Leader of the pack
Let's face it—riding alone is no fun! The freedom of the open road is best when shared with friends and like-minded individuals. The flip side of the coin is the dangers associated with riding in groups. There is less time to correct mistakes and even less space. Riding in a group can be incredibly rewarding, but there are some things you need to know before joining.
Related: Lane filtering for bikers in SA - What you need to know
These things run the gamut from the people in the group to the road in question and even the skills needed to ride safely and effectively in a pack. We look at some of the things you need to keep in mind when joining in on a group ride.
What are the most common motorbike riding hazards and how do I avoid them?
The group effect
So you have joined a Facebook or WhatsApp group that arranges group rides. You have plucked up the courage to join an outride one Saturday. You arrive at the assembly point and begin introductions. You will meet a couple of guys falling into a few categories.
- The Speedster—This person will arrive wearing a set of full racing leathers and pilot the latest 1 000cc superbike. He will ride fast and have his knee down in every corner.
- The Old Hand—This grizzled old guy will be perched on an old sports tourer or adventure bike covered in stickers from all the places they have visited. He will be sporting a high-visibility vest or some other brightly coloured over-jacket to show that he's a seasoned vet. This guy knows his stuff.
- The Boss is the individual in charge of the ride. He makes announcements, plans the route, and arranges the end destination. He tells everyone where and how to ride and how fast it's going to be done and usually rides up front, guiding the way.
- The Hooligan—Avoid this guy at all costs. He's going to speed, ride recklessly, buzz everyone, and probably antagonise other road users and the police. He will most likely do it all on the back wheel, busting out a crazy wheelie.
What you want to do is find the person who most matches your riding style and stick with them. They will teach you how it's done, and in this way, you will stay as safe as possible and have the most fun you will ever have while out riding.
Crash damage
The fact that everyone is riding near each other makes it inevitable that a crash will happen. You can ensure that you aren't part of it by keeping your wits about you and holding your spacing so that you can take evasive action. If something does happen, there are some things you can do. Slow down and stop. Park your bike off the road and flag down traffic to warn them of riders on or on the road. Try to assist the downed rider if it's needed. Call emergency services for medical help.
Safety in numbers
Sometimes, it is safer to ride in a group than solo. This is especially true when riding unknown or dangerous roads and if not everyone is familiar with the route and roads. Keep an eye on the rider in front and behind you, ensuring that everyone has made a turn or the roads have changed.
Avoiding entanglement
When taking part in a group ride, you can do a few things to stay safe.
- Know the people you are riding with, their skill levels, temperament and the rules they follow.
- If you are not familiar with the group, stay at the back
- Dont ride outside your abilities to try and keep up
- Familiarise yourself with the route and the road conditions
- Follow their lead, and don't be a hero
