Group Ride Frustration
I can understand when someone gets a little testy if the guys leading a ride are going like a complete bat out of hell. But when someone can't even do the speed limit, it does get nerve racking. I would lead several of the rides when I was with the CVMA and there would always be someone complaining. The one that killed me was when someone complains that you speed up and slow down too much. This one came on a ride to St. Augustine one year. We had about 40 bikes at one point. We were doing a solid 80 or so on I-10. The guy right behind me had his cruise set pretty much the whole time. I was on my Crossbones and would make a constant effort on hills and such to manipulate the throttle so as to keep a steady pace. The guy running his cruise never had any issues running up on me or falling back. I started watching more intently and realized it was riders in the middle causing the accordian effect. One was the guy who complained the most.
As for someone doing WAY under the speed limit, that is just as dangerous as someone going too fast in my opinion. And as for old boy who was pissed off with the OP because of his own OLs lack of experience, he would have gotten embarassed in front of everyone. Just sayin'....
As for someone doing WAY under the speed limit, that is just as dangerous as someone going too fast in my opinion. And as for old boy who was pissed off with the OP because of his own OLs lack of experience, he would have gotten embarassed in front of everyone. Just sayin'....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
This kind of crap is why I won't usually ride with a group. I have a bunch of buddies who all ride Harleys and we are all seasoned riders and don't have to deal with rookies. Avoiding "busy roads" is a big red flag. Sure, it's more fun to ride back roads than urban freeways, but my guess is they made that request because they are afraid of riding in traffic. I'm sorry, but if you're going to have a long, healthy riding career you need to be able to deal with traffic.
OP, you did well not to blow up. Next time tell the riders without experience they should ride their own ride, for their own good. Meet up later.
If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch! For your own safety.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,993
From: King George, VA
Let me get this straight now. You let the women join the group ride, knowing that one of them has only riden a bike one time, then ya get bent outa shape when she doesn't keep up?
Ummmm, did you loose you mancard somewhere and couldn't tell her no? You set yourself up for a slow day of riding then complain about it. Heck, even the notion that the women got upset about it then continued to ride with ya makin the whole day miserable. Geeze dude, if they're upset, tell them to part ways or drop the snit, but to continue on with it the rest of the day is sorta like crapin your trousers and not stopping to clean it out.
Ummmm, did you loose you mancard somewhere and couldn't tell her no? You set yourself up for a slow day of riding then complain about it. Heck, even the notion that the women got upset about it then continued to ride with ya makin the whole day miserable. Geeze dude, if they're upset, tell them to part ways or drop the snit, but to continue on with it the rest of the day is sorta like crapin your trousers and not stopping to clean it out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
Sounds like the OP didnt know he was having extra riders. One thing we do even if only a few bikes is have a "safety" meeting before riding. If going somewhere new,we discuss routes, speeds etc. Last statement being...if you dont think your skills are up to this ride,we will see you there. If not, we expect you to keep up. Leader sers cruise or holds speed at the speed limit and goes on.
Another thought......the peckerhead that blasted you would have just become the new leader and away i would have gone. He/they would not have messed up my ride. Thought two...if you got up and planned the ride, unless open to anyone, extra riders should have been cleared rhrough you.
Another thought......the peckerhead that blasted you would have just become the new leader and away i would have gone. He/they would not have messed up my ride. Thought two...if you got up and planned the ride, unless open to anyone, extra riders should have been cleared rhrough you.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Well I had no idea that his wife was riding her own bike. We talked on the phone two days before and he asked how my wife was doing on her bike and I said good, but there was no way she was ready to ride in a group and probably would noty be this season. I would had thought that he would have understood what I was saying. As far as the other woman that showed up, they were well how do I say this umm quite "Manly" when they rode up and I said something to him and he told me they were good riders...OK so now I know....
I have ridden with large groups enough to know it is not my resposibility as the leader to have to keep slowing down for half the pack to catch up. When going the speed limit if they fall behind they need to find that portion of the road that they can safely catch back up to the pack. It was expected that the four of us up front continue to slow down on a speed limit 50 or 55 to 30 mphor less for them to catch up. Even when we tried that they still fell behind (meaning they just went slower...) It is obvious they have a space issue because they are uncomfortable, they think they are being safe or cautious by keeping distance but what they really did was had the most inexperienced rider (2nd time on bike) now they leader of a pack of 7 bikes. Not safe from where I am sitting!!!
We tried having an experienced rider drop to the back and push a little they did not respond. We had one of the front four drop back and try to pull then ahead a little, they did not respond. I know they are a great group to sit around and have lunch with on a Sunday afternoon, but getting there is the problem...
My wife and I just back last weekend from a 2014 mile week long trip to the BRP/Tail of the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway ride. It was so relaxing and peaceful. The ride yesterday took over 2 hours to ride 64 miles, and I got my *** jumped for going too fast. Yes I am just a little frustrated...
I have ridden with large groups enough to know it is not my resposibility as the leader to have to keep slowing down for half the pack to catch up. When going the speed limit if they fall behind they need to find that portion of the road that they can safely catch back up to the pack. It was expected that the four of us up front continue to slow down on a speed limit 50 or 55 to 30 mphor less for them to catch up. Even when we tried that they still fell behind (meaning they just went slower...) It is obvious they have a space issue because they are uncomfortable, they think they are being safe or cautious by keeping distance but what they really did was had the most inexperienced rider (2nd time on bike) now they leader of a pack of 7 bikes. Not safe from where I am sitting!!!
We tried having an experienced rider drop to the back and push a little they did not respond. We had one of the front four drop back and try to pull then ahead a little, they did not respond. I know they are a great group to sit around and have lunch with on a Sunday afternoon, but getting there is the problem...
My wife and I just back last weekend from a 2014 mile week long trip to the BRP/Tail of the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway ride. It was so relaxing and peaceful. The ride yesterday took over 2 hours to ride 64 miles, and I got my *** jumped for going too fast. Yes I am just a little frustrated...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
No group ride for us. Been there, done that, we're done.
Between the guy who can't be on-time, the one who needs gas 3 miles after leaving, the one who drinks beer all day long, the one who can't ride for sh*t and hits the brakes in the middle of a curve, the one who can't stay staggered and has to be right next to someone else, the one whose bike has always problems, etc..... we've seen them all.
Now, it's 3-4 bikes max and we're very selective about who we ride with. Riding is supposed to be enjoyable, not like a root canal.
Between the guy who can't be on-time, the one who needs gas 3 miles after leaving, the one who drinks beer all day long, the one who can't ride for sh*t and hits the brakes in the middle of a curve, the one who can't stay staggered and has to be right next to someone else, the one whose bike has always problems, etc..... we've seen them all.
Now, it's 3-4 bikes max and we're very selective about who we ride with. Riding is supposed to be enjoyable, not like a root canal.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
I like helpin out new folks as well but usually they have put in the tie to at least be comfortable on the bike and speed limits.The ones frustarted should have been the newbies. hopefully they are smart enough to realize they have a long way to go before they are comfortable and can call thenselves a rider. Damn lucky you where as patient as you were.