group riding
group riding
group riding okay, I would like some feed back on GROUP Riding. I am planning on riding with a group of women-- all who seem to be ALPHA FEMALES(for lack of a better word) I never liked riding in groups because it always seems like a cluster f***. I have rode most of my miles with men and it never seemed so difficult. Riding with new women and a group this past season. I plan on riding this coming season with them again. I brought up some suggestions for large group riding (more than 5) my suggestion was to separate into groups A and B. (because it seems we had to stop way too many times...all of us..to many) I'm really not sure on skill level of all these women. I do know that most of us have been riding for at least 3 or more years. and I cant judge a skill level because someone says they have been riding for years. This is why I don't like riding in groups. My experience has told me that it takes time to form a relationship with riding partners-- so when we have a group of 5 or more women riding how do we gage where everyone should be in the ride? leader - sweeper??? anyone?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
If by "group" rides, you mean 20+ yards between riders, it should be okay...male or female. But knowing how they ride in a group is a plus. Sadly, you might not know that until you ride with them. Then it might be too late and a bad idea.
Me...I'm 100% solo. I just have to worry about myself.
Me...I'm 100% solo. I just have to worry about myself.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
If you've never ridden together before, I'd say you just have to be sure of the "rules" before you leave. Ride staggered --- 1st rider on the middle line, next one on the white outside line, next one in the middle, etc. Where you start in the morning is where you are at the end of the day. Keep a tight enough grouping so that a car can't pull out from a side road & get between you. I ride with almost the same group of 5 or 6 of us almost all the time, but once in awhile there's a "new" rider who might join the group. If I'm first, and the next one is a half mile behind me & everybody else is a tight group, I'll pull over & tell the rider to keep up, or ask them to ride last. If you don't like the way they ride, break away, wave goodbye & ride by yourself. I've done that. If you don't want to "hurt anybody's feelings" by doing that, then you just have to put up with it all day, and say no when they ask you to ride with them some other time. Just my opinion.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 34
From: NC/SC
I prefer riding in a group. Have done group rides with headcount between 3 and 300+. You will have riders of all skill levels and if you monitor them closely, you'll be able to get a pretty good idea of everyone's riding abilities and style in first 30 min to an hour. Especially for a group of 5.
The rule of thumb is to not try to ride beyond your skill level and maintain a safe distance from the rider in front and in the back. Leader and sweeper are important positions and better suited for riders with good riding experience. So be honest to yourself and the group if you are gonna be assuming any of these positions. Other than that just follow the common group riding rules and basic common sense and you will be fine.
The rule of thumb is to not try to ride beyond your skill level and maintain a safe distance from the rider in front and in the back. Leader and sweeper are important positions and better suited for riders with good riding experience. So be honest to yourself and the group if you are gonna be assuming any of these positions. Other than that just follow the common group riding rules and basic common sense and you will be fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
If you've never ridden together before, I'd say you just have to be sure of the "rules" before you leave. Ride staggered --- 1st rider on the middle line, next one on the white outside line, next one in the middle, etc. Where you start in the morning is where you are at the end of the day. Keep a tight enough grouping so that a car can't pull out from a side road & get between you. I ride with almost the same group of 5 or 6 of us almost all the time, but once in awhile there's a "new" rider who might join the group. If I'm first, and the next one is a half mile behind me & everybody else is a tight group, I'll pull over & tell the rider to keep up, or ask them to ride last. If you don't like the way they ride, break away, wave goodbye & ride by yourself. I've done that. If you don't want to "hurt anybody's feelings" by doing that, then you just have to put up with it all day, and say no when they ask you to ride with them some other time. Just my opinion.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
group riding okay, I would like some feed back on GROUP Riding. I am planning on riding with a group of women-- all who seem to be ALPHA FEMALES(for lack of a better word) I never liked riding in groups because it always seems like a cluster f***. I have rode most of my miles with men and it never seemed so difficult. Riding with new women and a group this past season. I plan on riding this coming season with them again. I brought up some suggestions for large group riding (more than 5) my suggestion was to separate into groups A and B. (because it seems we had to stop way too many times...all of us..to many) I'm really not sure on skill level of all these women. I do know that most of us have been riding for at least 3 or more years. and I cant judge a skill level because someone says they have been riding for years. This is why I don't like riding in groups. My experience has told me that it takes time to form a relationship with riding partners-- so when we have a group of 5 or more women riding how do we gage where everyone should be in the ride? leader - sweeper??? anyone?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 13
From: Bremen, GA
As stated above the Road Captain and Tail Gunner are important positions. In the club I belong to you have to show the 1st and 2nd officer that you are qualified to ride those positions. We also have a riders meeting before each ride of the day. The Road captain briefly goes over the route and any hazards he/she know about. We also discuss safety and anything else about the ride. The majority of the people I ride with, I have been riding with for years so I feel quit comfortable in any position. If you don't feel comfortable with the other riders, ride in the back of the group and just take it easy and stay alert (which you should be anyway). After a while you will learn their habits.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,242
Likes: 3,262
From: west Michigan
group riding okay, I would like some feed back on GROUP Riding. I am planning on riding with a group of women-- all who seem to be ALPHA FEMALES(for lack of a better word) I never liked riding in groups because it always seems like a cluster f***. I have rode most of my miles with men and it never seemed so difficult. Riding with new women and a group this past season. I plan on riding this coming season with them again. I brought up some suggestions for large group riding (more than 5) my suggestion was to separate into groups A and B. (because it seems we had to stop way too many times...all of us..to many) I'm really not sure on skill level of all these women. I do know that most of us have been riding for at least 3 or more years. and I cant judge a skill level because someone says they have been riding for years. This is why I don't like riding in groups. My experience has told me that it takes time to form a relationship with riding partners-- so when we have a group of 5 or more women riding how do we gage where everyone should be in the ride? leader - sweeper??? anyone?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
I have done the Toys-4-Tots run twice with 400 to 600 motorcycles. Other than that once-a-year event I have 2 or 3 friends that I will regularly ride with and I also ride solo if in the mood.
The local HOG group here rides every weekend. I had a couple of issues with them and no longer ride with that group although I will ride with certain members.
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
The local HOG group here rides every weekend. I had a couple of issues with them and no longer ride with that group although I will ride with certain members.
Ride Safe - Ride Smart
"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
If the traffic isn't too heavy it's easy. Just run in a staggered formation with a comfortable distance between bikes.
The tricky part is when you hit traffic. It's almost impossible to keep a group together, safely. So make sure everyone knows where you're going and the route you're taking. If the group splits up you keep going is small groups till you get to the meetup location.
Seems brutal that you'd keep going if you break up, but it's dangerous to continually stop on the side of the road to regroup, or to pass dangerously to try to stick together.
You'll find that the group can stick together pretty good as long as the lead rider doesn't go too fast and doesn't make crazy passes.
The tricky part is when you hit traffic. It's almost impossible to keep a group together, safely. So make sure everyone knows where you're going and the route you're taking. If the group splits up you keep going is small groups till you get to the meetup location.
Seems brutal that you'd keep going if you break up, but it's dangerous to continually stop on the side of the road to regroup, or to pass dangerously to try to stick together.
You'll find that the group can stick together pretty good as long as the lead rider doesn't go too fast and doesn't make crazy passes.