What's Your Line?

Do you know where you should be riding when riding with a group in a staggered formation? Yeah, yeah, I know, most of you will say left or right tire track because it depends on how you fall in together, and as a general rule this is true, but it does change from mile to mile. When riding a motorcycle we have three lines with-in our lane, the left line, the center strip, and the right tire track. This is how we avoid road hazards like the dead Skunk in the road, and how we have the freedom and room to fall into a single line if the Road Captain signals one finger to the sky because of a tight road or sharp curve on a two lane black top.
In a group, regardless of what line you are riding in, you do not need to hold that line when you could use more pavement to straighten out a curve. In a series of curves, or a single tight one in the middle of nowhere, go to the two second following rule and form a single line behind the leader, who will know how to use the three choices of lane position to ease the G forces of the apex. The group of motorcycles should fall into a long twisting single line of bikes and not fall back into a left/right position until the road will allow it. If you need to counter steer a little more to hold the same line as the bike ahead remember, push right go right, push left go left. Use the Chicken Strips (tire sidewall) along with heads up, good posture with feet on the pegs, and looking where you want to go to enjoy the lean. Do not look at the shoulder in a left curve and do not look across the center line in a right curve. If the pace is uncomfortable for you notify the Road Captain at the next stop that you will be dropping behind or going ahead.
Constantly check your mirrors, and scan a few bikes ahead. Cover blind spots with a quick glance to your left or right before changing tracks or lanes and always be aware of the others around you.
John 'Hammer' Hanzlik
ALR Road Captain, Chapter 1 Omaha