group riders

[Crackerborn]

I managed to sneak off to Lake Superior by way of the UP and home by the River Road for the weekend. There where lots of group riders out all along the route, ranging in size from 3 to as many as 50 and more a few times. I noted that many groups at 4-way stop signs, once the lead rider(s) went through the stop sign, the rest all followed not allowing other traffic to proceed as it should. Traffic circles and stop lights in several towns were subject to the same refusal to break up the group if a light changed once part of the group was through.

I seldom ride in a pack and most group rides I have participated in were charity runs with controlled intersections so I can't speak to the normalcy of this type of action. I am under the impression that a single motor vehicle is subject to traffic laws whether solo or a group. Am I wrong? Or is this a continuing break-down of respect to other riders and users of the highways and byways by certain groups?

[Chrisj CMA]

Blocking intersections without LEO escort is illegal most everywhere if not everywhere.  I have been on rides where illegal blocking was used and I agree it's not right.

[gregk]

Glad you had a good ride John. You packed on some miles. Should a looked me up.
In Wi. its illegal to block an intersection for a bunch of bikes on a run. It was a practice years ago and as an ABATE member we spread the word if you block traffic an get hit it is your a___.  I don't know if this is passed yet or if it is being worked on but if its law we'll say , a group of bikers can continue through an intersection so long as they are in a tight group moving as one vehicle but not if they are stragglers like some people just don't know how to ride in a group worth a crap.
 Example. I was on a welcome home run for the Nam Vets and left from Lacrosse to Green Bay, no passing aloud. I was just part way back behind 2 Harley pretty boys that decided to hold everybody back and be the head of their own little group and a couple of guys in front of me held their position an I said to self F that an cracked the throttle an caught up to the group and then everybody else did the same thing.
 Are you aware of the( 1 1/2 minute ?) Rule at a controlled intersection?   Not sure of exact time because the lights are smarter these days, but yes you can at a controlled intersection as long as the way is clear you can safely go through.

[Jess from VA]

Illegal everywhere (w/o escort).  

I've been on a number of group rides (SCRC) where there are 2-3 road captains, a leader (and sweeper) all with helmet CB radio connectivity.  The ride is well planned, and when the leader calls, two RCs (riding right behind the leader) swing out both ways (sometimes it's only one way) and block intersection traffic, and the group all cross together.  The RCs swing in the back, and ASAP pass everyone back to the front (so they can do it again when necessary).  Our blockers acted very polite (not militant) to cars held up, and I never heard a single horn.   Many of us riders would wave thanks to those waiting (often with a return thumbs up).

But here's the deal:  It's illegal in VA, so it was mostly only done out in the boonies part of the ride, never in town or even small burgs (and nowhere cops were present).  Sometimes we all made it through without blocking any cars (blockers still deployed), and rarely held up more than a few to maybe 5-6 cars.  The groups were 20-30, not 50-100, so people were never hung up for more than a minute.  (Now even without blockers, if you hit a stop sign and can see very well no one is coming from anywhere, a lot of folks will just slowly roll through in one continuous snake.)  Still, blocking is wrong, and if something goes wrong and there's an accident, guess who's likely at fault?

One of the (maybe the main) reasons they did this (SCRC group) was because there were often new members who had not ridden in groups before, and rookies.  It helped them..... but they are why I ultimately stopped riding with this outfit years ago.  No offense, but I don't care to ride with rookies and the occasional rider.  

My idea of a fun group ride is generally 2-5 experienced riders.

The annual DC Rolling Thunder is a great cause (POW, MIA, support the troops), and I did it a couple times.... so I don't ever have to do it again.     
    
  

[Hooter]

Won't ride in groups anymore. Too much bar to bar crap and power drinkers when you get to one. I like benefits but too much unknown in groups and it seems alcohol is always involved.  I've been lead and I've been a blocker. Being a blocker and playing catch up when the group is through is nothing short of nuts. I prefer to ride alone and if I do ride with a couple of people, I know who they are and their abilities.

My assistant chief on the fire department is one of my best friends, has been for life. He has a bike, rides some, and I have ridden with him for years. Even on a couple of long rides. I avoid him like the plague anymore. He is inattentive and gauks too much. Scares the hell outa me. I like to ride with one or 2 other people on occasion,  but I know them and have a ton of miles with them. But for the most part, I just prefer to ride alone, and I do 99 % of the time.

[Crackerborn]

I only saw blockers used once in a traffic circle near LaCrosse. There were at least 50 bikes in that group. I was behind them for about 5 miles doing 40 in a 55 until I found a turn off going my general direction. That group had quite a few cagers behind them and even though I was back a bit, I was getting the evil eye from some of the cagers that must have thought I was part of the group ride. I didn't have a pirate suit on to match the group riders but I was on two wheels with a "Go tell your mama" t-shirt.

