The spatial intensity distribution of neutrons emerging from a curved guide is far from uniform, particularly at short wavelengths, and curved guides are sometimes followed by a straight section of guide to make the intensity distribution more uniform. The behavior of neutrons within curved-straight neutron guide systems is examined using both ray-tracing and analytical approaches to the problem. The intensity distribution within the straight guide tends to wash from one side of the guide to the other. The amplitude of this transverse wave decreases with increasing guide length, and the characteristic length of the wave decreases with increasing neutron wavelength.