Triumphrat

decobike

This is about motorcycles mostly. I went for my first group ride today, first group ride ever on a motorcycle. It was a ride for the local food shelf, all of the post ride food and drawings were donated so every dime went to the food shelf. Pretty good I think. There were 50 bikes and 44 were Harley's, I say that only as observation and a nice turn out for a small community I think for the 1st annual. I would have liked to see more of the younger guys on their sport bikes but, maybe next year. The cause was worthwhile.

A portion of the route covered a stretch of rode I have ridden more than a dozen times in a pack during a bicycle race and I found myself comparing the experiences. On a bicycle the speeds of course aren't as fast but you're cruising (on this course at least) at 18 to 45 mph (that 45 is on the downhills). But you're 3 inches from the tire infront of you averaging 22 mph in a pack of 30 to 60 riders, the experience is thrilling and you're focused. On the motorcycle you're focused too, doesn't take long to close the gap.

I guess I find myself disappointed in the group experience on the m/c. I enjoyed meeting people, talking about bikes, areas to rides and all of that was fine, it was the ride itself. We rode in a loop for 100 miles, just kinda burning gas and upsetting traffic. Not sure I get the point. On a bicycle your exercising thus improving your health and not contributing to greenhouse gases and I'll just not bring up the supportng OPEC (or is that APEC, anyway).

Yeah, yeah I know I'm going the get some, get rid of your Triumph, ride your bike, walk and GTFA. Well, that ain't gonna happen. I guess I'm feeling that if I'm going to put on pointless miles I'd just as soon do it on my own or perhaps with a friend. I think I missed the banter you have in a pack of bicyclists. On this m/c group ride I couldn't even hear the sound of my own engine. Post ride food was great and of course I'll do it again next year, I didn't have a bad time I think I just expected more and its a good cause.

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shhs97

I pretty much agree with you on the group rides. I'd much rather just meet up with a group at a hangout spot and talk/look at the bikes. Riding, I rather be either alone or just with one other bike.

Stagger Lee

Mix n match for me. I enjoy solo like shhs97 says, more time for thinking out the stuff inside your head. Though there is never a time when I do not like the group thing, sometimes other riders abilities, or lack thereof, do not help to make it as fun as it should.

I wonder how long before blue tooth comms on bikes will allow group chatting rather than just rider to pillion? And would that be a good thing?

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SlowPocono

Exactly. Excellent observation.

HiDesert

I'd donate heavily to avoid going on a ride like that. I did something similar once, and it's not for me.

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Catenaccio

Amen to that one Phil.

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ruscook

It is, and a sad reason to ride :

When I ride with a group, like our mid-week ride the other week, we met where it was easy for all to start. The ride was OUT of the city to good biking roads. The idea was to have a play on some great roads, see some nice scenery (not be the scenery or just show off chrome bits to others), have a good yack at lunch, and generally enjoying our bikes.

Just being in the group for the "pose" value seems a real w@nk to me :

Try and organise a real ride, on some less visited country roads where you can go to a good pub, diner, national park or some such and enjoy being out on the bike :

Russ

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K8

I go on lots of group rides with lots of different groups. We get an sms saying location and time , turn up , and then head off. The guys decide the location , usually a pub somewhere or a bike show if theres one on , and off we go . Theres always the fast boys who take off and the middle pack who are quick but not at the limit , and theres the slower cruisier type . Theres always someone who marks the corners and maybe an hour or so into the ride the lead riders always pull up for a smoko and everyone else groups again . Some of the riders drift up and down the group line riding a while with the back markers and then rocketing off to catch the front . I love it . We gather at the pub for lunch and do the socializing, and eating , and then were off again. Brilliant way to spend a day.
Theres also the girl only rides which are excellent . We dont really need markers because everyone rides together and we actually stop and sightsee , check out the country markets , have a picnic .
Theres no brand type that sticks out really . Bikes cover all the jap bikes , harleys and trumpys . Sometimes though we go on rides with a brand name . The aprilla club run was good all over the gippy roads.

If no one is going out then I go by myself .

The w/e gone I was down the GOR . Without a bike . We had a girls w/e away . 8 of us in a house in Queenscliff and an awesome w/e it was , but never again am I not riding down there. Bonding in the car is all well and good , but seeing bikes pass on a beautiful road on a beautiful sunny day , is pain.

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upNorth

The group ride thing is definitely not for me. You're at the mercy of the worst rider in the group, stopping wherever the leader decides to stop and doing things just because others are doing them.

I've gotten a reputation as anti-social but I don't care...maybe it's the fact that I make comments like "I'll bet I can cover 100 miles while you guys talk about riding." Ya think?

To each his own - I ride alone.

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wenzel850

UpNorth,

I too tend to be a bit of a loner. The last group I was riding with we got pulled over by a New Jersey trooper, she pulled us all over 20 bikes about 30 people. It was just a hassle. Since then, by myself or with just a couple of others.

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