Disappointing group "ride"
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 3
From: Boonville, MO
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
HOG groups can be good or bad like everything. Our group does a great job of going the speed limit and going to the pace of the new riders. I guess you need to check the group out and see what they are like. For sure you want to be comfortable with your own skill level and bike. Group riding can be more challenging as you have to handle your bike and the other bikes around you. My wife and I have a great time on the Sunday rides. I’ve gone to places in this state I didn’t even know existed and enjoyed doing it.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
We had a forum group ride planned - so- I decided to be the point man for a safety brief, since it was an un-official ride-
I was careful not to insult anyone or act like a know it all - but I felt it was an important step to having a safe- fun- uneventful ride as I knew only one person out of about 20 - and knew less about their riding skills let alone them knowing about mine - - so, besides- it only took a few minutes to prepare, I got a ride brief 2 hours before the ride from the internet and shared it with our group...hopefully, it was appreciated -- we had ZERO incidents/attitudes!
I was careful not to insult anyone or act like a know it all - but I felt it was an important step to having a safe- fun- uneventful ride as I knew only one person out of about 20 - and knew less about their riding skills let alone them knowing about mine - - so, besides- it only took a few minutes to prepare, I got a ride brief 2 hours before the ride from the internet and shared it with our group...hopefully, it was appreciated -- we had ZERO incidents/attitudes!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
Try the local ABATE chapter. We are much more into safety than speed on our sponsored rides. In fact that is what the whole organization is about. Also, we areAmericanBikers Active Toward Education with an agenda to educate the legislature, the public and bikers alike to the needs and best practices for the safety of bikers.
Forour part, check out: abateoflouisiana.com and the current issue of Bayou Biking News.
Ther areABATE chapters across the USA.
Forour part, check out: abateoflouisiana.com and the current issue of Bayou Biking News.
Ther areABATE chapters across the USA.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
I don't participate in large (over 10 bikes) rides. You don't know the experience or the attitude of those all around you, particularly behind you. Could be a newbie, a showboat or somebody thinking about problems at home. You can have the best skills in world, but your safety is dependent on unknowns.
It's just too dangerous, I would rather ride alone or with a small group of 5 or so that I trust not to do something stupid.
It's just too dangerous, I would rather ride alone or with a small group of 5 or so that I trust not to do something stupid.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
Largest group ride I've ever been on was about 7,000 or so bikes. No accidents that I heard of. Of course it was police escorted and we had the freeway to ourselves for a good part of the ride.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ near the Seashore
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
The best rides I've enjoyed are with a small group I ride with a lot. You get to learn everyone's riding styles and habit and most of all you know how they all react. We, too, stay right around the speed limit. I went on a ride last week and didn't enjoy it for all the reasons mentioned: carelessness, speeding, and lack of formation while traveling.
Dave
Dave
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
RE: Disappointing group "ride"
I'm not a huge fan of large rides either. I've done several in the past year, mostly PGR related, and some of the riding leaves alot to be desired! We did a Christmas toy run, only about 20 miles, and there were a ton of bikes (several hundred), and too many people not paying close attention, leaving gaps large enough for a semi to get in between the procession, people switching to the other side, completely screwing up the staggered formation. It was enough to make me participate less I hate to say. I want to help out and volunteer my time for such good causes, but if I don't feel comfortable (or safe), then I'd rather say a prayer at home (or donate goods for our troops, needy, etc.)
Now a group ride with a bunch of my friends is always fun! We'd have upwards of 20 bikes at a time on bike nights, and because we were all pretty experienced riders, could kick back and enjoy the ride more, knowing what to expect (overall).
Now a group ride with a bunch of my friends is always fun! We'd have upwards of 20 bikes at a time on bike nights, and because we were all pretty experienced riders, could kick back and enjoy the ride more, knowing what to expect (overall).
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