Staggered Journeys – A guide to getting along with other motorcyclists – PART 1

[Nick Hill]

A friend and I have been working together on a couple of things for Galfer. Here is a result of our first project.

Staggered Journeys – A guide to getting along with other motorcyclists – PART 1

Have you ever thought of attending an organized ride? If you’re anything like me you certainly enjoy riding with others more than riding by yourself. Maybe you have considered joining a motorcycle club or attending a charity ride or maybe even an active web forum that gets together for.... Click here to read more www.galferblog.com/group-motorcycle-rides/

[sammyseaman]

I tend to ride alone and don't like to ride in groups but when I do I tend to get real drunk  

[stromgal]

I thought this was the 'ride to drink, drink to ride' thread.

(By the way, I believe you mean 'assess' not 'access' in your article.)  

[Papa Lazarou]

I tend to ride alone but when I do I tend to get real drunk and don't like to ride in groups   

Oh well...

[sammyseaman]

Oh well...

I like you  

[paddy_crow]

I have always preferred to ride alone. When I ride with others, it always seems like the pace is either too fast or too slow.

[Blunder]

I like the intent of the article, but it seems to be getting rather close to describing how to run a HOG toy get-together.

[crispiegee1]

What's the point of a group ride if you can't show off how much faster and riskier you can ride?  

[Blunder]

What's the point of a group ride if you can't show off how much faster and riskier you can ride?  

There's the sublime pleasure of riding with a group of friends who are familiar with each other, who can trust each other, in riding with what others here have called the pace.

What the OP is addressing is something I approach with extreme prejudice. It's for newbies who are approaching their first group ride.

I miss riding with my friends.

[County Tar]

Frankly, its best I don't ride in groups (and I don't).  I'm all over the road looking for the best line, going around the potholes, checking out the scenery.  If I see something that interests me I stop, or turn quickly down a lane or a field approach.  I like to accelerate, decelerate, downshift, upshift and shift my butt in general.  Sometimes I take the ditch.  Gotta check those brakes every once in awhile too (Strom brakes are made of wood; on the DR I don't use the brakes).  I saw Steve McQueen in The Great Escape and that is how I think one should ride.  You ought to see me on gravel.  

Now, passing large groups is something to enjoy.  

[Andrew]

Nope I ride alone, except for STN events and thats only 2 a year.

Joining a group ride of people I do not know seems a bit dangerous if not sort of Hardly Ableson

[Biking Sailor]

To me a group is 3, maybe 4 bikes at the most.  More than 4 is a "crowd".  

[crispiegee1]

There's the sublime pleasure of riding with a group of friends who are familiar with each other, who can trust each other, in riding with what others here have called the pace.

What the OP is addressing is something I approach with extreme prejudice. It's for newbies who are approaching their first group ride.

Yes, I know - my comment was dripping with sarcasm.

[crispiegee1]

To me a group is 3, maybe 4 bikes at the most.  More than 4 is a "crowd".  

Agree. Easier to gauge riding styles, keep track of people and not have to worry about what boneheaded move some stranger might pull.

[sprocket]

A guide on how to get along with other riders...with rules to boot.....I especially like the "Stay Sober" one, I hate ridin with a bunch of drunks!

[sammyseaman]

A guide on how to get along with other riders...with rules to boot.....I especially like the "Stay Sober" one, I hate ridin with a bunch of drunks!

 

[Papa Lazarou]

 

[sammyseaman]

 

[Papa Lazarou]

 

[sammyseaman]

 

[Papa Lazarou]

 

[Andrew]

 

[sammyseaman]

Sorry about the delay. I've been away from my puter.

  +   /   =  

[antvq]

Sorry about the delay. I've been away from my puter.

  +   /   =  

288?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Back to the OP: seriously? I can see that you put some time into writing this, but I think that you should go back and review it. First of all, the number of typos and grammatical errors are rather embarrassing for Galfer. Secondly, paragraphs like this one:

Ride in formation
If you have made it this far you are well on your way to a successful group ride. By now the group is out on the road and enjoying the ride. This is where it gets easy.

are entirely BS. This is where the ride gets harder. Now you have to watch out for cars, deer, other riders, gravel in the road. To say that you've successfully filled your tank and listened to some nitwit outline the route was the hardest part of a ride is to seriously underestimate the skills necessary to ride  

[sammyseaman]

288?

