Passes & Canyons Blog

In staggered formation the leader normally takes the left position in the lane.

I was on a ride with the RMMRC last week and, as has often been the case, Bob was in the lead. And then, as has often been the case, Bob did a couple things that I have wondered about. It dawned on me then what he was doing in one case but not the other, so at a stop I asked him about both.

The first question was one I’ve mentioned here before. I normally think of the leader of a group that is riding in staggered formation being in the left part of the traffic lane. The second person staggers to the right and the rest go back and forth. But on multi-lane highways Bob consistently positions himself, as the lead rider, to the right side of the lane. Why? I asked him.

I had my theory but it was wrong. I was thinking that if we were in the far left lane that he put himself on the right side of the lane so as to better see, in his mirror, traffic behind in the next lane over. Nope. He said he does it because he figures it’s safer when he’s passing someone in the next lane over. That they are more likely to see him in their mirrors if he is closer in to them.

There is some sense to that. The fact is that most people do not have their mirrors pushed out far enough, so the closer in line you are with their car the more likely they are to see you. Still, is that the best position? Bob said he didn’t know, that was just his presumption.

I did a little searching and came up with a different answer. In this article, for example, they argue that you’re better off in the left portion of the lane because that gives you more room to maneuver: “It’s best to stay out the side closest to the nearest vehicle. For example, while you ride in the far-left lane, you should stay to the left side of that lane. This gives you added protection and room to react if a car in the adjacent lane starts to creep over.”

So that’s not necessarily the indisputable answer but it is a different idea to also consider. But anyway, that’s why Bob does it. Question answered.

The other is a really interesting idea. There have been times, strictly on two-lane roads, when Bob has moved over into the center of the oncoming lane and just cruised there. I had always assumed he was doing that so he could better see the riders back at the tail end of the group. This time it dawned on me what he was up to, and he confirmed my conjecture.

We had gotten behind a very slow-moving vehicle, some piece of construction equipment. He and a couple others passed when they could but the rest had to wait. Bob moved into the oncoming lane. It dawned on me: by placing himself there he was making it absolutely clear to those behind that there was no oncoming traffic at that moment. If there was, he sure as heck would not be there; the fact that he was there was intended as a sign that it was safe for the others to pass, even if they couldn’t see what was up ahead. Brilliant!

So. You learn something new every day. Or at least you should try to.

Biker Quote for Today

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