[Willow]

I agree that running stop lights or signs is "illegal" everywhere but I've not heard of anyone in a group being charged or ticketed.  Interestingly, doing 70 in a 55 is also illegal.  Most of us have on occasion broken the law.

What I find interesting is folks entirely focused on only what is good for themselves complaining about folks focused on only what is best for themselves.

I don't really like much riding in larger groups but I can go either way without concern.

[Gryphon Rider]

In Alberta, unless you have a police escort blocking traffic for you, it is illegal for anyone to roll through a stop sign, red light, etc., including bikes in a group.  If on a group ride where cross-traffic is blocked, I will go with the group's flow, even if technically illegal.  Where there is no blocker, I will stop where required by law, even if none of the bikes in front of me do.  I don't have special rights because I'm with other riders.

The best way to do an unescorted large group ride is to break the larger group into packs of 5 bikes, with each bike having a leader who knows the route and ride plan.  Each pack sticks together and waits for its riders caught by red lights, etc., and each pack maintains an extended following distance behind the previous pack, allowing interaction with other traffic and greatly reducing the chances of a huge pileup should someone make a grievous riding mistake.  When the ride starts in the city, a prearranged spot on the edge of town is determined to safely gather then entire group before continuing in the country.

[old2soon]

Couple years ago escorted a traveling Viet Nam Memorial wall from Branson Mo to Rolla Mo with Missouri State Highway Patrol escort. Up US 65 thru Springfield Mo runnin right at 75 MPH. Got on I-44 east into left lane and up near 90 MPH. We had folks tryin to cut into our escort cuz of the fact we were runnin near 90. Also had some stragglers that I promptly passed. 2015 at Spearfish on the lunch ride they asked me to block the ramp for the left turns onto I-94 west which I did. Guy in an escalade wuz in a big cursed hurry and went close to the guard rail and then stood on it and cut into our group. Saw M/C brake lights but no one got hit. Blocking intersections IS illegal here in Missouri but on todays P G R escort mission the lead M/C waited til the people held up at the 4 way then the entire Funeral Procession rolled on thru. BUT understand I duz live if not in the country Very Near the country. On the big rides I KNOW Why we keep rollin thru lights and stop signs. We-Riders-do NOT want nor desire cagers to be mixed in with the M/Cs. When the younger children accompany us in the family cages the cages either follow or go on ahead and set up the food tables. Now I'm speaking for my little corner of Missouri but the L E Os on group rides generally cut us a LOT of slack. Generally-NOT always. RIDE SAFE.

[Leathel]

I often ride in groups and often as leader, Stop signs and spots you have to give way I lead off at a slow pace so those following has time to look before going, if they have to give way to a bunch of cars they know I will pull to the side at the first available time and wait until TEC is with the group, same with lights we have it set that if the group gets split we will stop before the next intersection to regroup, Never had a rider down yet and hope it stays that way

[Oss]

Biggest ride was ground zero late October 2001 from Carmel NY.  Police led - all entrances blocked on all highways, all intersections blocked by officers,  That was a 70 mile ride.
On roads we stayed to right so they could pass and cover

Now in Manhattan that was a lot of intersections as every street has a traffic light  The sticker that is my avatar came from that ride  Cant think about that ride without my pressure going up from smelling death and feeling it so viscerally.  

I have done numerous PGR with and without high speed police escorts  Have not done one in several years however.

On rides where I lead the rule is you are responsible for the rider in back of you.  If the light turns red STOP. At a stop sign STOP  the rider in front will pull over to the side if safe to do so if you miss the light as will I as I check my six. Otherwise before next turn or at a pull out or whatnot the whole group will stop, Instructions given as to route before ride (heck I already gave the route)  At gas stop if you hear my horn get on your damn bike and be ready in 2 minutes or we are gone.  At a ride with Highbinder I had bikes that just wanted to split off and being the caboose I had to make time to catch the group because they did not say in advance they were leaving the group   If you have a bike problem let me know on cb channel 1 or walk over to me.  If Oss is going faster than the speed limit its because he knows its safe to do so on that stretch of road which he knows intimately. Oss is a slowpoke after all    sometimes     well mostly just on twisties he doesnt know

[cookiedough]

only done a few group rides, but I seem to be on those few occasions in the middle of the pack, not super fast but not super slow.  I seemed to attempt to keep the slow pokes behind me as best as I could without loosing the speed demons in front who were going to fast for the slow pokes some 1 mile or so behind the lead rider.  I did not want to loose the guys in front of me some 1/4 mile ahead to keep them in my eyesight since did not know where they were going to go or turn off.

