Highway etiquette--Is it too presumptuous to crash someone else's group ride?

[kininja]

Hello,

I recently found myself about a hundred miles from home after heading out on a Saturday morning to go for a ride. On the return part of my trip, I hit the main freeway until I could get back to the more interesting rural routes leading back home. I slowly came up behind a pair of riders on what looked like dual-sports and cautiously fell in behind them as the third rider in a staggered formation.

Was this rude to tag along with them?

I wasn't sure if I was welcome to do so but they didn't try to pull away and neither of them gave me the finger or any other type of hand signal. I figured it was in all of our best interest to travel as a group. Safety in numbers, right?

I'm a new rider and very excited about that fact, as well as my recently bought GS500F. I'm doing my best not to offend other people out there as I learn. I'm grateful to have found this wonderful site!

[centuryghost]

Well, I don't know what the official "motorcyclists handbook" says, but it's like seeing two friends walking together on the sidewalk and you just kinda join in and walk with them in a staggered formation. Creepy.

[kininja]

Thanks. Yeah, I can understand how that seems creepy. It did feel a bit like a social experiment. I can just imagine the conversation those two must have had after they pulled off...

[Twisted]

If I am riding on the freeway and see a group of riders heading in the same direction as me I will tag on to the back. Safer to ride in numbers I reckon.

[XLAR8]

sometimes its hard not to sort of join someones ride....

i like to do Mt Glorious and Nebo and the whole northern run (Samford, Clear Mt, Mt Mee ect.) and well so does every other 2 wheel freak, so its kind of hard not to.

[mister]

It is NOT offensive to tack onto the back of someone else's ride. Often, riders will ride together for such safety. Best one I had was a rider caught me on my way home and just stayed. Then another rider joined. By the time the highway split into two there were six of us with me out front. We all knew we didn't know each other, but the other drivers didn't know that.

Experienced riders know jumping in behind to ride with another rider is common. So they did not think odd of you for doing it.

Michael

[NickyNumbers]

Safety in numbers!

[twocool]

Hello,

I recently found myself about a hundred miles from home after heading out on a Saturday morning to go for a ride. On the return part of my trip, I hit the main freeway until I could get back to the more interesting rural routes leading back home. I slowly came up behind a pair of riders on what looked like dual-sports and cautiously fell in behind them as the third rider in a staggered formation.

Was this rude to tag along with them?

I wasn't sure if I was welcome to do so but they didn't try to pull away and neither of them gave me the finger or any other type of hand signal. I figured it was in all of our best interest to travel as a group. Safety in numbers, right?

I'm a new rider and very excited about that fact, as well as my recently bought GS500F. I'm doing my best not to offend other people out there as I learn. I'm grateful to have found this wonderful site!

Yes it is presumptious!  You should hang back a reasonable distance so as to show that you are not part of the group.  Or, on the highway just pass and move on. You should not join in formation with a group unless invited to do so.   People are riding together because they want to ride together...they don't have any particular reason to want to ride with you.  If you form up uninvited, you will meet with anything from mild annoyance to getting your ass kicked.

Around here the larger groups are normally charity runs....everyone pays a "donation" fee in order to join the ride, a freeloading dead beat would not be appreciated.

Also consider that riding in a pack requires some skills, and may actually be more dangerous than riding alone......a beginner will certainly cause concern when joining up with experienced riders.

On a similar note....

Last Sunday while on my 80 mile commute to work, on a county road with 55 mph speed limit, I was coming around a long curve, at least 55 mph....In the distance, two Harley type motorcycles pulled onto the road.  I quickly caught up as they were traveling at only 40 mph.....  they were the typical motorcycle "gang" types, with the whole outfits and gang "colors".  They were going well below the speed limit to make a point.

I just hung back a good distance behind......there was a double yellow line, and I figured if I moved up and passed, they would take it as a challenge or something.

After about a half mile the guy on the left finally looks into his rear view mirror and sees me back there.....he waves me to come on and pass......which I did.....I gave a thank you wave and got the hell out of there fast!


Cookie

[CptAwesome]

Bloody iphones

[CptAwesome]

On a similar note....

Last Sunday while on my 80 mile commute to work, on a county road with 55 mph speed limit, I was coming around a long curve, at least 55 mph....In the distance, two Harley type motorcycles pulled onto the road.  I quickly caught up as they were traveling at only 40 mph.....  they were the typical motorcycle "gang" types, with the whole outfits and gang "colors".  They were going well below the speed limit to make a point.

I just hung back a good distance behind......there was a double yellow line, and I figured if I moved up and passed, they would take it as a challenge or something.

After about a half mile the guy on the left finally looks into his rear view mirror and sees me back there.....he waves me to come on and pass......which I did.....I gave a thank you wave and got the hell out of there fast!


Cookie

Wow no offense but that sounded very pu55sy

[Shaddow]

Yes it is presumptious!  You should hang back a reasonable distance so as to show that you are not part of the group.  Or, on the highway just pass and move on. You should not join in formation with a group unless invited to do so.   People are riding together because they want to ride together...they don't have any particular reason to want to ride with you.  If you form up uninvited, you will meet with anything from mild annoyance to getting your ass kicked.

Wow That Is Really Harsh.
Most riders don't care. Hell just from the replies so far, most don't care. Most I know welcome a fellow brother/sister of the road. Its not rude, its not like you stopped with them and tried to join them at a table for a meal. I stopped with other riders I've been tagging along with on long trips, had a yack, swapped details and split off.
Be polite, don't try and push in between them, don't try and show off and most riders will welcome another bike joining. Even Bikies around where I am welcome other riders tagging along, as long as they aren't drawing undue attention to them.

Do it in the car all the time. If I see other Datsun on the road I'll tag along if we aren't to far varied in speed. Datsun owners enjoy meeting other Datsun owners I've found.

