Dumb Complaint
#1
04-23-2011, 05:07 PM
Dumb Complaint
I don't know what the Chuck Norris Guide to Manly Etiquette says, but at the risk of looking like a complete idiot I'm going to be a ratfink. Some of you may think I'm being a girlyman for airing out an embarrassing episode. Others will berate me for not punching out the man right there in the middle of the funeral.
It was a PGR event, a funeral in Louisville, Mississippi, heavily attended by the American Legion Riders. The PGR road captain handed over responsibilities of Ride Captain to a local rider with the ALR, to take advantage of his familiarity with the routes.
The first thing that went wrong was the briefing. It has been my experience that group rides without a good brief degenerate quickly in a general dustup, so much so that I have a standing rule...no brief, no ride. Miz Roo and meself showed up at the funeral home a half hour early. We were the first ones there, but were soon joined by about 20 other bikes. These riders had rallied at the local Walmart and received their brief at that time.
The next thing that went wrong was my delay in seeking out the Ride Captain to get a personal brief. The next thing I knew, we got the command to mount up. I had no briefing, yet I stayed with the group for the ride.
The ride to the cemetery was on a thin, rural blacktop. It was hard enough to stay in my slot, dragging two full-size flags against a gusty crosswind. I was bike #4, trying to hold the 2-3 second interval behind the Ride Captain (who was in slot #2). He kept making a "pass me" signal, sometimes using his throttle hand. I finally figured out that he wanted me to close up the formation. I closed to within 2 seconds, then 1 second...too close for me! I backed off and watched in awe as the #2 and #3 bikes closed to within a bike length of each other (and bike #1, who had no say in what was going on).
We made it to the funeral in one piece and I parked Stray Dog next to the Ride Captain. As I hung my helmet, he stepped up and told me that I had to ride a lot better than that if I wanted to ride with them.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He continued berating me in front of the group and then left. I turned and apologized to the bikers behind me, but I added that I was uncomfortable with the RC's 1/4 second interval.
So, was it just me?
It was a PGR event, a funeral in Louisville, Mississippi, heavily attended by the American Legion Riders. The PGR road captain handed over responsibilities of Ride Captain to a local rider with the ALR, to take advantage of his familiarity with the routes.
The first thing that went wrong was the briefing. It has been my experience that group rides without a good brief degenerate quickly in a general dustup, so much so that I have a standing rule...no brief, no ride. Miz Roo and meself showed up at the funeral home a half hour early. We were the first ones there, but were soon joined by about 20 other bikes. These riders had rallied at the local Walmart and received their brief at that time.
The next thing that went wrong was my delay in seeking out the Ride Captain to get a personal brief. The next thing I knew, we got the command to mount up. I had no briefing, yet I stayed with the group for the ride.
The ride to the cemetery was on a thin, rural blacktop. It was hard enough to stay in my slot, dragging two full-size flags against a gusty crosswind. I was bike #4, trying to hold the 2-3 second interval behind the Ride Captain (who was in slot #2). He kept making a "pass me" signal, sometimes using his throttle hand. I finally figured out that he wanted me to close up the formation. I closed to within 2 seconds, then 1 second...too close for me! I backed off and watched in awe as the #2 and #3 bikes closed to within a bike length of each other (and bike #1, who had no say in what was going on).
We made it to the funeral in one piece and I parked Stray Dog next to the Ride Captain. As I hung my helmet, he stepped up and told me that I had to ride a lot better than that if I wanted to ride with them.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He continued berating me in front of the group and then left. I turned and apologized to the bikers behind me, but I added that I was uncomfortable with the RC's 1/4 second interval.
So, was it just me?
#2
04-23-2011, 07:30 PM
No, it wasn't you. While it may look "cool" to ride that close, and bar to bar, it is DEADLY when the riders don't know each other, and sometimes when they do.
And to berate you in front of others? I would have told him what an A$$ he was loudly.
You were right, he was wrong!
And to berate you in front of others? I would have told him what an A$$ he was loudly.
You were right, he was wrong!
#3
04-23-2011, 07:34 PM
Ride your ride, even in a formation. I dont doubt you have a lot of experience Roo and not saying this was the case with you but RC didnt know you so you have just as easy been some noob who could have gotten in over his head and taken a few bikes out.
#4
04-23-2011, 07:34 PM
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I would have reminded the *** hat that we were there for the fallen soldier not his riding style or ego. You did the right thing and I would not have apologized to any of them. Sometimes we forget its about honoring a hero, not about how awesome we look in formation.
#5
04-23-2011, 07:40 PM
i would had leaned over whipsered in his ear to go Fuc* himself and turned around and rode home. like Chuck Norris, i dont take Chit from anyone. someone talks to me like that, unwarranted, they will get a response. i would have rode off after that.
#6
04-23-2011, 08:45 PM
Road Master
I think you did the right thing. You were there to honor a fallen servicemember. I would not have raised a ruckus at the funeral, but I would have rode out of there alone. There'll be another time to get him squared away.
SugsPa
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#7
04-23-2011, 10:22 PM
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#8
04-23-2011, 10:41 PM
I first saw the PG in action while working an intersection, as a Deputy Sheriff, during a soldiers funeral. It IS impressive, seeing a LONG line of Harleys, (and other makes), with the flags flying.
