Bike tour van shadow

CO_Steve · 08-29-2017, 10:07 AM

Last Sunday I had to go over McClure Pass to pick up a car. On the way up I came upon a bike touring group of about 15-20 ridders. Now in Colorado in the summer this is not uncommon and I wouldn't think twice about it. Before you pigeon hole me as anti-bike I commuted for over 20 years and have easily over 100k miles in the saddle. Back to the story. What was different this day is that the group was being followed by a van (sag wagon). The van was pacing the group (12mph) and driving so as to block almost the entire lane. The road had limited sight lines and was marked double yellow. This went on for several miles, backing up traffic. Without the van the shoulder was plenty wide and it would have been easy to pass but with the van there was no way to make a safe pass. Is this even legal? Sure doesn't seem like a good idea. Hope it doesn't become the norm.

Mr Tonka · 08-29-2017, 10:33 AM

Certainly not a good idea. Last tour i was on in Montana the sag wagons leap frogged the riders continually and pulled over on the side or the road every 20 miles or so.

wdb · 08-29-2017, 12:48 PM

I've done van supported tours in the US and Europe. The vans never paced the riders. WTF is that anyway? They always waited at some safe pull-off spot such as a scenic view or parking area.

I've seen motorpaced groups on the road but they were on flat roads and doing the speed limit or thereabouts. Pretty cool, but not for the uninitiated.

08-29-2017, 10:07 AM	#1
CO_Steve Second Lieutenant 116 Rep 234 Posts Drives: '15 M235 Dinan S1 MT Slicktop Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Bike tour van shadow Last Sunday I had to go over McClure Pass to pick up a car. On the way up I came upon a bike touring group of about 15-20 ridders. Now in Colorado in the summer this is not uncommon and I wouldn't think twice about it. Before you pigeon hole me as anti-bike I commuted for over 20 years and have easily over 100k miles in the saddle. Back to the story. What was different this day is that the group was being followed by a van (sag wagon). The van was pacing the group (12mph) and driving so as to block almost the entire lane. The road had limited sight lines and was marked double yellow. This went on for several miles, backing up traffic. Without the van the shoulder was plenty wide and it would have been easy to pass but with the van there was no way to make a safe pass. Is this even legal? Sure doesn't seem like a good idea. Hope it doesn't become the norm.
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08-29-2017, 10:33 AM	#2
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6059 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	Certainly not a good idea. Last tour i was on in Montana the sag wagons leap frogged the riders continually and pulled over on the side or the road every 20 miles or so. __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
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08-29-2017, 12:48 PM	#3
wdb dances with roads 5075 Rep 4,130 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	I've done van supported tours in the US and Europe. The vans never paced the riders. WTF is that anyway? They always waited at some safe pull-off spot such as a scenic view or parking area. I've seen motorpaced groups on the road but they were on flat roads and doing the speed limit or thereabouts. Pretty cool, but not for the uninitiated.
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