Riding in groups/with others

[Lissa]

I personally like riding in smaller groups of two to five, and people that I know, and know my riding skill which isnt too hot. In bigger groups I like to be at the back, so I dont hold anyone up, and no one has to pass me, which is my biggest worry.

[Matt_TG]

I don't really enjoy riding alone, and look for bikes to catch up to when riding, wave to everyone and generally love the kinship of riding. Much like DMTD I like riding with a group of people I know, my reason is that I don't want to be with those who will try to race the pants off each other. I get a bit intimidated then, (probably why I don't join the Tauranga rides ... I've seen the videos). My brother in law has a GN and we ride together a bit but it's just a bit hard going at times.

The BADD ride was supposed to be an organised orderly legal speed cruise, but once we hit the State Highway all hell broke loose. I was just over 110 km'h going up the Kaimais but was being passed as if I was standing still. Someone went by on their rear wheel. I felt out of my zone on the roads through to Okoroire, and as a result didn't enjoy it that much.

I guess I'm still a nana.

[beyond]

I personally like riding in smaller groups of two to five, and people that I know, and know my riding skill which isnt too hot. In bigger groups I like to be at the back, so I dont hold anyone up, and no one has to pass me, which is my biggest worry.

The main thing is that everyone should enjoy themselves and feel happy with where they are at. I always harp on to people about making sure they know their own bike and limits before pushing it and espcially so on group rides.

It's not the place to be checking your own perosnal limits such as sudden braking or evasive actions or going to hot into a corner etc.

You have the right attitude

[sunhuntin]

I like groups and I like riding alone.

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!

agreed, actually. ride before i last i went on was with the local triumph club [one of my rare sundays i arranged off, cos they were going to ohakea] had a ulysses member tag along. dunno what kind of bike, cruiser and wide with saddles added. that make it roughly twice as wide as the bike i was on... so long ago, i think i had the gn.
he overtook me, cut me off and then rode just left of the middle of the road. we get to ohakea, and then he bails me up accusing of following too close. was so fucked off i left and went to the sanson markets and then off for a solo ride to clear my head.

since then, ive avoided ulysses like the plague, and make a point of ignoring that guy. last time i saw him, he gave me shit about having a top box instead of bags on the virago... must be blind as well as stupid, cos the bag brackets are plain as day. wanker.

thats not the first time ive encountered trouble with ulysses either... went out on a dummy run for a toy run 2005, so i could be sure the route. im second to back, come over a gentle but blind rise, and heres this bike sitting in the ditch pointing back up hill. the rider had somehow fucked up, still dunno what happened that would cause the bike to change direction fully. guy had just got back into bikes after however many years, and of course bought the biggest shiniest bike in the shop... without the skill to control it.

never again... never. would rather ride with the grim reaper himself than with that lot.

the triumph club, however, i ride with when possible... they are the single big ride i reserve for once a year, that being their charity ride. ive gone on every one of them except in 04. hell... when i went up the paraparas on sunday, i followed one of my favourite members up... he was in his van.

the best paired ride ive ever done was with canarlee... he kept well back, gave me room, and "protected" me from overtaking cars by closing the gap so they couldnt pull in on top. awesome... would ride with him any day of the week.

[MotoGirl]

[B]...unless the ride has been organised accordingly.
Quicker people off first...etc.

That's precisely it though - if you know you're not going to be going the speed of lightning, pull out of the stop point after the fast guys.

There's no point putting yourself at the front if they all have to pass you. Likewise for if there's slower people in the group, get out in front of them. There's a reason I'm always last

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.

I know exactly what you're saying. I've been on Ulysses rides that had very experienced riders and fully licensed newbies in the group. This definitely has the potential to cause trouble if it's not properly managed.

Cajun and I went on a Ulysses ride last weekend, and because a particular member was fresh a bike, the RIC asked Cajun to babysit her on the ride. This was a great idea because everyone else could go a decent speed and the slower rider still had someone supporting her. My point is that anyone can go on a group ride provided they're not being encouraged to ride beyond their abilities. Oh yeah, let me add that Cajun and I are way too young to be Ulysses prospects!

[puddy]

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".

Amen! Even if it did come from THAT GUY!

[sunhuntin]

That's precisely it though - if you know you're not going to be going the speed of lightning, pull out of the stop point after the fast guys.

