Group dynamics; who do you ride with and why?

[Rashika]

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) and why you ride with them?
Do you like small groups or large groups?
Male or female? Heheheheeeee
Are they only Kbers you ride with or people from other parts of your life?
Do you socialise with the KBers in other ways separate to riding, or is it KB people for rides only?
Do you post every ride on KB or just the more important/longer/something else ones?
Have you had bad experiences that have put you off group rides? What were they?
For those posted on KB, do you specify type of riders i.e. 250s only, slow speed/ fast speed (and therefore risk the condemnation of those NOT in the groups!), or is it just whoever turns up?
Is it planned months in advance or the day before? Do you have regular rides leaving the same place/time every week? (I know there are 1 or 2 across NZ)
What do you do if 40 people turn up? Do you split them into groups of skills/speed (if you have any knowledge of these) or just let them merge?

I’ve noticed a couple of people in chch complaining cos they haven’t had specific invites to every ride that happens in the area and wondered what happens elsewhere.
Should anyone who decides to go for a ride be responsible for inviting everyone they know or even DONT know (this is just an internet forum afterall!) on the ride, or just those they are happy riding with due to similar riding styles, speeds/age/interests/experience/gender??

There is a new evening ride planned midweek for chch riders by Devient E and Phoenix which is a great idea, although I’m sure a lot wont be able to make it due to other committments, me probably included at times. A good regular way to meet people if you haven't meet them before and then I guess ride with them in other instances.

Personally I dont ride that much locally. Yeah sure a quick blat round the bays on a sunny arvo but generally my riding is long distance to rallys or touring, with racing taking up a fair wack of my weekends now as well. I prefer to go for a decent blat when I have got the bike out, get her (and me) well and truly warmed up.
The longer rides are almost always posted on KB by someone, and usually months in advance.
I tend to mostly ride with people I have met on KB or other forums, a few newbies come and oldies go but there is probably a core group of 4-6 that will meet up on the spur of the moment. I have riden with a few different groups, some faster, some slower, some bigger but usually end up riding with the same relatively small bunch as I usually do. We also do other shit together like BBQs, dinners, movies. In other words socialise in a few ways beyond just riding.

What are your thoughts on this? What do YOU do?

I'm sure i will regret this... but that is what internet forums are all about huh, adult discusion? yeah right...

[sAsLEX]

E F C most of the time.

[Colapop]

Don't care really... as long as they're not dicks! Fortunately I am a Whale-rider an I'm slow, so I don't invited along with fast people... I wave as they go by though

[miSTa]

Geez girl, you've been doing some serious thinking! Good topic.

There's probably three distinct groups I ride with:
1 - Me
2 - The chch crew who do the rallys
3 - The guys (and girl) who live in my part of town

All have a couple of things in common like same age group or there abouts, we tend to ride at the same pace, and feel safe with each others riding.

I can't add anything what you've said - it's pretty much sums up me as well plus I have to go to work now.

[HDTboy]

I haven't been on a big KB posted ride in a long time. I'm not sure why, but I do enjoy riding with my friends (most of whom I've met through KB) in any number.
The last big (20+) ride I went on, was organised by text message, and invite only. By KB standards, 90% of the group were fast riders. We were all looking forward to having a great blast around the coromandel, when one guy (new to the group) threw his bike into a feild, and chewed up a fair part of the day with recovery.
I don't know why the crash happened, and I don't hold it against the guy.

I find group rides are best with under 10 bikes, and organised privately. Posting on KB, you never know who's going to show up. That can be good, but it can also be bad.

When I first joined KB, I was doing organised rides every weekend. It was great for meeting people. The funny thing is, I don't think I know enough KBers, but often get told that I know everyone.

I think it's about time I did another group ride

[HDTboy]

E F C most of the time.

Do you drive the ute?

[sAsLEX]

Do you drive the ute?

You lost me there?

[ajturbo]

i will ride with ...

who ever fills out thier leathers real nice like....
they will have to have all the right size bumps... in the right places..

thier bike will have an odd thumping sound....

[Paul in NZ]

I have never felt the need to ride in groups - motorcycling is essentially a selfish pastime - I wallow in the solitude

[Colapop]

i will ride with ...

who ever fills out thier leathers real nice like....
they will have to have all the right size bumps... in the right places..

thier bike will have an odd thumping sound....

"Hi my name is AJ. I like long walks on the beac... O hell I can't lie! Gawd sakes I need a... woman preferably... "

I'd say you need to get out more... but I don't think that'd help...

[sAsLEX]

I have never felt the need to ride in groups - motorcycling is essentially a selfish pastime - I wallow in the solitude

In a way yes. At times it can be.


Motorcycling is kind of like golf. You rock up to the petrol station (tee/clubroom) looking to go out for a nice cruise(round) on your own and enjoy the sunshine and outdoors. Another chap/chappess is at the pump (1st tee) and you say hello and get talking about the new whoozamagig (whoozamagig ) you notice on their bike (bag). A couple of minutes later you're off on a ride (round) together, the thing being you can still relax in solitude whilst cruising (playing up the rough) until the next stop ( green).

Hmmm is that an analogy Hitcher..... following your thread of similes.

[Pumba]

Don't care really... as long as they're not dicks!

+1

[Blackbird]

I either ride solo or with a small group that I trust implicitly with similar riding styles. In the early days of KB, I went on a group ride to Kawhia and some of the riding was so appalling that a few riders were a risk to other road users as well as themselves. I don't need that kind of stress on something I'm supposed to be enjoying. Never again!

Like Rashika, my real preference is for long-distance riding although there's nothing wrong with a fang too!

[Devil]

Generally in very small groups. Most often private with people who I trust.

If I did post on KB i'd specify a sort of speed.

Cant remember the last time I went on a KB group ride (excluding the thursday night ride). I will again some day, but not interested in dealing with the crashes that invariably happen in the larger groups.

[idb]

I prefer to ride by myself but I enjoy catching up with people at stops...I'll usually introduce myself to anyone else on a bike if I'm not meeting others that I know.
I just find that it is more stressful riding in a group because they never ride at the same pace as me (faster or slower) and you have take that little bit of extra care.
Mind you, I'm often saying something like..."I know what it is, it's a piece of cake to fix, I'll catch up with you at the next pub"...

The only time I catch up with KB folk is at rallies though I should make a bit more effort as I haven't met one I don't like yet...mind you, they are a pack of pissheads...I'm not sure I approve of that!!!