Big group rides holding up traffic

[BBR]

Went on my first big group ride at the weekend and some of the group members block off traffic at junctions and places we stopped so that we could all get out. I think there were about 50 bikes so it was a way of keeping everyone together. Saw a few car drivers getting a bit peed off being held up which is understandable. Got me thinking whether the group organisers could get done for holding up traffic like this?

[MarJay]

Was this in the UK? If so, yes. They need official permission to close the roads.
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[doggone]

Depends on the background situation, I don't think a big issue would be made of it if it were a funeral for example, though not everyone held up for 2 minutes would realise.

[weasley]

I've been on large group rides in Germany where this practice was used - and the locals just sucked it up and sat there.

In the UK, any group rides I go on have a marker system so that there's (theoretically) no chance of getting lost or left behind. Once when pulling out of a filling station one guy pulled into the road to hold up traffic so we could all leave as one and some aged gentlemen nearly had a coronary with rage. He had to wait 30 seconds. THIRTY SECONDS!! AT HIS TIME OF LIFE!!!!

I prefer the UK system - in Germany yes, we all stayed together but there was no chance to play catch-up or ride a section on your own.
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[Doovy]

Or, typical BCF style - people get lost right after we leave Box Hill
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[Andy_Pagin]

Yes they could be prosecuted for obstruction. Though unless someone got hurt in the process it's unlikely. Remember the 'rage rideout' a few years ago when something like 40,000 of us obstructed most of the motorways in the UK for most of Sunday? I don't recall anyone getting done for obstruction.
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[Rogerborg]

[stinkwheel]

[bassmastergen...]

I genuinely can't see the point of this sort of fucknuggetry.

Unless the object of the exercise is to piss off as many other road users as possible, why not just use the drop off system?

[Rogerborg]

[ScaredyCat]

[bugeye_bob]

Local Vespa Scooter crew do it on their Sunday run to Matlock, I happen up on them in on a ride out, they were blocking the main road to get everyone out.

[Diggs]

I'd rather be held up by bikes than by a hearse/tractor/micra...
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[Val]

[Ariel Badger]

Outlaws in Brum do this, real bikers ride in a pack of one.
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