I've ridden with them a few times. Very impressed with their Patriotism and dedication to the fallen soldier!
#9
04-24-2011, 07:33 AM
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I don't know what the Chuck Norris Guide to Manly Etiquette says, but at the risk of looking like a complete idiot I'm going to be a ratfink. Some of you may think I'm being a girlyman for airing out an embarrassing episode. Others will berate me for not punching out the man right there in the middle of the funeral.
It was a PGR event, a funeral in Louisville, Mississippi, heavily attended by the American Legion Riders. The PGR road captain handed over responsibilities of Ride Captain to a local rider with the ALR, to take advantage of his familiarity with the routes.
The first thing that went wrong was the briefing. It has been my experience that group rides without a good brief degenerate quickly in a general dustup, so much so that I have a standing rule...no brief, no ride. Miz Roo and meself showed up at the funeral home a half hour early. We were the first ones there, but were soon joined by about 20 other bikes. These riders had rallied at the local Walmart and received their brief at that time.
The next thing that went wrong was my delay in seeking out the Ride Captain to get a personal brief. The next thing I knew, we got the command to mount up. I had no briefing, yet I stayed with the group for the ride.
The ride to the cemetery was on a thin, rural blacktop. It was hard enough to stay in my slot, dragging two full-size flags against a gusty crosswind. I was bike #4, trying to hold the 2-3 second interval behind the Ride Captain (who was in slot #2). He kept making a "pass me" signal, sometimes using his throttle hand. I finally figured out that he wanted me to close up the formation. I closed to within 2 seconds, then 1 second...too close for me! I backed off and watched in awe as the #2 and #3 bikes closed to within a bike length of each other (and bike #1, who had no say in what was going on).
We made it to the funeral in one piece and I parked Stray Dog next to the Ride Captain. As I hung my helmet, he stepped up and told me that I had to ride a lot better than that if I wanted to ride with them.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He continued berating me in front of the group and then left. I turned and apologized to the bikers behind me, but I added that I was uncomfortable with the RC's 1/4 second interval.
So, was it just me?
It was a PGR event, a funeral in Louisville, Mississippi, heavily attended by the American Legion Riders. The PGR road captain handed over responsibilities of Ride Captain to a local rider with the ALR, to take advantage of his familiarity with the routes.
The first thing that went wrong was the briefing. It has been my experience that group rides without a good brief degenerate quickly in a general dustup, so much so that I have a standing rule...no brief, no ride. Miz Roo and meself showed up at the funeral home a half hour early. We were the first ones there, but were soon joined by about 20 other bikes. These riders had rallied at the local Walmart and received their brief at that time.
The next thing that went wrong was my delay in seeking out the Ride Captain to get a personal brief. The next thing I knew, we got the command to mount up. I had no briefing, yet I stayed with the group for the ride.
The ride to the cemetery was on a thin, rural blacktop. It was hard enough to stay in my slot, dragging two full-size flags against a gusty crosswind. I was bike #4, trying to hold the 2-3 second interval behind the Ride Captain (who was in slot #2). He kept making a "pass me" signal, sometimes using his throttle hand. I finally figured out that he wanted me to close up the formation. I closed to within 2 seconds, then 1 second...too close for me! I backed off and watched in awe as the #2 and #3 bikes closed to within a bike length of each other (and bike #1, who had no say in what was going on).
We made it to the funeral in one piece and I parked Stray Dog next to the Ride Captain. As I hung my helmet, he stepped up and told me that I had to ride a lot better than that if I wanted to ride with them.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He continued berating me in front of the group and then left. I turned and apologized to the bikers behind me, but I added that I was uncomfortable with the RC's 1/4 second interval.
So, was it just me?
You did the right thing, though, by not causing a scene and punching that douche out.
#10
04-24-2011, 07:45 AM
This guy wasn't PGR - he was leading a contingent of American Legion Riders out of Kosciusko. I had always held the ALR in high regard up to this point. Now, I'm a little slow on the uptake, but I have reviewed selected clips from my memory and have discovered that I had been successfully coaxed to ride beyond my skill level, endangering riders around me - including Miz Roo herself (who was flying a large flag from her Sportster at my 8 o'clock position).
I have led escorts before. You can't do that unless you really ARE, to some extent, full of yourself. I don't fault this individual's ego, only his judgment. Funeral escorts are hazardous, whether or not LEO is standing guard at the stoplights. I consider a 2-3 second interval in the slot to be taxing enough. Riding "butts-to-nuts" in a flag parade is beyond irresponsible.
I just can't see any reason why I would ever again follow a ride leader just because he was with the ALR. Surely I wasn't the only rider who saw what was going on. If the American Legion can't control their own members, then my new Personal Rule will be "always ride behind and well clear of the ALR".
I have led escorts before. You can't do that unless you really ARE, to some extent, full of yourself. I don't fault this individual's ego, only his judgment. Funeral escorts are hazardous, whether or not LEO is standing guard at the stoplights. I consider a 2-3 second interval in the slot to be taxing enough. Riding "butts-to-nuts" in a flag parade is beyond irresponsible.
I just can't see any reason why I would ever again follow a ride leader just because he was with the ALR. Surely I wasn't the only rider who saw what was going on. If the American Legion can't control their own members, then my new Personal Rule will be "always ride behind and well clear of the ALR".