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What they
didn't teach in MSF
When riding alone or in the lead of a group, as you approach the crest
of a hill, move away from the center line. By the time oncoming traffic
is visible it can be too late to move should you find someone coming
at you in your lane if you have not already bought some air-space.
(Actually, this one IS taught in the MSF class - I include it for
emphasis.)
When riding in a group it is far more important to put your most qualified/experienced/prepared
rider in the drag position than it is to put that person in the lead.
This person is, after all, the first person who will need to deal
with an accident, is in the best position to observe the riding skills
of the others and recommend changes to accommodate them if need be,
and is the person that most often obtains that new lane for the group.
That's plenty of activity and responsibility, and merits the best,
not the worst of the group.
When riding as a group, lane changes into a lane that is moving slower
than you are should be done just as you do when passing a car - one
at a time, first bike to last. The drag bike being the last bike to
make the lane change. Observe that so long as the lead bike takes
over the slower lane and maintains speed, the hole in the target lane
gets larger and everybody can move over (one by one) with minimal
time consumed. Only after the drag bike has made the lane change should
speeds for the group be changed (lowered) to insure that everyone
can get into the new lane. Note, please, that this assumes that there
is sufficient opening ahead of the car being passed. If not, then
a last-to-front maneuver is called for (the lead bike will slow the
group down upon hearing that the drag bike has obtained the lane.)
The choice is made by the lead bike.
When riding as a group, lane changes into a lane that is moving faster
than you are should be done back to front - the drag bike obtaining
the lane, and the others coming over only after the bike behind them
has moved, and only if they individually confirm it is safe to do
so. Pretty standard stuff, I'll grant you, other than the last to
first moves. This is done because with the drag bike in position and
maintaining his original speed, the 'hole' in the target lane gets
larger in front of him. If you wait until everyone can move into it
at once, that hole is awfully inviting to impatient automobile drivers
too.
One lesson that the MSF class teaches that I think needs to be clarified
better is their admonition to always stop with one foot on the ground.
Fine, if it is a small bike, but a touring bike should be stopped
placing both feet on the ground at the same time, in my opinion. A
slick spot is unforgiving, and very dangerous. Your rear brake can
be released if your front brake is holding at 2 MPH with no concerns
whatever. (Obviously, you do not put feet down until the bike is fully
stopped.) The MSF used to teach that you stop with your RIGHT foot
on the ground and the other on the peg. That was changed to LEFT foot
down so that you could keep your right foot on the brake. In either
case, by definition, your bike is not vertical with only one foot
on the ground. If you must make a fast departure (to get out of somebody's
way, for example), it takes more time to do so with one foot down
rather than two. This, because you must straighten the bike as you
depart, you have a more erratic start, and you must first take your
right foot OFF the brake - all time consuming. Finally, you can probably
rather easily handle a smaller bike with one leg, but a large touring
bike is another case entirely. [There are always exceptions to the
rule, of course. If you are stopped at a light on a severe incline,
your right foot belongs on the brake pedal. Similarly, in a panic
stop situation you want to stop with your foot still on the rear brake.]
Another lesson that is not quite emphasised enough in MSF class is
that your mirrors only say NO. That is, if you see a
problem in your mirrors, they are telling you NOT to move into that
problem. If they do not show you a problem that is not the same as
them saying YES, make your move. Head checks every time (MSF does
teach this!)
If it's shiny or black, ride a different track. Just because you are
in staggered formation does NOT mean that you have to stay in your
track. There is a whole lane at your disposal without encroaching
on the traffic rights of other motorists. You ride staggered to give
you maneuvering room in case you need it. Rather than ride over a
patch of shiny or unusually black surface, assume you need it.
Assuming you are in the slow or second slowest lane and you approach
an on-ramp, do a head check to the right. Equally as important, if
you are approaching an off-ramp, do a head check to the LEFT (and
catch that guy who is about to cut in front of you to make his exit).
If you have a choice of lanes to ride in, the second fastest lane
is a compelling choice. This allows a way for the hot dogs to pass
you (more or less legally), and is, not incidentally, where the least
lane changing takes place (unless it is a three-lane road, of course.)
There is nothing magic or sacred about avoiding the center track of
your lane. Debris usually ends up not in the center track, but on
the lines on a freeway. Since there is so little stopping on a freeway,
the center track is usually not significantly more greasy than to
either side of it. So, in high wind situations, favor the center track.
Passing between a pair of 18-wheelers, use the center track. Riding
in the fast lane with a guard rail or retaining wall near by, use
the center track.
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