Riding in groups/with others

**Bob** · 16th October 2007, 07:40

So... what are your feelings about riding in groups?

Do you love it? Or hate it? Or somewhere in between?

Personally, I prefer to ride alone. I like to set my own agenda, set my own pace and not have to worry about what others are doing.

That said, I am happy to ride with my wife - she is a steady and predictable rider, so I can just tuck in and ride shotgun, knowing pretty much what she is up to.

**Chickadee** · 16th October 2007, 07:56

I think group riding is a good idea if you trust the people you ride with (that they're going to be sensible and ride within the limits of everyone in a group).

Large groups with people posturing can be an accident waiting to happen, keeping groups small with riders that are compentant is what I enjoy most. Picking up bikes and people off the road isn't something anyone relishes.

**deanohit** · 16th October 2007, 07:59

I do most of my riding alone (people don't seem to want to be seen next to my bike), but recently did the corro loop with a bunch of others on 250's and had a heap of fun. The group soon spread out, but we were never to far behind the front runners. So yea, I'm happy to do whatever.

**PirateJafa** · 16th October 2007, 08:04

I'm happy to ride either by myself or in larger groups.

However I prefer to ride with just one or two good friends.

**DMNTD:Me** · 16th October 2007, 08:14

Ya need another option in the Poll.
"I prefer to ride with select others when riding in a group".
Generally I'd pick the option above but I'm pretty good at reading others' riding so don't mind the odd group ride with "strangers".

**Her_C4** · 16th October 2007, 08:26

Originally Posted by DMNTD

Ya need another option in the Poll.
"I prefer to ride with select others when riding in a group".
Generally I'd pick the option above but I'm pretty good at reading others' riding so don't mind the odd group ride with "strangers".

+1

**sAsLEX** · 16th October 2007, 08:31

Originally Posted by Her_B4

+1

Are you saying you like riding with Cajun as well?

**James Deuce** · 16th October 2007, 08:38

Riding in a group is the most dangerous thing you can do on a motorcycle. Most newbie-only group rides have disastrous consequences for someone, even if it is merely dropping a bike at rest.

Social behaviour tends to override an individual's personal limits settings and people often don't realise that they have ritualised such simple things as putting gear on and checking over their shoulder before pulling out into traffic.

For some newbies the desire to keep up can result in these newly established rituals being dispensed with, often with nasty consequences. Thank heavens for side stand cut-out switches.

If the people you're riding with sneer at the idea of disciplined group riding with known rules and behaviours then don't ride with them.

**sAsLEX** · 16th October 2007, 08:54

Originally Posted by Jim2

For some newbies the desire to keep up can result in these newly established rituals being dispensed with, often with nasty consequences.

And not all of us are perfect riding with mates either are we....

Originally Posted by Jim2

The reason I bring up the picture is because the third power pole off in the distance used to be a wooden one, and it used to have a hell of a lean on it. It used to be my braking marker in the olden days (yes I know, nearly as stupid as using the guy in the red jacket in the stands for a braking marker at a Central Districts club meeting on my VFR400) and it was quite important to heed the warning because the road ends in a "T" junction. 15 years ago I comfortably led to the finish line, err, "T" junction, turned the bike off and waited for AJ. It then occurred to me that as he wasn’t native to the area, he may not know about the "T" junction. He left the biggest freaking front wheel darkie I’ve ever seen. He also stopped alongside me at the "T" junction. At the velocity he was travelling I have no idea how he did that. I would have sailed through the big black and white sign with the reflective arrows pointing at 90 degrees to the current direction of travel, and ended up in pieces in the paddock on the other side. I also found out how reflexive the "punch the bastard who nearly killed me in the head" impulse is. Good thing I had a helmet on. After he calmed down we walked back around the corner, and he had stopped in about 70 metres, reacting to the dead end ahead as soon as it came into view. Oddly the near misses did nothing to calm us down. The second picture sticks in my mind because it was the first corner on which I got my knee down. I wasn’t trying to get my knee down either, but AJ was leading and there was no way he was getting to Martinborough last. That corner is bit technical. The road camber is flat on entry and goes negative part way through and is followed by an uphill left. There’s a wire netting fence about 20 feet tall right next to the road and nowhere to go if it goes wrong. Talk about testosterone fuelled heroics. I’m always surprised now by how short that corner feels, but that day it seemed to last for ever and ever as we heeled in at lightspeed and my knee and peg touched at the same time.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ght=RC30+crash

**James Deuce** · 16th October 2007, 08:58

Heehee.

But in all seriousness that was a historical report and I really hate riding in groups. I'm not attempting to be a lecturing loser. The statistics on Group riding accidents on KB alone make for horrific and depressing reading and I think people need to put more effort into defining what makes them feel happy to ride with a group and to communicate that properly with the group they ride with. It really is worth hashing it out.

**Ghost_Bullet** · 16th October 2007, 09:13

Before a couple of years ago, 99% of my riding was alone, and I did enjoy that, in the last couple of years around 60% has been with at least one other. I really dont mind either way now. It is great from time to time to hit the road alone with true freedom to enjoy the roads and suroundings.

**oldrider** · 16th October 2007, 09:20

I have ridden on my own most of my life.

I do get (mildly) excited when I see or come across other bikes on the road or parked up.

I find I am interested in the bikes first and if the riders are friendly, that's a bonus!

I do not really feel comfortable riding in large groups but do enjoy it occasionally.

I really enjoy riding with another rider or a small group when the opportunity arises.

I really do enjoy the company of my own bike and love riding it whenever I can.

Even better is when my wife comes with me, riding on the fanny bracket.

Cheers John.

**sAsLEX** · 16th October 2007, 09:25

One thing with riding in groups is communication of a Memorandum of Understanding of kinds to those new to the group or everyone on larger rides.

Things like hand signals , expected behaviour, staying within your limits and riding your own ride as the pub/cafe at the end aint going anywhere fast.

The one thing the really gets on my nerve is people who push to the front whilst the group is cruising along straight stretches to get to the front whilst passing dangerously and the proceed to ride like absolute fools well outside there limits through the corners..... you learn these people and avoid them.

**007XX** · 16th October 2007, 09:38

What DMNTD said... Except that I don't like the unknown quantity that strangers represent. You never know if they're going to be a loose cannon or something and become a liability.

**jrandom** · 16th October 2007, 09:48

What DMNTD said.

If I'm out riding and other motorcyclists get silly on the road around me, I hang right off the back and let them have their fun without putting me at risk.

I do not enjoy being in a bunch of bikes that are not 'keeping station' and following smooth lines. Even on straight sections of road.

I see riding in a group as requiring more discipline and restraint than riding alone, not as an opportunity to cut loose and try to prove something.