Driving in a group: What do you need to know?

Most motorcyclists like to go out riding with their friends. Traveling together is much more fun >and it is a special feature of our group.

However, we cannot allow this activity to be more dangerous than riding alone. Thus, we must discuss some prior considerations when we go out on our motorcycles in a group:

• Consult the planned route: Before hitting the road, you should be familiar with the route, if it goes through mountain passes, has weathered terrain or if, instead, you are going to travel many kilometers on the highway, etc. You should also consult the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
• Full tank and charged battery: It is not just a matter of not bothering your companions with stopping when you need to refuel. If you become lost for any reason (in a group or alone), you have to make sure you do not run out of gas in an unfamiliar area. Therefore, it is also important to leave your house with your cell phone fully charged. You never know how long you will be out.
• The right group: Whether it is cylinder capacity, route type or type of motor, you should take into account who you are going out riding with. If you do not think it is the right group, find another group of people closer to what you are looking for.
• The road is not a course: It seems obvious, but just because you are with a group does not mean you are in a race. You do not have to prove anything. It is just a matter of sharing the passion for riding and the feeling that goes along with it.

Once you decide to take your motorcycle out with a group, you should keep the following tips in mind:

• Leader: Also know as the road leader, this is the motorcyclist who guides the group, the person we have to follow, both as regards the route and the speed. He/she is usually an experienced driver who knows how to adapt to the circumstances of the route. Additionally, a motorcyclist with a certain level of experience is usually selected to bring up the end of the group, in case there is an unexpected event and someone lags behind.
• City: Maintain a safe distance and remain calm when the group is broken by a red light or other urban traffic events.
• Riding in a zigzag: When you are in a group, the members should ride in a slight zigzag formation in the same lane. In other words, one on the right and one on the left and so on and so forth. In this way, we achieve greater visibility of what is ahead of the motorcyclist in front of us and we will also have more space to stop suddenly or to react to any unexpected event.
• Passing: When the group is on the road, it should only pass at places where passing is permitted. Also, as a general rule, do not pass your group mates. If you must pass for some reason, do so in permitted places and ensure that your companions know your intentions (flashing lights, horn).
• Communication: The members of the group must have a non-verbal communication code that they are all familiar with. Thus, communication between members will be more fluid and reliable.