Group ride tragedy!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,037
Likes: 10,768
From: SE Michigan
there's probably a wife....or a sister....or a little one.....who is broken hearted that one of these folks will never come home
my deepest sympathies for the ones who passed and the ones who's hearts were broken when they did
be safe fellas and God Bless you all
my deepest sympathies for the ones who passed and the ones who's hearts were broken when they did
be safe fellas and God Bless you all
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 129
Likes: 108
From: Louisville KY
I do ride in a group. We have an annual ride coming up next month that'll be at least sixty bikes, and we're traveling hundreds of miles. However, you got to do it right. Keep some space. Also we break our group up to 15-20 bikes in each subgroup.
Two years ago, on wet roads, a guy in front of me went down at highway speeds. Even though he, his wife, and his bike went different directions, nobody else hit them. We all pulled over. Amazingly they were unhurt other than minor road rash and bruises. His CVO needed some work though.
Another time I had to swerve to avoid someone's saddlebag that came off. Stuff happens. Leave space.
Two years ago, on wet roads, a guy in front of me went down at highway speeds. Even though he, his wife, and his bike went different directions, nobody else hit them. We all pulled over. Amazingly they were unhurt other than minor road rash and bruises. His CVO needed some work though.
Another time I had to swerve to avoid someone's saddlebag that came off. Stuff happens. Leave space.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
So sorry this happened,but...
Here's the uncomfortable truth about group rides: this crap will happen, but it can be minimized so, so easily. No - I'm not an expert, but I learned from them.
First - this ain't a drive-in movie about biker gangs. You don't ride 2 abreast. You stagger your formation. There should be a 2 second gap between you and the guy directly ahead of you, and a 1 second gap between you and the guy diagonally from you.
Second - you break a large group into cells of 5-6 bikes per cell. You leave lots of distance between cells. That way, people can pass and arent as tempted to invade your cell, because its small. They only really want to go around. You dont need to inconveinience everybody on the road in efforts to impress.
Third - if your ride has to be a large group riding as a big pack (usually a memorial or funeral ride), then you can get police escorts and are able to close intersections in some cases. That's because you took the time to get a permit. Then you can live your 1% fantasy of a huge wave of bikes riding together. But be warned: Ive been on these huge rides and even when they're sanctioned, it sucks to ride in them.
Lastly - group rides can be fun if you are familiar and trust your fellow riders. This happens by riding with them a lot and getting to know their "quirks"...we all have them. If you don't like clubs or groups then just don't participate. The worst group rides I've seen have been a bunch of people who just got thrown together for a group ride and don't know how to do it. That comes down to club or association leadership, or lack thereof.
* good use of C.B.s and trail parties and before ride introductions and instructions are good preventative measures to make sure everybody has fun safely.
First - this ain't a drive-in movie about biker gangs. You don't ride 2 abreast. You stagger your formation. There should be a 2 second gap between you and the guy directly ahead of you, and a 1 second gap between you and the guy diagonally from you.
Second - you break a large group into cells of 5-6 bikes per cell. You leave lots of distance between cells. That way, people can pass and arent as tempted to invade your cell, because its small. They only really want to go around. You dont need to inconveinience everybody on the road in efforts to impress.
Third - if your ride has to be a large group riding as a big pack (usually a memorial or funeral ride), then you can get police escorts and are able to close intersections in some cases. That's because you took the time to get a permit. Then you can live your 1% fantasy of a huge wave of bikes riding together. But be warned: Ive been on these huge rides and even when they're sanctioned, it sucks to ride in them.
Lastly - group rides can be fun if you are familiar and trust your fellow riders. This happens by riding with them a lot and getting to know their "quirks"...we all have them. If you don't like clubs or groups then just don't participate. The worst group rides I've seen have been a bunch of people who just got thrown together for a group ride and don't know how to do it. That comes down to club or association leadership, or lack thereof.
* good use of C.B.s and trail parties and before ride introductions and instructions are good preventative measures to make sure everybody has fun safely.
Last edited by Hathaway; Apr 24, 2025 at 02:00 PM.
Our thoughts and well wishes are with everyone involved as well as their families.
Hoping for a speedy recovery for all those suffering.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
Hoping for a speedy recovery for all those suffering.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 988
Likes: 922
From: Mesquite Nevada
I was on a poker run, came to a stop at a stop sign. Knucklehead runs into my back tire, he went down I did not. Then the dope says "why did you stop". It's a stop sign you moron....LOL
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
It happens more than people know. It happened to my wife, too. Some groups will run stoplights that turn red. I've seen a whole group of bikes run a 4-way stopsign, just because the first 2 bikes took off, then get mad at a car for trying to use his right of way, when it was his turn ( what - everyone wont wait for a dozen bikes?). "Group think", instead of common sense, sometimes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 580
From: Ft Smith Arkansas
Here's the uncomfortable truth about group rides: this crap will happen, but it can be minimized so, so easily. No - I'm not an expert, but I learned from them.
First - this ain't a drive-in movie about biker gangs. You don't ride 2 abreast. You stagger your formation. There should be a 2 second gap between you and the guy directly ahead of you, and a 1 second gap between you and the guy diagonally from you.
Second - you break a large group into cells of 5-6 bikes per cell. You leave lots of distance between cells. That way, people can pass and arent as tempted to invade your cell, because its small. They only really want to go around. You dont need to inconveinience everybody on the road in efforts to impress.
Third - if your ride has to be a large group riding as a big pack (usually a memorial or funeral ride), then you can get police escorts and are able to close intersections in some cases. That's because you took the time to get a permit. Then you can live your 1% fantasy of a huge wave of bikes riding together. But be warned: Ive been on these huge rides and even when they're sanctioned, it sucks to ride in them.
Lastly - group rides can be fun if you are familiar and trust your fellow riders. This happens by riding with them a lot and getting to know their "quirks"...we all have them. If you don't like clubs or groups then just don't participate. The worst group rides I've seen have been a bunch of people who just got thrown together for a group ride and don't know how to do it. That comes down to club or association leadership, or lack thereof.
* good use of C.B.s and trail parties and before ride introductions and instructions are good preventative measures to make sure everybody has fun safely.
First - this ain't a drive-in movie about biker gangs. You don't ride 2 abreast. You stagger your formation. There should be a 2 second gap between you and the guy directly ahead of you, and a 1 second gap between you and the guy diagonally from you.
Second - you break a large group into cells of 5-6 bikes per cell. You leave lots of distance between cells. That way, people can pass and arent as tempted to invade your cell, because its small. They only really want to go around. You dont need to inconveinience everybody on the road in efforts to impress.
Third - if your ride has to be a large group riding as a big pack (usually a memorial or funeral ride), then you can get police escorts and are able to close intersections in some cases. That's because you took the time to get a permit. Then you can live your 1% fantasy of a huge wave of bikes riding together. But be warned: Ive been on these huge rides and even when they're sanctioned, it sucks to ride in them.
Lastly - group rides can be fun if you are familiar and trust your fellow riders. This happens by riding with them a lot and getting to know their "quirks"...we all have them. If you don't like clubs or groups then just don't participate. The worst group rides I've seen have been a bunch of people who just got thrown together for a group ride and don't know how to do it. That comes down to club or association leadership, or lack thereof.
* good use of C.B.s and trail parties and before ride introductions and instructions are good preventative measures to make sure everybody has fun safely.
