Group ride d-bags
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
I am aware of the green light thing but never thought it was a good idea. Why complicate a system using red lights and sirens, already in place since the first fire wagons hit the streets?
That being said, I've been an Ontario resident for 65 years and have never personally seen a green emergency light in use, yet. Probably, many residents wouldn't have a clue what the green flashing lights are for. They aren't accompanied by a siren are they?
As far as large group rides, I don't participate but do enjoy watching them roll by. We have some large benefit rides and gatherings here. I know if an emergency vehicle with lights and siren was approaching from either direction, 99% of bikes & cages will pull over and stop or do their best to make way. The other 1% can be attributed mainly to confused, deaf, or slow reacting seniors with the odd clueless individual thrown into the mix.
That being said, I've been an Ontario resident for 65 years and have never personally seen a green emergency light in use, yet. Probably, many residents wouldn't have a clue what the green flashing lights are for. They aren't accompanied by a siren are they?
As far as large group rides, I don't participate but do enjoy watching them roll by. We have some large benefit rides and gatherings here. I know if an emergency vehicle with lights and siren was approaching from either direction, 99% of bikes & cages will pull over and stop or do their best to make way. The other 1% can be attributed mainly to confused, deaf, or slow reacting seniors with the odd clueless individual thrown into the mix.
Last edited by Recycled; Sep 6, 2015 at 12:08 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I ride in the biggest group ride in the world. Sturgis for 14 years now. Bikes on my right, bikes in front of me. Bikes in back of me. Bikes on my left. Then cars, semis, pickup trucks and many with trailers especially this year. All mixed together day and night. Some going slow, some going fast, some changing lanes every couple hundred feet and somehow it all works out. But it is the only group ride that I will do.
I think the difference is in the mass of traffic at Sturgis each is going somewhere individually. In a local group ride all are going to the same place and from my experience that just does not seem to work as well.
I think the difference is in the mass of traffic at Sturgis each is going somewhere individually. In a local group ride all are going to the same place and from my experience that just does not seem to work as well.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 6, 2015 at 12:06 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 705
Likes: 18
From: Huber Heights,Oh
Group ride d-bags
I believe that Stoneyfatboy is a liar. I've been on group rides with several thousand bikes and never a problem with other motorists. It must be a Canadian thing. Usually on our group rides we break up in groups of 20 - 30 bikes in a pack and stay about 5 - 10 minutes back from the previous pack. Trying to prevent from taking over the roads. I've never been in a pack riding under the speed limit. I enjoy seeing large number of bikes together and usually there together for a good cause, such as a charity ride to help someone in need.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
OP could have just stopped, topped off the tank, took a leak, had a cup of coffee and hit the road 10 minutes later and no more problem instead of popping a vein in his neck and coming on here trying to stir up the ****.
Oh well I ain't from around there.
Oh well I ain't from around there.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
I agree 100%. I hate when "fellow" riders don't take into account that others may want to actually ride their motorcycles, not waddle down the road in parade formation. Even the single riders, or onesie/twosie riders that slow waaaaaaay down in the curves, then accelerate in the straights drive me crazy. If you see someone behind you, move over, acknowledge them and signal them around, when feasible. Then continue with your ride. No harm, no foul, just rider courtesy.
Yeah cause people need to speed! Can't really be upset if someone is going the speed limit...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 690
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I ride in the biggest group ride in the world. Sturgis for 14 years now. Bikes on my right, bikes in front of me. Bikes in back of me. Bikes on my left. Then cars, semis, pickup trucks and many with trailers especially this year. All mixed together day and night. Some going slow, some going fast, some changing lanes every couple hundred feet and somehow it all works out. But it is the only group ride that I will do.
I think the difference is in the mass of traffic at Sturgis each is going somewhere individually. In a local group ride all are going to the same place and from my experience that just does not seem to work as well.
I think the difference is in the mass of traffic at Sturgis each is going somewhere individually. In a local group ride all are going to the same place and from my experience that just does not seem to work as well.
Not every group is bad - it all depends on the group leader and those in the group. There are hundreds if not thousands of group rides every weekend - so far I haven't heard of any mass deaths from any of them.
I firmly believe if you are afraid or paranoid of groups, then you are not very confident of your own riding skills. If you were you wouldn't be worried about how someone else rides.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 690
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
I believe that Stoneyfatboy is a liar. I've been on group rides with several thousand bikes and never a problem with other motorists. It must be a Canadian thing. Usually on our group rides we break up in groups of 20 - 30 bikes in a pack and stay about 5 - 10 minutes back from the previous pack. Trying to prevent from taking over the roads. I've never been in a pack riding under the speed limit. I enjoy seeing large number of bikes together and usually there together for a good cause, such as a charity ride to help someone in need.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 690
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
We know he wasn't riding slower then them, so he would catch up.
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