Does a trike lead--- trail---or middle?

[Gabby Hayes]

Hello fellow Trikers,

An interesting question came up at our recent Chapter Meeting. Where do you as a trike rider go when riding in a group---Lead---trail--staggered in the middle with two wheelers-side by side with a two wheeler----side by side with another trike? I was told the agreement amongst us was single file- most experienced either front or trail and less experienced amongst the others either two or three wheeled.

What think you ?

[RottieLuvr]

Personally I prefer to lead. Especially if I don't know the group really well. IF (God forbid) something were to happen, you'll be ahead of it. If it's a trike only group, we agree to single file staggered pattern. No matter your position, ALWAYS leave yourself an out.

[Lunchbox1983]

Every group will treat this differently usually they stick all the trikes are the rear, but they have no clue......

I am a senior Road Captain and as a triker I lead the pack, if I am trainng a Road Captian I am number 2 in line so I can yell or take over at any stupid moves, my wife is one of 2 of our tail Gunners, she is on a trike. We both earned our position within the group by riding skill, not what we ride. Our group also has trikes and bikes mixed up in the middle or where ever they jump in line.

We do not ride 2 abreast on bike or trike, we ride staggered formation 3 seconds apart, the trike tend to do the same but holding a little more to center. Trikes and Bikes can safetly ride together.

That said if I am a guest ride somewhere else, I smile and go to the rear of the pack cause thats where they think trikes should be.

[Rod69]

The group that I ride is is a mixed group. Two and three wheels. We have one trike that leads and a 2 wheeler that leads. We ride staggered also. Dont like to ride two abreast. Were all good friends and it doesn't matter where we fall in line. Sometimes we have a small group, sometimes larger, we switch around a lot. Most of the time we have the more experinced riders in the front and back.

[John Luciano]

Was told trikes should follow. Reason is brakes on trikes are stronger ( bigger brakes and x3 ) they stop faster so the 2 wheeler could end up rear ending them . I still like lead but my 2 wheeled friends say I go too fast in the twisty and they can't keep up

[ladyff1481]

When I ride I usually end up in a spot according to my arrival to the ride start time.

[Trent]

So far all the different groups I have ridden with don't care where I am at. They have learned that I fer sure don't slow 'em down in the twistys. I kinda like being in the rear though, just to watch what is going on.

[curley03]

I like the rear I can see everyone. Front and rear have CBs so they can keep track. So far I've been the witness of 2 wheel bikes going down. Thanks for my good brakes I avoided them. I fought the battle of trikes not being able to keep up and can't turn as well. Don't argue about it anymore except when a new road captain says that trikes lack the performence to keep up, so far no one has accepted the challenge to run for pink slips. The younger set doesn't know about that. Often when we get split up and new riders don't know where we are a trike with a GPS will take over lead. This is an old topic here it comes up often same outcome it depends on the background of the group you are riding with. Try riding with a group of air head harley bikes on a vrod triked out , 2 strikes against me but I'm prettier and more shiny and faster.

[rmrc51]

I usually don't know the route anyway and I don't have a gps, so I gladly will stay at the back of the pack.

[hillycat]

Most everyone I ride with are 2 wheels so I have taken over as the tailgunner. Also, most of the time I know where our ride is going so if we have guests and they are slower I can get them to where ever we are going!

I enjoy the view from in back and yes they can't keep up with me in the twisties!!! LOL

[skuuter]

Rarely I'm not asked to lead at most every ride I attend, be it Trikes, 2-wheelers, or "mixed".....I've even led Sport Bikes through the Dragon and had to wait on a few at times......"NO", the TRIKE TALK RALLY IN THE VALLEY V Group Ride "WILL NOT" be Led at such a Torrid Pace....Scenic, Laid Back, Enjoyable Pace...just pointin' out that it really probably makes no difference where a Trike rides in a Group.....

[adaptolife]

I ride next to Karen, but we ride staggered in a group. I ride wherever I fall in when a group departs. My bike is narrower than other trikes, so I got no problem having someone along side. I have enough power to keep the pace.

[Trent]

You dont enjoy ridin' with a bunch of your friends and other people that share the pleasure of it? I enjoy lone wolf rides too, but it is fun with my Buds and others also. To each his own, with no judgements on my part.

[joncallihan]

Nope! Fun to us is just the two of us out trying to get lost! You never know who you'll meet or what you'll see! Now that's riding!

I fully agree. I don't have the herd instinct, hence never any desire to ride a Hog when I was still on two wheels. I will occasionally ride with one other, very rarely with two more. More than that is just plain torture.

As to spacing: three seconds, at least, behind the one or two in front. NEVER side by side.

Jon

[motorcyclemania]

We ride to the back in less I'm the road captian that day. Never ride side by side always leave yourself a way out.

[Ed Hobgood]

Most of my riding is done with two other couples. We take turns leading but to tell you the truth I like riding in the back so I see more of what the other bikers are doing.

[turboman1354]

I`m mostly a lone wolf rider but occasionally like riding in groups. most of the groupstend to ride faster than i want to go. i can keep up wit them but to me it takes away some of the fun of enjoying the ride.