A ton of tips for riding motorcycles in large groups!

With the motorcycle season now over 😭, some people are already dreaming about their next group motorcycle ride because, yes, it is really, really fun! Having had the opportunity to ride with 5, 10, 100 people, and even in the company of 7,000 motorcycles, at different events around the world, I can tell you that the adrenaline and ecstasy are at their height sometimes.

Although the SAAQ recommends riding in small groups of about 5 people, it sometimes happens that we deviate from the rules, especially during motorcycle rides organized for good causes, such as the “Ride de filles” or the ” Harley-Davidson Rallies”. I have therefore decided to share with you some tips for use and some practices for your future group hikes.

This summer, I had the chance to experience a great moment on a motorcycle with some hyper-passionate people. We were 112 people, 89 motorcycles. It was a HOG (Harley Owner Group) inter-chapter ride that had been organized by the HOG Montérégie, Abitibi and Lac-Saint-Jean chapter directors as well as by me, without forgetting the participation of the sponsoring dealers.

So, we agreed to meet in Saguenay to experience a magnificent day of motorcycling all together. Direction the 381 in the morning, the Grands-Jardins, dinner at the Petit Manoir de Charlevoix and return via Petit-Saguenay, Anse-Saint-Jean, Saint-Félix-d’Otis: people loved discovering these magnificent roads on a motorcycle .

I remind you that we were 89 motorcycles! It was such a beautiful sight in the mirrors of the motorcycles, this beautiful big parade! It was also impressive for the people who saw us pass through the villages. We were like “rockstars” having our photos and videos taken, because it’s not every day that people get to see a great Harley-Davidson parade!

It was during this event that I decided to write this article of tips, because I was able to observe several more or less questionable behaviors in certain motorcyclists.

So let’s get back to the basic tips for organizing a ride like this:

• Ideally provide people with the route in advance in GPX format (if Harley) The HD app is really well done.
• Remember: the more of you there are, the longer the hike and the longer the stops.
• Make sure people have fueled up before heading out on the road with the group.
• Validate the size of the gas tanks of your participants’ motorcycles. A person with a Sportster will not be able to ride as long as a person with a Touring motorcycle. You should therefore plan your stops accordingly.
• Calculate the number of participating motorcyclists, and make sure you have the right number of road captains and sweepers.
• Preferably, practice the route a few days before the “D” day in the company of the road captains, in order to be aware of what is happening (eg road works, detours, etc.).

PLEASE NOTE, NOT EVERYONE IS USED TO RIDING IN A GROUP

• Meet with everyone before departure to give advice, remind them of the safety instructions, the procedure to follow and the important signs to do.
• Do not hesitate to tell someone that their clothing is not suitable for riding with you. If necessary, you can exclude them from the ride. Remember: as the organizer, you are responsible for the participants.
• Likewise, if a person does not seem to have all their faculties before departure, do not hesitate to exclude them.
• Ask who the new riders are and ideally position them second in the group so that a more experienced rider can lead them.
• Talk about drinking rules during breaks or at lunchtime.
• Properly identify people with first aid kits.
• Place the three wheels ideally at the end of the peloton.
• If someone in your group has to stop on the side of the road during the ride, make sure the sweeper stops to make sure everything is okay. You don’t have to have the whole group stop for one person.

Other tips and scenarios:

What if a car wants to enter the procession? We let her do it, it’s no use fighting with a car, we have no protection.

If you want to change lanes and a car seems to be slowing down to let you pass, wave it through—that way your convoy won’t be split.

It’s great fun to ride in a group, but remember: safety comes first at all times. Example: if you are cut off from your gang, do not overtake on the left to join your friends.

• Attention ! Keep pace with the ride, don’t ride too close to your neighbor. This is how accidents happen! However, do not leave too much space for a car to enter between the motorcycles. Don’t do the elastic.
• If you don’t feel very well the morning of departure, think of others, don’t just think of yourself. If something goes wrong during the ride, it could endanger the lives of your friends.
• If you have any doubts about your health status, discuss it with your group.

Block the streets or not! That is the question….

In theory, the streets should not be blocked! But if you do, do it smart.

Previously, police officers were often available to escort group rides. Now, if you want a police escort to block streets or traffic lights, most cities will charge you an amount of money to use their service. So, best to check before embarking on a mega-ride.

Remember that SAFETY should always be your priority at your events.

In order to avoid losing your participants on the course, identify people who know the route well, put them in a fluorescent safety vest and tell them to stay on the corner of the road and indicate to people in which direction they must turn at intersections.

Also, motorists, little advice, be patient! You have protection, motorcyclists don’t!

In closing, don’t forget that the important thing is to ride! Even if you lose your companions for a few minutes, you will all arrive at the same destination: then you can all together have a good beer and talk about this fabulous motorcycle adventure you have had.

Annie