group ride

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hi,
I was on a group ride (not really a club) for beginner level riders and we had stopped to wait for a new member...

I had asked a few what they do on the return part of the trip, because we do a loop route and the starting point ends up being on the left side of a 4 lane road.

I asked has anyone really tried to make a left turn as a car would do, get in the left lane, set turn signal and wait until clear of oncoming traffic...

some had said that, yeah they have done that, and others said they stay in the right side near the shoulder, come to a stop, and wait for it to be clear to cross...

so we finally come to a point where we are coming to the end of the ride and what happens? quite a few riders, ride on the wrong side of the road to have to avoid either of those previous choices... I thought that was a bit odd, especially since we had that discussion earlier...

any thoughts?

beginner riders...hmmm....

who organized the ride? was he/she experienced? not to knock a group trying out a new pastime, but beginner riders venturing out on the big bad road without a working knowledge of the traffic laws as they apply to bikes is like high-school kids walking away from McD's and trying to run the NYSE. basic knowledge is a MUST!!

BTW, the left lane wait to turn is the right way -- when on the road, roll like a car (is supposed to, but often doesn't).