How many riders in a group

Everyone is going to have their opinion on this topic. However, let’s break this down a little. How many riders is a good number to maintain in your riding group when out on the road?

I have been a member of a Riding Association for about 5 years, and we go on a number of rides throughout the year and even sponsor a few. I am by no means an expert on this topic, but I think after experiencing a few different scenarios I can at least offer an opinion on the topic.

Let’s look at what happens with large groups, maybe about 20 or more. It is a beautiful thing to see 20 or more motorcycles in a tight pack riding down the road. Especially when they move as one cohesive group. On long straight rides, this can be a great experience for those riding and for some of those in cages or on the side of the road watching the group ride by.

The problem I see with larger groups is when cars want or “need” to get over to exit the roadway, or when there are turns across oncoming traffic. Our chapter has personally lost a brother from a vehicle that cut across multiple lanes to exit the freeway and that was only a small group of about 5 or 6. What happens to the state of mind of people that are urgently trying to find their way between a long line of motorcycles? The risk is far too great for those of us on two wheels. I think that if you are riding in long packs in heavier traffic, it may be a better practice to split spacing between the pack about 4-6 bikes each so that other vehicles can merge over. Keeping an open mind and allowing these vehicles to traverse your path only makes your enjoyment of riding that much easier. Less stress for all.

This is a pet peeve of mine, but when you ride you need to know the route and how to get to your destination without the assistance of another rider. If this means getting your own navigation system or having a backup call tree plan, you are far better off. This way, if the group must get broken up then you can at least get yourself to where you need to be. It really only takes a little bit of practice looking at maps and visualizing where you are and the route you need to take. Practice this often where ever you go, even if you are in your car. I would rather you know the route than to rely on a phone or gps unit that can quickly distract you from paying attention to the road.

So what about turning in front of oncoming traffic with large groups? My opinion, do not do this. But yet I know that this is unavoidable. You will need to make a turn because a straight route will never get you back to your starting point. I have seen chapters road block to get all the bikes through. This can be an exciting time to see all the bikes come through the turn, but the riders that stop traffic are putting their lives in danger and those that are trying to turn in danger as well. It only takes one impatient person to break through the blockade and run over a group of riders. So what should you do? Break the group up in a smaller chuck of riders that look out for each other, and when that group does not get to make the turn at the same time the smaller group can pull aside the road and wait. You do not want a large group of motorcycles along the roadway waiting for a group of other riders trying to make the turn. You are better off with a smaller group that includes a rider or two that knows the route well and can get you back on track.

So how many then is it that is a good number to be in the pack when you take a group ride? Despite how many total riders there are on the run, each pack is better served by no more than 4 to 6 riders. In my opinion, six is pushing the limit on what I have seen in many situations, especially if the group does not ride in a tight formation. I have found that even four in the group and get split up easily at busy intersections. However, with only 4 it is easy for the couple of riders ahead to pull over in a safe portion of the road or into a parking lot. It should be understood by the riders that get left at the intersection that their co-riders will go ahead and pull over at the next safe spot and to look for them there. We leave NO rider behind. Just because the front rider may be faster and not paying attention as often, that front rider does have complete responsibility to ensure that the smaller pack stays together.

So, if you ride in a large fun run with many bikes, still you should group yourselves together is a trusted pack that will stick together the whole route. This way if there are any problems or the pack gets split up there are at least a few sticking together to make sure all of us get to where we need to go.