In groups

Riding with others can be great fun...

... but it does have its downsides. Advantages include road presence and having others around if anything goes wrong. On the flip side are things like frustration and cluttered vision. Preparation and good group riding etiquette can help swing the balance the right way.

Preparation

It’s important to understand the differences imposed by group riding. And equally important to get together and plan ahead.

The guiding principles for group riding.

Allow more time for a journey than when riding solo; you’ll have to ride at the slowest riders pace, take time to gather together, and rest and fuel stops will take longer
Agree the destination, route, next stop, cruising pace and riding order beforehand
Re-assess all of the above at rest-points as you go
Make sure everyone knows an agreed set of hand signals
Choose a leader and tail-ender willing to wear high-visibility vests
In a really large group, have an experienced rider mid-pack wearing a high-visibility vest
Agree to maintain a certain pace.

It’s essential to map out your route so no-one gets lost and you make the most of your riding hours. Programming it into a Sat Nav can work well but it’s always useful to have a map as well:

Laminated maps are tough and waterproof, making them ideal for touring. Learn how to read the various lines, symbols and colours
Never read a map while riding. At low speeds, a passenger can sometimes read a map for you and give directions. Otherwise, stop to get your bearings.

Given it’s hard to understand a mate yelling through his helmet into the wind, you might like to agree on a set of hand signals to communicate:

TO SHOW THIS	DO THIS
Point out a road hazard	Extend left or right leg, as appropriate, at 45 degrees
Re-fuel	Raise your left forearm vertically, upper arm horizontal
Stop for a toilet break	Extend your left arm down at 45 degrees
Stop for a drink or bite to eat	Lower your left forearm vertically, upper arm horizontal
Note speedo reading for later	Rest your left hand on top of your helmet

On road

1. Tempo

Put the slowest rider near the front so they won't be left behind
Set a speed that suits the slowest rider in the group, so no one feels pressured into going faster than they want
Make the fastest rider the tail-ender because they'll have the least trouble keeping up.

2. Overtaking

Only overtake another rider on a straight section of road, signaling your intention with your horn or headlight
If there is a lot of overtaking your leader should reduce the pace or the group will become too strung out.

3. Stagger

On straights, ride in a staggered patter with one rider to one side of the lane, the next rider to the other, and so on. This gives riders better visibility.

4. Gaps

Maintain a minimum two-second gap from the riders ahead of and behind you, even when riding in a staggered pattern. Don’t get caught up in a herd mentality.

5. Single file

Change back to single-file (and increase following distances if necessary) when hazards are encountered, or when cornering
Space out in single file if travelling slower than general traffic so other vehicles can overtake each rider safely.

6. Intersections

Stop in a staggered pattern at intersections. It makes collisions less likely should anyone balk or remain stopped.

7. Watch for animals

Be wary of startled animals, as the first rider past may cause one to run out into your path.