Disappointing group "ride"
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
I stick with the group that starts one place with an assigned destination. I can ride at my own pace, sometimes fast, sometimes slow and easy and meet for a lunch or whatever when I get there. Don't need to ride in a parade nor drag pegs all the way. Do most of my riding solo.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
There are always 2 or 3 people present who are real proud that they just got their mc endorsement (which they should be) however do you really think they should be participating in large rides yet?
That's actually another reason I've avoided the large rides until now. This oneseemed likea smaller, less formalized deal where we could just tag along at the back and drop out ifit became too much (without freaking out a road captain). Sounded like an easier step before jumping into a big HOG ride.A different friend was telling about some of the HOG rides he's gone on with in excess of 100 bikes - not sure I'm quite ready for that big of a pack yet (and I refuse to go on a ride where I can't drop outanytime and anywhereI please).
I really don't think there were any newbies in that group (outside of us) It looked more like they'd been riding together for awhile, and were justinto tearing up the road. They knew how to ride, I just didn't like they way they rode.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
I've been away for awhile and I won't even consider a group ride until I feel more comfortable on the bike. I did participate in one many years ago and a friend of mine wasn't paying attention and crashed when he turned to look back...You know, now that I mention that story, I probably will never ride another... Honestly, most of my buddies who've been riding much longer than me say they aren't that much fun anyway. They would rather ride with a close group of friends.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
Moat HOG chapters have rides at the beginning of the season for new members. It's for the club to see your riding skill and to give you and intro to group riding and hand signals. As far as being in the middle of the pack,you can ask to be in the back of thepack and in front of the sweeper. I've never seen anyone just drop out of a ride, but if this is something you might do, definitely let the Road Captain and sweeper know. The last thing they'd want to have happen isthink something happened and start looking for you.
ORIGINAL: madelf
That's not so far from describing me, to be honest. My wife and I got our motorcycle endorsements last fall (through an MSF course), after a few months of practicing on our own. And we've been riding when we can all this season. So, while we're not completely green, we're not exactly old hands yet either.Though I like to think we're pretty humble.
That's actually another reason I've avoided the large rides until now. This oneseemed likea smaller, less formalized deal where we could just tag along at the back and drop out ifit became too much (without freaking out a road captain). Sounded like an easier step before jumping into a big HOG ride.A different friend was telling about some of the HOG rides he's gone on with in excess of 100 bikes - not sure I'm quite ready for that big of a pack yet (and I refuse to go on a ride where I can't drop outanytime and anywhereI please).
I really don't think there were any newbies in that group (outside of us) It looked more like they'd been riding together for awhile, and were justinto tearing up the road. They knew how to ride, I just didn't like they way they rode.
There are always 2 or 3 people present who are real proud that they just got their mc endorsement (which they should be) however do you really think they should be participating in large rides yet?
That's actually another reason I've avoided the large rides until now. This oneseemed likea smaller, less formalized deal where we could just tag along at the back and drop out ifit became too much (without freaking out a road captain). Sounded like an easier step before jumping into a big HOG ride.A different friend was telling about some of the HOG rides he's gone on with in excess of 100 bikes - not sure I'm quite ready for that big of a pack yet (and I refuse to go on a ride where I can't drop outanytime and anywhereI please).
I really don't think there were any newbies in that group (outside of us) It looked more like they'd been riding together for awhile, and were justinto tearing up the road. They knew how to ride, I just didn't like they way they rode.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
One other thing. A big pet peeve of mine on HOG rides is the people that roll their front tire right up to your rear tire. To me this is very bad form and makes me very nervous that our fenders will hit. Nothing worse than being on a hill and seeing the person behind you right on your fender. [:@]
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
ORIGINAL: petemac
Moat HOG chapters have rides at the beginning of the season for new members. It's for the club to see your riding skill and to give you and intro to group riding and hand signals.
Moat HOG chapters have rides at the beginning of the season for new members. It's for the club to see your riding skill and to give you and intro to group riding and hand signals.
I've never seen anyone just drop out of a ride, but if this is something you might do, definitely let the Road Captain and sweeper know. The last thing they'd want to have happen isthink something happened and start looking for you.
