Group Rides?

[Rocky_imp]

I've been the secretary/treasurer of a vintage motorcycle club for 20 years and we have a very active riding schedule of group rides about every two weeks.
The numbers can vary fro 10-15, to 25-35. 95% of us have been riding together for over 20 years and we only ride on back roads at speeds of not much more than 90 kph (55 mph).
We have many coastal roads with beautiful scenery so the slower speeds allow us to enjoy the scenery and the old bikes are not stressed.

[DJS_imp]

Do you? How often? How long have you been doing them? How many riders on average in the group? Has group riding improved your confidence and skill level?
Have you made new friends and met enthusiasts like yourself? Have these friendships enhanced your quality of life beyond just riding?
C'mon, spill it!

i do.
a few local per riding season and one big one in ohio each year.
local group since i started riding and been doing the ohio one for many years. (as both rider and passenger)
local group can be from 3 - 10 cycles. the ohio one can be 30 - 40 ish.
i also did one in Tennessee last year for the first time with maybe 20 cycles.
all the above are with the same group of people from a different forum.
i have learned alot from riding with the group.
made great friends that go beyond just riding.


[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/djs_151/media/1-1-05%20RIDE/P1100010.jpg.html]
pic from an old group ride.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/djs_151/media/bug%20bash%2010%20-%202013/100_2654_zpsa0e20016.jpg.html]
pic from a smaller ohio ride

[HikerToo_imp]

When I first started riding in the mid eighties
I used to ride with a fast pack of Ninjas.
Guess over the years I have turned into more of a loaner
Although it's human nature to seek out like minded individuals, I don't feel the need to hang out with others just because they have the same hobby, interest, etc.
So, no car shows, team sports, motorcycle groups or hiking clubs any more....

[mininsx_imp]

I've never been on a group ride that I enjoyed. There's always too many riders who have no clue about riding in a group!

[the Ferret]

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

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/CB1100%20Forum%20Rally/CB1100%20Rally%20375_zpsv0fux65q.jpg.html]

[redbirds_imp]

We do a couple of charity rides each year and bad experience has taught us to ride well behind the group.

The best group ride ever was at the NC rally. All rode safely and responsibly making for a really fine experience. Special thanks to Ferret, dUh and others who made sure the group rides were entertaining and safe.

[offroadfx4_imp]

NC Rally was the first large group ride for me....totally enjoyed it.....thanks to all who organized it!

I enjoyed Ferret's pace through the twisties....fast enough to be both challenging and enjoyable.

The only problem I saw was we lost sight of the pack behind us a few times.....I don't know the answer to that.

I understand the unwritten rule / courtesy of not passing the rider in front of you. Probably a good rule most of the time.

However I wondered....if the rider in front of you starts to lose the pack....then maybe it would be good idea to pass them?

That would kind of self sort the faster riders from the slower riders and since the delay of a group slowing, speeding up, stopping, starting tends to bunch everyone together again, it would all work out to keep the group together?

Just wondering out loud.....totally enjoyed the group as it was and can't wait to do it again!

[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

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/CB1100%20Forum%20Rally/CB1100%20Rally%20375_zpsv0fux65q.jpg.html]

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".

[Cormanus]

NC Rally was the first large group ride for me....totally enjoyed it.....thanks to all who organized it!

I enjoyed Ferret's pace through the twisties....fast enough to be both challenging and enjoyable.

The only problem I saw was we lost sight of the pack behind us a few times.....I don't know the answer to that.

I understand the unwritten rule / courtesy of not passing the rider in front of you. Probably a good rule most of the time.

However I wondered....if the rider in front of you starts to lose the pack....then maybe it would be good idea to pass them?

That would kind of self sort the faster riders from the slower riders and since the delay of a group slowing, speeding up, stopping, starting tends to bunch everyone together again, it would all work out to keep the group together?

Just wondering out loud.....totally enjoyed the group as it was and can't wait to do it again!

For what it's worth offroad, it seems to me important that every group ride have a person at the rear who stays with the slowest rider in the group. It's as important as the person up the front. I think it ought to be OK to pass the person in front of you if you want to ride more quickly and others in the group are doing so, provided there's someone bringing up the rear.

[Ghis_imp]

There is no rule in group riding that says you can't pass another bike. When you are asked not to pass other bikes, it simply means not in the same lane. Staggered riding formation affords every rider more space in case of an emergency stop, or avoiding an object. Passing another rider within his/her own lane who doesn't expect you to do so, will restrict his/her ability to move within his/her own lane. Bikes need to be able to use the entire width of the lane at all time. Passing another rider within his/her lane, either on the right or the left is plain dangerous. The proper way to pass another rider is the same as when passing a car, by using either another lane, or use the on coming traffic lane. This way the rider you are passing can clearly see you passing him/her, and you're not catching him/her off guard by snicking up on him/her. Also the group will see you passing, and will be able to adjust/slow down to let you back in, and everyone may have to readjust the staggered formation. The only time you may be side by side in the same lane, is when the group is coming to a stop at either a stop light or a stop, so the group doesn't take as much space on the road. Riding side by side is illegal in many states. I have one friend who thinks that creeping up on others within their lane is ok when he wants to talk to them. No one ever wants to ride with him, because he is unpredictable.

Also there should always be a road captain at the front, and a sweeper at the back of the group. That is not so much for pace, as it is to make sure no one is left alone in case of a mechanical/medical problem, or a fall.

I love group riding. The rules are clear, simple, and not all that hard to follow. A good road captain will anticipate traffic, will look out for the group, and will make careful moves, making lane changes only after making sure that there is enough space for the whole group to move over safely, just as an 18 wheeler truck driver would to move his long rig over to another lane. However and ultimately any rider is responsible for his/her own safety, and should never follow blindly the group without making sure that the move is safe for him or herself.