One group ride being a bunch of HD bar hoppers was the worst group ride EVER and will NOT do one like that again, complete waste of my time and entire day.  I can only drink so many pops at 4-5 bars in 3-4 hours of like only 30 miles of riding total without feeling like I had to pee my pants several times, not even enough time at one bar to order food and get something substantial in me.

[Hooter]

The last ride I was on was supposed to be a benefit poker run. I ate an order of french fries at a bar and watched this guy down 2 beers in that amount of time, and he wasn't the only one.

I knew the area well and when we left it brought up the rear. I knew roughly 5 miles down the road I could make a right and head for home, I did. And I wasn't the only one that broke off. The dozen bikes behind me had the same idea. We stopped at a stop sign,. A guy I didn't know pulled up next to me and said:  " the drinking on this run was outa hand,  F  this"! Guess I wasn't the only one.

[old2soon]

The last ride I was on was supposed to be a benefit poker run. I ate an order of french fries at a bar and watched this guy down 2 beers in that amount of time, and he wasn't the only one.

I knew the area well and when we left it brought up the rear. I knew roughly 5 miles down the road I could make a right and head for home, I did. And I wasn't the only one that broke off. The dozen bikes behind me had the same idea. We stopped at a stop sign,. A guy I didn't know pulled up next to me and said:  " the drinking on this run was outa hand,  F  this"! Guess I wasn't the only one.

               I've attempted 2 benefit poker runs here in southern Missouri. I will NOT under ANY circumstances attempt a 3d for the very reasons you stated. Seen some of those young duds order 3 beers and drain them quickly-at the first stop! RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

I will not touch alcohol nor let any passenger of mine touch alcohol while riding on a motorcycle - riding is dangerous enough when I'm stone cold sober !!!!!

[jim@98valkyrie.com]

I love drinking and riding.....as long as the Valk is parked at the hotel for the night and I'm within walking distance or an Uber ride away......
Won't touch those poker runs or any other group ride that involves bar hopping.

[ZekeValk]

If groups don't stay together at intersections, then in order to remain a group they would have to do the alternative which is pass any cars that get between them...probably breaking a double yellow or at least exceeding the speed limit to get the group back together.  Or, they can sit a stop sign until all the other directions are clear pissing off the people behind them while they wait.

Why do they have to stay together?  Usually only a couple of people know the destination or at least how to get there.  I believe, within reason, a group of bikes should be treated as one long vehicle...at intersections and on the interstates...just my opinion and I realize it's not based on laws, but as I eluded to above, its probably the safest alternative.

[Gryphon Rider]

If groups don't stay together at intersections, then in order to remain a group they would have to do the alternative which is pass any cars that get between them...probably breaking a double yellow or at least exceeding the speed limit to get the group back together.  Or, they can sit a stop sign until all the other directions are clear pissing off the people behind them while they wait.

Why do they have to stay together?  Usually only a couple of people know the destination or at least how to get there.  I believe, within reason, a group of bikes should be treated as one long vehicle...at intersections and on the interstates...just my opinion and I realize it's not based on laws, but as I eluded to above, its probably the safest alternative.

No, the alternative on two-lane is for the leader so find a safe place to pull over until the entire group is through the intersection, then everyone pulls out together.  On four-lane, the leader can ride slowly in the right lane until the group catches up, then accelerate to normal speed.

Treating the entire group as one long vehicle only works if all the other drivers on the road agree to that plan, or at the very least if no driver gets impatient and decides he's going to assert his right to take his turn at the intersection, or decides he needs to be in your lane on the interstate.  That's not gonna happen.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If groups don't stay together at intersections, then in order to remain a group they would have to do the alternative which is pass any cars that get between them...probably breaking a double yellow or at least exceeding the speed limit to get the group back together.  Or, they can sit a stop sign until all the other directions are clear pissing off the people behind them while they wait.

Why do they have to stay together?  Usually only a couple of people know the destination or at least how to get there.  I believe, within reason, a group of bikes should be treated as one long vehicle...at intersections and on the interstates...just my opinion and I realize it's not based on laws, but as I eluded to above, its probably the safest alternative.

No, the alternative on two-lane is for the leader so find a safe place to pull over until the entire group is through the intersection, then everyone pulls out together.  On four-lane, the leader can ride slowly in the right lane until the group catches up, then accelerate to normal speed.

Treating the entire group as one long vehicle only works if all the other drivers on the road agree to that plan, or at the very least if no driver gets impatient and decides he's going to assert his right to take his turn at the intersection, or decides he needs to be in your lane on the interstate.  That's not gonna happen.

+1 this is how the SoCal group has always done it. Always works well. 

[Hooter]

A group of riders has no right a way at any intersection where cross traffic does not stop. Thinking that will only get someone hurt or killed.

[..]

Too many riders suffer from separation anxiety.