Newbie group riding advice

[Brownbikerbabe]

What would u advise a newbie who has never been on a group ride before?
I will be doing a charity run in June and don't know what to expect any wise words from you all woul be greatly appreciated.

[Gremlin]

Be very aware of whats happening up ahead would be the biggest thing I would think. There have been huuuge pile ups before, when riders in the middle of the group haven't noticed stopped bikes up ahead, and plowed into them.

Depending on the ride, they can also be slow, perhaps making the bike get hot.

Just be very aware of everything, and enjoy it. :ride:

[Paul in NZ]

Don't go unless you know some of the folks you will be riding with...

If you ride at the back you will have to go super fast to keep up. Sorry, it's a law of traffic (no I'm serious)

Find out where they are going so if you loose the bunch you can still get to the destination.

Leave room for morons to pass you..

Take your Moto Guzzi - You WILL be cool...

Make sure you have plenty of gas BEFORE you join the group!

Take a cellphone, money, credit card and a map....

Have fun but don't listen to biker BS about how hot you are and of course they are single - they are all scum... Except for Moto Guzzi owners - They are cool...

http://www.virginiawind.com/tips/group_riding_accordion_effect.asp

http://www.msgroup.org/TIP062.html

[The_Dover]

Check JustSomeGuy isn't gonna be there and you'll be sweet.

[XP@]

Acc have a nice free dvd full of advice for group riding, well worth a look

KB Thread
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=18118

Or direct from here
http://www.rideforever.co.nz/road_awareness/group_riding.html

[Swoop]

Ride at YOUR pace!

[pritch]

Look past the bike(s) immediately in front of you. Look as far up the road as you can, don't develop a fixed stare at the bike immediately in front.

See if you can find a rider, or riders, with a pillion passenger on a bike with similar performance to yours and ride with them. Let the guys on the CBRs, GSXRs, R1s, ZXRs, RSVs, etc go for it. They are the cop bait. (Thanks guys :-)

[ZeroIndex]

Acc have a nice free dvd full of advice for group riding, well worth a look

KB Thread
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=18118

Or direct from here
http://www.rideforever.co.nz/road_awareness/group_riding.html
couldn't agree more.. (i was gonna post about the dvd, until i saw you already had).. that dvd is a really good crash course on riding in groups (hence the name).. hope your group riding goes well :)

[ZeroIndex]

Check JustSomeGuy isn't gonna be there and you'll be sweet.
lol.. BURN!!!! he's never gonna live that down.. and he shouldn't..

[ZeroIndex]

couldn't agree more.. (i was gonna post about the dvd, until i saw you already had).. that dvd is a really good crash course on riding in groups (hence the name).. hope your group riding goes well :)
argh.. just realised brownbabe lives in Canada.. I don't think they'll mail it there <_<

[sels1]

The others have already said what I was going to say so I will ask a question instead. Of all the bike forums on the internet, why do you like using this one, seeing as it's based on the other side of the world? (where we drive on the other side of the road) Do you have connections in NZ or do you just like our accents?:laugh:
Enjoy your ride.

[Dafe]

Just make sure evrybody understands how and why we group ride in a staggered formation.

[Macktheknife]

Take your time, ride your own ride, relax and make sure you know where the ride is due to end up. Ride with others you know if possible, if not, take a cell phone and map and ride to your skill level not what you may think you are 'supposed' to do. Finally... enjoy it, riding in groups can be a real blast.