my "notes" from 10 years of riding with this same bunch of guys; btw - they are really, really fast - but also very experienced and safe. We split from DC-Cycles around 1996 after a large group ride with 3 riders down separately, bunch of guys in shorts/tshirts, etc. We never wrote down this rules - but we grew into them. The original group of 4 or 5 people is now closer to 20, some of us moved out of area, one passed away from the age. group age is between 20+ to 50+, all brands and makes, few guys race on a regular basis, we have quite a few Iron Butts, some rode to Tierra Del Fuego... you got the drift. It is not let's race bunch of guys.
0) ATGATT. if someone shows up undressed, leave the group. If asked, explain that you do not enjoy cleaning someone's blood from your clothes...
1) a riding group is no more then 6 or 7 people. If there is more, split, meet at the designated point. No changes between groups while riding - only at stop points.
2) Before ride, check who is in the group, designate lead and sweep. No changes of lead while riding; if you need to change plans, pull over and talk; lead and sweep might change for each segment, it depends on who knows the road, who wants to set the pace.
3) peeling off - warn before segment that you might be taking off; tell others where you will take off, and signal it clearly to avoid splitting the group.
4) ride your own ride. Never try to be as fast as the guy in front of you - that is shortest road to tow the bike back home if you are lucky, or get a ride in ambulance if you are less lucky.
5) Watch the guy behind you. If he is no longer seen in the mirrors, pull over, or at least slow down and wait for him. If he is missing more then short time, last 2 guys in line go back to check what happend.
6) Item 5 can be suspended if all folks know the road and destination, and agree on meeting later - but then it is no longer a group ride per se. If the group decides to split this way, slow guy goes after sweep.
7) Agree before ride on pace level - like 10 below posted, no more then posted, 5 over, free for all..... check if all members in group are willing to take risk of reckless charges. Agree on passing other vehicles - yes, no, only legally, pasing on double yellow... (not that I advice it). No passing in the group. It is not a bloody race.
give the guy in front of you this same amount of space he is giving his lead - at least.
9) warn other guys about your specific habits if they are unknown - like "I do not use brakes unless it is really deep $%*T already - so do not watch my brake lights; or I have a tendency to wave through whole line, do not cross my rear wheel especially in turns (not that it is a good form).
10) if you plan on introducing a new guy to the already familiar group, first take him on a solo shorter ride to see what he does. Then take him on a longe ride to see how it works... then introduce him into a special group ride where everyone knows that a new guy is joining.
11) ride is not a race. It is not a place for squidly behaviour - if you want to show off, tell other guys you need to get it out of system; they will help you and will find a place in next 10 minutes. Nothing more terryfying for an unexperienced rider to see guy behind him wheeeling from the stop sign...
12) this approach allowed us to ride together for 10+ years, slowly evolve group, introduce new guys. I thought it might be worthy to share it here.
Kleks