Opinion on group rides.
i always seem to be the one behind the frustrating rider when we group ride. my hubby always rides behind me and can always tell when I'm getting frustrated. I just wanna yell at them....its not that hard, people!!!!! AGH!!!!! slow then fast....all over the freaking road...for god sake if you can't ride in a pack, stay your *** at home. Im about to give it up here soon if the rides don't get better....that, or make sure I'm not stuck behind some dumb ***....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: Denver Co.
Wow, guess I hit a nerve. First off let me say that she's not a an idiot or a a bad rider, she is a very nice lady, and a good rider she just has a couple of bad habits and it seems that I'm the only one in this group to see that.
As for riding in groups it's true that a group of two or three is better and can be safer than riding solo because you can watch and defend each other. Three bikes can command a fair section of real estate and keep other traffic far enough away that they are much less dangerous. Two or three bikes can operate as a single flexible entity if the riders know each other and ride together enough to know each others style. So I would prefer to ride with one or two other bikes, it's always better to have one or two close friends than a bunch of acquaintances. Larger groups can do it too but it's much more difficult to maintain unity. I still need to figure out how to bring this whole issue to the groups attention without pissing anyone off because I like everyone and mostly enjoy riding with them. Guess I wasn't born to be a diplomat. Anyway thanks for the support and sharing your thoughts.
As for riding in groups it's true that a group of two or three is better and can be safer than riding solo because you can watch and defend each other. Three bikes can command a fair section of real estate and keep other traffic far enough away that they are much less dangerous. Two or three bikes can operate as a single flexible entity if the riders know each other and ride together enough to know each others style. So I would prefer to ride with one or two other bikes, it's always better to have one or two close friends than a bunch of acquaintances. Larger groups can do it too but it's much more difficult to maintain unity. I still need to figure out how to bring this whole issue to the groups attention without pissing anyone off because I like everyone and mostly enjoy riding with them. Guess I wasn't born to be a diplomat. Anyway thanks for the support and sharing your thoughts.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Give them all a link to HDF and this thread. Or, you can take the lead and show them how it is done by example.
Last edited by soos; May 17, 2013 at 10:52 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
I often ride with a group maybe 8 or 10 bikes that lets one lady lead most of the time. She is a good rider but she is a bit slow. Usually 5 or 10 under the limit. The other day we were on a 55 MPH four lane highway and she was staying in the left lane causing or allowing a line of several cars to pass us in the right lane. This really bothered me because if one of the cars screwed up it would push us into on coming traffic. When I mentioned this I was told I'm just a Grouchy Old Man, but my riding philosophies have kept me alive for 50 plus years of riding. I'd like to hear some other opinions on whether I'm right or wrong on this and how it should be handled if you think I was right so I don't come off as a GOM. It seems the other riders don't see this as a dangerous enough situation to take steps to correct it. This wasn't the only situation that I've felt uncomfortable with when riding with this group. I know some one will suggest find a different group to ride with but one of the other riders is my son and I do like riding with him and they are mostly his friends. It's hard to find people who you trust to ride with.
Ok so maybe I am GOM but that doesn't mean I'm wrong does it?
I'm really not that grouchy but I do find it hard to not express my opinion from time to time.
Ok so maybe I am GOM but that doesn't mean I'm wrong does it?
I'm really not that grouchy but I do find it hard to not express my opinion from time to time.
Who did you mention it to?
Pull her aside, stand next to her bike, and point to the speedometer, and in a fatherly tone of voice, tell her what it's for
Then tell her she's not riding defensively, and that she could cause an accident, that could include part, or all of the group. Then ask her if she could live with herself if she gets someone killed. Again.... do this one on one. Don't do it in front of the group. If things don't improve, then make your exit from the group.
I have a couple of very close friends that I refuse to ride with, because of something similar. Kinda scares the crap out of you when the wife of your friend has a habit of letting her bike wander left in a right hand sweeper......... to the point that she is in the oncoming traffic lane. She insists on leading....... so when she becomes the hood ornament on a Buick .....Well, I just don't want to watch that happen.
Last edited by shooter5074; May 17, 2013 at 10:56 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 154
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From: Denver Co.
[quote=shooter5074;11304181]Who did you mention it to?
Pull her aside, stand next to her bike, and point to the speedometer, and in a fatherly tone of voice, tell her what it's for Then tell her she's not riding defensively, and that she could cause an accident, that could include part, or all of the group. Then ask her if she could live with herself if she gets someone killed.
Again.... do this one on one. Don't do it in front of the group. If things don't improve, then make your exit from the group.
I talked it over with my son, and showed him the replies from this forum that support my position, pointing out the fact that nobody thought I was out of line. And at one time I told the lady that I was going to bend the needle on her speedo back 10 MPH but I'm not sure she caught the hint. Since this happened I have pretty much avoided the group but if it happens again I'll do the one on one.
Pull her aside, stand next to her bike, and point to the speedometer, and in a fatherly tone of voice, tell her what it's for
Then tell her she's not riding defensively, and that she could cause an accident, that could include part, or all of the group. Then ask her if she could live with herself if she gets someone killed. Again.... do this one on one. Don't do it in front of the group. If things don't improve, then make your exit from the group.
I talked it over with my son, and showed him the replies from this forum that support my position, pointing out the fact that nobody thought I was out of line. And at one time I told the lady that I was going to bend the needle on her speedo back 10 MPH but I'm not sure she caught the hint. Since this happened I have pretty much avoided the group but if it happens again I'll do the one on one.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 791
Likes: 2
From: Canada
Well GOM, I agree with you wrt to slow leader on group ride in left lane ! Ok if you are going to ride in a group identifying a new rider who may happen to be slower and picking the location for them to ride , depending on skill levels is OK (even lead might be ok) , but left riding is not OK. Slowing up traffic so they have to pass on right side is illegal over here , and might get you killed in traffic. Personal choice, but I avoid any more than 5 persons on a ride, and prefer solo or maybe 2 or 3 fellow riders.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
I am fortunate in that our group rides very well together and we keep the speed at a comfortable and realistic pace. I am one of the three ride leaders, and we would not allow a person such as you described to lead the group, as part of our safety process.
We have lady riders as well, and they all ride great... I guess you can say we've groomed our new riders to ride the way we do and adhere to good and safe habits while riding. We're not a speedy group, and do ride safe, and at the least keep up with the flow of traffic around us.
Good groups are hard to come by, I've ridden with a few bad ones, and dropped out because of it. When you do find a good group though, with good leadership and good people, it can be very enjoyable.
I do enjoy riding alone though, and most of my riding is alone, or with my wife, she rides her own bike.
We have lady riders as well, and they all ride great... I guess you can say we've groomed our new riders to ride the way we do and adhere to good and safe habits while riding. We're not a speedy group, and do ride safe, and at the least keep up with the flow of traffic around us.
Good groups are hard to come by, I've ridden with a few bad ones, and dropped out because of it. When you do find a good group though, with good leadership and good people, it can be very enjoyable.
I do enjoy riding alone though, and most of my riding is alone, or with my wife, she rides her own bike.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: Denver Co.
I rode with these people to and from Sturgis and we were at full tilt boogie to whole way, no problems at that time.