Group Run Etiquette (an idiots guide sort of thing...)

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

A few people have asked about this sort of thing over the summer, and it suddenly occurred to me I'd never seen anything written down, really.

 

It just seems to be something we pick up from going on runs with others, particularly if they're from the biker community. There's not really a right or a wrong, and somethings change depending on group size. However, there are a few key points there work well regardless.

 

1. make sure every one knows which the lead car is for any leg of the run, and that if overtaking (between Westfields) is practiced, (not really a good idea, see next point), that no one is to overtake the lead car. You change leads at halts only.
2. every car is to maintain visual contact with the car behind there will be times when you temporarily loose sight of them, then  slow until they catch up. Regardless, when you come to the next turn, you must wait wherever it is safe to do so, where you can be seen by the car behind you, until they catch up. Once the car behind has reached you, you should be able to catch the group ahead up, as they have all slowed once you went missing! If the car behind you doesn't appear after five minutes or so, hang on where you are, as the group ahead of you will see you missing too, and come back either as a group, or just a search party to see if you have a problem, at which point you can go back and search for the car behind you. - this is why overtaking each other is bad sometimes, it's hard to keep track of the car your following and make sure you've still got the right car behind!
3. if the car ahead has a problem and has to pull over, then everyone behind them should pull over too, so that the cars ahead will realise and come back. There may be nothing anyone else can do, but this allows the group to reform and get back into the buddy convoy.
4. Likewise, if you'll be leaving the group during one leg of the run, make sure the leader of that leg, at least, knows, and that when you peel off, you make sure the car ahead and behind realise what you're doing. There's nothing worse than sitting in a lay by waiting for someone that's actually gone home! Equally, there's nothing worse, especially for newbies or inexperienced members than suddenly finding themselves on their own in a strange place with everyone else disappearing off over the horizon.
5. on long runs, it's a good idea to have prearranged stopping points where the group can reassemble if it gets separated. (This doesn't mean stopping for a brew necessarily, it might just be a handy petrol station to pull over at while everyone catches up.)
6. If you have a really big group, say a dozen or more cars, consider having more than one leader and several small groups, with each leader having a map/sat nav/route guide etc
7. Swap phone numbers before starting big runs!

 

Thats the main stuff really, there are all sorts of refinements, from two way radios o giving out road books, but if everyone practices the basic "keep sight of your buddy behind" technique, everyone should be able to enjoy themselves without stressing over getting lost.

[John Williams (Panda) - Joint Manchester AO]

A  tip we have learnt from experienced:  if a group is overtaking is they stay right until an on comming vehicle is visible then return to the left; then the whole group knows its safe and can do one big overtake safely.

[jonjh1964]

Excellent advice, I'd also offer a suggestion that the group should agree a "pace" that the lead car should not routinely exceed (possibly the  below legal speed?) as following cars will have to go faster to catch up after junctions, overtakes etc. Perhaps this is covered by the "make sure you keep the car behind in sight" but I know people who won't drive in groups because of previous experiences of feeling pressured to go faster than they are comfortable.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

A  tip we have learnt from experienced:  if a group is overtaking is they stay right until an on comming vehicle is visible then return to the left; then the whole group knows its safe and can do one big overtake safely.

 

Yeah, we do similar.

 

Jon, I know what you mean, but was deliberately keeping clear of speed and driving style comments - not because they're not important, they are, but just because it's a slightly separate thing and I didn't want to complicate the thread too much!

 

At its simplest though, the "buddy behind" system, which AFAIK, originates from the bike world, always either kept the group at the pace of the slowest member, or provided them with ample opportunities to catch up, without feeling the need to ride outside their comfort zone - and get stressed out accordingly.

 

The speed of the lead car in a (larger) group is an interesting thing though; you get the sort of reverse version of the "shock wave" effect you commonly see on the motorway when someone in a long line of traffic slows, and those behind each have to slow a little harder and a little more, till eventually someone has to stop!

 

In the case of a large group of Westfields though, for instance, if the lead car is doing  X mph, and accelerating briskly, each car behind has to accelerate that bit harder and go that bit faster to keep up. With a lot of cars, eventually you get to the point where people near the back are feeling pressured into very high speeds and are constantly foot through the floorboards when accelerating. (This is one of the reasons for splitting into smaller groups with a few "leader" cars; it doesn't matter if the groups get a little separated, you've only to keep up with someone two or three cars ahead!

[Rory's Dad]

I wouldn't do that overtake thing - it's problematic in all sorts of ways.

 

The other thing to do is give a double toot when everyone is ready to go.  It started as a "...for Gawd's sake get going Martin!" to a useful proceedure. 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

I wouldn't do that overtake thing - it's problematic in all sorts of ways.

 

I deliberately didn't include it in the main list for those sort of reasons.

 

As I say, we do sometimes use it, but frankly only amongst drivers very familiar with running together and experienced in the sort of brisk run that includes overtaking other vehicles.