Personally I don't like riding past the point of discomfort, so when I start stiffening up I'll want to take a break. I won't be enjoying the ride if I have to force myself to keep going. And if I'm not enjoying the ride, then why be riding? If it's going to be another hour to the next scheduled stop, I'd rather drop out and go my own way.
Also, it's possible we might have to stop. My wife is diabetic, and (even though she has it pretty well under control) she needs to be very careful about keeping her intake of food balanced. Just delaying a meal can throw her off badly. So if she feels her blood sugar starting to drop, then the hell with waiting till the next scheduled stop to get a snack in her, we're pulling over the first safespot we can find (she carrieshigh-carbsnackswith her just for that purpose). Riding a motorcycle is defintely not the place you want to be getting loopy from low blood sugar.
But I see no reason why the rest of the group should be held up for us ineither case. I guess it's very possible we're not suited to group rides (not the idea bothers me any).
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: San Pedro, Ca
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
ORIGINAL: madelf
That seems like a good idea.
It's absolutely something we might do.
Personally I don't like riding past the point of discomfort, so when I start stiffening up I'll want to take a break. I won't be enjoying the ride if I have to force myself to keep going. And if I'm not enjoying the ride, then why be riding? If it's going to be another hour to the next scheduled stop, I'd rather drop out and go my own way.
Also, it's possible we might have to stop. My wife is diabetic, and (even though she has it pretty well under control) she needs to be very careful about keeping her intake of food balanced. Just delaying a meal can throw her off badly. So if she feels her blood sugar starting to drop, then the hell with waiting till the next scheduled stop to get a snack in her, we're pulling over the first safespot we can find (she carrieshigh-carbsnackswith her just for that purpose). Riding a motorcycle is defintely not the place you want to be getting loopy from low blood sugar.
But I see no reason why the rest of the group should be held up for us ineither case. I guess it's very possible we're not suited to group rides (not the idea bothers me any).
ORIGINAL: petemac
Moat HOG chapters have rides at the beginning of the season for new members. It's for the club to see your riding skill and to give you and intro to group riding and hand signals.
Moat HOG chapters have rides at the beginning of the season for new members. It's for the club to see your riding skill and to give you and intro to group riding and hand signals.
I've never seen anyone just drop out of a ride, but if this is something you might do, definitely let the Road Captain and sweeper know. The last thing they'd want to have happen isthink something happened and start looking for you.
Personally I don't like riding past the point of discomfort, so when I start stiffening up I'll want to take a break. I won't be enjoying the ride if I have to force myself to keep going. And if I'm not enjoying the ride, then why be riding? If it's going to be another hour to the next scheduled stop, I'd rather drop out and go my own way.
Also, it's possible we might have to stop. My wife is diabetic, and (even though she has it pretty well under control) she needs to be very careful about keeping her intake of food balanced. Just delaying a meal can throw her off badly. So if she feels her blood sugar starting to drop, then the hell with waiting till the next scheduled stop to get a snack in her, we're pulling over the first safespot we can find (she carrieshigh-carbsnackswith her just for that purpose). Riding a motorcycle is defintely not the place you want to be getting loopy from low blood sugar.
But I see no reason why the rest of the group should be held up for us ineither case. I guess it's very possible we're not suited to group rides (not the idea bothers me any).
As far as stopping, within our chapter if you decide to leave the group of your own free will, a simple thumbs up to the sweeper as you peel off is all you need, otherwise he will follow you until you stop, even if that's at your front door
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 128
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RE: Disappointing group "ride"
You did the right thing dropping out of that ride. I think you'd probably enjoy HOG. I know there's some differences in the chapters, but here they have new member rides once a month. Gives you a chance to get to know people and learn riding in a group. As some one else mentioned, if you're not comfortable in a large group you can ride at the rear, in fact it's kinda recommended for newbies. Someone here mentioned large groups of 100 riders or so. Our chapter would break a ride that large up into smaller groups to be more mangeable. You get much above 30 riders it can get kinda hard to keep the group together.
