Opinion on group rides.
It is rare when I ride in a group anymore for some of the reason listed in other posts. I prefer to ride with one or two friends whom I trust, most of the time I ride solo and that way I can go whatever route I want. Many times when going on a ride I have no idea where I am going, just decide on the way.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
95% of my riding is solo. The 5% is with one buddy who shares part of my daily commute to/from work for about 20 miles each way, otherwise I'm the Lone Ranger and prefer it that way.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 7
From: Madison, AL
I don't ride in groups for all the reasons listed above. I have enough to worry about with all the dumb asses in cars. I don't want to have to worry about some dipshit in my own group stacking up a bunch of soccer moms talking on their cell phones behind me.
Not being an a$$hole but I think it would be irresponsible of you to not remove yourself and your son from this group. They are obviously oblivious to their jackassery. This is a very good teaching point for him, no matter his age.
Not being an a$$hole but I think it would be irresponsible of you to not remove yourself and your son from this group. They are obviously oblivious to their jackassery. This is a very good teaching point for him, no matter his age.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Where I lay my head is home.
Group riding can be the best thing about having a bike... it can also be the worst.
I strongly suggest you and your son speak up loud and often... and find another group to ride with if things don't change. Sorry... but it's better than the alternate outcome.
I used to ride with a "family oriented" all bike group in San Diego. Lots of women passengers in the club and the "leader" always strongly encouraged (I'd say pushed) the ladies to learn to ride and get bikes.
About 6 months after I stopped riding with them, one of the 'encouraged' ladies was killed on the way home from a Sunday ride. I don't need that **** on my conscience.
I strongly suggest you and your son speak up loud and often... and find another group to ride with if things don't change. Sorry... but it's better than the alternate outcome.
I used to ride with a "family oriented" all bike group in San Diego. Lots of women passengers in the club and the "leader" always strongly encouraged (I'd say pushed) the ladies to learn to ride and get bikes.
About 6 months after I stopped riding with them, one of the 'encouraged' ladies was killed on the way home from a Sunday ride. I don't need that **** on my conscience.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1,871
From: Minnesota
Not sure about traffic laws in other states, but I got pulled over for going 47 in a 55 in the left lane. OK, that was 30 years ago, being followed by a trooper that looked like he was in a hurry (no flashing lights - at least not right away), in a borrowed old beater (speedometer was off, showed 50), and I might of had more of an additude back in those days...
Moral, you may want to see if there is a minimum speed limit in the left lane - I would hate to see the whole group get pulled over.
BTW, I still get **** for getting stopped for driving too slow from my buddies
Moral, you may want to see if there is a minimum speed limit in the left lane - I would hate to see the whole group get pulled over.
BTW, I still get **** for getting stopped for driving too slow from my buddies
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 64
From: Southern Maryland
Well I do lots of group rides since the HOG chapter I belong too has over 500 members. We are out ALL the time and when riding we are just about 5 over the limit and mostly stay in the right lane so the cagers can race by. For some states, like Virginia, if you are taveling at a speed that is impeding traffic, such as the woman mentioned,, you will get pulled and issued a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic... Each state is different.
http://www.trafficviolationlawfirms....fic-points.htm
http://www.trafficviolationlawfirms....fic-points.htm
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Not sure about traffic laws in other states, but I got pulled over for going 47 in a 55 in the left lane. OK, that was 30 years ago, being followed by a trooper that looked like he was in a hurry (no flashing lights - at least not right away), in a borrowed old beater (speedometer was off, showed 50), and I might of had more of an additude back in those days...
Moral, you may want to see if there is a minimum speed limit in the left lane - I would hate to see the whole group get pulled over.
BTW, I still get **** for getting stopped for driving too slow from my buddies
Moral, you may want to see if there is a minimum speed limit in the left lane - I would hate to see the whole group get pulled over.
BTW, I still get **** for getting stopped for driving too slow from my buddies
Last edited by Ron750; May 16, 2013 at 02:50 PM.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
My experience has been the more bikes in the group, the bigger the cluster it turns out to be. Rarely ride with any more than four total bikes and then only with people I know. If there is someone new, I will usually let them go in front of me to observe. Just my 2 sense.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 166
My favorite group rides are the ones where
Everybody stands around looking at each others
Low milage 5 year old super cool chrome machine
And downs 4 or 5 beers. Once everybody is good
And wasted and all the bad *** wanna be biker
Stories are told about doing wheelies on there
Ultras, everybody fires up there barely broke
In harleys and weave out into traffic with there kick
Stands down and shows just how little skill
And control a "real biker" has.
In case you havent clued in.... I skip groups.
To many near misses to want to ride with people
I dont trust. Especially when you throw some
Beer on top. No thanks.
Everybody stands around looking at each others
Low milage 5 year old super cool chrome machine
And downs 4 or 5 beers. Once everybody is good
And wasted and all the bad *** wanna be biker
Stories are told about doing wheelies on there
Ultras, everybody fires up there barely broke
In harleys and weave out into traffic with there kick
Stands down and shows just how little skill
And control a "real biker" has.
In case you havent clued in.... I skip groups.
To many near misses to want to ride with people
I dont trust. Especially when you throw some
Beer on top. No thanks.