Went on my first 'group ride' Sunday
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,528
Likes: 12,142
From: Indianapolis
Went on my first 'group ride' Sunday
Hooked up with some people my son knows Sunday morning and has ridden with before, all seemed to be decent people on touring bikes, no hard core biker types. My son and I were the only riders on Sportsters.
Only a couple of 'problems', first we turned off onto a county road than made a quick sharp left and then a quick sharp right. A guy behind me kept crowding me seeming to want to ride side by side. I had to make it clear in curves, I OWN the whole lane and I'm not going to have you try to ride beside me especially in my blind spot. Apparently he got the message as he didn't try that again. Second time was we were turning left off a state road and a guy in a pickup headed the other way stopped to let us all turn. A car blew around him on the right side, luckily no one was turning at that time. Another guy and his wife who was behind me then, and when it became my time to turn I paused to make sure no one was coming from the right side of the truck, didn't want to get t-boned... The woman on the bike starts screaming TURN, TURN God damn it. THAT pissed me off as I thought to myself, I will turn when I feel safe to do so. Cool your jets %$#@*...
All in all, had a good time I guess, nice sweeping curvy roads and beautiful weather. I might do another group ride but I seem to prefer to ride either with just my son, a couple of close friends, or just by myself.
Only a couple of 'problems', first we turned off onto a county road than made a quick sharp left and then a quick sharp right. A guy behind me kept crowding me seeming to want to ride side by side. I had to make it clear in curves, I OWN the whole lane and I'm not going to have you try to ride beside me especially in my blind spot. Apparently he got the message as he didn't try that again. Second time was we were turning left off a state road and a guy in a pickup headed the other way stopped to let us all turn. A car blew around him on the right side, luckily no one was turning at that time. Another guy and his wife who was behind me then, and when it became my time to turn I paused to make sure no one was coming from the right side of the truck, didn't want to get t-boned... The woman on the bike starts screaming TURN, TURN God damn it. THAT pissed me off as I thought to myself, I will turn when I feel safe to do so. Cool your jets %$#@*...
All in all, had a good time I guess, nice sweeping curvy roads and beautiful weather. I might do another group ride but I seem to prefer to ride either with just my son, a couple of close friends, or just by myself.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Most groupies are for people too scared to ride alone.
it quickly becomes a pee stop, a beer break, a whats that noise stop , so and so is missing stop.
You will be lucky to do a 100 miles in 10 hours.
it quickly becomes a pee stop, a beer break, a whats that noise stop , so and so is missing stop.
You will be lucky to do a 100 miles in 10 hours.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 23
From: AZ
I find it is more fun to ride at my own ability,speed, and if at all possible in the back when I am with a group. Most groups have a rules of the road meeting before leaving for a ride, it sounds like maybe they did not. Over time you will see how they ride together and can adjust. I would really like to ride with just my son but he is on the other side of the state, My best rides have always been with five or less riders, but that's just me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 61
From: Near YVR
Sounds like some hardcore biker types might have been a better choice to ride with that day.
Experienced group riders will let one know what and where to position the newer rider.
All the drama from the regulars in this ride was unwarranted if one was to ask me.
Side by side is illegal in most places and a staggered position is the best choice.
Can't fix stupid when people wanna pass on the right.
I have ridden with as few as three in a group and several hundred with a Police Escort on a 9-11 memorial ride on several occasions.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Rob
Experienced group riders will let one know what and where to position the newer rider.
All the drama from the regulars in this ride was unwarranted if one was to ask me.
Side by side is illegal in most places and a staggered position is the best choice.
Can't fix stupid when people wanna pass on the right.
I have ridden with as few as three in a group and several hundred with a Police Escort on a 9-11 memorial ride on several occasions.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Rob
Last edited by CndUltra95; Sep 17, 2018 at 06:08 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 5,855
From: Syracuse NY
On group rides, I don't mind riding either in the lead or drag. Then it's at my pace. Drag being safest IMO. But 90% of my riding is solo, one up.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 240
Likes: 90
From: Pittsburgh
I have been on many group rides, there will always be a rider/passenger that expects you to do what they want lol. Best rides I recall where with my dad, just 2 like-minded guys cruising on their shovelheads!
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From: Indianapolis
My intention was to bring up the rear, but the two bikes just kept hanging back, so I ended up being in front of them. As far as 'group etiquette' goes, I figured anyone would know not to bunch up in a corner. Kind of a 'duh' thing IMO. I ride close to the centerline/left tire track normally, move to the edge setting up for a corner and then cut back to the inside of the lane thru the corner. As I said, I own the WHOLE lane there.
After those two episodes things went smoothly. We hit some nice smooth sweeping curvy roads and everyone went single file then. Other than those two times, it was a fairly enjoyable 180 miles.
After those two episodes things went smoothly. We hit some nice smooth sweeping curvy roads and everyone went single file then. Other than those two times, it was a fairly enjoyable 180 miles.