What's the best group ride for beginners?

**CookMySock** · 7th April 2010, 07:16

I do a lot of riding with absolute learners, and please people read the following very carefully and just accept it ;

Originally Posted by Hitcher

A slower rider riding at the back is a pain in the arse because the lead rider knows not where they are or what they're doing.

Yes, more experienced riders would much rather the learner was up front where they can keep an eye on things overall.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Slower riders incorrectly assume that because they're in front they're holding things up, which is rarely the case. It's much tidier and way less stressful for those they're riding with if they do.

Learners, especially ladies, please read hitchers words again and again until you believe it.

Stop thinking about the more experienced rider behind you. It is not your business or your concern how he/she is feeling. Get your mind back on what your primary responsibilities are - watching where you're going or just enjoying your ride. Take comfort in the fact that they are not going to run into you and that they have your six - nothing can happen to you from behind while they are there. Do not be concerned that you might slip them off in traffic. Do not be concerned that they are too close to you. In fact, do not be concerned for them in the slightest.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Slow riders have generally never had another rider with whom they were supposed to be riding follow them and drop off the pace to a bothersome extent. If they had, they would understand the grief that this practice causes.

I think what Hitcher means here, is when learners get lost behind an experienced rider, it's very stressful. I agree completely. Put simply, it's impossible if not very dangerous, for a learner to stay with an experienced rider, no matter how cautious the lead rider is. He really is completely guessing how the learner is feeling at any time. The situation is unworkable.

Learners go out the front.

Learners should have it explained clearly to them they must not spend any time whatsoever being concerned for the feelings or the safety of following more-experienced rider. (We would prefer it if you did not suddenly brake harrrd and swerve into our path though, ok? thanks!)

Steve

**hellokitty** · 7th April 2010, 17:52

Thanks for making things clear - everything you said makes perfect sense.
ESpecially the part about learners (me) worrying about how the others riders are feeling!

And yes the part about "ladies" is so true.

**rustyrobot** · 7th April 2010, 18:25

I'm not sure if you've already seen it Mrs.WW, but there is a group ride 'DVD' that I thought was pretty helpful. It's mentioned in the survival skills forum, but if you want to download it, the link is.... http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/9/...RidingDivX.avi (right click the link and 'save link as' - Courtesy of Transalper). Produced by ACC.

**Maki** · 8th April 2010, 14:30

Just make sure you have enough firepower to keep up! I have found myself woefully outgunned on group rides riding a 250. Your best bet is a 1000cc superbike in the mold of the "big bang" Yamaha R1, (good low down torque in case you get caught in the wrong gear). Failing that a 600cc supersport (Just make sure to keep the revs up) may be enough if you are not dealing with very long straights.

Make sure the other riders respect you and your skillz before the ride starts, show up in full leathers, worn knee sliders and pull some stoppies and wheel stands in the parking lot before the ride starts. Receive an extra bonus if your tyres are worn to shreds on the sides while the centers are barely scrubbed in. This is a proven formula taken straight from the book of seasoned "cruisy Wednesday night" riders here in Wellington, a friendly ride meant to ease beginners into the swing of things.

A final piece of advice considering that you wrote that you have never been over 100. Going faster than 100 can feel intimidating at first but KB provides excellent advice on how to overcome this, (honest, I read this here): Quickly accelerate to 200 and then slowly decelerate to 110 or so. It will feel like you are hardly moving and 100 will never seem like much speed to you again!

**MSTRS:Me** · 8th April 2010, 14:55

Maki - you're such a tease. 180 is more than enough for that 'acclimatising to 100' thing...

**Kiri** · 8th April 2010, 20:39

Originally Posted by Maki

Just make sure you have enough firepower to keep up! I have found myself woefully outgunned on group rides riding a 250. Your best bet is a 1000cc superbike in the mold of the "big bang" Yamaha R1, (good low down torque in case you get caught in the wrong gear). Failing that a 600cc supersport (Just make sure to keep the revs up) may be enough if you are not dealing with very long straights.

