On a ride last weekend something I long worried about happened. – An ambulance came up behind us – What followed was not the smooth precision I hoped for nor the cluster ‘ I feared. - Eventually everybody got out of its way & nobody had an accident or dumped, but it seems unlikely that the ambulance driver remains kindly disposed to group rides.
When riding in groups most all of one’s concentration is devoted to the rides in front of them, doubt anyone is paying much attention to their rear view mirror. – Bunches of the riders subscribe to the “Loud Pipes Save Lives” theory & when there are lots of lives being saved it is improbable one will hear a siren until the emergency vehicle is kissing their tail light.
Suggest some protocols & instructions to be given before launching a group ride. –
TAIL END CHARLIE (or whatever you want to call the back marker, we call it a back marker) is responsible for anything coming up behind the group, only a very experienced rider does this duty.....If a set of lights come up fast then he accelerates and passes the whole mob...in doing so they all look in the rear view mirror, NO HAND SIGNALS GIVEN OR NECCESARY, YOU KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE BARS!!! As soon as hand signals are given and copied is when you start seeing bikes colliding and a mass drop happens and someone always gets injured...BOTH HANDS ALWAYS ON THE BARS!!!!!
As he passes you ..... If you are on the left column of riders you close in behind the next guy in front and to the right making a much tighter line...ALL BACK OFF THE THROTTLE until the lights and sirens have passed and the road is again clear to ride, staggered line astern.....
Who is TAIL END CHARLIE you may ask?
Its WHOEVER is the designated last rider...Once he has allerted the whole mob he joins in behind the club officers...After the road clear is given by a front end hand signal he then pulls wide of the lines and resumes TAIL END CHARLIE position again.....Or at least, THATS how it works in ALL the clubs I have been in, even prospects know this long before they get to put on a prospect patch...If a hangaround cant keep it right in the mob he aint ever going to be putting a patch on.....
And As Usual.....I Have Said Way Too Much Yet Again...But Yes, I Do Have A Lot To Say.....
TAIL END CHARLIE (or whatever you want to call the back marker, we call it a back marker) is responsible for anything coming up behind the group, only a very experienced rider does this duty.....If a set of lights come up fast then he accelerates and passes the whole mob...in doing so they all look in the rear view mirror, NO HAND SIGNALS GIVEN OR NECCESARY, YOU KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE BARS!!! As soon as hand signals are given and copied is when you start seeing bikes colliding and a mass drop happens and someone always gets injured...BOTH HANDS ALWAYS ON THE BARS!!!!!
As he passes you ..... If you are on the left column of riders you close in behind the next guy in front and to the right making a much tighter line...ALL BACK OFF THE THROTTLE until the lights and sirens have passed and the road is again clear to ride, staggered line astern.....
Who is TAIL END CHARLIE you may ask?
Its WHOEVER is the designated last rider...Once he has allerted the whole mob he joins in behind the club officers...After the road clear is given by a front end hand signal he then pulls wide of the lines and resumes TAIL END CHARLIE position again.....Or at least, THATS how it works in ALL the clubs I have been in, even prospects know this long before they get to put on a prospect patch...If a hangaround cant keep it right in the mob he aint ever going to be putting a patch on.....
And As Usual.....I Have Said Way Too Much Yet Again...But Yes, I Do Have A Lot To Say.....
TAIL END CHARLIE (or whatever you want to call the back marker, we call it a back marker) is responsible for anything coming up behind the group, only a very experienced rider does this duty.....If a set of lights come up fast then he accelerates and passes the whole mob...in doing so they all look in the rear view mirror, NO HAND SIGNALS GIVEN OR NECCESARY, YOU KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE BARS!!! As soon as hand signals are given and copied is when you start seeing bikes colliding and a mass drop happens and someone always gets injured...BOTH HANDS ALWAYS ON THE BARS!!!!!
As he passes you ..... If you are on the left column of riders you close in behind the next guy in front and to the right making a much tighter line...ALL BACK OFF THE THROTTLE until the lights and sirens have passed and the road is again clear to ride, staggered line astern.....
Who is TAIL END CHARLIE you may ask?
Its WHOEVER is the designated last rider...Once he has allerted the whole mob he joins in behind the club officers...After the road clear is given by a front end hand signal he then pulls wide of the lines and resumes TAIL END CHARLIE position again.....Or at least, THATS how it works in ALL the clubs I have been in, even prospects know this long before they get to put on a prospect patch...If a hangaround cant keep it right in the mob he aint ever going to be putting a patch on.....
And As Usual.....I Have Said Way Too Much Yet Again...But Yes, I Do Have A Lot To Say.....
As one of those "Amublance drivers". I like the back of the pack even if I do know everyone in the group. After all someone has got to call my para peeps when the fit hits the shan!!!. 
Sorry Savage, Didn't mean to hijack your post, Sometimes I can't keep my soap box in my pocket.