First Group Ride
#1
08-14-2006, 03:47 PM
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North Shore, Masshole
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First Group Ride
The Seacoast HOG (North Hampton, NH) did their "Ride for the Animals" poker run yesterday. First time on a group ride for us. Went 2-up since my wife is a newbie (843 miles on her month-old sporty) and she didn't want to be stressed about all the "more experienced" riders around her. No problem - though I hated to put on that $@#%ing backrest again.
It was an escorted ride so we blew through every stop and light. Very cool. Local bike LEO's did a great job shuffling back and forth to keep us moving. Weather - clear and about 72 degrees. Perfect. Around 220 bikes. Great route - about 85 miles on very-good to excellent roads. Ran on time - never more than 2-5 minutes behind. Good job Seacoast.
Observations:
1) I was aprehensive about doing this since I've read that there are a bunch here who don't do the group thing. Maybe it was the fact that it was well organized and escorted - but I liked it. I know that the one we're doing next weekend (Ride for the Greyhounds in Salem, NH) is a more traditional poker run - so we'll see what that's like.
2) Very cool to be in the middle of a pack of 210 HD's (subtract a few for the metrics in the crowd). Since it was a long train, people had enough time to come out of their houses and wave. My wife got some pretty good over-the-shoulder pictures of the bike on the road.
3) Rode next to a Glide with three passengers - Mom, Dad and a Chihuahua with goggles. Very humorous.
4) Might be worth the $15 to hook up with this Chapter since they seem to have their act together. The vest and patch thing isn't for me but if this is the way they do things, I'm in.
5) Am I expecting too much after this kind of ride? or is it hit or miss depending on the ride an group?
-DO
It was an escorted ride so we blew through every stop and light. Very cool. Local bike LEO's did a great job shuffling back and forth to keep us moving. Weather - clear and about 72 degrees. Perfect. Around 220 bikes. Great route - about 85 miles on very-good to excellent roads. Ran on time - never more than 2-5 minutes behind. Good job Seacoast.
Observations:
1) I was aprehensive about doing this since I've read that there are a bunch here who don't do the group thing. Maybe it was the fact that it was well organized and escorted - but I liked it. I know that the one we're doing next weekend (Ride for the Greyhounds in Salem, NH) is a more traditional poker run - so we'll see what that's like.
2) Very cool to be in the middle of a pack of 210 HD's (subtract a few for the metrics in the crowd). Since it was a long train, people had enough time to come out of their houses and wave. My wife got some pretty good over-the-shoulder pictures of the bike on the road.
3) Rode next to a Glide with three passengers - Mom, Dad and a Chihuahua with goggles. Very humorous.
4) Might be worth the $15 to hook up with this Chapter since they seem to have their act together. The vest and patch thing isn't for me but if this is the way they do things, I'm in.
5) Am I expecting too much after this kind of ride? or is it hit or miss depending on the ride an group?
-DO
#2
08-14-2006, 03:51 PM
RE: First Group Ride
Rides may vary, but the same sponsors and/or participants make things better. Get a crappy group and its time to move on. Give 'em another try and see.
#3
08-14-2006, 03:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
RE: First Group Ride
The big well organized rides are pretty cool. I did one in CT (Brian Aselton Memorial run) this year and that was pretty well organized and went well. I also did the Veterans Memorial Ride here in VT which was also kinda nice. I only like the big group thing a couple times a year. Other than that our club runs only consist of 2-15 bikes at any given time.
#4
08-14-2006, 04:59 PM
Road Warrior
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Lebanon, Missouri
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RE: First Group Ride
I personally don't like riding in large groups. I don't know the riders, so I certainly don't know their capabilities or tendancies. IMHO that is a recipe for disaster. Do I do some of them? Of course, but my preference is for Michelle and I to ride alone or with close friends.
#7
08-14-2006, 06:01 PM
RE: First Group Ride
ORIGINAL: Hdbiker1450
I personally don't like riding in large groups. I don't know the riders, so I certainly don't know their capabilities or tendencies. IMHO that is a recipe for disaster.
