Went to join a group ride on Saturday, it would have been our first. A friend of mine gave me a flyer about it (he was handing them out at the local bike-nite) and he seemed to think it would be a great time. Not a big organized event, just a bunch of folks riding together. Sounded fun.

So my wife and I stop by the meeting place. Big disappointment.

My friend didn't show, so we knew no one there.We figured thatwouldn't be a problem, we can get along with people and they were handing flyers out to the public so assumed we would be welcome. Out of all the people there (probably 20 or so bikes, some 2-up) two whole people even deigned to speak to us (though a couple more nodded acknowledgement when we strolled by them). Most pointedly ignoredus.But still, one of the people we talked to was quite friendly, and encouraged us to join in, so even though we were definitely feeling like we outsiders, we decided to go along. Maybe we'd get to meet some more people at stops.

Then it was time to go. The bikes tore out of there like a bunch of lunatics, cutting in front of traffic and runninga red light. The lead guy took off like he was shot out of a cannon as soon as he cleared the intersection and the rest were right after him. I'dbet theywere topping70 before they even got close to the end of the 30-zone, and they were clear out of site when I came around the curve outside of town (couldn't have been more than a half-mile from the start at that point - and I could see a good couple miles up the road) even though I was going well over the speed limit myself trying to keep up. At that point we just let them go,becauseI don't want toride like that. So, f*** 'em, my wife and I went off and had a nice ride on our own.

Seemed like really odd behavior for a bunch that was promoting their ride like they wanted more folks along. I honestly got the impression they were intentionallytrying to lose us. I mean if you don't want strangers along on your ride, that's cool... but then, why invite them?

I assume that sort of behavior isn't typical, but it's sure made me wonder whether I want to even bother with group rides. I might just stick to going our own way.

 

Check out your local HOG chaper if you would like to join in a group ride. I am sure that there are plenty of rides that you would enjoy. We make it a point to include everyone in our rides and no one is left behind.

 

This is the problem with rides that are thrown together by people that know nothing about group riding and safety. Like Silverearl said, check out your local HOG chapter for some group rides. As soon as I saw these people pull out I would have waited and gone the other way.

 

I'll third the local HOG chapter. On every one of our rides we have a road captain riding tailgunner, no one gets left behind. Not to mention the simple fact that the fastest we run is about 5 mph over the speed limit

 

You are not alone. This happened to me and my old lady as well here in Los Angeles. Like the gentleman above stated, go check out a local HOG chapter. I did this, and although I don't ride with them all the time, I did find some people who enjoy a reduced pace ride as I do, so it was great to initially get involved with HOG,
and then branch out from there. If your ever out in LA, there's a bunch of us who enjoy "the ride" within the speed limit. Join Us!!!

 

That was my general inclination too. But I tried to cut them some slack, telling myself the cutting off traffic and running the redlight was just them trying to stay together after a badly timed start. When it was clear they were going to continue riding like maniacs,it confirmed my decision to leave them to it.

I've been thinking of checking out a HOG ride, but the local groupusually starts out in city traffic, at the dealership(which at this stage seems a bit much tokeep track of on top of the group), and this ride was prettymuch all fairly rural and mostly in familiar territory.Thought it would be easier/better for that reason. But, guess not.

 

Unfortunately, it's more typical than not. I've even seen it in the local HOG chapter rides. There are cliques, and cliques within cliques, and if you're not in, don't have the right model Harley, wear the right clothes, right helmet, whatever, you're out. Better to find a few riders with a smililar mindset to yours, or just go solo. Trying to fit in is not worth the aggravation.

 

Thanks. But I'm afraid I'm on the wrong side of the country for that.

 

Though I've not yet run into the rudeness factor you describe, I've certainly seen several instances of the speed demon mentality. A lot of guys around here (NC mountains) seem to think that a ride isn't a ride if they aren't scraping their floorboards, which is why I don't ride with groups that much. Seen a few too many casualties of that kind of riding come through the ER, including one decapitation less than a year ago. I'm perfectly happy to ride along at 5 mph or so over the speed limit, exercise an appropriate amount of caution on the twisties and make it back to get a hug from my little girl at the end of the day. One other advantage to riding solo is I can stop and get a cone of ice cream or a milkshake and not have anyone around to tell on me

 

Large Harley rides age generally pathetic. You got the people (they are thankfully the majority) who actually know how to ride but you will still have the riders who have no idea of what they are doing. 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?

Whenever I see a Harley with a dealer plate I stay the hell away from it because there is a pretty good chance the person has no idea what the heck he or she is doing. A group of 5 or 6 experienced riders is ideal for me (just my humble opinion).