check CMA groups in your area
No matter how careful you are accidents happen.

reading on my husbands site

I am a rider and the wife of a HD rider

We were asked to pray for this group a week or so ago.
See the article from another forum and news..


RATLIFF CITY, Okla. (AP) -- Three motorcyclists are dead after a head-on crash with a car near Ratliff City in Carter County.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the westbound car driven by 39-year-old Shannon Lowe drifted left of center about 3:45 p.m. yesterday along state Highway 7.

Lowe's 1995 Nissan Altima crashed into four motorycles, killing Betty Day of Terral and Roger and Linda Gunter of Ryan. Lowe and a third motorcyclist -- Frank Day of Terral -- were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital in critical condition.

A fourth motoryclist and his passenger weren't injured in the crash, and a fifth motoryclist was hit with flying debris but wasn't injured.

The patrol says Roger and Linda Gunter were on one motorcycle and were wearing their helmets.
[/align][/align]My Brothers and Sisters in Christ;

On Friday August 10 at about 3:30 PM five bikes from
The Spokes of Hope, left Duncan Oklahoma on Highway 7
traveling East to Eastern Oklahoma for a week end of
riding and fellowship. At about 4:00 PM, about 1.5
miles west of Ratliff City an automobile crossed the
center line left of center. The auto struck the first
bike driven by John and Nancy Nelson, with a small
amount of damage to the bike and no injuries to the
rider or passenger. The automobile continued west in
the eastbound lane striking the next three bikes,
driven by Jennie Day, Frank Day, and Roger and Linda
Gunter (bikes 2,3 & 4). There were two CMA Members and
a dear friend of ours taken home to the lord. The man
driving the third bike, Frank Day, was critically
injured and evacuated by air to OU Medical Center in
Oklahoma City. The driver of the automobile was also
flown to Oklahoma City. The CMA members that were
taken home to the lord are Roger and Linda Gunter from
Ryan Oklahoma. The Lady riding the second bike was
also taken home to the lord was Jennie Day from
Terrill Oklahoma. The last (5th) bike was ridden by
myself and my wife, Suzanne. We were not injured, but
our trike was damaged in the accident. The funeral for
Roger and Linda will be on Monday August 13 at 10:00
AM in Ryan at the First Baptist Church. The funeral
for Jennie Day is still pending. The Family of Roger
and Linda has ask us (CMA, Viet Nam and Legacy Vets,
and any other bikers) to show our respect with
motorcycles. The Spokes of Hope will meet at the
Tractor Supply (old Wal-Mart) parking lot on the
corner of Plato and HY 81 on the north side of Duncan
at 8:00 AM. We will brief the riders, pray, and KSU
(Kick Stands Up) at 8:15 FOR A ORDERLY RIDE to Ryan.
ALL motorcycles will stage at the football field on
the north edge of Ryan at 9:00 AM for a group ride to
the Church We will ride as a group into Ryan, East
onto Highway 32, past the church to a turn around in
the school parking lot. The motorcycles will park on
the street in front of the church headed West. The
Ride Captain is Keith Smith from the Spokes of Hope.
Because of the limited space in the church and the
large extended family and friends of Roger and Linda,
ALL BIKERS WILL give seating preference to the Family
and friends (if we have to stand outside under the
tree, that is alright) The funeral will line up with
the police first leading the procession, The
motorcycles will follow the police, The Family car(s)
will follow the motorcycles, The hearses will follow
the Family car(s). as we travel through town, as the
police will enter each intersection the first

 

Went to a HOG run i did not fit in there clique was ignored
i am not one of them (who are they)
they talked among thenselfs if i got close they would turn away
they handed out flyers before the run like looking for new members
i am a hog member whatever good that does
i ride with my wife some times we meet people on the road a lot friendlyer
she has riden with me for close to 39 years rode a little on her own on aFLH in the 80's likes being on back
last groupe ride was in thee 70's with CRANK custom Triumph builder San Rafael to the Sieras what a ride lots of crashes

 

Actually ABATE is not an MC. It's a national org to promote motorcycle safety and education while creating and sponsering benefits or simply fun group rides and some generally long poker runs along with other social events. We also sponsor motorcycle safetyeducation in schoolsand youth organizations (MAP).

Think of it this way. Our voice stands against those who would outlaw motorcycles or legislate their "safe" use as defined by non-riders.The best argument is to improve the MC death and accident statistics by self control. The best arguments combined with the voice of thousands is neededinevery local,state andthe national government.It is even possible to get government asistance with these safety programs.To get them to help us help ourselves.

