Group dynamics; who do you ride with and why?

**Rashika** · 29th September 2007, 07:31

Originally Posted by Stickchick

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.

Trust is big thing on a bike; if you dont know the ones you are with how can you trust them to not put you in danger? I guess you need to ride with them a bit for that trust to be earned. And I dont know if short rides do that. Longer rides tend to show how skilled, patient, careful & courteous a rider is to others = trusting them... probably why I prefer those.

Originally Posted by madmal64

Solo
I also enjoy heading out on my own and finding roads that I havent ridden before or trying an old route in reverse.
I also tend to ride when the family goes away for a holiday or for the weekend. I know that probably sounds strange but I enjoy the time by myself and the kids enjoy keeping an eye out for Dad during the trip. I tend to stop often so the whole group arrives at the destination around the same time.

Now thats an interesting idea. A relative of mine is considering doing the same thing we they go on holiday. One drives the kids and other rides the bike and then they swap somewhere along the way, excellant idea for those with families.

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

After the recent Auckland 250 ride chaos, I'm rather put off large groups, to be honest...

...Riding on my own is great, but I'm slightly fearful of venturing too far on my own. Off to Piha or Kaiaua is fine, but further afield it's always in the back of my mind that I'm riding a bike that's had a quarter of a century of abuse, 200kms from home, and that I haven't seen a friendly face for at least an hour.

Nevertheless that's part of the adventure.

I have riden a fair bit on my own in the past, but less so these days. I guess I feel more comfortable having at least one other person along to watch out for me.

I'm actually surprised by the number who do ride alone (altho not really when you think about it cos it is solo enterprise), and those who are a bit put off by larger group rides. Seems that riders inexperience in group riding has been a cause of a fair bit of this (from what i have read).
I have done a fair number of fundraising rides, I guess they teach you a lot about keeping distance and being aware of other riders.
Can we improve that inexperience? How would you give feedback to someone who is being a nutter? apart from the obvious... I mean in a positive way to still encourage them without getting angry at them?
In the experiences I've had, if someone almost caused an accident with me involved I'd just steer clear of them from then on... I honestly couldn't be faaarkd bothering with them after that. (unless it was a good mate and a oneoff)

**dogsnbikes** · 29th September 2007, 07:51

Mainly ride with the manawatu crew when on group rides when I can doesnt matter what size group and dont care who's infront or whos behind Im still riding my own ride

as I have the advantage of working bugger all I do alot of solo rides and will keep riding until the fuel light dictates a fuel stop

At the end of the day as long as Im my bike thats all that matters

**Disco Dan** · 29th September 2007, 08:04

Im another one that is put off by group rides. I show my face now and again at the meeting points to meet kb'ers.. but then I go ride solo somewhere else.

I have a friend who has been riding many many years and has a blackbird - capable of doing some pretty scary stuff on such a big bike and I trust him 110%. Also have a couple of girlies from uni that enjoy a pillion ride once in a while.

Most of my riding is unfortunatly commuting and I do 40-80ks a day on main roads. But if im feeling inclined i'll take the long way home or long way to work via some very nice twisty back roads.

Most people on here have a bad impression of me. You see my reputation on here. Some are even put off going for a ride with me. Thats fine. When a couple of KBer's told me I was a crap rider it mearly showed the ego fuelled colours of some of the more 'prominant' kb members. Because my friend who rides the blackbird pulled my aside once and told me just how good I was... he has seen me ride since day one. Thats good enough for me.

....I guess what im saying is, why should I put up with all the crap on group rides? The psycological warfare and disrespect, when the truth is that I am so much better....

KB is good for a laugh... but I very rarely ride in group rides.

**Grahameeboy** · 29th September 2007, 08:21

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

Im another one that is put off by group rides. I show my face now and again at the meeting points to meet kb'ers.. but then I go ride solo somewhere else.

I have a friend who has been riding many many years and has a blackbird - capable of doing some pretty scary stuff on such a big bike and I trust him 110%. Also have a couple of girlies from uni that enjoy a pillion ride once in a while.

Most of my riding is unfortunatly commuting and I do 40-80ks a day on main roads. But if im feeling inclined i'll take the long way home or long way to work via some very nice twisty back roads.

Most people on here have a bad impression of me. You see my reputation on here. Some are even put off going for a ride with me. Thats fine. When a couple of KBer's told me I was a crap rider it mearly showed the ego fuelled colours of some of the more 'prominant' kb members. Because my friend who rides the blackbird pulled my aside once and told me just how good I was... he has seen me ride since day one. Thats good enough for me.

....I guess what im saying is, why should I put up with all the crap on group rides? The psycological warfare and disrespect, when the truth is that I am so much better....

KB is good for a laugh... but I very rarely ride in group rides.

Bad impression?? I am more than happy to go for a ride with you dude.......

I often do the Miranda / Clevedon route which is a great ride for a few hours.

I like group rides as it is good to meet up but also like solo rides so you can practice skills.