There's no point putting yourself at the front if they all have to pass you. Likewise for if there's slower people in the group, get out in front of them. There's a reason I'm always last

first couple of triumph rides i went on, i was told by the organisers to put myself as close to the front as possible as the pace would be slower. did it once and still ended up second to last in line... after being scared half to death by the sprotsbikes flying past. now, i pull out towards the middle of the group and hug the left hand staggered spot until those faster have gone past.

[pritch]

My experience with Ulysses rides is the opposite. (Not that I've been on *that* many). The local rides tend to be catering to the "born again" riders who are perhaps regaining confidence. I find the rides too slow.

Riding in a big group is apparently not to my taste.
I went on the local BRONZ Easter Egg run last year. At the scheduled departure time the leader announced the route, there's a chorus of, "I need a loo", "I need gas". As if this hasn't been scheduled for months, since the previous Easter in fact.
Then some muppet falls off on the first corner because his tyre is flat (and has been for ages?).

I don't want these pillocks anywhere near me.

The KB rides I've been on are different, even a big one like last years "sheep feast" run. These tend to break up into smaller groups, they also tend to be quick enough that you don't get passed by cars. Even on a recent instance where I had not previously met any of the other riders, there was not one uncomfortable moment. Nor would I have expected one.

I have had a "moment" or two on the local Pie and Pint runs but one can always let the cop bait go for it and proceed at one's own pace. If I go any slower I had better start paying attention to the route details....

Second rule of group rides: Turn up on time with a full tank and an empty bladder.

And I didn't vote because I guess I'm with dmntd and puddy...

[beyond]

My experience with Ulysses rides is the opposite. (Not that I've been on *that* many). The local rides tend to be catering to the "born again" riders who are perhaps regaining confidence. I find the rides too slow.

Riding in a big group is apparently not to my taste.
I went on the local BRONZ Easter Egg run last year. At the scheduled departure time the leader announced the route, there's a chorus of, "I need a loo", "I need gas". As if this hasn't been scheduled for months, since the previous Easter in fact.
Then some muppet falls off on the first corner because his tyre is flat (and has been for ages?).

I don't want these pillocks anywhere near me.

The KB rides I've been on are different, even a big one like last years "sheep feast" run. These tend to break up into smaller groups, they also tend to be quick enough that you don't get passed by cars. Even on a recent instance where I had not previously met any of the other riders, there was not one uncomfortable moment. Nor would I have expected one.

I have had a "moment" or two on the local Pie and Pint runs but one can always let the cop bait go for it and proceed at one's own pace. If I go any slower I had better start paying attention to the route details....

Second rule of group rides: Turn up on time with a full tank and an empty bladder.

Well said and ditto on the full tank and empty bladder

[oldrider]

Well said and ditto on the full tank and empty bladder

When you get older you will realise that your bladder is "always" full!

Well, just as you are ready to ride off anyway! John.

[sunhuntin]

When you get older you will realise that your bladder is "always" full!

Well, just as you are ready to ride off anyway! John.

someone needs to invent an engine that would run on urine... put jr in a baggie, with a tube running straight to a fuel line... bingo! no more need to get off and pee. dunno what us chicks would do though!

[scumdog]

I enjoy riding by myself (mostly with Cb on the back) but also riding with others, most of my group rides have been with KBers, the rest with HOG (not many of them).
About 75% of my riding is solo.

I just ride at my own pace, old enough and self-confident enough that I don't have to 'prove' anything.

[Renegade]

i mostly ride by myself, havent been to a KB ride yet but i do get excited when i see other bikes around especially like the other night when we merged on the expressway by chance and as we cruised along i enjoyed the company for the short time.

[sAsLEX]

Well said and ditto on the full tank and empty bladder

The time when everyone else is faffing about forgetting they need petrol after riding for an hour or so is always a good one to duck away and get out front no matter what you pace and get a nice solo cruise in during a group ride, just keep an eye on the mirror for the fast guys coming through.... if that happens to you Beyond?

[2wheeldrifter]

someone needs to invent an engine that would run on urine... put jr in a baggie, with a tube running straight to a fuel line... bingo! no more need to get off and pee. dunno what us chicks would do though!

Hmmm maybe one of those she-pee tube things (whatever they were called?) along with a custom hole in the seat.....