Why I remember once (feel like an old man now) when I had my little KE35 Corolla that I got bored and turboed one holiday (as you do), I was traveling faster than the traffic, by a good margin when a mid 80s M5 came up from behind, moving along nicely shot past me. I took off and kept pace for a while, then dropped back and so did the M5. So I took off again and again it kept pace. Then he over took and I kept pace with him. For over 200 kilometers we did this. Stopped for petrol he pulled had a chat and that was the last I saw of him. Guy would have been a good 15 years older than me at the time. How I kept my license that day I'll never know.

[ojstinson]

Yes, you are!----No, you're not!-----Yes, you are!----No, you're not!-----Yes, you are!-----No, you're not!

What else would you like to know new rider, I hope this has been helpful.

[reload]

It is NOT offensive to tack onto the back of someone else's ride. Often, riders will ride together for such safety. Best one I had was a rider caught me on my way home and just stayed. Then another rider joined. By the time the highway split into two there were six of us with me out front. We all knew we didn't know each other, but the other drivers didn't know that.

Experienced riders know jumping in behind to ride with another rider is common. So they did not think odd of you for doing it.

Michael

that's pretty cool. i like those kinds of random occurrences.

as long as they are down for a calm ride, i personally would not mind.

[zirconx]

I've done it, and I've had other riders join me also. I don't think there are any problems with it. I try to hang back a little more than the rest in the group so they don't feel that I'm forcing myself into their group.

[Tombstones81]

New rider here as well and havnt ran into anyone while riding yet. (friggin week of rain!!) only got 2 full days of riding since fixing up my new purchase.

Just be respectful.
If they dont want you there, I'm sure they will let you know.
and since your new, just keep a safe distance behind. (what I would do anyway)

and as far as the harley riders in possible biker gang colors.
unless your in a Bad area where u KNOW to keep your distance, I would act the same way... respectful

As I myself am more of a cruiser type of person.
but not dumb enough to get a Harley as my 1st bike or have the $ yet.
Just that whole cruiser type, mostly leather, patches, tattoo's, etc etc.
Just that whole bad@$$ appearance.
Not into the Fad part of it, I dress like that every single day since my teenage years (now 29). (Boots, leather jacket, bandannas, always in black and tattoo's)
Its just what I'm into, YEARS before I even had the slightest thought of getting into motorcycling.
Heck im not even really into sport bikes either, but the naked style is the Only style I would ever consider having and luckily enough, got one to start with.
and I am a nice respectful guy.
Hell I actually probably look weird on my GS, in all black, boots and a classic leather biker jacket.
vs everyone else I see wearing your normal sport bike clothing.

So as far as that scenario goes with cruiser (or Harley) riders go, dont judge a book by its cover.
unless ur in a bad area.

[Grommett2k]

IMO it depends on the siuation. Commute time on the way to work/home, the HOV lane has a lot of bikes in it so unavoidable to run into another bike. On a weekend and I come up on what is clearly a group ride, different situation. In either case I would not run up and get right on them. But I am not going to intentionally hang back an abnormal distance, and will only pass when my ride dictates it. I view them as another vehicle on the road. Ride your ride, and all should go well.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

everyone i've caught up to on my streets have been pleasant and more than willing to let you ride with.

a couple weeks ago i came up on a guy riding a SV in the back roads. he was cruising behind a minivan going pretty slow. saw check his mirrors a couple times as he start to spot me. i figured when the van turned off he'd be trying to rossi himself. sure enough, van turned off and twisted the throttle up. i've never ridden with another sport bike so i wanted to keep somewhat close to watch and learn. the first couple turns he put some serious space in between us. i'd almost given up since i didn't want to be putting myself in a sketchy spot. after he broke the line of sight i thought, "oh well, don't need to be riding with him anyways" but then whattaya know? next turn there he was slowed back and waiting on me! he started a bit slower into the turns this time, watching me to see how hard i was pushing. we rode for a good 20 minutes til my turn came up. i flicked my lights up to him, he gave a wave and went off in the distance. it was one of my best rides, got a little kick of confidence in the turns, and got to watch a fellow rider handle a suzuki in the squiggles

definitely just be respectful. they will let you know if they want you there or not.

[OHspartan]

I was actually on the other side of this issue as a new rider- about a week ago (on Mother's Day) I was leaving from a grocery store with flowers and a card. As I was leaving another biker came out of the store just before I pulled out. We ended up heading the same way, he was on some sort of larger cruiser. Even though I started out riding in the middle of the lane, he was pretty much tailgating me, so I moved to the right track, and he stayed just behind in the left. At first I thought, 'hey, that's kinda cool' but it got old quick. I've never been on a group ride before, but I felt very crowded. Then just as soon as another lane opened up (1 to 2 lanes) he floored it, weaved around cars, and was doing at least 50 in a 35.

[NickyNumbers]

Any European riders here?


I live in NYC and can understand the different riding personalities, but it seems like in Greece for me especially, the whole country is on a huge group ride lol.


I always get packs of people riding with me and vice versa in Greece.


Just remember, its a ride, its meant to be fun.  Don't take things so seriously, if you are really offended by someone riding next to you on the highway,  how do you drive your car to work everyday? 

[The Buddha]

Couple of years ago a bunch of random riders formed a group. I know cos I was random rider #2. We caught a few, and a few caught us and a few more merged out of on ramps etc, till there was a 30 or so strong group all in the span of 20 miles. I peeled off and turned around and went home cos I was just testing the bike. Of course there was everything in this bunch harleys, sport bikes, goldies (gold wings), oldies (like my virago), UJM's and weekend warriors (a bike with so much slapped on luggage it reminds you of charlie chaplin in "the kid").
Cool.
Buddha.