Riding Formation

We ride safer when we know where our fellow riders are and where they will be.  

Single File Formation 
Riders may use all of their lane.  This is commonly used when the road is narrow and/or twisty. This gives riders maximum maneuverability.  There should be at least a 2 second gap between you and the bike ahead of you.

Staggered Formation
Riders use two separate “tracks” within a single lane.  This keeps the group as tight as possible, making it easier to keep the group together.  There should be a 4 second gap between you and the bike ahead of you in the same track and 2 seconds between you and the bike ahead in the opposite track.

Front Fill Lane Change to the Left  
There is no hand signal for this maneuver.  The Road Captain will turn on his/her left blinker and move 1 lane to the left.  When it is safe to do so, the bikes behind the Road Captain will turn on their left blinkers and move to the left in the order indicated.  If there is other traffic in the lane, and it is safe to do so, move ahead of the traffic before changing lanes so there are no vehicles separating the group.

Front Fill Lane Change to the Right 
There is no hand signal for this maneuver.  The Road Captain will turn on his/her right blinker and his/her wing man, when it is safe to do so, will turn on his/her right blinker and move 1 lane to the right.  If the wing man doesn’t notice the Road Captain’s turn signal right away, the Road Captain may motion with his/her right arm for the wing man to change lanes. When it is safe to do so, the remaining bikes will turn on their right blinkers and move to the right in the order indicated. If there is other traffic in the lane, and it is safe to do so, move ahead of the traffic before changing lanes so there are no vehicles separating the group. 

Rear Fill Lane Change to the Left
Rear fills are used to create space in an adjacent lane in moderate to heavy traffic. The Road Captain will give the hand signal for a rear fill to the left.  Each rider repeats this signal in turn.  The Tail Gunner will give the hand signal as well to indicate it was received.  When it is safe to do so, the Tail Gunner will turn on his/her left blinker and move to the left. When it is safe to do so, the remaining bikes will turn on their left blinkers and move to the left in the order shown.  If there is traffic in the left lane, wave it forward and let it pass before moving to the left.
Keep in mind that the Tail Gunner may already be in the left lane before the signal is given.  The Tail Gunner is anticipating where the Road Captain may want to go and will often move to an adjacent lane just in case the Road Captain wants to move there.  Do not change lanes until the Road Captain gives the hand signal. 

Rear Fill Lane Change to the Right 
Same as the rear fill to the left, only we’re going right and the order is mirror image.


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