When it comes to riding down the highway or street for that matter, which position do you ride? l just came back from a 4000 mile trip with a friend who claims to be an expert rider. We got into a very heated discussion one evening about what the proper position is on the road. He claims the shoulder is the proper place to be when cruising down the highway. I totally disagree as I have always (many years) ridden close to the center line (about 2 or 3 feet from the line). When in a group ride the leader is in the number 1 positions (closest to the center of road). The remaining riders staggered behind.

 

Often in the middle in case a deer jumps out. Some corners, outside, so I have as much room to handle it.

Some tight places to the outside, in case a car in the other lane serves.

 

you ride where you have the best vision through a corner, the best visibility to other traffic and the least exposure to hazards.

this is all dynamic, so you adjust as you ride
mike

 

Left of center, unless you are group riding. Then it's staggered with lead bike in left of center, next bike in right of center, etc. Spaced so you can see the riders face in his/her mirror that's staggered ahead of you.

 

Yep!
I hate riding in the RH lane and dealing with entering, exiting and turning vehicles.

I usually prefer the center lane but in heavy traffic I prefer the LH lane which gives me more maneuverability just, in case.

 

group staggered formation that's obvious.
Riding Solo I'll ride wherever I want in my lane pending circumstances.

 

MK used the word that I use too. Dynamic lane management. I use the whole lane. And if I have to I'll use the opposing lane, or shoulder, etc..
With all the distracted drivers, passholes, critters, potholes, improperly loaded pickups, this is not a topic to stand on dogma.
If I was going down a two lane with no opposing traffic, I ride the left side of the lane. I avoid the middle or "oily" strip, which is more of a problem in urban areas.
But if I am coming into a complex intersection, and my Spidey senses tell me my ROW is in danger from a Stop sign leaver, LHturner, Red Light runner, I'm taking the safest escape route, including crossing Double yellow, or riding the sidewalk. My main goal is avoiding a collision, not dogma.
This was a good thread I started.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/off-t...enterline.html

 

A taxi driver once told me that debris accumulate near the shoulder of the road. Mopeds seldom respect driving rules, cyclists often chat in the middle of the road and people who park in a in a hurry open their door without looking. During hunting season wild boars and their piglets can run several times across the pavement just in front of you.
I'm really happy we don't raise deers over here

 

Plain and simple.

 

I don't like riding next to the yellow line, as lots of on coming traffic has a tendency to "drift" over the yellow line. (gawking around or texting)
When I ride in a group, which is very seldom...with 4 riders behind me at most.
I will ride the section of road that is most safe for me, and expect each rider behind me to do the same.
If riding the staggered positions causes safety issues, the others will ride single file behind me.
I/We don't have "set rules" on riding formation....it's what you feel most safe and comfortable with.