Group Riding Guidelines

Tail Gunner - Sweep

The last rider, the Tail Gunner or Sweep, may ride on whichever side of the lane he prefers. He will have to change sides during the ride, based on the situation at the moment. However, most of the time, the Tail Gunner will ride in the middle of the two bike lanes with all head lights (Hi-Beam) and running lights on. This will help the Road Captain see them. The Tail Gunner serves as the eyes of the Road Captain or Ride Leader. He watches the formation, and informs the Road Captain of any potential problems within the group. He watches other vehicles, and informs the Road Captain (and anyone else with radios) of hazardous conditions approaching from the rear, such as vehicles trying to cut into the formation and trucks passing with potentially dangerous wind blasts. He will watch for merging lanes, and will move into a merging lane (or stay in a merging lane just vacated by the group) in order to "close the door" on other vehicles that may otherwise find themselves trying to merge into the formation. At the Road Captain's request, the Tail Gunner changes lanes before the formation, to secure the lane (blocking traffic behind him) so the formation can move into it.