I have rode bikes my entire life. Dirt bikes from about 10 years old and Street bikes, off and on for 30 years.

My entire life I have been a solo rider (2 up most of the time), but I mean, never riding with others (groups).

I have even turned downed rides because of the "Group" aspect.

I guess I never really cared about it or wasn't concerned with groups until lately when I have started to feel left out. I guess my days of being a loner on the highway are stating to take it's toll.

I read lots about great rides with groups and just don't feel safe riding in a group. Wierd, I know. Maybe I am just wierd.

I will be 50 soon and I think it's time I started riding with others and enjoying some road time with the groups!

Anyone else have these fears of group riding? Why do we I feel safer solo on the highways?

Hehe, I get my AARP card next year and I don't wanna spend the rest of my life, rolling down the highway alone. So is it just me? Thanks.

 

There are a lot of differences between Group Rides. I am have been on some as many as a couple of hundred bikes and as few as 5 bikes. The big thing with a group ride are the riders and their experience in group rides. How do they ride, staggered is what I prefer the side by side is just too close. Have you alway ridden by yourself. Start riding with a couple of bikes. I think that you will like the experience. There is something of a rush when you round a corner and look back and see the mob behind you.

 

I've kinda quit the large groups but do enjoy riding with a few of my friends, ususally less than 6 max. I think the key is riding with groups that you know each person and especially if all have about the same degree of ability.

 

Well, for me it's one or two others. When you get about 5, one will be a ******** and ruin the whole day. At 56 I'm still selective on who I ride with.
Ron

 

WHile I'm a lot like you in that I always started off riding by myself, seems like every time I hit the road I'd pick up a few here and there until there was anywhere from 3 to 15 riding along together. Maybe they liked my after-shave. I don't know.

I do know that when I'm in a group, I like to be either in the lead, or at the very back. That way I can either accelerate away from them, or avoid them if they start piling up in front of me. And, I can peel off and go my own way if I decide to.

 

There is always pro and cons in every situation. I like group rides but I do know most of the ones I ride with.If I get behind one that lags behind or wants to ride side by side I'll go around them and tell them why later.Just use common sense like any other thing you do.

 

I'd rather ride solo. Small groups are cool, especially with people you have ridden with for years and know their style. Going anywhere with a group takes forever. Half hour to get gas, hour or two for food, etc. Went for a ride with a group at the 105th, well I was told it was a ride, went 20 miles and stopped for an hour for beers, then another half hour somebody had to ****, then 20 miles later they were hungry. That's when I headed my own way. Ya wanna ride or what?

 

I've always felt more at ease when I ride alone. When I do ride in a group it is usually with a group that I have ridden with for years. Even then I find myself wishing they would speed up or slow down depending on the circumstances. You have to be careful to always ride your own ride. I have seen folks in a group pull out in front of cars at a stop sign because the bike in front of them pulled out. Stay alert to your own safety first, if you are not comfortable pull out.

It gets easier after you ride with a group for a while and learn how they ride. I shy away from some of the HOG rides when there are lots of folks I don't know. And when I ride in parades, which is not very often, I assume they all want to kill me.

FD

 

I be 56 meself.

I very rarely ride 'totally' solo. I may start out that way, but by the second gas stop (150 mi), good chance I have tagged up with someone. IF we are going the same direction, put him/her up in front of me and the chop, good to go.
If I am riding with Randy, Farmer, Misfit, or any number of guys I have known for years, we ride side by side, cause we KNOW what each other is gonna do. BUT we ALWAYS re-cover the basics, JUST to be sure.

We also do a lot of riding with the PGR, Tribute to the Troops, ABATE, Vets groups, food shelf runs, etc. It is REAL easy for me to get to hang in the back, I just don't start kicking, til they are pulling out.

And I 'pack' ride with these guys. Side by side, wheel to wheel. And sometimes they will hit 90+ on the Interstate in a 'pack'. NOW, at one time, I must've thought that was FUN. But, withonly one drum brke in the rear, and ol' age riding in the fork bag(), I will only ride 'tailgunner' with 'em. That way I can drop back as far as I need, to STOP. PLUS, we can't trust ALL them Wimmin riders, with one of those 'greasy' prospects.

But IMFUO, there is nothing jus' quite like, watching a 'pack' of 40, 50, or more, scoots, moving down the road as "one unit".


Does "this" qualify as a 'group'???





Guess if you are NOT used to it, at all. Best to start out with a buds, and do some different riding, with one or two. Really talk things over good, before you start out, so ALL know the 'drill'. And then alter your riding 'preference'.

IOW, DO NOT get so hunkered down riding the left half of the lane, that you are uncomfortable when you find your self shuffled to the 'right' side, and the ditch or shoulder, starts to 'work on you'. OR vice versa, and you are 'nervous' riding next to centerline. Nothing will pillfer thru a group, faster than someone, 'nervous' cause they are in unfamiliar 'territory', EVEN tho it is the same hiway, they rode in on.

AND, Please, IF you are unsure of your riding prowess, make sure the RCIC or whoever you are with, KNOWS that, up front. Because it takes NO TIME at all, for some to get in way over their heads, when the group suddenly is rolling at 75 or so, down the hiway, and you are shakin' like a cat with glass up the azz.

 

I know how you feel most of my riding is solo or with my son on the back. There is just something about riding out without a care of who needs gas, or to take a leak, or whatever. But there is something to say about group rides. I did the American Cancer Run last year out of Danbury, CT to Shelton, CT, police escort and about 1000 riders. Every town we rode through people came out to wave flags and cheer. It was a good day and everyone respected each other and no one tried to hijack the ride, just a nice 60 mile ride. I joined HOG because of it and are looking at some rides with them this season.