Riding in groups/with others

[ManDownUnder]

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.

+1 (well 10 chars actually...)
Wot he sed!

[yungatart]

+1 (well 10 chars actually...)
Wot he sed!

Yeah, but what does he know? Cos in actual fact, I ride in the same group as he does...and there is no way that I can ride as well as he does.
He's dreaming again!

[ManDownUnder]

Yeah, but what does he know? Cos in actual fact, I ride in the same group as he does...and there is no way that I can ride as well as he does.
He's dreaming again!

Cue spooky music...

... then.... he ... wrote what I was thinking...

*shudder*...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Bloody hell: I remember group rides in the wairarapa that ended up as out and out endurance races, or trips over to Akaroa that were worthy of the name GP:

No more. I like to go with one or up to four others, and any heroics I just leave them to it. I dont like big groups.

[Unit:Me]

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.

What he said re good examples and social aspect. The thing is motorcycling can be so mood dependant too, and some days we are better riders than others. I have days when I feel like Im holding people up, and cant stop looking in my mirrors long enough to enjoy riding the road ahead as it should be.
There are other days (not many) where others hold me up. Usually Im the last to arrive (unless Ive cheated), but Im happy and have enjoyed watching the guns wizz passed me. I will kick my leg out to indicate they should pass and I know they are there when we are nagivating the tight stuff. Unfortunately there have also been days when, at the gathering, Ive quietly thought to myself geees so and so could have an off today, and more unfortunately Ive been right on occasion. Funny how you can pick em before leaving the gathering point.

[Qkchk:Me]

Do it every Thursday night, its called the ATNR..

It doesnt bother me riding in a group as long as no-one does anything stupid or has to try and show the size (or lackof ) their gonads. If a problem arises they get the flick or a bunch of angry bikers give them a quiet talking to...

It can be a godsend on a long trip to have company..........

[Mom]

show the size (or lackof ) their gonads.

I always thought that behaviour was down to penis size

[Mom]

Ive quietly thought to myself geees so and so could have an off today, and more unfortunately Ive been right on occasion. Funny how you can pick em before leaving the gathering point.

Very wise words them ones!

Trust the people you are riding with. That trust goes to leaving the ones that want to/can ride faster to do their thing and know they wont compromise anyone elses ride. It also goes to the slower riders to ride their ride without feeling the need to try and keep up and ride outside of their personal comfort zone.

There has only been a couple of occassions where on a KB group ride I have felt a threat.......I put it down to some people having small penises, pity of it is I dont know who they are, I would never ride out with them again!

[beyond]

I enjoy riding full stop
Also bikes were made for corners and anyone can do 300kmh on the straights with enough horsies under their butt.

Several points and I'm being totally honest here.
I enjoy riding alone as I can ride harder without upsetting anyone and frequently do but I also enjoy the cameraderie of group rides. The bigger the group the more obvious dangers especially with people joining the group you have not ridden with before.

I mostly enjoy groups of around 5-6 people all at or near the same skill level with no one having to prove themselves to anyone else. There are a few I trust a lot and they all know that all of us can ride just fine and our lines are as close to perfect as they are going to get. Those are always the best rides, fast paced but real safe with no one out to prove anything.

I also enjoy big group rides except for the following issues:
1. Stone damage if you aren't in front. That's large chips on your tank, your helmet and a buggered visor and those sporties tear off great chunks of tarmac and hurl them at ya, espcially when they have sticky hoops. When a rock hits your knuckle at 200+ it kinda hurts.... a lot

2. If you are in a big group (40-70) bikes, then you have to be in front or starve for two hours at the next feeding hole. If for any reason you happen to be in the last quarter, the worms will have left a sizeable dent in your guts before they get fed.

3. I love speed but prefer to hover around 139.9999kmh just in case the batteries are flat in my HARD detector receiver and in case instant on is used and yours truly gets to walk home.
BUT... nothing annoys me more than people who are new to the rides thinking that old bastard on the GSX1400 is going to hold them up in the corners so they tear past at 260kmh+ to get in front and then you spend the next few corners trying hard not to sit on their rear seat with them.

I'm sure they aren't interested in getting a passenger but I come awfully close to almost stoppying the 1400 coming into some corners after someone bowls past and then holds you up for the next few k's.

I'm not saying I'm better than anyone else. I just love corners and the 1400 just happens to love them too and the tighter the better. It's deceptively quick through the tight stuff for a bike it's size and weight and I take full advantage of all those loverly attributes.

So, invariably on group rides, for the aforementioned reasons, I pick up the pace somewhat more than I would prefer simply to maintain black beauty in it's current pristine condition, to make sure the worms get fed on time before turning on my interior and to ensure I get to enjoy some of the tighter twisties.

I have no problem riding fast and don't ever feel I am riding out of my depth but I have seen others who do, getting all crossed up when they are in front trying to prove they can stay ahead when they are better letting you pass. The sight of arms and legs getting thrust out in all directions, smoke pouring off tyres as their lines go to pieces and they get all crossed up makes for an amusing ride but it can all end in serious disaster.

The same happens with those who try and keep up when they aren't experienced enough. You see them in your rear view vision mirror for a few seconds anyway and it's not a pretty sight.

The saucer sized eyeballs behind their visors says it all when you drop into your first hard corner.
However: lots can be learnt from following the lines of a faster more experienced rider...IF people don't end up outriding their own abilities.
The fact that often bins occur on KB rides, means that more often than not, abilities are being pushed past someones outer limits.

I am not referring to incidents that are no fault of the rider and many of these exist of course.

Sorry, a bit long winded here

[jtzzr]

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".

Some wise words ,is that why every ride I see you on I get left behind ,but all joking aside , you have to have faith, trust call it what you will , but every person on the ride has everybody elses lives in their hands so I guess you have to be selective .

[idleidolidyll]

I like groups and I like riding alone.

The problem is not with groups per se, it's with the vast range of skills and abilities that groups can have. The chances of collision rise drastically when inexperienced riders are mixed with experienced ones.

My scariest ride was with a bunch of Ulysses members, a mix of experienced competant riders, newbies and those who had ridden 20 or 30 years ago and fooled themselves into thinking they were skilled.

Now if THAT doesn't get me flamed I'm buggered if I know what will!

[beyond]

I like groups and I like riding alone.

The problem is not with groups per se, it's with the vast range of skills and abilities that groups can have. The chances of collision rise drastically when inexperienced riders are mixed with experienced ones.

My scariest ride was with a bunch of Ulysses members, a mix of experienced competant riders, newbies and those who had ridden 20 or 30 years ago and fooled themselves into thinking they were skilled.

Now if THAT doesn't get me flamed I'm buggered if I know what will!

Now that would have been interesting

Quite right. The vast difference in skill levels can be a rather volatile cocktail.

[DMNTD:Me]

Quite right. The vast difference in skill levels can be a rather volatile cocktail.

...unless the ride has been organised accordingly.
Quicker people off first...etc.
In saying that there's nothing better than like-skilled riders out for a fang!

[beyond]

...unless the ride has been organised accordingly.
Quicker people off first...etc.
In saying that there's nothing better than like-skilled riders out for a fang!

Yep, a good squirt with like minded riders makes for a very very satisfying day and gets the hands of the tyre merchants rubbing uncontrollably

[The Lone Rider]

Love groups, love on my own. Always time for both, always do both.

Fun!