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In my opinion NO!! I will not pull up into someones group nor will I pull up next to a single rider
I'll lag behind at a reasonable distance
For one they do not know my riding abilities nor do I know theirs
Have no idea what they will do if the chit hits the fan and vice versa
I'm certain that like a lot of us who have been out there awhile and ride with some of the same people over and over again
you gain a level of confidence in their riding styles and know what they intend to do sometimes without even signaling for it.
Example, how tight to keep the formation, lane changes, what dutiesthe lead person and the rear person are responsible for and
how the pack fit in.
I certainly do not want an unknown jumping in at this point. If we do make an exception that person is always placed up front never in back.
I'll take up a staggered position, but far enoughback that I am not part of the group. I have noted that single riders are often all over the lane, so I don't want to be anywhere near close to them. I agree that it is dangerous to ride next to people you don't know. I have seen too many people who can't hold a line on a straight or a curve and I don't want to have someone hit me.
Tnicean
I treat other bike or bikes the same way I would treat another car, although my following distance is a little bit less than it was a car, since I have better vision ahead, and I follow in staggered formation.
If they all have the same patch on the back of their leathers and it says something to the effect of M/C and 1%er, and a winged deaths head, you might not want to just join in on their ride.
like others have said, give them room if its a group, if its a lone rider no I wont, who knows they have just left the bar after drinking all night and doing coke and is jsut trying to limp thier way home. I would really hate for them to not notice me even if i think they have and then clip me or something.
Always protect yourself and use that not so common sense.
Well I took my first alone ride in town yesterday. ( just started riding end of last year and have only ridden with my husband.) It was a little nerve racking because most of my rides have been country ones. I had a guy pull up beside me..we do the nod thingy.... and then I notice when we pull away from the light he changes lanes and pulls up behind me. He rode with me for the longest time. When I got home I mentioned this to my husband and asked if this was "normal" cause to be honest with you it made me a little nervous. I don't know.. I just thought it was strange.
I can understandand appreciate"new rider" nervousness, but other than that, come on it's a highway; stay behind, pass, groups, single riders......do what ever you want (as long as it doesn't endanger someone). IfI get behind a group,I don't concern myself with "oh no, they might think I'm tagging along". If they are going fast enough for my taste, I'll stay behind them until one of us gets to where we are going. If they are going to slow, I'm passing them. It's a wonder you all don't have ulcers from thinking about these things too much
I'd suggest that any M/C Patch would be sufficient reason to not attempt to join. We all want to have a safe run...some are simply a bit more vigorus about making it happen.
Also, the Sweep has duties that you may not recognize and even interfere with.
I treat single riders as I do any other vehicle.
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I havent been riding but a couple of years and the only group rides I have done was with the PGR. I'll tag on another rider if I see one riding my style, but I wont join a group of riders. I'll get close but I'll respect their group and pace a little back but close enough to enjoy the safety in numbers aspect. But thats just me right or wrong I figure that unlessi'm invited. I had better respect their group
What he said it might be a group you don't want to be associated with.
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