was no hierarchy, per se, but we were all so comfortable together that whomever was having a good day would lead and the others would follow. The group could number between 2 to 12, but we all trusted each other, or at least were familiar enough with an individual's riding, that we knew how to behave.

When I moved up here I tried riding with people in group rides but it always turned into the dog's breakfast unless I rode my ass off to stay in front and a lot of times that was not fun nor safe--and riding amongst complete strangers was an exercise in futility and too many close calls.

[ST-DocLizard1]

My preferences are in the following order:

Pace: I don't mind leading and it would be my first choice.
Sweep: Being last has its advantages and responsibilities.
Space: Second is great, but only if you have a good leader you can trust.

Member of the pack: not my favorite especially in a group of riders that you don't know.

Doc

[rodm850g]

Guys,
My riding group has been riding together for  from 10-25 years together....Whether lead, following...dont make no matter mind....I know what the one in front of me is usually going to do...its that consistant...I prefer not to be last man cause he is prolly going to be the one the LEO is gonna get.....At ESTN07 we did a slow-poke ride down the BRP and it was with folks I had never ridden with....and they rode well! I was a joy to ride the parkway at a pace that was sane......OK thats my .02....If I am up front that will give me leeway in deciding whether or not ahul arse too...the last option was a good one too...
Rod

[Desmo Demon]

Many things.....

1) front - If I know the road better than the others and/or am one of the fastest riders
2) middle of the pack - If there are guys that know the road better or are faster and there are others that are slower or don't know the road as well as I do.....sometimes I will adjust my position in the group as I am able to evaluate the riders in front and behind me.
3) back - If I am the slowest in the group, just want to cruise, or I am babysitting a new rider........I often call the last rider in a group the "clean-up crew".