Group Riding Styles

By Gary La France (Arizona Sun Chasers)

Through the many years of riding with all style of riders, it has become apparent there are four styles of group riding. 

Each has its unique features and requirements of the riders within the group.

Two Up

This style is one used by many of the old time “Biker” clubs.  The group forms up in two parallel lines with the riders riding next to each

other sharing the lane.  This is a style, that denotes trust that the riders in front, to the side and behind you, rides as good as you do. 

It gives a rush of being in unity with all those in the group a true bonding of brotherhood.   The Two-Up style is very impressive as it passes

anyone else on the road with the continuous thunder and visual assault as they flicker by at speed.  The advantage of this style is it compactness,

being able to pack a lot of riders in a small section of road. The group always has a Leader and Tail.  Sometimes there are Out-Riders that move

up and down the line to block traffic.   The most impressive maneuver performed by the Out-Riders, is to move up the center of the pack to get t

o the front when there is no room on the shoulder of left of the group.  The group must have the discipline to ride the edge of the lane to give

room for this to happen.

Two-Up has a Ride Leader, Tail, sometimes Out-Riders Unity and Discipline.

Staggered

This is a modification of the Two-Up style.  The change is that the bikes even though still in two parallel lines alternate or stagger their spacing

as so no two bikes are next to each other.   This allows each bike the full width of the road to maneuver to avoid hazards in their path. This also

allows to group to form a single file quickly to move around objects or slower vehicles.  This style is a more relax style and is good for training

new motorcyclist to group riding.  Many of the “Leisure Riding “ clubs use this style in that it allows more time to look around and is not so

intense.  One issue with this style is that it stretches out the group on the road.  The Arizona Sun Chasers ride in this style and will break the group

up in town to make it safer to get through lights and traffic.  We will ride with even numbers, six to eight, so they can join back together with

out shifting positions. 

Staggered has at time multiple Leaders, Tails, sometimes Out-Riders Unity and Discipline.

Random

This style while still having a group leader does not have a firm order of position of the following riders.  They may be two-up or staggered. 

They can move up next to their fellow rider or fall back.  This style may have two lines or even a single tail behind the leader. Only order in

this style is that which the leader creates in his control of the speed the group rides at.  There is only the unity install by the leader and no

true sense of order or brotherhood typically

Random has at a Leader, maybe a Tail and as much Discipline that the leader instills.

Chaotic

Even though I note this as a group style, there is no true sense of unity or group in it.  This is a pack of riders running with no leader, no order,

with only the finish as its goal. Many of the young sport bike groups are in this style as they race to the final destination.  I have seen groups of cruiser,

 buddies that are new to riding, having just bought bikes, ride in this style with no true sense of brotherhood.  While there is the rush of a race,

there is no safety in the group or caution due to the unknown hazards of the road.  This is the most dangerous way to ride in a group.

Chaotic has no true Leader, no Discipline and very little safety.

I have ridden in all four styles of group riding.  The Chaotic style instills the rush of fear, as you are not sure what the guy (gal) next to might do. 

The Random style is not much better with the exception of at least the minor control in the speed of the group.  The first two styles have the

components that make riding in a group enjoyable, Unity and Discipline.

A lot of people have problems with the intensity of Two-Up style riding at speed down a two-lane road.  It is a style you must try only with

groups that do it normally to be safe.

To enjoy the open road and scenery around you in a safe and leisure ride, try the Staggered style.

Ride Safe, Ride Hard, Ride for Yourself.