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commotion if one rider needs to stays a full second behind them necessary; you may want to take
stop for an emergency. in the right third of the lane. The a "fast pack" through the fun part
third rider should then be a full of the road and let the slower
Bring The Essentials - And second behind the second rider group go at their own pace, and
More but on the left side, behind the just regroup later.
Every rider should always have lead rider. This pattern should
their own emergency supplies, continue with each additional Separation Anxiety
such as a working cell phone, rider all the way down to the end. Even with the best efforts to keep
spare cash, and their own set of a group together, riders will
motorcycle tools (usually the If you plan to ride through a usually still get separated
ones that came with the bike.) narrower road or a road with somehow. Whether it's at a red
However, you may also want to lower visibility or poor surface light or because of a car that just
designate one rider as the conditions where more of a isn't getting the hint, riders almost
"emergency situation" rider that space cushion is required, a always find themselves broken
will carry a more thorough list of single-file riding formation should away from the main body of the
supplies. be used. group at some point in a group
On top of the same basics, this kit Either way, avoid a side-by-side ride.
might include a travel set of riding formation at all times. If this happens, don't panic. If you
motorcycle tools, things like zip Motorcycle police and biker clubs had your pre-ride meeting, you
ties and duct tape (it sounds are notorious for doing this, s h o u l d k n o w w h e r e t h e
ghetto, but you can fix a lot on the probably because it looks cooler, designated stops are located. Go
road with these things), a but it's also more risky. This at a safe pace and just meet the
flashlight, and a few spare fuses. formation gives much less of a rest of your ride there. Try not to
A first aid kit is also highly safety cushion around each bike, break the law, split lanes
recommended. and doesn't give riders any room aggressively, or ride faster than
On top of the same emergency to maneuver around hazards your skills just to catch up to the
supplies, you'll want them to be without colliding with each other. group - rolling up to the next stop
prepared to take care of other a few seconds late is a lot better
riders who aren't, with simple No Rider Left Behind than getting into a crash!
things like earplugs, sunblock, You may be a skilled rider who
glass wipes for visors, a phone takes on all roads with ease, but Enjoy The Ride!
charger, pain relievers, and some other riders may not be as Most importantly, enjoy group
water. This might sound a little comfortable through twisties as motorcycle riding. Most riders
"team mom-ish", but trust me, you are. Keep an eye on the don't ride in groups all the time,
someone with these things on a riders behind you in your rear its usually just something to do
ride tends to make friends very view mirror, and slow down if you once in a while. So when riding in
quickly. Ideally, this person see them dropping behind. If a group, try to be a good group
shouldn't be the ride leader, lead each rider in your group member; keep the pace, pass
rider or tail rider in case they need motorcycle riding formation does hand signals, and try not to ride
to stop during a ride the same, all of the riders should aggressively or show off. You can
. be going at a pace that is always do that later on your solo
Group Motorcycle Riding comfortable for everyone. rides!
Formation Remember, part of being the ride If it's your first time, just go along
Formation is huge when it comes leader is keeping a pace that lets with the ride and try to learn how
to group riding. Riding in everyone have a good ride, the group operates. You might
formation properly gives riders without leaving anyone behind or find that you like group riding, but
the proper space cushion to react pushing anyone too far outside maybe you'd fit better with a more
to any hazards, and also helps their comfort zones. Nobody said aggressive group that attacks the
drivers on the road avoid this would be easy! If you don't twisties, or conversely, with a
motorcyclists. know everyone's riding ability, more laid-back group that like to
start with a slower pace, and step enjoy the scenery. Learn different
The preferred formation is the
"staggered formation" (where if a it up in between stops. people's riding styles and soon
line were drawn from each rider When you regroup at stops, the you'll find people you like to ride
to the next, it would make an ride leader should rendezvous with, and people you'd prefer not
evenly spaced zig-zag line.) To with the tail rider to make sure to. That's fine! No matter what,
do this, the leader of the group everyone is keeping pace, and just have fun with it - after all,
ride should be in the left third of nobody is getting too squirrely. If you're riding... so what more
the lane, while the next rider they are, either slow down the could you want? LHR
pace, or split up the group as
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LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 12 April 2025
