Group Rides?

[Ghis_imp]

See post # 15 for a piece I wrote for the Goldwing Riders Newsletter on my thoughts on group riding LOL

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....oup+riding

That said I had a great time on the CB rally rides, except for the two days I lost 2 guys on each ride lol

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Wow, I just read your piece from the link you provided. I happen to organize at least one group ride a year, and I can relate to what you've said. Aware of all this I usually try to plan and anticipate for all that, though it's never full proof.

I plan a short ride of about four hours, so no need to stop for hotels, and such. I provide breakfast (breakfast burritos, donuts, coffee, and juice). Some gladly eat, and appreciate the gesture, and some will pack their burrito for later.

I tell everyone that we will be stopping right outside of town (within 5 miles) to fill up, and go potty, even if they have done so already. Stopping before we've even fully warmed up since to be fine with everyone, especially if they know what the plan is.

I tell them that there is no hurry, and we go when we're all there. While others pee, the others just talk, and take pictures.

We ride for a couple hours in the hills/mountains above Denver, then stop for lunch in the town that was planned for lunch. At which point everyone is free to eat where they want, but they know that in one hour we'll all meet at that gas station there. Some have really small range bikes such as my '14 Harley Seventy-Two was with its 2.1 gallon tank/80-90 miles range.

After riding that stretch to lunch, people can either make the meeting time, and ride with the group the last planned stretch, or head back down on their own, their own way, in smaller groups, alone, or stay behind for a longer lunch. So if they feel they want to ride those curves again, but faster, they can.

I try to anticipate the needs but I think the ride is short enough that no one looses patience, and I give plenty of information so they all know what to expect. Those who can't live with what's planned usually don't show up, as they know from previous years riding with me exactly what to expect. Maximum speed is usually 55mph. I never, ever go over the speed limit, and follow every warning signs to slow down in the curves. I don't think anyone ever felt uncomfortable with the pace. The size of our bikes ranges from 1800cc down to 250cc. Some need to be in 3rd gear, while others are in 4th or 5th gear, but we all keep up nicely, unless the leader (me) would decide to accelerate as if at the drag racing strip, which I don't.

I go over the rules of riding in a group. I pre-ride the route twice. The first time to preview the route design, and the second, only a couple days before the actual ride, to assess the road conditions, and newly started road work, or any other unexpected things, such as overflowing waters, sand, pot holes, etc...

There is a specific start time, yes, but it's ok. We are all back home by 2 or 3 pm, leaving room for whatever other plans people have for the rest of their day, and they can leave early if they wish at lunch, and take a shorter way home.

I think that all the points you addressed are going to make me think on how to do next year's Friends' Ride, even better, and more pleasing to everyone. That is, if it's ever possible, since as we all know, you just can't please everybody. But those who come back seem to enjoy the ride, as it seems to cater to their/my style.

In the words of Fog Hat, its a "slow ride, take it easy".