The rest of the metal in a copper penny is actually zinc.

So I thought I would dredge up an old article. It becomes relevant as the riding season shifts into full gear.

Staggered Riding – It’s more of an art than a policy

You can read all kinds of documentation about staggered riding, group formations and the overall safety that this type of arrangement can provide. But these are in reality guidelines, some of which can be and should be altered to account for the change of conditions.

Anyone who rides in a group has some idea of a staggered formation or the alternating of rider positions on either side of the lane being traveled so that everyone is able to maintain visual contact with all of the other riders. In real life, out amongst the mommy-vans, high-speed “18 wheelers” and construction traffic, the staggered formation can take on a form far from the desired picture one has in his/her mind. How you handle these adjustments to the desired formation can make you a better group rider.

There are two immutable axioms to this discussion. In your mind you have to know that everyone out there is asleep, on the phone, dealing with rowdy kids, reading the newspaper, putting on make-up or just not paying attention.

Axiom 1: They are all out to kill you.

If you understand axiom 1, then axiom 2 is easy. It is your responsibility, each and every rider in the formation, to protect the other riders by paying attention, thinking ahead, thinking behind and adjusting your riding position in the formation based on road conditions, traffic and hazards.

Axiom 2: Always awake, always thinking, always ready for the unknown.

I won’t dwell too much on the first axiom. Again, if you ride, you know this to be so very true. It’s the second axiom that can take on a life of it’s own.

As a part of a group, it can be very easy to feel more relaxed and comfortable amongst your brethren riders. In this there is danger. Complacency in a group can get more than just you injured.  Your full attention is required as you have others within your group you have to consider. Your position, your placement by the group leaders and what you see happening around you can affect you, or the group, and is critical to a safe ride.

Here is an excerpt from a document passed around by almost all motorcycle groups that has some merit.

“The Lead Road Captain (first rider in the group) will maintain a position that is to the left third of the lane and will set the pace for the group. The second rider will take a position behind and to the right third of the lane and maintain a 1 second distance. The third rider will align himself directly behind the Lead Road Captain (in the left third of the lane) maintaining a 2 second distance behind the Lead Road Captain and a 1 second distance behind the second rider.

“Regardless of the size of the group, this alternating positioning of motorcycles should be consistent. The odd numbered riders will be to the left third of the lane and the even numbered riders to the right third of the lane. The actual distance in feet between riders will vary depending on the speed of travel. Allow additional time between each rider when the weather or road conditions may impact the ability to brake effectively or to steer quickly out of an emergency situation.”

While most of this is true, it really isn’t practical. Let’s discuss some of this.

“The Lead Road Captain will maintain a position…”. While mostly true, it’s the ride captains’ primary responsibility to make sure those that follow his lead get to their final destination safely. This means that the leader will execute the route, plan stops, broadcast intentions and above all, find the safest place in the lane to travel. Therefore, the leader will constantly be moving within his/her lane to check for road conditions, scan for traffic advantages and if possible relay to the group things that may jump out and bite the group. Therefore, as the lead in a group, the distance from the second rider to the leader will be slightly greater then the remainder of the followers. The second rider will follow the groups outlined staggering requirements.

Riders with radios (CB or GSM) should be spaced evenly within the group. I say this because it would be very nice if every rider in the group have a radio. However, this isn’t always possible. The riders with radios in and around the non-radio riders are responsible for making sure everyone is on the same travel page with regards to fuel capacity, endurance, etc.  As the leader finds road or travel concerns, he/she can broadcast instructions to the radios in the group and those riders can make sure the others are aware of the leaders intentions.

Should the road change, the riders’ position in the lane within the group has to change also. When the group encounters “twisties”, the group riding line should fall into a single file column and the distance between riders should increase to a two to three second interval. Should the group become separated, whether by a vehicle or stoplight, instructions are passed among the group. The leader will make the decision to speed up, pass, slow down or pull off whichever makes the most sense. In some cases the riders or ride leaders may elect to run in single file on a two-lane road due to oncoming “wind blast” or excessive cross winds. They group has to be ready to make changes or adjustments and communicate those adjustments “on-the-fly”.

In the event a vehicle occupies a slot inside the group separating the front group from those behind the vehicle, radios will notify the leader and the lead group will either allow the vehicle to pass them up, or maintain a large gap between the lead group and the vehicle so that if the group behind can pass, they can all fit within the space left by the leaders. In the event the rear group can pass, it’s critical that the passing riders move quickly to their positions behind the leader and not allow an inordinate amount of space to occur between the leader and themselves during the pass. In other words, get in place, closing the distance to the lead quickly. Others are also making the same pass and need room to move back into the riding lane.

In a group, the one thing, which can affect a riding “line”, is the distance one rider can place between the rider in front of them and the rest of the group. There is such a thing as too much room between riders. A good rule of thumb is one second of space between staggered riders and two seconds between riders that are running the same lane position. Allowing more room between riders invites cross traffic to attempt to insert themselves in between the group or riders or even worse, missing a turn or lane condition change that could affect the group. Crowding the rider in the lane adjacent to yours can also cause the group to “bunch”.

Remember: You have to allow additional time between each rider when the weather or road conditions change and may impact the ability to stop or to steer quickly out of a bad situation.

Now this diatribe is subject to many things… some of which have already been mentioned here. But a couple of things need to be addressed:

• Experience – A group can contain many riders of varying experience.A good leader or co-leader will understand those that are experienced and those who need a few more miles to fully understand a group ride.
• Bike mileage – Motorcycle mileage is different and varied. Knowing the max distance each bike can travel will dictate timely stops and remove the possibility of having a rider drop out for lack of fuel. That being said, when you stop for fuel, fill it up. You may have well over a half-a-tank in your ride, but always fuel up. A full tank means you might be able to help someone else with fuel or you might have to make a major run for some reason. The cost of the fill-up is inconsequential. Having to stop one extra time because someone didn’t feel like paying the extra $.20 per gallon in a five-gallon tank could pay major dividends.
• Pre-ride Information – Everyone in the group needs to know where, how, when and who to make a ride safe. A pre-ride discussion makes all riders aware, fosters camaraderie and allows for questions to be asked that may benefit all.

Every time I ride I learn a bit more. Things that I learn I tuck away as information to be used or shared with like minded riders. The one immutable thing I can say is that everything is open for discussion, interpretation and conjecture. How you use this information is up to you. If it helps one more person get a better grip on a group ride formation or to understand the art of staggered riding, the better.

Well… that’s my $.02 worth of zinc!

Until next week…