Group Rides
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Group Rides
Used to go on group rides 8 - 9 years ago. Saw some bad incidents and also some riders that didn't have a clue. They are to stressful and dangerous for my liking. Had rather ride with a small group I know. Much more fun and relaxing.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Group Rides
I do not like group rides at all. Once the idiot in front of me whipped out his cell phone and made a call. WTF. I will only do one group ride a year. I feel dedicated to the "Ride for Kids" that's held in Phoenix in October. The money is for the pediatric brain tumor foundation and after going on my first one in N.C. in 1994 I have been hooked. Other than that NONE. I prefer the solitude of riding alone.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Group Rides
ORIGINAL: 89FLHT
I have not been on one in many, many years. I attended one yesterday because 2 of my Buddies really wanted to do it. I made it 1/3 of the way before I bailed out. It wound up that they both decided to followed me out of it We gassed up, went to a bar to get rehydrated
and get some food, and then rode for 4 hours and had a blast.
God bless you if you like them, but being with that many bikes, going that slow, and seeing so many retards (same skull bandanas, tribal tatoos, and color matching helmets) in one place is just too much.
I have not been on one in many, many years. I attended one yesterday because 2 of my Buddies really wanted to do it. I made it 1/3 of the way before I bailed out. It wound up that they both decided to followed me out of it We gassed up, went to a bar to get rehydrated
and get some food, and then rode for 4 hours and had a blast.God bless you if you like them, but being with that many bikes, going that slow, and seeing so many retards (same skull bandanas, tribal tatoos, and color matching helmets) in one place is just too much.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 94
RE: Group Rides
doin my first group ride this comin friday, I'm always a lone wolf. the ride is to commemorate a fallen FF who got killed off duty ridin his harley. lots of other folks from surrounding departements are goin too so it should be good, but we'll see!!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Roswell, Ga
RE: Group Rides
I did one sunday sort of. There were about 150 bikes involved. But it was a poker run. We were leaving in groups as big as 8-10 as as small as 2. I rode with 7 others and there was only one girl that wasn't very good. I know the majority of the group. I love to ride with 4-5 others but that's it. It's always the same small group.
I prefer to go with a couple friend. I did ride with an old friend a while back and he was a new rider. Made me so nervous. I haven't even called to ask him to go again. He's a bigtime foot Dragger. When I see that it drives me nuts. Feet on pegs or boards if you are moving!!!!
If you are reading this and are a foot dragger, please take the steps needed to stop. Practice low speed riding.
I prefer to go with a couple friend. I did ride with an old friend a while back and he was a new rider. Made me so nervous. I haven't even called to ask him to go again. He's a bigtime foot Dragger. When I see that it drives me nuts. Feet on pegs or boards if you are moving!!!!
If you are reading this and are a foot dragger, please take the steps needed to stop. Practice low speed riding.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Group Rides
I have enjoyed some poker runs. They were fun and well spaced out. I have ridden the Big Texas toy run which leaves Dallas and Ft.Worth and Meets in the middle. Too Many people showing off, acting a fool. I did one poker run for several years ago that started at my Harley shop then to a Hooters then to some other places and ended up at Texas Motor Speedway then let you ride a few laps around the track. I rode that one with my wife and of course the Organ Donors (crotch rockets) had to show off around the track. I enjoy riding with a few other bikes but I usually pass on the giant group rides.
Jeff
Jeff
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Group Rides
Group rides are okay if you can ride with your friends around you. That way you know the skill level of those in front and behind and how they will react to a situation. Our local HOG chapter does a number of group rides during the year, but we also do monthly group training rides, skills courses for slow riding/group riding, and introductory group rides for new riders, new bikes, etc so they can learn what to do and not to do in a group. We also have a very well trained group of Road Captains that keep the groups organized and under control.
Our largest group ride to date was a 1500 mile, 4 day event that had 103 bikes in one group.
I will ride on poker runs put on by other groups or charities, but unless I know some other riders there I will run by myself. The last thing I need to to be taken out by another rider who doesn't know how to control his bike.
This year we decided that only one poker run would be open to the public just for that reason. The only time we have had incidents on group/poker runs was with outside riders who just had to show how cool they were on their bikes.
Our largest group ride to date was a 1500 mile, 4 day event that had 103 bikes in one group.
I will ride on poker runs put on by other groups or charities, but unless I know some other riders there I will run by myself. The last thing I need to to be taken out by another rider who doesn't know how to control his bike.
This year we decided that only one poker run would be open to the public just for that reason. The only time we have had incidents on group/poker runs was with outside riders who just had to show how cool they were on their bikes.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Group Rides
After riding a couple of large rides, I find that going on small rides with 4 to 6 friends is a more enjoyable and you can take nice country roads. With large rides it is usually on main roads or highways.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: Group Rides
My preference is one or two friends to ride with. I've done a few group rides with PGR members for missions and they were fine because all the riders were experienced and responsible. This past June I rode from Joliet speedway to Marsails, IL for the Illinois Freedom Run. I believe there was about 28,000 motorcycles in that group according to news stories. It was a real experience and I would do it again because of the cause, but you really need to stay on your toes because there are some real idiots riding and some bad thing can and do happen. Riding on I 55 the two guys in front of me were riding handlebar to handlebar and one guy actually was opening the other guys windshield bag and reached it to get a pack of cigaretts and this was at about 60 MPH!
