• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Confession of a first time group leader.

DVB1

DVB1

New member
Joined
Oct 16, 2002
Location
Danville , Ca 94526
Moto(s)
'05 R1, Honda crf150r, Suzuki Rm250, Kawasaki Ex250, Honda crf 100
So what is the right way to lead a group on a "barf ride", excuse me, " Independent group ride organized on barf".

I must say I got a little spooked today when I couldn't find a rider in my mirror and I wasn't sure If we'd lost a rider in a crash or if he decide to pull back or...? I slowed down for serval curves almost a mile and couldn't find the bike in my mirror. Eventually I stopped to find the riders had changed position and I was looking for the rider in the wrong place. So the group went regretably slow while I sorted and searched for a bike that wasn't missing. I'm not tryin to say anyone did something wrong. I just want to know how a group leader should ride. Should the lead always keep a tab on all the bikes in the group? Should he wait until the next turn or stop to take inventory? I'm from the Infantry where the motto is to, "Never leave a man behind". I couldn't sleep if I left someone in a group that I was leading in a ditch somewhere while we rode merrily along. When do u stop or slow down to make sure everyone's Ok?:confused
 
If you're losing people in your group you're going too fast...or they're wanting to run at a more moderate pace.

It all depends on what your group pace feels like for the day and the rider skills level of the bunch.

Just look for headlights after exiting a corner when you hit a straight, that's where most people get distanced or the tight low- speed sections. Just make sure you do it on a section clear and safe.:teeth
 
I'd say as long as you keep a bike in your rear view, it doesn't really matter which one it is. If there's a crash, it's the sweeper's job to handle it.
 
Yeah, that's why the sweepers get paid the big bux.
 
OldFatGuy said:
I'd say as long as you keep a bike in your rear view, it doesn't really matter which one it is. If there's a crash, it's the sweeper's job to handle it.
Click to expand...


i agree. been out on a lot of group rides....normally, i'd pick up sweeper (but i got tired of people freggin crashin in front of me and goin so damned slow) and i've been leader alot.

just make sure you keep 1-2 other bikes in view...i'd always slow down and let everyone catch up every 3-4 miles though, and count heads.

keep leadin man! you'll get to really like it!
 
OldFatGuy said:
I'd say as long as you keep a bike in your rear view, it doesn't really matter which one it is. If there's a crash, it's the sweeper's job to handle it.
Click to expand...


It helps if you ride with the people regularly. Then you know their pace. But if you don't, slow it down a notch until you see the rider behind you before the next turn. (see above) Be sure to stop and let the group re-group once in a while. And ask them how they like the pace. Use their feedback and adjust your speed accordingly.
 
Be careful not to spend too much time looking in the mirror - it would be bad news to have the lead go off the road, esp. if a pack of newbies target fixate and follow you off into oblivion.

I think that the OldFatGuy hit it right on the head - look for one or more bikes in the mirror, not any particular one.

If you are really in doubt, pull over in a safe place and sort it out.

BTW if you can keep track of all the bikes you have on a ride in your mirrors then your mirrors and eyes are far better than mine!
 
another vote for keeping the bike behind you visible in the mirror. If everyone does this, the sweeper is actually the one setting the pace.

Just look for the headlight of the rider behind you. It then doesnt matter who is behind you, just that someone is.

This brings up another point, when on a group ride and you are not the leader, DIM your headlights.
 
B12Bill said:
another vote for keeping the bike behind you visible in the mirror. If everyone does this, the sweeper is actually the one setting the pace.

Just look for the headlight of the rider behind you. It then doesnt matter who is behind you, just that someone is.

This brings up another point, when on a group ride and you are not the leader, DIM your headlights.
Click to expand...

b12, excellent call. ESPECIALLY in the woods. Hey folks, it gets dark in the woods and highbeams can be annoying or retina burning depending on the bike and location. Sucks for the cagers too and they are already probably annoyed or intimidated by a big pack of bikes.
 
Using today as an example...

On the way to the Junction, since I was the only one in "A" for that section, I would go a good clip and then slow down and/or stop until I saw "B" group riders approaching - rinse, repeat. I still had fun, and made sure that things were still on track behind me.

