Group dynamics; who do you ride with and why?

[fergie]

i ride solo ,omly because i live too far away from areas with other riders.

[Stickchick]

I ride with the HB crew, sometimes there is lots of us, some times only two or three.
I trust most of these guys implicitly! They are an awesome bunch to ride with. They always look after the less experienced riders.
Doesn't matter if its a fast ride or a slow ride, cos I'm always at the back "nanaring" along quite happily.

when I get myself sorted I'm right with you in the back there. But you are very right. I trust the group we ride with implicitly too and have also made great friends with them too.

[phoenixgtr]

When I was in Wellington most of my riding was in groups, either on TCWNR or on the weekends. I went for quick blasts by myself most weeks, but my real rides were with others. I learnt so much from riding with others and thats what I'm trying to pass on with the weekly rides in Chch. I understand that not everyone enjoys riding in groups and if thats the case, they won't. Personally, I prefer smaller groups. Theres more freedom that way. But theres nothing like riding along the motorway and theres bikes infront of you and bikes behind. I don't like rallys or charity rides though, i.e. trundling along a straight piece of road with god knows how many other bikes right up each others arses

[Al]

I ride most weekends and most of the time my wife is pillion.
We belong to ULYSSES and because we live 100km South of Darwin, we meet up with the group/s at the destination.
I generally like riding in a "loose" group, usually about 5 bikes and a big spacing between all of us.

Al

[jim.cox]

No I dont mean specific names, but I’m curious as to what sort of groups you ride with (if you DO ride with groups)

Being an anti-social little bastard I'm not into group rides at all.

I prefer my roads empty

[Swoop]

not sure whats in the water in auckland...

70% Waikato river filth (effluent, runoff, fertiliser and cowpoo...), 24% chemicals to kill the filth.
1% Pure water.

[yungatart]

70% Waikato river filth, 24% chemicals to kill the filth.
1% Pure water.

And the remaining 5%? Best not think about what that may be....

[Swoop]

And the remaining 5%? Best not think about what that may be....

The french have to dispose of their radioactive materials somewhere...

[RC1]

dont care really but due to the fact i usually ride only for a couple of hours each sat and sun its usually short notice to get others together so i ride alone

[cowpoos]

70% Waikato river filth (effluent, runoff, fertiliser and cowpoo...), 24% chemicals to kill the filth.
1% Pure water.

its no wonder they're attracted to soil then!!!

[klingon]

I ride alone, although it's fun when you're out there pootling along and you kind of "hook up" with another bike or two, play around a bit then give a little wave as you go off in your own direction.

I don't go on the Auckland Thursday Night Rides as there always seem to be one or two incompetent people who end up endangering everyone.

On the other hand, I have been on a couple of ATNRs as a pillion, and I learned a lot by watching other riders. One thing that motivated me to get my own bike was watching someone on one of those rides and thinking "MY GOD! EVEN I COULD RIDE BETTER THAN THAT!!"

My partner rides with his brother and 3 or 4 others who have been riding together literally from the time they first learned to ride. They know and trust each other very well, and they have the occasional pillion ride which I'm very happy to tag along on.

[Deviant Esq]

I generally prefer to ride in a smallish group (up to a half dozen or so), or in a pair with a mate. IMO group rides of larger numbers should be more for a cruise than a fast ride (unless you split into "happy to cruise" and "feel like a hoon" groups), as someone will be trying to go too fast for their skill level and cause problems for the rest of the group, whether it be just a scary moment or them binning... or worse yet, taking out another member of the group. I don't ride alone very much unless I need to go somewhere... generally a fairly social biker and like to go for a ride with a mate. Then you've got someone to banter with while you're having your pie or pint.

I've ridden with a few down here in Chch, mostly from KB, just in pairs, and haven't come across anyone (yet) I wouldn't ride with again. Been on rides with T.W.R, Spuds1234, Phoenixgtr (fellow TCWNR Christchurch conspiritor ), Cowboyz6155, SpeedyGirl, and Far Queue in pairs... and heaps of guys in bigger groups (from KB and outside)... and hoping to meet some more on the Wednesday night ride. Cheers guys, you rock.

[Weaver]

I ride any opportunity I get, and the group rides give me a destination to ride to.
I like the group rides cause you get to meet new people and because i haven't been riding long (about 6 weeks) its a good chance to learn from other people.

[xgnr]

Mostly ride solo but enjoy a small group ride with people that ride at my pace (slighty sporty but safe).

Enjoy long tours with a couple of mates but as I'm just back to riding and most of my mates are grown up (i.e. not allowed a bike anymore), live in the Mainland or simply moved on I ride alone...

Charity runs are great fun, lotsa noise and bikes yay. Most people are a bit more mature and take care.

Been on a couple of KB runs and had mixed experiences. Ruined by the usual dorks that overtake on blind corners, double yellows, bin on moderate corners etc but the majority laid back riders enjoying the company and being out on their bike.


Cheers

Stu

[JMemonic]

Never done much group riding, went to the March Hare way back with a few workmates from the time, it was a good ride until we meet up with a few others around Tekapo, these guys had a very different riding style and would race up the road at full speed then with for use to "catch up", would have been better if the kept going to be honest.

But having said that a group of folks who just want to get out together beetle along at legal speeds and enjoy the scenery sounds good to me. Maybe a stop or 2 for a coffee and the odd photo would be good as well, I really don't know.

I could get into a charity run or 2 for causes I feel are worth while, problem is I tend to find out about these things after the event.