OK, off the box. Ride safe, ride sober.

 

I'm pretty sure that cdog was refering to the original post not yours.

 

Funny thing is that you were part of a group, but my bet is they never missed you. If they were trying to ditch you then shame on them. If they weren't, then it's even worse since they didn't take the time to make a newcomer feel welcome.

Over the years I've learned to trust my instincts on riding with new groups. I usually show up just a tad bit early so that I can take a little time to introduce myself. Usually by the time we're ready to leave the parking lot I've got a good idea whether I'll fit in with the group or not. If I'm uncomfortable then I usually head off on my own. I can ride alone without being in a group.

 

Big group rides aren't my thing... A couple hundred miles of road with a buddy or two is more my speed.

But there is a "side note" there also: Random road groups. Those days that you're on a long stretch of highway and you come up on another bike or two and just sort of "tag along" to find another tagging along after a few miles - and another, and another, and a few more.

Everybody knows it's a "pack" but nobody meant it to be. You have no idea how large it'll grow or how long it'll last. You nod when someone eventually overtakes, you wave or give a honk when someone exits - No "group pressure" or anything along those lines, but there's something sort of cool about it... A very "free" (for lack of a better term) feeling that's unique to the culture.

Not to sound sappy or sentimental, but it's those "random" moments that really make it special.

 

I'm not impressed with what I've seen of my local HOG group. Yes, they are a friendly bunch. Yes they preach safety. Then they blow through stop signs and seem to have "minor" crashes lately. While they mean well, the fact is, riding with a bunch of people you don't know (and many of them new riders) is a recipe for disaster.

I'd love to find a few folks to ride with, but these large groups are just not my cup of tea. No thanks.

 

what John T said. the folks i usually ride with are my friends. wide range of ages between us and way different bikes but we all enjoy each others company. we probley look pretty funny all riding down the road due to the differences in styles and all but man do we have a good time. wich is what its all about anyway.

 

I feel bad for you. But, you did the right thing by going on your own. The group rides I've been on that I have enjoyed have always been the easy relaxed rides through the back country. I let the knuckelheads, (no pun intended) race through traffic and almost get killed. I've actually had some of them wait for me ahead and then ask me... "What happened to you?" Igive them a varity of answers like: "You're kidding... right?" or "You're a ***king knuckelhead." Oh... well... I guess that's why I mostly ride away from groups. Good luck.

 

John, a great point, I kinda like those inadvertent groups!
Reminds me of "The Red Barchetta", by Rush!!!

However, I will usually not go on a HOG ride, TOO MANY inexperienced "yuppies on Harleys", RUBS, etc.
Besides, they go too slow for me. And the "dealer rides?" What a joke, people wrecking all over the place. BTW, what is a speed limit??? LOL

I like to ride with people I know, both guys and gals. I know they aren't gonna do sumpin' stupid in front of me.
Anywhere from 2 to maybe 60 bikes.

I figure the speed limit, as posted (except in residential, I always keep it to 20 MPH), is WAYYY too slow. We ride to our abilities, and it is generally FAST! NO organized group or MC, justa buncha friends, mostly old riders.
If someone joins us as a "newbie", they stay in the back, in front of the tail captain, who isan experienced rider whowants to guard the tail, and we NEVER outride a new bro or sis, we just do the "rubber band" and slow back down to keep them in sight in our mirrors. We spread out so that no cages can get in the group, unless they signal for an Interstate exit. Then we open up wide and let them feel like , "Nice Bikers! "

WARNING SIGNALS are essential. Crap in the road, a cager being stupid, and of course, fair warning of stops and turns. In many years, have had only a few people halfway drop their scoots at low speed in sand or gravel, but usually people will save them from a complete drop. NO bad wrecks!!!

I've done this with dozens of groups of people and it just seems like common sense. Pay attention and be aware of the needs of the group. Ride as hard asthe group can without being a buncha idiots. WATCH the cagers, and leave NOBODY behind.

Didn't we all sign something like that when we bought our first road bikes? Whether it was a Harley or not? Regardless, since we all own Harleys now, has anything changed? It's the "Code of the Road", right?

Maybe we didn't sign anything on paper, but it should be inscribed on our hearts...

P.S. - My sincere condolances to all the bros and sisters lost here recently. I guess no matter how careful and cautious, or how wild and crazy we are, we can never avoid the Hand Of The Lord when he comes to scoop us up and seat us on the back of His Harley going to Heaven... May all of you ride Free in Eternity!