Riding your own ride

[crazyhorse]

I agree whole heartily - but i would also ask;

If you can ride very well, and you're out with riders who do not have the same ability as you, but try to stick with you, you can see they're riding beyond their skill level - do you think you have a responsibility to slow down, rather than encourage them on?


I don't know?

I totally agree - everyone IS responsible for their own life when on a bike, BUT if you are aware that a rider is not capable of keeping up, then maybe you do have a moral obligation to slow down, or talk to them about it. I would hate it to be on my conscience that I could've help prevent something and never chose to do anything about it. But at the end of the day, there really is no right answer to this question.

[NDORFN]

Of course I'm not really referring to yesterdays tragedy - you're right, every one is responsible for their own choices

But last year, 3 times, while riding with guys I didn't know very well; I noticed they were running wide, over braking and crap like that, and eventually they came off
I was riding well within my ability - but they were kind of pushing it too far.

I decided that if I am going to invite riders out, or I go with others, I ride to their pace now - up to my ability. Even if it means a slower pace than I am comfortable with

It's a funny thing pride, it pushes too many bikers into calamity.

About 12 months ago I came off - I was keeping up with a bunch of sport bikes on the Coro, I knew my rear shock was stuffed and I should've been taking it easy, but you know - you get caught up in the adrenalin. Next thing you know I'm talking to the tar. Lesson learnt.

I totally agree. When we ride with a less experienced rider, we ride closely to thier pace (or atleast one of us hangs back to keep them company and to stop them from giving into the urge to try to keep up with the lead bike), only pushing them very little more each time they come out. If we didn't want to go slower, we wouldn't invite them in the first place. Maybe designating one of the faster riders or taking turns to hang back and show the inexperienced or slower riders some good riding skills and habbits could work.

[DMNTD:Me]

...if you are aware that a rider is not capable of keeping up, then maybe you do have a moral obligation to slow down, or talk to them about it...

Agreed with the "stopping and having a chat" option.

[DEATH_INC.]

Let me just say at this point I don't believe this was the case yesterday.

[carver]

I totally agree. When we ride with a less experienced rider, we ride closely to thier pace (or atleast one of us hangs back to keep them company and to stop them from giving into the urge to try to keep up with the lead bike), only pushing them very little more each time they come out. If we didn't want to go slower, we wouldn't invite them in the first place. Maybe designating one of the faster riders or taking turns to hang back and show the inexperienced or slower riders some good riding skills and habbits could work.

while thats a good idea, if you do not know the person, and in your eyes, they seem to be doing ok, you would assume all is well.

[Maha]

I decided that if I am going to invite riders out, or I go with others, I ride to their pace now - up to my ability. Even if it means a slower pace than I am comfortable with

It's a funny thing pride, it pushes too many bikers into calamity.

Theres the probable answer, I know of one who opted out of going yesterday beacasue of the 'ego' being thrown around online. A couple of years ago, I had a ride organised and, one member said ''I aint coming if its not a race'' so I responded '' well there one who wont be coming''. May have been tounge n' cheek but, there is an eliment of ego in that comment.

The one and only time I have been on a Coro ride there were two bins, one was a young fulla, on a 2 smoker, first ever group ride, dont think hes ever been back online.

[carver]

Theres the probable answer, I know of one who opted out of going yesterday beacasue of the 'ego' being thrown around online. A couple of years ago, I had a ride organised and, one member said ''I aint coming if its not a race'' so I responded '' well there one who wont be coming''. May have been tounge n' cheek but, there is an eliment of ego in that comment.

The one and only time I have been on a Coro ride there were two bins, one was a young fulla, on a 2 smoker, first ever group ride, dont think hes ever been back online.

i went once, and it was a bit wet, so i pulled over to put some gears on to keep my dry.
a dude on a RS250 going the other way put it into a ditch, so i rode it out for him, i think i was on the ER6, or maybe the motard.
it was not fast yesterday

[smoky]

Let me just say at this point I don't believe this was the case yesterday.

Was trying to stay away from that comparison - I rode with him earlier in the day, and he didn't seem to be inexperienced or unable to ride.

And to some degree in a big group like that I agree with Carver; there's so many different riding abilities and people you don't know, you can only take responsibility for your own riding. There will always be a few who want to impress others - and there was a few of them yesterday, as there always are in a group that size, but I don't think he was one of them

[Maha]

i went once, and it was a bit wet, so i pulled over to put some gears on to keep my dry.
a dude on a RS250 going the other way put it into a ditch, so i rode it out for him, i think i was on the ER6, or maybe the motard.
it was not fast yesterday

I am not judging yesterdays ride, hell even on my rides I am almost the last one into town, I dont care, I am out there for ME!
Knowing your comfort zone is paramount and individuals should know exactly where that line ends.

[carver]

I am not judging yesterdays ride, hell even on my rides I am almost the last one into town, I dont care, I am out there for ME!
Knowing your comfort zone is paramount and individuals should know exactly where that line ends.

correct.....

[Grahameeboy]

i went once, and it was a bit wet, so i pulled over to put some gears on to keep my dry.
a dude on a RS250 going the other way put it into a ditch, so i rode it out for him, i think i was on the ER6, or maybe the motard.
it was not fast yesterday

Did you give him the bike back??

[Grahameeboy]

Theres the probable answer, I know of one who opted out of going yesterday beacasue of the 'ego' being thrown around online. A couple of years ago, I had a ride organised and, one member said ''I aint coming if its not a race'' so I responded '' well there one who wont be coming''. May have been tounge n' cheek but, there is an eliment of ego in that comment.

The one and only time I have been on a Coro ride there were two bins, one was a young fulla, on a 2 smoker, first ever group ride, dont think hes ever been back online.

That Mom she is a rebel eh...............

[mowgli]

stick within your abilities, and do not ever run wide tip the bike over further and trust your tires.

While I agree with the sentiment, this is almost impossible for an inexperienced rider to achieve. Twist of the Wrist by Keith Code should be compulsory reading for beginners.

[FJRider]

Quite a few of "group rides" I've been a part of, was where riders seemed to want to ride a few metres apart. As a result of this, there has been a number of incidents where the following bikes have run into the rear of the bike(s) in front. Nothing to do with riding outside skill levels. Just not thinking further ahead than what you can see.
I travel a lot in my work, and I often see groups of bikes travelling together. Often ...more often than not, literally a few metres apart. At speed.
The key thought is ... do you trust that rider behind you, to not run into the back of you ???

[NDORFN]

while thats a good idea, if you do not know the person, and in your eyes, they seem to be doing ok, you would assume all is well.

For sure. At the end of the day you can only take so much responsibility for an inexperienced riders' actions. I suppose the best you can do when you have someone on your tail who shows no obvious signs of inexperience is just to ride well, keeping it smooth, exercising patience when required, the kind of riding that'll keep YOU alive, and if they come off atleast you know you are in no way to blame. And on the same token of not knowing the person following, you should never race someone you don't know, for your own safety, as odds on it'll be you they crash into the rear or side of.