Please be aware this is not a non HD rider bashing thread. This is a thread about idiots who have no idea what riding in formation means, but don't let a little thing like that stop them.
Yesterday was the annual COPS ride in Cleveland. This is a ceremony and then a 45 mile police escorted ride. (I didn't put my feet down once ). Anyway to shorten up a long story, due to the event organizers screwing up the launch I did not end up riding with my friends. I was behind a late model Silver Gold Wing with 2 riders wearing full face helmets with tinted visors. (They looked like storm troopers.) In the pre-ride briefing they asked us to ride 2 by 2 to shorten the time the LEO's had to keep the side streets closed as we passed. Off we go, trying to catch up and get into formation. The GW (Gold Wing) drifts over to the right side of the lane as we cut thou downtown. I start to ease up on his left. The GW drifts left, I fall back watching. The GW stays to the left, I ease up on the right. The GW drifts right, I hit the brakes and fall behind. Over the next 20 miles or so the I watch the GW drift back and forth all over the lane. I don't think he was doing it on purpose, I don't even think he was using his mirrors. I think he did not have clue what it means to ride in formation.
Finally I couldn't take it anymore during a slow stretch I pull up on his left and yell to him "STAY ON YOUR OWN SIDE OF THE LANE, IT IS TERRIFYING TO RIDE WITH YOU!" and I pass him. Now I am behind some Bozo on one of those high performance jap tourers. This guy likes to ride "no handed" in the middle of a thousand bike formation! When not riding no handed he liked to fall back about 10 bike lengths and pop little wheelies catching up!
Mean while the GW drifted all over the lane behind me. No one was riding within 50' of the GW idiot!
Needless to say my ride was ruined. Instead of enjoying myself on an escorted ride, waving at the spectators, I spent the entire ride trying to make sure these idiots wouldn't kill me!
I don't think it has anything to do with the type of bike they ride, I just think riders of some types of bikes aren't used to riding in formation. Possibly their "HOG" chapters (I know they don't have a HOG chapter.) don't recommend and put on regular group riding classes like mine does. (I attend or refresh almost every year).
I am not sure if I ever want to take chance on another big ride like this.
It just pretty much sucked....

 

That is one downside to riding in such a large group.

I've had a few very close calls riding in large groups over the years. One was a situation like you explained where the rider just drifted over to his left while I was occupying the same space that he seemed to want. When we stopped for gas further up the road, I asked him if he saw me and whether or not he knew that he almost took us both out. He had no clue. He was my senior by at least 25yrs. I was 38 at the time.

 

Riding 2x2 in a group, with riders whose skill level is unknown, IS FOR IDIOTS. There are enough dangers on the road already.

 

That's why I rarely do group rides. Too many idiots, too much "accordion" type of riding-- race to catch up and then lock the brakes...

Rather just ride solo or with a group of friends who are "known quantities."

 

Ride alone or ride with a bro .. ..n'uff said.










Thanks guys. I always wanted a post where I could reply with "... n'uff said". That was cool.

 

you got what you deserve...riding in a group is dangerous. riding side by side is dangerous. you would have been better off on some country road by yourself.

don't blame the non-harley riders...plenty of them would pop wheelies if their bikes had enough power. i imagine most of the loud bikes in the ride were harleys...i'm sure some of them were gassing it just to hear their noisy mufflers.

it is a shame that your HOG chapter has nothing better to do than teach you how to ride in formation and therefore put yourself in needless danger. i recieved a years free membership in the nat'l HOG when i bought my bike...glad i did not join the local.

unless the ride was restricted to expierenced riders only, you should expect all types of riders with varying skill levels. it seems that the highlight of the ride for you was not putting your foot down. get out on the back roads, stop often, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN, smell the roses, and quit complaining about something that you brought on yourself.

 

bingo! i am shocked that the cops actually encouraged this.

 

I can't stand riding 2x2...sataggered formation only...if 2x22 i will wait until everybody leaves and ride in the back by my self.

 

Plain and simple.

 

i fully agree.

there would be no way i would ride side by side with someone i had no clue what his experience level was