WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

We all have our faults, or in this case, default.

When riding with others, whether it just be Shira and me, or a group (small group – Byers’ Rule of 6 is brilliant), I almost inevitably find myself at point. Lead dog. By default.

In some ways, I feel like I am riding by myself for all these thousands of miles, but even at the lead, I am keeping an eye on those behind me. Sometimes too much.

Like products, well-thought-out placement can be key to a successful ad campaign and happy ride.

This last season Shira and I were heading east on West Virginia Route 33. Almost all our experience on 33 has been in and around Virginia and West Virginia, but this road has some serious history, as when it was created it simply followed the path that natives were using to get from the Chesapeake Bay to Lake Michigan for thousands of years. The road runs over 700 miles from the Richmond area to northern Indiana.

People followed other people all the time on this route, but this day, as we headed north, we had a larger sport bike group heading west over the mountains. A gaggle of nicely spaced-out machines running at a quick pace. I think we always take notice when riding the twisties, and suddenly there were bogeys heading quickly in your direction.

All was good, and noticing a group heading in the other direction was natural, but after the last bike passed by us, I noticed that I was beginning to relax again. I did not notice I had become unrelaxed, but when the "dawdler," the last rider in the pack, came around the next bend ahead of us, his wheels touching into our lane at the apex, we both instinctively slid a bit to the right.

As he passed, tee shirt flapping in the wind for both he and his female pillion, we truly took notice.

I remember being this guy. 

Years back when riding with a bunch of other riders, some of whom were very talented and quick, I was not at their level, and as they began to dust me, I felt the need to catch up. It never happened, and thankfully (for me) I learned about the discretion thing years before, and riding over the limits of yourself or your bike will eventually end badly. If you are not running at the speed of the riders in front of you, let them go, you should never try to play this dangerous gambit.

When it is not some misguided demi-race, but just a spirited ride with talented friends, riding in the back, riding the Sweep, has its benefits.

If you are all aware that one specific rider is going to be in the back, it makes keeping a group together all that much easier.

If you have a designated Sweep, that rider can be like a vigilant and watchful lookout, keeping an eye on the group and making sure some do not zig, when all the others have zagged. Being the Sweep also gives you a chance to watch others' techniques, and get a feel for what is coming your way as well.

It takes a special rider to do this every ride, so taking turns now and again might be a good thing.

If you are on a longer trip, running along some new routes and roads, having the Sweep know where they are going - GPS, or spot-on knowledge of the day's ride - is a plus. If that bike has additional lighting, like amber running lights, that will allow the riders ahead of the Sweep to know everybody is present and accounted for.

Every rider should be somewhat responsible for the rider directly behind them. If the group makes a directional change, and some do not see it, they should see the rider ahead of them waiting for them.

If strung out on a long straight and everybody can see the amber running lights of the Sweep – then all is hunky dory.

Volunteering for the task of the Sweep might be worth it for some, and if the group is a happy one, maybe the Sweep should have dessert, or a cocktail, that night on the group. A little benefit for a day’s riding task well done.