Make sure the other riders respect you and your skillz before the ride starts, show up in full leathers, worn knee sliders and pull some stoppies and wheel stands in the parking lot before the ride starts. Receive an extra bonus if your tyres are worn to shreds on the sides while the centers are barely scrubbed in. This is a proven formula taken straight from the book of seasoned "cruisy Wednesday night" riders here in Wellington, a friendly ride meant to ease beginners into the swing of things.

A final piece of advice considering that you wrote that you have never been over 100. Going faster than 100 can feel intimidating at first but KB provides excellent advice on how to overcome this, (honest, I read this here): Quickly accelerate to 200 and then slowly decelerate to 110 or so. It will feel like you are hardly moving and 100 will never seem like much speed to you again!

Is that sold in a bottle? Cos I would buy it!

**sinned** · 11th April 2010, 10:50

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Maki - you're such a tease. 180 is more than enough for that 'acclimatising to 100' thing...

I have to agree that 180 is a good speed to then back off from - saves me having to change into 3rd gear

**Jayka** · 12th April 2010, 08:36

Originally Posted by Mrs weekendwarrior

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

I have the same problem with my kids. I got 3 and they are all under 5yrs old. The difference is my husband wont ride

He wont get his liciense even thou hes got over 20yrs exp. He thinks that cos he been riding for years he can just grab my bike and go, but unfortunantly for him its not! He's banned from my bike, and yeah I know that sounds harse but if he gets pulled over, my bike will get impounded for 28 long days!!!!!!

**Genie** · 12th April 2010, 08:49

Hi, good one for getting out there.
I have only had my bike since Jan and most of my riding is on my own. Don't know many that do ride and until I get my confidence up and I wouldn't conemplate a group ride, would be too intimidated. Have been out with a couple of blokes and I just told them to ride on, they did and waited for me, I knew where we were going so I just went at my own pace. Riding on your own means you can set your own pace, where you are going and what you're going to do. Had an awesome quick rideon Sunday morning. It was the first ride I went on when got my bike and boy did I notice the difference in my riding. I've been doing that road about 3 times a week since I got the bike and the difference is amazin.....smooth, fluid, graceful. Loving it and improving everytime.

**Jayka** · 12th April 2010, 08:51

"Learners go out front"

Yip I still got my "L plates" on!!! Ive found that you have to forget about the exp rider behind you and concentrate on whats ahead of you! Just because you are slower isnt a bad thing. As a friend told me 'everyone has to start somewhere and being a learner and being a "snail" is apart of it-eventually with more confidence and exp it gets easier'.

Cant wait to get off my learners, but I still got a few months yet until I can!!!

**CookMySock** · 12th April 2010, 09:04

Originally Posted by Jayka

"Learners go out front"

Yip I still got my "L plates" on!!! Ive found that you have to forget about the exp rider behind you and concentrate on whats ahead of you! Just because you are slower isnt a bad thing. As a friend told me 'everyone has to start somewhere and being a learner and being a "snail" is apart of it-eventually with more confidence and exp it gets easier'. Cant wait to get off my learners, but I still got a few months yet until I can!!!

It's great having someone you can trust just sit on your six and keep an eye out.

I particularly enjoy seeing learners' first steps in what are quite big things to them - U turns, tipping it in that little bit further, and all the stuff that comes with learning to ride a bike. It's a bit like watching the toddler learn to walk, and then run, and the dinner-plate grin just says it all.

Steve

**Genie** · 12th April 2010, 09:07

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

It's great having someone you can trust just sit on your six and keep an eye out.

I particularly enjoy seeing learners' first steps in what are quite big things to them - U turns, tipping it in that little bit further, and all the stuff that comes with learning to ride a bike. It's a bit like watching the toddler learn to walk, and then run, and the dinner-plate grin just says it all.

Steve

Hey thats exactly how i feel about it all.....and those dinner plate grins....they be contagious!!!