How Do You Tell Somebody NICELY That You Don't Want To Ride With Them
#131
09-16-2015, 12:13 PM
There sure is a lot of drama in here with what is really a very simple issue.
If you don't want to ride with someone, don't. If he persists tell him why, you don't have to be a dick doing this.
If you do agree to ride with him, you are committed to making that ride with him until you openly tell him your going on by yourself. Until you break that commitment you have a shared responsibility with that person. Agreeing to ride with him and then blasting down the road intentionally leaving him behind is just rude on multiple levels, and may be dangerous.
My commute ride is obviously going to be solo. Evenings, weekends, and road trips are limited to a group of two bikes, me and my wife. My wife and I have ridden together so long that we both know what the other one is doing in any situation.
I've avoided groups for many years because many of the dumbest things I've seen happen on bikes involved people riding in groups. Too many people think they can ride well really can't and are a hazard to themselves and others. I've got no desire to find out how poorly you ride by having you put me in danger.
I will sometimes be asked to join a group. "Thanks, but we ride by ourselves. We'd be happy to meet you there." That's all that needs to be said and guess what? It works.
The fact that someone is a poor/dangerous rider is a completely separate issue. Just because someone likes to ride faster or slower than you do does not by itself make him a poor rider. If someone I know is dangerous on a bike I feel I have a responsibility to him and others to let him know how I feel. I have several times had a quite talk with someone about his riding skills. It doesn't have to be rude or confrontational, just the facts. I've pissed a few guys off over the years but that is their problem, not mine. I've had several thank me and some have taken me up on my offer to help them improve their skills. Bottom line - don't be an *** about it. The life you save may be your own (or his).
If you don't want to ride with someone, don't. If he persists tell him why, you don't have to be a dick doing this.
If you do agree to ride with him, you are committed to making that ride with him until you openly tell him your going on by yourself. Until you break that commitment you have a shared responsibility with that person. Agreeing to ride with him and then blasting down the road intentionally leaving him behind is just rude on multiple levels, and may be dangerous.
My commute ride is obviously going to be solo. Evenings, weekends, and road trips are limited to a group of two bikes, me and my wife. My wife and I have ridden together so long that we both know what the other one is doing in any situation.
I've avoided groups for many years because many of the dumbest things I've seen happen on bikes involved people riding in groups. Too many people think they can ride well really can't and are a hazard to themselves and others. I've got no desire to find out how poorly you ride by having you put me in danger.
I will sometimes be asked to join a group. "Thanks, but we ride by ourselves. We'd be happy to meet you there." That's all that needs to be said and guess what? It works.
The fact that someone is a poor/dangerous rider is a completely separate issue. Just because someone likes to ride faster or slower than you do does not by itself make him a poor rider. If someone I know is dangerous on a bike I feel I have a responsibility to him and others to let him know how I feel. I have several times had a quite talk with someone about his riding skills. It doesn't have to be rude or confrontational, just the facts. I've pissed a few guys off over the years but that is their problem, not mine. I've had several thank me and some have taken me up on my offer to help them improve their skills. Bottom line - don't be an *** about it. The life you save may be your own (or his).
Last edited by mdm; 09-16-2015 at 12:19 PM.
#132
09-17-2015, 09:45 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wolfman5874
General Harley Davidson Chat
166
09-26-2019 05:48 PM
Jack Straw
General Harley Davidson Chat
109
09-15-2011 03:35 PM