Post by scrap on Jun 11, 2012 22:34:08 GMT 10
For some of the less experience riders, I thought I'd take the opportunity to explain the concept of 'Corner Marking" for group rides and how it works. For small groups of riders ie 3-8 bikes, corner marking is not necessarily needed, but for larger groups, corner marking is necessary to ensure all the members of the ride get to the destination..
Corner marking is what keeps the group together on the same route. Both require the nomination of one of the ride members as a "Tail End Charlie" (TEC). The TEC remains at the back as the last bike of the ride for its duration
There are 2 types of corner marking that I know works well if used properly,
#1 : The rolling corner marker. The rider behind the ride leader (ie second bike), stops at each corner with their indicator indicating which direction the ride has taken. Some riders add to this by pointing their arm as well (personally, I think this is superfluous). This person is the "corner marker" and remains there until the TEC (tail end charlie) comes through. The corner marker can then leave their position and continue the ride. This method requires all riders to understand the concept of rolling corner markers as at some stage (if its a long ride with lots of corners) all the particpants in the ride will, at some stage, be a corner marker.
#2 : Designated corner marker, this is where 1 or 2 riders within the group (depending on the size of the ride) pull to the side of a corner as the group starts the turn, they also wait till the TEC comes through before rejoining the group. These riders are usually spread through the group.
Personally I perfer the first method as it stops having the designated corner(s) markers scything through the pack to catch up with the ride leader.
Hope this helps.
Corner marking is what keeps the group together on the same route. Both require the nomination of one of the ride members as a "Tail End Charlie" (TEC). The TEC remains at the back as the last bike of the ride for its duration
There are 2 types of corner marking that I know works well if used properly,
#1 : The rolling corner marker. The rider behind the ride leader (ie second bike), stops at each corner with their indicator indicating which direction the ride has taken. Some riders add to this by pointing their arm as well (personally, I think this is superfluous). This person is the "corner marker" and remains there until the TEC (tail end charlie) comes through. The corner marker can then leave their position and continue the ride. This method requires all riders to understand the concept of rolling corner markers as at some stage (if its a long ride with lots of corners) all the particpants in the ride will, at some stage, be a corner marker.
#2 : Designated corner marker, this is where 1 or 2 riders within the group (depending on the size of the ride) pull to the side of a corner as the group starts the turn, they also wait till the TEC comes through before rejoining the group. These riders are usually spread through the group.
Personally I perfer the first method as it stops having the designated corner(s) markers scything through the pack to catch up with the ride leader.
Hope this helps.