 

[eljefe-speaks]

Hey, let's all gather on our motorcycles and escape to the Great Wide Open so we can follow each other around in a huge line like a funeral procession, panic-break in chains running front to back like dominos, and feel like we're stuck in Manhattan traffic.

(Hope it's okay to be a complete smart-ass and the new guy at the same time)
 

[sammyseaman]

Hey, let's all gather on our motorcycles and escape to the Great Wide Open so we can follow each other around in a huge line like a funeral procession, panic-break in chains running front to back like dominos, and feel like we're stuck in Manhattan traffic.

(Hope it's okay to be a complete smart-ass and the new guy at the same time)
 

Okay? It's more than okay. Like me pappy used to say: "It's better to be a smartass than a dumbass". Welcome aboard  

[black hills]

Remember to tell them to keep the stagger fairly open, that way those of us who would like to pass thier parade but can't due to the fac tit is a mile ling will have a way to get past them

[Corwin]

I don't know what everyone is complaining about.  The article mentions some fairly basic general rules about group riding.  It does not specify size or composition of group (wrt. level of experience or type of bike).
Yes, it does not go into incredible amount of detail concerning dangers of group riding or hazards of riding in general, but the information is valid nonetheless.  Even such basic things as being on time and showing up with a full tank are certainly not a given on many group rides.  

On one of the group rides I went on last year one fellow crashed and died.  Met him that morning, pronounced him a couple of hours later.  Since, I have tended to ride with a select few buddies that I know well, or alone.

However, when I do go on a ride with strangers, I wish all of them at least followed the few basic items noted in the article.

[Orson]

Most sport touring is done alone, or maybe two or three bikes...

I think the most bikes I've seen in a trip report was 6 bikes when the frenchman went to California but, he wuz on a Harley so, it's debatable if he wuz even sport touring.








 

[tomek]

Group riders ? I don`t recall when wus the last time ,,,,,,,, but I usually stayed in the back , no chance of getting rear ended  . At least by the other bike .

Speed  ? I save it for the race track . Group rides often turn into penis waving . Not interested .

[SVTNate]

I have yet to find anyone with whom I really enjoy riding.  I prefer being on my own.  It probably has to do with the fact that most of my friends ride Harleys and we enjoy very different sorts of riding.

I've done the group thing a couple times, and will never do it again.  I'd rather not ride than ride in a large group.

[Mr Sunshine]

A few days ago going through Lolo Pass I got caught up in a Pirate Pack trying to get around them.  This was in the middle of the curves in the wet.  Basically while in the pack I had to only stare at the tire in front of me so I wouldn't hit them.  I couldn't look around or move around due to road conditions.  Worst thing ever. It was like driving a car.

Also on group rides there is a reason why I specify be on time and have a full tank while organizing it...no need for a manual to tell me.  Then at the start if there are new people the line is "ride your own ride.  Don't try to keep up. We wait at turns so don't worry about getting lost (from the group. No guarantees we won't get lost. ).". Finally an experienced person rides sweep. It works and we aren't an unpassable pack.

[kevin_stevens]

A friend and I have been working together on a couple of things for Galfer. Here is a result of our first project.

Staggered Journeys – A guide to getting along with other motorcyclists – PART 1

Have you ever thought of attending an organized ride? If you’re anything like me you certainly enjoy riding with others more than riding by yourself. Maybe you have considered joining a motorcycle club or attending a charity ride or maybe even an active web forum that gets together for.... Click here to read more www.galferblog.com/group-motorcycle-rides/

Might add a blurb on how to communicate that you're splitting off from the ride so people don't have to look for you.

KeS

[Typhoon650]

I've never gone for group riding, always some hero that ruins the experience for everyone else. To be honest, I ride to get away from asshats, not be surrounded by a gaggle of them!
 But that could just be my anti social personality showing.

[M.Brane]

 Slinky style group ride with experienced sport-oriented riders:  

 Riding in formation pirate parade style:  

[satxbonneville]

I'd rather lick the grunge off the chains on my bikes than participate in a group ride.