Lifted from VisorDown, this is another option for group riding etiquette.
Rideout Etiquette
(I wont call them rules cos its up to you, but heres a few simple ways to make things run smoothly)
Before you get there.
LET THE ORGANISER KNOW YOU ARE COMING. It means they can let YOU know if its off/postponed/moved/running late...
If you are gonna be late or not going to make it, please have the decency to phone the organiser and let them know so the ride isnt held up waiting for people who arent coming.
Bring a copy of the route if it is available to you, and a map (or at least familiarise yourself with the route/area, using a map beforehand)
Make sure your bike is in a good enough condition to make the distance.
Try to arrive with a full tank, or fill up on arrival if possible.
Like your mum said, make sure you go before you go.
On the road.
If you are second on the road, dont sit right up the leaders arse (or anyone elses for that matter). There is no need for it and it @@@@es them off!
Give everyone some space.
The Marker System
This requires a leader, a tailender, and the riders(you!).
The leader - is familiar with the route, and follows it. He should carry a mobile in case of problems on route. He should point out to the first person behind him where to sit to be best positioned to mark each junction.
The tailender - is idealy familiar with the route also, but doesnt have to be. They will stay at the back for the entire ride and will be pointed out at the beginning of the ride. (They may wear a fluro vest to make them obvious). The tailender is exactly that, everyone else stays in front of them, so they should move the junction marker on once they arrive, this also ensures there is no confusion as to who is the rear bike.
They should carry a mobile with the leaders number in case of problems on route.
If anyone drops out of the group the tailender should stop with them and find out what is going on.
If there is a problem they should get in touch with the leader, or if they are just stopping for a pee wait with them so the marker stays in place at the next junction.
The riders - at any point the route deviates from the strip of tarmac in front, the first of the riders behind the leader will stop to mark the way at the junction in a place prominent to the rest of the following group.
THEY MUST NOT MOVE UNTIL THE TAILENDER ARRIVES.
If it seems like you have waited ages, wait some more. If they still havent arrived, phone the leader as he may have heard from them.
Once the tailender has arrived, the junction marker can then work their way carefully back towards the front. Overtaking is encouraged, but please be courteous!
If anyone sees someone making dangerous overtakes (repeateadly - we all make mistakes sometimes) point it out to the leader, who will have a quiet word. If they carry on they will be asked to leave.
Meanwhile the group all move forward one, so number two, becomes number one behind the leader so marks the next junction.
If riders are going to drop off the back of the group (behind the tailender), they must inform the tailender what's going on.
Next to your own personal safety, and arguably more important, should come consideration towards others in the group.
So Please follow these few simple points:
Do not ride above your ability/limits to try and keep up. There will be a bike waiting for you at the next junction. There will be regular stops for a breather/fag break during which you can catch up safely. (Just because we have pulled over for a couple of minutes it doesnt mean we are having a fag break tho! -if the leaders lid is still on, he aint planning on stopping)
Do not get pushed along by a faster bike behind you. Move over and let them through. Only play hard with people you know and trust. Slower riders, beware you may be holding up a faster rider and move over, let them past.
If you are the faster bike, dont make stupid manouvres to get past (especially passing them on the left! ). Wait till they let you through, or find a safe place to get past.
Faster riders, please give plenty of room when passing and only go for a safe clean pass.
It doesnt matter whether you ride like a foggy or a fanny, just go at your own pace.
Its not a race and you wont get left behind. Just cos you cant see the bike in front doesnt mean you've got to ride like a loon to catch it up again. Take it steady, someone will be waiting somewhere.
If everyone follows these simple ideas we can all enjoy a cracking ride, and have a good chat at the destination.
If you bring along some friends, who may have not read this, please brief them on what is expected.
Rideout Etiquette
(I wont call them rules cos its up to you, but heres a few simple ways to make things run smoothly)
Before you get there.
LET THE ORGANISER KNOW YOU ARE COMING. It means they can let YOU know if its off/postponed/moved/running late...
If you are gonna be late or not going to make it, please have the decency to phone the organiser and let them know so the ride isnt held up waiting for people who arent coming.
Bring a copy of the route if it is available to you, and a map (or at least familiarise yourself with the route/area, using a map beforehand)
Make sure your bike is in a good enough condition to make the distance.
Try to arrive with a full tank, or fill up on arrival if possible.
Like your mum said, make sure you go before you go.
On the road.
If you are second on the road, dont sit right up the leaders arse (or anyone elses for that matter). There is no need for it and it @@@@es them off!
Give everyone some space.
The Marker System
This requires a leader, a tailender, and the riders(you!).
The leader - is familiar with the route, and follows it. He should carry a mobile in case of problems on route. He should point out to the first person behind him where to sit to be best positioned to mark each junction.
The tailender - is idealy familiar with the route also, but doesnt have to be. They will stay at the back for the entire ride and will be pointed out at the beginning of the ride. (They may wear a fluro vest to make them obvious). The tailender is exactly that, everyone else stays in front of them, so they should move the junction marker on once they arrive, this also ensures there is no confusion as to who is the rear bike.
They should carry a mobile with the leaders number in case of problems on route.
If anyone drops out of the group the tailender should stop with them and find out what is going on.
If there is a problem they should get in touch with the leader, or if they are just stopping for a pee wait with them so the marker stays in place at the next junction.
The riders - at any point the route deviates from the strip of tarmac in front, the first of the riders behind the leader will stop to mark the way at the junction in a place prominent to the rest of the following group.
THEY MUST NOT MOVE UNTIL THE TAILENDER ARRIVES.
If it seems like you have waited ages, wait some more. If they still havent arrived, phone the leader as he may have heard from them.
Once the tailender has arrived, the junction marker can then work their way carefully back towards the front. Overtaking is encouraged, but please be courteous!
If anyone sees someone making dangerous overtakes (repeateadly - we all make mistakes sometimes) point it out to the leader, who will have a quiet word. If they carry on they will be asked to leave.
Meanwhile the group all move forward one, so number two, becomes number one behind the leader so marks the next junction.
If riders are going to drop off the back of the group (behind the tailender), they must inform the tailender what's going on.
Next to your own personal safety, and arguably more important, should come consideration towards others in the group.
So Please follow these few simple points:
Do not ride above your ability/limits to try and keep up. There will be a bike waiting for you at the next junction. There will be regular stops for a breather/fag break during which you can catch up safely. (Just because we have pulled over for a couple of minutes it doesnt mean we are having a fag break tho! -if the leaders lid is still on, he aint planning on stopping)
Do not get pushed along by a faster bike behind you. Move over and let them through. Only play hard with people you know and trust. Slower riders, beware you may be holding up a faster rider and move over, let them past.
If you are the faster bike, dont make stupid manouvres to get past (especially passing them on the left! ). Wait till they let you through, or find a safe place to get past.
Faster riders, please give plenty of room when passing and only go for a safe clean pass.
It doesnt matter whether you ride like a foggy or a fanny, just go at your own pace.
Its not a race and you wont get left behind. Just cos you cant see the bike in front doesnt mean you've got to ride like a loon to catch it up again. Take it steady, someone will be waiting somewhere.
If everyone follows these simple ideas we can all enjoy a cracking ride, and have a good chat at the destination.
If you bring along some friends, who may have not read this, please brief them on what is expected.