I personally don't like riding in large groups. I don't know the riders, so I certainly don't know their capabilities or tendencies. IMHO that is a recipe for disaster.
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#8
08-14-2006, 06:23 PM
Road Captain
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Syracuse, NY
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RE: First Group Ride
We did the "Bikers for Babies" charity fundraiser ride last weekend. Maybe 1200 bikes or so. It was awsome. Very well organized and the ride was about 100 miles and very enjoyable. I'll do it again.
BA
BA
#9
08-14-2006, 08:33 PM
Road Captain
RE: First Group Ride
It takes time to get to know the regulars in a club. A group of 100-200 bikes is a mass of bikes. I like to ride with smaller groups, say 30-50, you can get to know the people and it becomes a lot more fun. Make friends and look forward to seeing old friends in future events. Give a club a chance, go to several events and meetings for a year or two before making a decision.
#10
08-14-2006, 09:34 PM
RE: First Group Ride
ORIGINAL: dolson911
The Seacoast HOG (North Hampton, NH) did their "Ride for the Animals" poker run yesterday. First time on a group ride for us. Went 2-up since my wife is a newbie (843 miles on her month-old sporty) and she didn't want to be stressed about all the "more experienced" riders around her. No problem - though I hated to put on that $@#%ing backrest again.
It was an escorted ride so we blew through every stop and light. Very cool. Local bike LEO's did a great job shuffling back and forth to keep us moving. Weather - clear and about 72 degrees. Perfect. Around 220 bikes. Great route - about 85 miles on very-good to excellent roads. Ran on time - never more than 2-5 minutes behind. Good job Seacoast.
Observations:
1) I was aprehensive about doing this since I've read that there are a bunch here who don't do the group thing. Maybe it was the fact that it was well organized and escorted - but I liked it. I know that the one we're doing next weekend (Ride for the Greyhounds in Salem, NH) is a more traditional poker run - so we'll see what that's like.
2) Very cool to be in the middle of a pack of 210 HD's (subtract a few for the metrics in the crowd). Since it was a long train, people had enough time to come out of their houses and wave. My wife got some pretty good over-the-shoulder pictures of the bike on the road.
3) Rode next to a Glide with three passengers - Mom, Dad and a Chihuahua with goggles. Very humorous.
4) Might be worth the $15 to hook up with this Chapter since they seem to have their act together. The vest and patch thing isn't for me but if this is the way they do things, I'm in.
5) Am I expecting too much after this kind of ride? or is it hit or miss depending on the ride an group?
-DO
The Seacoast HOG (North Hampton, NH) did their "Ride for the Animals" poker run yesterday. First time on a group ride for us. Went 2-up since my wife is a newbie (843 miles on her month-old sporty) and she didn't want to be stressed about all the "more experienced" riders around her. No problem - though I hated to put on that $@#%ing backrest again.
It was an escorted ride so we blew through every stop and light. Very cool. Local bike LEO's did a great job shuffling back and forth to keep us moving. Weather - clear and about 72 degrees. Perfect. Around 220 bikes. Great route - about 85 miles on very-good to excellent roads. Ran on time - never more than 2-5 minutes behind. Good job Seacoast.
Observations:
1) I was aprehensive about doing this since I've read that there are a bunch here who don't do the group thing. Maybe it was the fact that it was well organized and escorted - but I liked it. I know that the one we're doing next weekend (Ride for the Greyhounds in Salem, NH) is a more traditional poker run - so we'll see what that's like.
2) Very cool to be in the middle of a pack of 210 HD's (subtract a few for the metrics in the crowd). Since it was a long train, people had enough time to come out of their houses and wave. My wife got some pretty good over-the-shoulder pictures of the bike on the road.
3) Rode next to a Glide with three passengers - Mom, Dad and a Chihuahua with goggles. Very humorous.
4) Might be worth the $15 to hook up with this Chapter since they seem to have their act together. The vest and patch thing isn't for me but if this is the way they do things, I'm in.
5) Am I expecting too much after this kind of ride? or is it hit or miss depending on the ride an group?
-DO