Group Riding Death Bikers Cleared

[Lonewolf]

Its possible some of us haven't heard about this story but it's something to bear in mind when riding in a group.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/group-riding-death-bikers-cleared/19654.html

[Mogster]

I am glad that finally the Law has seen sense on this matter, and considering what these blokes have been put through a full apology should be isseued from the Police and CPS.
It is always a very sad and tragic thing when someone gets killed, but this always was a dodgy attempt at a 'fit up' with dubious evidence and even worse so called 'professional' witnesses.

had this case gone against the Bikers it could have seen the end of all organised rideouts. I know that a couple of my local shops were looking at this and if it had gone the other way they were going to cease any ride-outs next year.

It is everyones resonsibility to ride within their own limits, but saying that there is always someone who's ego is bigger than their talent... so do as i do wave a leg, pull over and let 'em get on with it and then you can help pull 'em out the hedge at the next set of twistys.  ::)

[Boomer]

Whenever riding in a group I always tell people I haven't ridden with before to "ride your own ride".
I also make sure that everyone knows where we are going to be stopping.
That way people can ride with the group, or else ride faster or slower as they see fit.
If I am "leading" the group then I ride at an intermediate pace.
Showing off is actively discouraged but as you say, if someone wants to go get killed then that is their choice.

Most organised rides in the USA now ask all participants to sign a disclaimer due to a great many times when group "leaders" have been prosecuted (mostly unsuccessfully).

[2kwacks]

I think if a group ride needs to work. there needs to be some rules set out, the leader should stay at a steady speed and keep with-the speed limits. if the rear riders are held up due to traffic and can not make that safe over take for mile or so. they know that the leaders will not turn of the road untill they have caught up. after all this is a "group ride, not a see you there ride" then the back riders are not put under any pressure to catch up if held back by traffic. when its safe, the rear riders can very easily catch up staying with-in a safe speed the conditions allow. I'm sure this will be how it "pans out" after all we are all mature riders with years of experience, on tourers not "crotch rockets" and should not feel we need prove anythink to anyone ;)

[Rusty]

En Francais we ride with up to 9 chaps ( no chapesses sadly ! ) ...leader always stays the same ... rear man always stays the same. Off you go .. at any junction ( other than if you are going straight on ) the 2nd man stops at that junction so everyone else can see where to go and waits there until the last man ( remember he is always the same guy ) is close and then makes off back into the pack ... he can end up anywhere he likes so that the riders in the middle get a chance to sit near the rear or go back up towards the front ... hope that makes sense. ! It works very well.  :)
New Years Eve tomorrow ... hurahhh  :) :)

[routemaster]

Hi

The approach or the system described above is commonly know as the "drop-off" or "marker" system and is used by many where you have more than 5 or 6 people in a group ride. Where there is less than 5 or 6 it is debatable as to whether it is worth it.

The marker system allows people to ride at their own pace. The other important aspect on group rides is a briefing, which an be very short but should contain a disclaimer that the individual rider is responsible for their riding, their safety and their license.

Steve

[kwarrgtr]

We use 'drop off' (not dop off)  ;D  ;D in our club. Most of our organised 'official' rides are between 10-25 bikes. Marker system works great. It also means that those rides who wanna do a bit of overtaking can do so and get to the head of the pack (ride leader) and then do more marking than the others. TEC always brings up the rear. We also have to attend the breifing, AND fill in a form with bike, rider details etc, it also inlcudes a 'next-of-kin' contact part. I think that does (sometimes) 'remind' us of what we are doing. ... but NOT always..

[Mogster]

Ah now see we use the 'you know where we are going and if you get left behind you are clearly riding like you are driving miss daisy and deserve to be humiliated at the destination' method.

we also have a punishment system on long trips where the rider who makes the 'cock up maneuver' of the day has to wear a set of pink stick on bunny ears on their lid the following day..  ::)