Group dynamics; who do you ride with and why?

[Goblin]

Hehe...serial blinger!

[sunhuntin]

Hehe...serial blinger!

must spread it round from this side too. dangit!

[KoroJ]

I really enjoy riding on group rides with Ulysses or KB and don't care who I ride with. Sometimes I like to be up the front, other times I'm quite happy to cruise along at the back, although I generally consider myself to be more in the nana league than hot sprotsbiker.

I definitely prefer longer rides and to stay on the bike for hours on end, so leaving Rimutex, then stopping at the summit of the rimutakas isn't really my scene but I'm always happy to go with the flow on a group ride. Because I like longer rides I often ride solo and have been known to ride up to Tokaanu for a hot pool, or Rotorua for the day to see the Moko'.

To me the GC is the ultimate when it comes to a great ride.

[chanceyy]

good thread Rashika

being a newbie rider .. got learners late feb .. I started off riding with one experienced rider then graduated to a group of 4 experienced riders within a few weeks .. they knew my status & total lack of experience so was up to them to pass me safely .. the boyz would ride off into the distance but u4ea & I stuck together a fair bit (u4ea getting confidence back after a bad off)

then I went on a group ride with the ashhurst group .. yes I was at the back but with someone else looking out for me it sure built my confidence quickly .. I always ride my own ride .. sometimes I pootle along slowly as not getting into the flow ... other times I rock on a few mins after the faster riders have stopped

there are a couple of standout experienced riders in the group who really watch out for us newbie riders & its totally appreciated & gives you a more safer feeling knowing someone else is behind you

I have organised one ride where 19 riders attended .. a natural order of speed ensued but with a tail end charlie & 2nd riders stopping at intersections it made the ride flow .. the slower riders mentioned they did not feel pressured to keep up as they knew someone would be waiting at corners for them .. that was a great day everyone had a blast and emphasis was on riding own ride ..

Also our group does socialise other than rides .. we are after all friends as well .. KB has been the vehicle that enabled us to meet & become friends in the first place

[surfchick]

Why would somebody ride by themselves? I mean, you wouldn't be able to brag about giving people the learn, or show off to other bikers how much better you can wheelie, or any of the fun stuff.

yes-sireeee-bob
if your knee scrapes down on a forest road and no-one's there to see it...

[Terminated]

From a car you look at the world like a picture through a frame. On a bike, you're in the picture.

I'd like to use that expression sometime. Well done and well said.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[oldguy]

Generally ride by myself , Go where I want, when I want, how fast I want. In saying that I don't mind riding in a groups on occassion but I'm not really into waiting around for a group discussion on the damn event. I just want to ride.

Yeah I,m of the same, was out on me own today. but In saying that I still do the odd KB rides.

[The Lone Rider]

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...

-Dont mind if large or small
-There are males and females as pillions and as riders
-Ages range from 20s up to 60s
-Some from KB, some not
-Riding, chatting online/in person/email/txting, pool and pub nights
-Our casual weekend rides are posted about a week to two weeks in advance,
-Rallies some of us are going to that arent already posted on KB get put up
-Nope, some people are rocket ships, some are casual, but as long as no body is dangerous it is fun and fine.
-No particular class of bikes - single banger 250 up to giant muthas-, ride pace to suit who's there, people who want to blast off are welcome to do so as long as theres a point they slow down so the group can stay together. Always someone willing to take the rear of the group and keep an eye out for anyone having issues (break downs or problems keeping up)
-Casual rides are planned about a week to two weeks ahead, everything else such as rallies, runs, and shows are posted on the online calendar whenever the information becomes available to one of us. We often will meet in the same place, but casual rides are dependent on when there was last a rally or show (we aim for doing something on a Saturday once every 2-3 weeks as a group- rally, casual, run, show or whatever).
-If 40 people showed up I'd be overwhelmed and I'd ask people to chip in to help organize how we want to do it. However, in the end it would be fun, everyone would arrive safely, and nobody would suffer more then a touch of jealousy when they see a bike they wish they had.
- BBQ, games of pool, pubs are also things on the calendar once in awhile.

On top of that, several, if not most ride their bikes on their own for the shear enjoyment of it and several also use their bikes for day to day life activities. So in the end it all comes down to every few weeks theres something on and they can go to it if they want to with all the others.

Takes work to keep everyone happy, but when you got great people then they are just happy to be there in the first place.

Man I had fun at River Rally

Edit--
And I'd like to add that KB has been great in getting the group together and finding riders in both cruiser and non-cruiser formats.

[Rashika]

-Dont mind if large or small
-There are males and females as pillions and as riders
-Ages range from 20s up to 60s
-Some from KB, some not
-Riding, chatting online/in person/email/txting, pool and pub nights
-Our casual weekend rides are posted about a week to two weeks in advance,
-Rallies some of us are going to that arent already posted on KB get put up
-Nope, some people are rocket ships, some are casual, but as long as no body is dangerous it is fun and fine.
-No particular class of bikes - single banger 250 up to giant muthas-, ride pace to suit who's there, people who want to blast off are welcome to do so as long as theres a point they slow down so the group can stay together. Always someone willing to take the rear of the group and keep an eye out for anyone having issues (break downs or problems keeping up)
-Casual rides are planned about a week to two weeks ahead, everything else such as rallies, runs, and shows are posted on the online calendar whenever the information becomes available to one of us. We often will meet in the same place, but casual rides are dependent on when there was last a rally or show (we aim for doing something on a Saturday once every 2-3 weeks as a group- rally, casual, run, show or whatever).
-If 40 people showed up I'd be overwhelmed and I'd ask people to chip in to help organize how we want to do it. However, in the end it would be fun, everyone would arrive safely, and nobody would suffer more then a touch of jealousy when they see a bike they wish they had.
- BBQ, games of pool, pubs are also things on the calendar once in awhile.

On top of that, several, if not most ride their bikes on their own for the shear enjoyment of it and several also use their bikes for day to day life activities. So in the end it all comes down to every few weeks theres something on and they can go to it if they want to with all the others.

Takes work to keep everyone happy, but when you got great people then they are just happy to be there in the first place.

Man I had fun at River Rally

Edit--
And I'd like to add that KB has been great in getting the group together and finding riders in both cruiser and non-cruiser formats.

sorry mate, been to the website, not allowed to join, dont have a cruiser...
You probably need to specify cruiser riders only on your rides, just in case non cruisers turn up, hate for people to get the wrong idea (pt)

Chromed Knuckles Cruiser Group is a motorcycle social group for people of all ages that are located in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region. All of us ride cruiser style bikes and we accept and ride with all varieties of cruisers ranging from small commuter designed bikes to large multiple cylinder road hogs.

In Chromed Knuckles, you will be able to ride with a group of great people who love their two wheels and the company of others with the same passion. A typical outing consists of meeting at a given place, going for a ride to a destination and then having a coffee and chat in the sun!

Other occassions we may join up with other motorcycle clubs, groups, and organisations for events they are hosting.

What do you need to do to join? Nothing but have a motorcycle license, and a cruiser style motorcycle! It costs nothing to join. Simple go to Contact Us and fill in the form.

[helenoftroy]

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.

Last few months I do all my riding by myself.Always chat to anyone else on a bike if I get a chance - cant help myself

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 look forward to meeting some KBers but have to admit the large group ride is totally new to me.Have only riden with small groups(3-4)of friends.Have ridden with Le mans & SDU - theyre great.

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.
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.

Now this -T.W.R sums it up perfectly