Anyway, I have been banned for Steve's rides so I have one up on you

**The Stranger:Me** · 29th September 2007, 08:46

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

Im another one that is put off by group rides. I show my face now and again at the meeting points to meet kb'ers.. but then I go ride solo somewhere else.

Most people on here have a bad impression of me. You see my reputation on here. Some are even put off going for a ride with me. Thats fine. When a couple of KBer's told me I was a crap rider it mearly showed the ego fuelled colours of some of the more 'prominant' kb members. Because my friend who rides the blackbird pulled my aside once and told me just how good I was... he has seen me ride since day one. Thats good enough for me.

....I guess what im saying is, why should I put up with all the crap on group rides? The psycological warfare and disrespect, when the truth is that I am so much better....

KB is good for a laugh... but I very rarely ride in group rides.

Shit man, lighten up. It's just guys being guys, nothing else. Everyone give shit about everyone's riding and everyone gets shit about their riding. Don't take it to heart.

Psst, most people on here don't actually have a bad impression of you, quite the opposite really.

**The Stranger:Me** · 29th September 2007, 08:48

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Anyway, I have been banned for Steve's rides so I have one up on you

Steve? is that his KB handle?

**Grahameeboy** · 29th September 2007, 08:53

Originally Posted by The Stranger

Steve? is that his KB handle?

No..zzxrr....

**Bonez** · 29th September 2007, 09:06

Don't mind group rides. Can be very entertaining. Tend to do the tail end charlie/sweeper thing if I know less experienced riders are in the group. Yeah there's been a few "moments" but hell that's life.

I do prefer solo riding though. Just something about being out on a back country road wringing out an old shitter that makes you feel alive.

**Goblin** · 29th September 2007, 09:18

Originally Posted by Bonez

I do prefer solo riding though. Just something about being out on a back country road wringing out an old shitter that make you feel alive.

Yes! I can relate to that. It's all very nice to be a hero on a flash fandangled dyno tuned, ohlins equipped modern litre sprotsbike but thrashing an old shitter is more satisfying for me anyway.

**HDTboy** · 29th September 2007, 09:45

Originally Posted by Goblin

Yes! I can relate to that. It's all very nice to be a hero on a flash fandangled dyno tuned, ohlins equipped modern litre sprotsbike but thrashing an old shitter is more satisfying for me anyway.

I'll take either. Two wheels is where it's at.

**T.W.R** · 29th September 2007, 10:00

Originally Posted by Goblin

Yes! I can relate to that. It's all very nice to be a hero on a flash fandangled dyno tuned, ohlins equipped modern litre sprotsbike but thrashing an old shitter is more satisfying for me anyway.

why refer to older bikes as old shitters

if it wasn't for the older bikes there wouldn't be the flash-harry wizzbangers getting around now.
A better feeling is being on the older bike & sticking to a modern race replica with a mobile toothpaste tube clad rider onboard. Too many these days see a modern bike and logo branded apparel as a sign of status.
When you get plenty of kms and different bikes clocked up under your belt you start to get beyond worrying about what your riding and whether your apparel is the latest in trend, as long as what you've got is working properly and doing it's job as it should.
As for riding dynamics with groups or solo it's dependant on the nature of the ride and the mindset of those you're riding with. When you've ridden with a group for a number of times the understanding between the riders develops and you know how each other is going to react in different situations & what each person's approach is. When riding in a fresh group building the understanding takes time and you can gauge within a few kms whether you can trust the riders around you or not. And when it boils down to it that's main element TRUST it isn't something taken for granted & it takes time to develop.
Over the years I've ridden with a shitload of different riders, and a smallish crew that I've ridden with right from the start, a good mix of Kbers, plenty of unknowns coming & going to rallies etc and out of the whole mix the guys I've ridden with since the start are the one's that I'll really scratch with. Everyone else can be ridden with at pace or sedately and there's only one rider that I've come across that I'd steer clear of again on the road because he was totally unruly & rode like he was just asking for trouble to happen.

Group riding you don't just think of your own ride you think of those about you and riding solo you think about you & the bike. We're responsible for our own actions and take judgement of those actions, in a group your actions affect those you're riding with and when solo you only answer to yourself, It's RESPECTING the group & acting accordingly & being responsible for those actions because they don't just effect you they effect those around you.

**Goblin** · 29th September 2007, 10:38

Originally Posted by T.W.R

with a mobile toothpaste tube clad rider onboard.

That's gold that is!!

I call my bike a shitter cos it is. But I love my shitter.

**MSTRS:Me** · 29th September 2007, 10:39

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

... but I very rarely ride in group rides.

Unless it's the Hell's Angels eh?

Our group rides are always fun and 'safe' (barring one freak incident). The group seems to naturally split into fast(er) and slow(er) and it works for us. Mind you, we have not been inundated by testosterone-filled dicks out to prove something. Should any like that turn up. I'm sure that they will be 'gently' told...