Riding in groups/with others

[SVboy]

Good topic! As a relative newbie, I am very aware when riding in a group. They dont know me, my[lack of]skill level and I dont know theirs. BUT, I enjoy the camaradarie thing and the potential to learn from those who are better. Recently, I followed a young lady on a 250-and her lines, entry speed etc were smooth and showed a good reading of the corners. I learned heaps from that, something that would not have happened on my own. However, I take a lot from JIM2s comments-testosterone replacing sense in a group racing situation! I recall entering Geraldine[township ya grubs!] with the back wheel locked and coming round to meet the front at high speed, while trying to stay with a mate on an ST4 who had a world of experience on me! Lesson learned!
I want to ride in groups but am very aware of following distance, lane placement and riding to my ability level. I think the peer pressure thing, and just the buzz of being on a bike , in a group of like minded riders, does present a high potential for bad things.

[Unit:Me]

I ride in groups on occasion, and often by myself, at night, in the middle of winter on long hauls. I treat everyone else on the road with suspicious caution.
Im safe and predictable in groups, and take my time to learn others rides before I engage too closely, and I figure if anyone else did something wrong around me they would have a lovely little chat to look forward to with DMNTD.
The one thing I hate the most is someone undertaking me, especially if I dont know them. I dont mind for a select few, but I could count them on one hand.
And all of what SVboy said. Its a good chance to learn from others if people ride with a mature head, no matter what there level

[discotex]

I like riding.

Riding alone is fun and way less hassle (no herding cats) but you miss out on the comradere. I also prefer to have someone there in case something happens.

For groups I prefer smaller groups as they are easier to manage. 5 or so seems to be about perfect. I'm not so worried about skill level (I just cruise on the straights if they're below me and learn in the corners if they're above me) but not keen on people who feel they have something to prove.

The bigger groups are a buzz just to see so many people into riding.

[MSTRS:Me]

All types of riding have things to recommend etc. Personally, the biggest buzz I get is on a group ride with perhaps 5 or 6 others who display the same skill level/riding ethos that I do.

[terbang]

I like group riding for all of the already mentioned reasons. I just ride my own ride, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. The guy ahead of me owns the road and I try not to push them if they are riding slower but I also expect they should have the nouse to figure someone would like to overtake them as well. As DMNTD has already said, you get used to watching others ride and you soon pick up on the ones to be careful around. This may be because they are new and less experienced (thats normal in life) or perhaps ten feet tall and bullet proof. Either way, we all have to take some responsibility to keep the ride safe. Most things we do in life require a certain amount of learned skill that can be passed on. So here we are on this thread, as group riding is no different.

[Pancakes]

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".

Me too, I hadn't been on rides with large groups until the ATNR and was suprised at how much I liked it. Different with a group who ride the same roads together lots. I have been on a few rides with people and ditched them along the way. I'll keep an open mind and love meeting other riders but if I'm having second thoughts I'm happy to say see ya.

[Trudes]

I prefer to ride with my other half and then meet up with a group of others for convo.

[Toaster]

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.

You are certainly no lecturing loser at all! I think you made really good points in your earlier post about the dangers of group riding. Often inattention, inexperience, incorrect positioning in line etc etc cause incidents that should never had occurred.

Being able to trust the riders around you is not unlike close formation flying or motorsport.... trusting that the others around you have the skill to do the right thing is important. Basic rule for me is if there are newer riders in the group, then encourage them keep longer gaps between bikes and keep the group speed down to ensure people don't exceed their skill level and crash trying to keep up.

Your comments were well said Jim2

[Toaster]

Personally I really enjoy the social aspect of group riding, especially with people I trust to "ride to survive" and respect the others we share the roads with.

The Cruiser and Maha rides have been good examples of rides designed for social interaction and sensible riding for all skill levels.

[Kflasher]

Happy go lucky, I like to ride.

[_intense_]

self is all good, but if im riding with others, i prefer that its people i know, i know how they ride, and that we are on the same page so to speak.

[sunhuntin]

i limit my group rides to once a year. paired rides may happen more often, but it depends on circumstance, and they are generally not planned more than an hour in advance. i do prefer to ride solo...
paired rides i feel i either am holding them up or am getting left behind, both can lead to pushing my own limits. although, i am getting better at following at my own pace, and trusting whoever im with to stop at any turn offs i might miss. i prefer to follow than be followed.
group rides theres usually at least one show off who overtakes way too close or does it in a stupid place, or if something goes wrong, its tricky to stop without being rear ended.

[Pumba]

Your is a little limited. I enjoy riding in groups and I enjoy riding by myself depending on what mod I am in at the time.

[MotoGirl]

"I prefer to ride with select others when riding in a group"... so don't mind the odd group ride with "strangers".

I'm another person in this camp. Although, I do think you've got to ride with strangers occasionally, otherwise no one else could ever join your group. If someone's too fast or dangerous for my liking, I drop back (yeah, that's my excuse!) and let them go...

Plus, when I'm out and about on my own, I'm usually quite happy to ride with someone who I catch up to, or who catches up to me. Realistically, they can't be that dangerous unless I'm also riding like a hooligan!

[yungatart]

I like riding in small groups or pairs. If its a larger group it naturally spreads out, so that I end up in a small group at the back anyway.
Our HB rides are always safe (1 bin in 11 months and it was a "solo" accident). I trust these guys 100%...they are absolutely awesome to ride with. They display a huge level of care, concern and mentoring towards less experienced riders at all times.