Road not track people

[hayd3n]

Not sure about that, we used to have a few of those here and I enjoyed them. The fast guys go first so they don't have to pass anyone, and everybody goes ther own speed. There were usually nominated points where all and sundry regrouped.

Ulysses group rides have a simple set of rules. The speed may vary from branch to branch but generally the format is the same. To the best of my knowledge these have a good safety record. Certainly the local ones do.

Some of the local bike shops organise runs and these, while generally good, can get a bit loose. I haven't seen too many dramas, nor have I been hearing too many bad things. There was one ride that turned into something of a horror story though with maybe four bikes being written off or badly damaged? I wasn't there and, perhaps unsurprisingly, haven't been tempted since.

yeah the bike shops do that to make some money
(dont worry m8 well pick your bike up and sort it out for ya)

[martybabe]

everybody goes their own speed. There were usually nominated points where all and sundry regrouped.

.

Nail on the head there Pritch. I've been on scores of group rides over the years, the best one by far was a group of local lads that all did there own comfortable pace, meeting up every few miles negates the desperate desire some riders feel to keep up and or impress. We had some really slow riders but nobody minded waiting for them, a chance to have a smoko and chat, really well done and enjoyable for all involved.

On the flip side, I went riding with a bunch of Harley riders (not knocking the bikes or Harley riders in general, I've owned some and will own some more) If ever there was a bike designed to enjoy the road without the need to prove how big your gonads are, it's a Harley. However, there was clearly something these fellas had to prove. I've never seen so much recklessness and stupidity on one ride, the premise seemed to be, ride as fast as ever the bike will go, overtake anywhere and everywhere regardless of risk, wait for no one and fuck everyone. Bloody lunacy, I'm proud to say I never rode with them again, not even the return journey, I split off with another fella and had a great ride back.

I don't get it, it's not a contest, does some one secretly hand out medals for the fastest/stupidest/luckiest rider in the group, I can honestly say I've never gone home and thought, fack me so and so is a brilliant rider, he'd ordered his coffee before I even arrived. Big deal big ego big yawn, everyone knows the only real test of manliness is who can have sex in the least amount of time and I am unbeatable that regard

[DEATH_INC.]

Shit, this is about the third reply I've typed....
I don't think the group rides are necessarily to blame. Some ride badly and have accidents anyway. None of the accidents I've witnessed (a few...) have been due to riders trying to keep up. Most are just MISTAKES that they make. Most of them walk away, some don't unfortunately. People do the same thing in cars too.
The problem as I see it (this time of the year especially) is the volumes of traffic on the road. Chances of hitting something is a lot greater now. Whether you're with a group or not.
Take extra care 'till after the summer madness.

[Katman]

Take extra care 'till after the summer madness.

Why would you take less care after the summer madness?

[Grumpy]

Mmm, perhaps there's a simple answer. Before the ride leaves everyone drops there their daks and we can have some poor bugga get the tape measure out. Once it's been established who has the biggest cock perhaps everyone can just get to the business of enjoying their ride without the silly shit.

Although this might have to be restricted to summer rides only so you don't have to allow for shrinkage. That will eliminate any excuses.

[Mrs Cowboyz]

Mmm, perhaps there's a simple answer. Before the ride leaves everyone drops there their daks and we can have some poor bugga get the tape measure out. Once it's been established who has the biggest cock perhaps everyone can just get to the business of enjoying their ride without the silly shit.

Although this might have to be restricted to summer rides only so you don't have to allow for shrinkage. That will eliminate any excuses.

haha...you putting your hand up?

couldnt agree with you more here!!

[Grumpy]

haha...you putting your hand up?

couldnt agree with you more here!!

Ah, bugger. Seem to have lost my tape ........

[Trudes]

Mmm, perhaps there's a simple answer. Before the ride leaves everyone drops there their daks and we can have some poor bugga get the tape measure out. Once it's been established who has the biggest cock perhaps everyone can just get to the business of enjoying their ride without the silly shit.

Although this might have to be restricted to summer rides only so you don't have to allow for shrinkage. That will eliminate any excuses.

So what do us chicks do? Compare cup size?

[Grumpy]

So what do us chicks do? Compare cup size?

Seriously though, that idea does have some merit.

[scumdog]

So what do us chicks do? Compare cup size?

Why, what else could we compare??

[Trudes]

How big is your carb??

[sosman]

Mmm, perhaps there's a simple answer. Before the ride leaves everyone drops there their daks and we can have some poor bugga get the tape measure out. Once it's been established who has the biggest cock perhaps everyone can just get to the business of enjoying their ride without the silly shit.

Although this might have to be restricted to summer rides only so you don't have to allow for shrinkage. That will eliminate any excuses.

Thats right! biggest cocks wins(slow as fuck).....cause the one with the biggest balls pisses off into the distant..... lol

[sunhuntin]

I have been on group rides in Europe and also in the USA. Both have been very well organised and managed. There is an expected level of discipline and those who don't conform (within reason) are kicked off.

I have only been on one NZ group ride down to Piha almost 3 years ago. I was suprised that noone came off. Too many wanting to show off their bikes's capabilities and how great they thought they were. Watching idiots overtaking slow riders on tight bends and cutting in before sharp braking is not my of a group ride.

I would suggest the reason that organised events don't have so many accidents is because they are orgamised and managed with rules and regulations.

i never went on any group rides with them unfortunately... it was heading into winter, and it was one of the last rallies where i met the club and my first partner. they had all sorts of "games", like slow riding etc. the best [and only one i took part in] was a large tractor tyre with a fat arse piece of rope. had to grab the tyre and tie the rope to the back of the harley. harley then took off and towed you to the end of the field. was great fun! i ended up with grass and dirt all down my back. if i recall, one guy came off on a slow ride and busted his ankle. that was the only injury other than sun burn.

pritch... the only group ride ive been on that resulted in an off was a ulysses dummy run. guy had just got back into bikes and went and bought the biggest bike he could find. i was at the back, of course, and came to the top a gentle but blind rise, and he was sitting in the ditch with his bike on the other side of the road facing the way he had come. i have no idea how he managed that.

[McJim]

Thats right! biggest cocks wins(slow as fuck).....cause the one with the biggest balls pisses off into the distant..... lol

Nothing to do with larger balls mate - I'm always the slowest coz I've got the biggest cock and therefore nothing to prove

[PrincessBandit]

Nothing to do with larger balls mate - I'm always the slowest coz I've got the biggest cock and therefore nothing to prove

So it's not because it's so heavy that it weighed the bike down like an anchor......