Road Cpt....inside or out??

[MikeTra]

We had our local HOG meeting last night and had a very interesting discussion on where the lead Road Cpt should ride....the inside (yellow line) or on the outside part of the lane. I know that the MSF course suggests the inside but several of us are thinking that the outside might be better. To me, it gives everyone in the pack a clearer view of what the RC is doing..especially in regards to hand signals and other signals. Nobody could really come up with a convincing reason as to why one position is better than the other! Just wondering what your chapters are doing and if you think that it really matters???

[jkane]

Cars are paying attention to the bike in the left 1/3 of the lane. They don't even look at the other parts of the lane. Ride where the other drivers are looking for you to be. It also gives you eye contact when catching up to old slow people.

The leader should be in that high visibility position for other drivers more than for the group who are already looking ahead at the leader.

[SAFXDL]

In our training, it is understood that the Road Captain is not part of the stagger formation. The Road Captain in many cases center themselves or move across from one side to the other. At times, it may be necessary for the Road Captain to adjust his position so he can see the “sweep” Road Captain and give him/her a signal. For example, we may be riding in heavy traffic and need to change lanes. The Lead R/C signals the Sweep R/C to make a hole for a safe lane change…basically, finding an opening, pulling in the next lane and holding traffic back so the group can pull over. Otherwise, in my experiences as Road Captain, I found next to the yellow line the best spot for me to see the group behind me as well as to monitor traffic that may be trying to come around us.

[LittleBear]

Originally Posted by SAFXDL

In our training, it is understood that the Road Captain is not part of the stagger formation. The Road Captain in many cases center themselves or move across from one side to the other. At times, it may be necessary for the Road Captain to adjust his position so he can see the “sweep” Road Captain and give him/her a signal. For example, we may be riding in heavy traffic and need to change lanes. The Lead R/C signals the Sweep R/C to make a hole for a safe lane change…basically, finding an opening, pulling in the next lane and holding traffic back so the group can pull over. Otherwise, in my experiences as Road Captain, I found next to the yellow line the best spot for me to see the group behind me as well as to monitor traffic that may be trying to come around us.

And there you have it.

[CAPTIANBUZZ]

As a road captain in the lead I lead on the left. As a sweep I try to stay in the middle so that the lead can see me. I also try to wear something that will stand out so it makesit easier for the lead to make me out from the rest of the group.

[Flatline]

As a past road captain and usually place in the roll many times since, the training and experience shows that being in the left next to the center lane is best overall. As mentioned, car drivers are looking for anything in the left half of the lane. Also, if cars are passing they will not see ya if your in the right side of the lane and in my experience will usually run ya out of your own lane. Been cut off several times in my earlier experiences.

Also, best to have cb for captain and sweep. but, not always available. Get together before the ride and have a chit chat along with the group that you're in charge of getting to destination. Nice to have all ya ducks in a row if ya know what I mean. Just my .02 worth.
Flatline

[geezerglide]

Our lead rides in left also. we use several rc's on chapter rides interspersed through the pack and they all have cb's, and are familiar with the route.The ones not on ultras use handlbar mounted cb units.

[RABNTN]

Initial post mentioned that the thought was MSF recommends the lead RC be positioned to the left (5th bullet point, 2nd sentence), which begins the staggered formation (per diagram). As you can see from their website, this is the correct MSF recommendation. This is the "written reason" why RC stays left....

Originally Posted by Flatline

As a past road captain and usually place in the roll many times since, the training and experience shows that being in the left next to the center lane is best overall. As mentioned, car drivers are looking for anything in the left half of the lane. Also, if cars are passing they will not see ya if your in the right side of the lane and in my experience will usually run ya out of your own lane. Been cut off several times in my earlier experiences.

...and the above quote are the "real life" reasons for the lead RC to stay left...well-stated and dead-on.

Regarding the Lead RC not being a part of the stagger, if I were the 2nd rider in the group, I'd be nervous with this arrangement. Assuming that the group is not too large, use of mirrors and having the Sweep be the only bike running passing lamps should help with lane changes. (Side note thought- in heavy traffic, with a group of any size at all, I would refrain from any lane changes until traffic lightened up). I just cannot see any positives gained from the lead RC not maintaining left & staggered, that would not be outweighed by the potential negatives.

[103FLHX]

Left, as everyone said.

[sthorp]

Definately left, next to the center line.

[jeepwatchman]

Ditto what everyone has said. They are part of the formation and ride to the left part of the lane near the center line.