What's the best group ride for beginners?

**Mrs weekendwarrior** · 6th April 2010, 15:44

hey guys, wanting to try the group ride thing, which is the best group ride to join bearing in mind that im still on learners, have only been riding 6 months & havn't been over 100... i live in pakuranga but keen to go anywhere.... just don't want anyone to laugh at me when i show up on my little GN125 (note: planning on buying ninja in couple of weeks time.. hopefully if i past my restricted it will be my present to myself)

**Mrs weekendwarrior** · 6th April 2010, 15:44

hey guys, wanting to try the group ride thing, which is the best group ride to join bearing in mind that im still on learners, have only been riding 6 months & havn't been over 100... i live in pakuranga but keen to go anywhere.... just don't want anyone to laugh at me when i show up on my little GN125 (note: planning on buying ninja in couple of weeks time.. hopefully if i past my restricted it will be my present to myself)

**yungatart** · 6th April 2010, 15:48

Ride with a small goup (2-3 others) that you REALLY trust!
Not so much that they won't laugh at you, but that they ride safely and with consideration.

**Mrs weekendwarrior** · 6th April 2010, 15:49

Unfortunatley i only know one other that rides... my hubby & one of us has to stay home with the kids!

**yungatart** · 6th April 2010, 15:54

Join a babysitting club, so you can both ride together.
Or find a mentor and do some riding with him/her, while hubby stays home with the kids.
The last thing you want to be doing is riding with a big group of bikers who you don't know.

**SMOKEU** · 6th April 2010, 16:10

My advice is don't go on group rides unless you're really confident and you have a fast bike. Last group ride I was on I was riding with about 30 other guys and they were all riding like complete nutters. I simply couldn't keep up.

**retro asian** · 6th April 2010, 16:11

Search for SASS or NASS (South Auckland and North Auckland Street skills), these groups are great and are well prepared to host a new rider like yourself.

**Mrs weekendwarrior** · 6th April 2010, 16:41

weird dunno know how this came up twice??

**Tryhard** · 6th April 2010, 17:54

Hi come along to a SASS night- we dont judge anyone

**Katman** · 6th April 2010, 17:57

Originally Posted by yungatart

Ride with a small goup (2-3 others) that you REALLY trust!
Not so much that they won't laugh at you, but that they ride safely and with consideration.

You can't get better advice than that.

**Hitcher** · 6th April 2010, 17:59

As a beginner I would strongly caution against participating in group rides until you have gained confidence in riding your bike at your own pace and are comfortable riding it in a range of conditions. Apart from intersections, about the most dangerous thing bikers can experience is riding with other bikers.

There's too much happening in a group riding situation for novice riders to even contemplate participating safely.

The best riding experience you can have is either on your own or with a skilled mentor.

If you must ride in a group, make sure it's a small one comprising other riders with nothing to prove.

**Mrs weekendwarrior** · 6th April 2010, 18:02

Originally Posted by Tryhard

Hi come along to a SASS night- we dont judge anyone

details please....

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th April 2010, 18:04

Hitcher's post above is GOOD advice.
I would suggest that you jump into Biker Angels and see if you can get a (small) group of women together for a pootle and coffee. Women riders rarely have anything to prove, and assuming they've been riding a while, will be ideal for your situation.

**Tink** · 6th April 2010, 18:09

Originally Posted by Mrs weekendwarrior

hey guys, wanting to try the group ride thing, which is the best group ride to join bearing in mind that im still on learners, have only been riding 6 months & havn't been over 100... i live in pakuranga but keen to go anywhere.... just don't want anyone to laugh at me when i show up on my little GN125 (note: planning on buying ninja in couple of weeks time.. hopefully if i past my restricted it will be my present to myself)

I second good advice from Hitcher, I rode with only one person, then moved up to 4.. slowly .. also going for my RL shortly... your always welcome to join us, we come through that way ocassionally.

**tate35** · 6th April 2010, 18:48

Hey Mrs weekendwarrior,

It's helpful if you can cruise out with your husband/boyfriend, or friends, but all else fails....check out "biker angels" or "newbies" their should be others in your area looking for someone to ride with as well?

No one is going to laugh at you - if anything most bike people are friendly and encouraging and understand you can only do your 70 on the open road.

Good luck

Originally Posted by Mrs weekendwarrior

hey guys, wanting to try the group ride thing, which is the best group ride to join bearing in mind that im still on learners, have only been riding 6 months & havn't been over 100... i live in pakuranga but keen to go anywhere.... just don't want anyone to laugh at me when i show up on my little GN125 (note: planning on buying ninja in couple of weeks time.. hopefully if i past my restricted it will be my present to myself)