That's what we did for the 1st couple years. Rode in the back until mainly I got comfortable with both the bike and the pace of the ride. If we knew where the next destination was we just rode our pace and got there when we got there. Some runs are more organized than others. Some we have bailed on completely mid-run as the instructions or next destination are not clear. It's nice when they print out the stops ahead of time for you so if something happens you can try to catch up or maybe even skip a stop and ride ahead. It really all depends on the ride organizer and your abilities. And I still like riding in the back, but will not hesitate to just jump in line now either. Ride in staggered formation always and watch your 6. As others have said it's usually the other guy you need to watch out for. Most runs around here are bar to bar to bar, drink to drink to drink. Be smart, Be safe, and pay attention to others as they may be getting hammered.


I guess the main thing I want to convey is, it's YOUR ride! If you feel rushed or get out of your comfy zone don't hesitate to just drop out an do your own thing. Have done it many times!

 

Good band name.

 

Ride one and see if it is you or not, rode a few of them early in the learning process and met some good people, meet some jackwagons, ride in defense mode and read the riders around you. If riders around you make you uncomfortable, back off until you get space.

Currently ride with mostly shovel gray beards that are against big groups but will show for a benefit ride if personal but will ride away from the pack in the rear. Once again have met some good people but drinking runs will lead to stupidness somewhere, usually the "I got a Harley" type will do burn outs in gravel, pass a group on straight a ways or just be annoying. Personally had a jackwagon harassing me because my saddle bags was shaking at a idle when he was behind me, approached me twice saying he is taking a chance riding behind me with loose saddle bags, throat punch kept coming to mind but then heard him bitching about the free hot dog they gave him and realized he was in enough pain by just living.

Ride a ORGANIZED ride until you find yourself, there is many great Harley riders out there, just read others around you on the road which is also part of a 2 or 3 rider group.

 

Depends on your meaning of "ready". The first group ride I went on was organized by Suburban Harley, in Thiensville, WI. It was a ride to Miller Park, a Brewers Game. It was a light rain, and a rider on a Road King lowsided. He slid down the road, in heavy traffic on I94. Lucky for him, there were 2 Cop cars right behind him, and they stopped the heavy traffic from running him over. His bike popped up, and kept going about 40 mph. It hit the concrete divider and ricocheted off, headed for me, about 50 yards away. I had been riding for 7 years and was savvy enough to realize I was in the ricochet path. I don't think you are, yet. I sped up, and the RK passed about 20 yards behind me. That was my first and last group ride. Don't be in a rush to get in the middle of a bunch of unknown riders.

 

Go and do the organized rides. Riders are social folks. If you stick with riding, you will start becoming anti-social. LOL.....Not in a bad way, you just want to enjoy the road by yourself. Ride at your skill level!

 

"kisses the biscuit" and "goes pear-shaped"! Wow, two new phrases to add to my vocabulary in one post! I'm truly honored.


Both are good band names, by the way.

 

My line of instructional Canadian-English books on tape will be out this fall.

 

That first line made laugh out loud.
The rest of it is pretty much how I feel too.