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BARF Group Ride FAQ

thanks for all the good information. It is nice to see people showing support to other riders who are not as skilled as some. makes me proud to be part of this group. i can't wait to meet everyone.....
 
read all the posts, thanks to all who gave pointers.
today was my first ride in a pack - least, as the operator of my own bike, vs. being the passenger a few dozen times before.
and being a passenger gave me some insight, but this definitely helps me out more.
although I could use a first aid kit while riding (mah horses - both iron and flesh), I do at least carry my mobile phone... which has the great phone book capability!

Rubber-side-down,
 
I'd add that it only takes a couple people right at the scene of a crash; others can help out by going 200' up and down the road (farther if around a blind turn) and slowing & directing traffic.

Just use the universal "slow down"; hands palm down, moving up/down- pushing down and move over; motion towards the direction you want them to move.

Don't let the good folks helping get tagged by a car while they are trying to help! John
 
i think it would be good to make a post about hand signals..

before my last ride, i did not know that tapping your head meant that there was a cop ahead..... pretty valuable information, and not such a well known signal (if u ask me).

anyone care to do this!?
 
Wow...After reading this, I'm more comfortable about the idea of joining a group ride. I was a little hesitant at first because I only have 700 miles of rinding experience under my belt but I can't wait to join some of you really soon.
 
bennybenster said:
Wow...After reading this, I'm more comfortable about the idea of joining a group ride. I was a little hesitant at first because I only have 700 miles of rinding experience under my belt but I can't wait to join some of you really soon.
Click to expand...

:newbie
GOLD!
 
A huge help to see this. My sister and i, riding for 6 months, are going on our first group ride with dad on fathers day. We are intimidated, but after readingyour post, i feel MUCH better about going and not worried anymore of slowing anyone down.

I will go at my own level of riding, and no more. a new bike and a young body...neither of which needs to be damaged right now.

Thank you, i feel good about riding with others now.
 
Definitely helpful, we used a lot of this wisdom on our first group ride last Sat (Team-Chaos vs the Hollister Monster).

Hand signals we used (YMMV, contains lanolin):

Your standard turn and stop signals from the DMV:
- arm extended to the left = turn or lanechange left
- arm out and up = turn/lanechange right
- arm diagonally down and palm facing back = slow down/stop/back off and give me room

Hand up, doing 'hang loose' wiggle with thumb and pinkie extended = stagger formation

Hand up, index finger only = single file (useful for twisties or one-lane roads such as 236 where you don't want to crowd each other)

Hand up, repeatedly open fingers then make a fist = tighten formation (cars are making "divide and conquer" moves)

Point to object/road surface = hazard!

Point to tank = I need gas

Hold up fingers and alternate: (number of riders present) and then (number of riders missing) = we lost some riders! (thanks Joe... I do get into the zone way too easily!) Turned out our sweeper was falling behind himself, and got caught behind a couple of cars... so once I got smacked upside the head with that signal, we stopped and waited a few minutes and here he came....

We thought we'd have need of a "scatter, there's a LEO making a move to bust us" signal, but luckily we didn't need it after all. :twofinger

Something else... the group leader has to be aware of things like traffic lights, stop signs, etc. Sometimes cagers will recognise a group, and let you ride thru stops en masse, but don't take it for granted that they will... so after you get thru one, proceed slowly, do a quick headlamp count and pull off to the side if you see part of your group hung up....

Another thing that can make or break a group ride is the leader being aware of things like upcoming exits/turns or proper lane choice... getting surprised and having to do a quick duck to an exit at best will result in some pissed-off riders, and at worst a pileup. If you miss an exit... sometimes it's best to proceed to the next one and double back rather than risk an accident.

Oh yes... on solo rides you're on your own dime if you pass on double-yellow, run stop signs, etc. Do these things as part of a group ride, and the whole group has to deal with it, either because the riders behind refuse to follow suit and get hung up, or they follow and get tagged by the Man, or they follow and get creamed by a cager or fellow biker. Err on the side of caution, because essentially you're part of a big huge "vehicle" that happens to be made up of smaller ones.

(not pointing any fingers, guys... nothing here that we didn't talk about in person already either. :cool )
 
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I'm real new to this site, and already I have read some insightful, and useful stuff. I wasn't afraid of my first group ride, but rather more anxious. And my F3 held it's own. My first group ride was Bear Creek and Redwood Rd. Must admit, twisties are WAY more fun than riding around town or freeway riding. I would love to gather and ride in big groups. Send me an email, I'm sure I could talk some of my boys into coming out, just not before track day on Aug. 4. And if yer ever in Vallejo, we're almost always at Starbucks, the one by Target. RIDE SAFE!
 
Hi Steve,

Excellent post!

Regarding preparation, what are your thoughts about everyone being gassed up when they arrive at the prescribed meeting area? I ask because I have been on many group rides where one or more people needed gas, and it delayed the start of the ride.
 
While I haven't yet attended a barf ride, I do regularly ride with a group. One suggestion I might add to your thread would be, at road changes the second rider waits for the third. When the third rider gets to the corner or road change, he assumes the wait while the second rider continues on. This allows any number of riders to follow the leader and assures no one is lost or left behind.
Later, Chris Dorn
 
thanks from a newer rider

I wanted to thank you all for the "manifesto". I just started riding in May and have not had the opportunity to ride with others but I want to. I am hoping learn from those who have been there and done it. It is good to know that us rookies are welcome.

Hope to see you soon.

Tomas...aka Akira
 
Re: Group Ride FAQ

theSteveCo said:


- If you believe that you are holding up a rider behind you (other than the sweeper) the appropriate action is to wait until the road is clear enough for you to pull to the right (but not off the road) and wave the faster rider past you. Likewise, the faster rider should not attempt to pass you until you have indicated that you are comfortable with the pass. By doing so, the faster rider is not forced over the double-yellow and does not have to contend with oncoming traffic. Additionally, the slower rider will not be spooked when the faster rider passes.
Click to expand...

This should be a practice whenever one rider comes up on another rider, even if they are not part of a group.
 
Ya know..I forgot about his...amazing the good stuff that is hanging around here :thumbup

SBN...what is that :p

:smoking
 
good info. no bike yet, but when i get one, ill be sure to join a newbie group ride.
 
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