On a lovely early summer evening on Thursday 3rd June, three members of the Ducati Owners Club (DOC) joined 3 members of PECAM for a Group Ride Training session. On the line-up were two Monsters, two Multistradas, one 999 oh and a BMW S1000RR; well there is always one who doesn’t conform!
Group Rider Training
The PECAM Group Rider Training is an established training module that is part of the extensive Advanced Training programme that PECAM offers to its members.
Preferred methods of group riding are explained and practiced over a carefully chosen route, which aims to incorporate a wide variety of road types and junctions to provide the widest selection of situations that people will face in a group setting.
The training started with a briefing on the training and some insights into some of the issues that may arise that could affect group participants riding. The the first of the two group riding systems was explained. It was a good informal two way conversation between the group members and group lead. Then the briefing was handed over to the ride leader, who briefed on nuances that the route would present the riders.
Second man drop-off system
We first explained the 2nd Man Drop-Off system and during execution, the group performed extremely well. Each member took up safe and visible spots from which to direct the rest of the group. We convened back at the start venue having completed 25 miles of trouble free, and very enjoyable riding.
Intelligent buddy system
Now back at our meeting point, we next explained the Intelligent Buddy System. The route would be the same route as before, but in reverse execution. So now, the previous uphill left hand bends were now downhill right hand bends, and this makes the route feel completely new and different, which brings with it different teaching points. Again the group performed extremely well, and the rideout finished safely back at the start.
Final de-brief
Upon our return, we held our final debrief and we hope that a new and friendly relationship has been started and will flourish between PECAM and the DOC.