After the Junction, when "A" acquired several people, I would always make sure at least 1 rider was visible behind me within a turn/straight's length. Since the rider behind me wasn't doing the same, I would periodically slow down and wait until I could see that the rest of the group was still there... etc.

Seemed to work ok. I personally don't like going too far without ensuring that there isn't an issue behind me. Sort of makes the ride a little more stressfull for me, but its what I do.

my .02
 
Last edited:
Have the sweep count the number of riders in the group. When the group reforms if someone has gone over the side unseen they will be missed. Of course at my age storing the number of riders in a group for more than a minute or three might be too difficult a task.

Chuck
 
I think me and ken probly should not have switched positions.
I was originally going to sweep, only because I didn't like that part of the road.
This is a rare instance I think and maybe some hand signals would have worked to let lead man know things were good to go.
Paul
 
Paulyzx7 said:
I think me and ken probly should not have switched positions.
I was originally going to sweep, only because I didn't like that part of the road.
This is a rare instance I think and maybe some hand signals would have worked to let lead man know things were good to go.
Paul
Click to expand...

Paul;


Don't sweat this! I'm just lookin for guidance. I just got a little spooked and should have known how to handle it. As it turns out it was handled just fine. No one crashed and we all ripped up Coral Canyon. :cool
 
yo em!

That avtar still freaks me out! It's like a three year old screamin at the top of her lungs! Sends shivers down my spine.:cry
 
Sounds to me like you did a good job then. Not like I'm any expert.. I MIGHT be able to handle a C group if I ever hook up with you guys... but no way I'm keeping up with the kneedraggers.

A couple of ideas: Some groups equip the lead and sweep bikes with chatterboxes... that way you can keep each other informed of stuff going on... Signals help but only if everyone knows what they mean before you start. And unlike the HD crowd, BARF rides are usually at a fast enough clip that people aren't concentrating on each other's hands, they're too busy reading the road. So your mileage may vary.
 
Damian, like others said, just mainly keep ONE bike's lights in your mirrors and on the long straights you can make sure there is a trail of lights behind you. IF you aren't blasting down the straights (ahem...Harpo) then you'll see your trailers to give them time to catch up. If there are problems in the group then someone should ride up and let you know at that time.

I also make sure to stop and wait whenever you are taking a turn where there is more than ONE option to go (i.e. right or left). That way everyone goes the right way (or the left way....you get the point).

Glad to hear you're group leader now. I'll probably be riding in your group for a while.
 
deaconblues said:
A couple of ideas: Some groups equip the lead and sweep bikes with chatterboxes... that way you can keep each other informed of stuff going on... Signals help but only if everyone knows what they mean before you start. And unlike the HD crowd, BARF rides are usually at a fast enough clip that people aren't concentrating on each other's hands, they're too busy reading the road. So your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

Chatterboxes usually work well and it is better than nothing. However, hills will diminish the signal. Most chatterboxes are limited to a 2 mile range also. In the twisties a 1/2 mile to a mile, will make the other person inaudible. At least that's been my experience.
 
B12Bill said:

This brings up another point, when on a group ride and you are not the leader, DIM your headlights.
Click to expand...

Ooops! Guilty as charged!:blush

I do dim them in the woods though...:)
 
Hey Damian. Just make sure you have a sweeper and wait for him at each turn off point. Slowing down on the straights to let people group up is also a good idea. I am also guilty of pulling away ocassionally, so i try to slow down and wait for someone to show up behind me before resuming my pace.
 
After reading this thread is seems like people are preoccupied with the crash thing.

Going riding is about enjoying the ride. All of this looking in the mirrors only takes your eyes off of the road. And all of this worry about the guy behind you crashing only lessens the fun of riding. The last thing you need is a whole group of riders all looking in their mirrors instead of where they are going. Slowing to wait up in the corners only increases the chances of getting hit by someone coming around behind you. Slowing on the straights and waiting at the intersections is the best way to do it. If you have a sweep then waiting for them takes care of it.

I learned many years ago when I started group riding that you ride your own ride. It is every riders job to ride skillfully and make sure that they dont' fall down. What purpose does looking in the mirrors for headlights at every turn serve beside increasing your chances of running off the road? The ride leader was always the guy who knew the road best. When I rode in groups the purpose of the ride leader was to show the way down the road and set a nice sporty pace, so we could all have fun.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top