Anyone else think that those large (200+ bikes) charity rides are an accident waiting to happen? I've been on a few, and I'm always left shaking my head at the actions of the road guards who block the intersections. Most drive like idiots, passing in blind curves, riding down the shoulder, and doing whatever it takes to move past the pack to their next intersection. The last ride I went on, the RG's were blocking the on-ramps of the highway because the group was taking the slow lane. Cars trying to exit the highway were forced to almost stop & wait for the bikes to get over, because no one was willing to break formation. To top it off, before the event, they were passing out duct tape to cover plates because of the redlight cameras.

Even with police approval & a marked escort, these things are too dangerous. Some old lady or drunk is going to take out 20 bikes at once.

 

I go on a couple every year in SoCal. I've seen a few bikes go down but all very minor. The road guards are a little crazy but the cagers are mostly cooperative. I won't be a road guard because I don't want to ride like an idiot.

 

Our town has several, one is really big and getting bigger.. almost 500 last yr..
And yes there was a wreck last yr, a cager cut through the line and hit one of the riders last yr..
Drove between the road captains that had the street blocked (He was pi$$ed and couldn't wait) .. Wasn't a serious accident. least rider wasn't hurt bad,,

Too bad for the cager cause one of the 2 road captains he drove through was one of the 30 or so off duty LEO's riding with us that day. And yeap, he was drunk...

The ride is for 2 girls killed by drunk drivers.. One girl was a Police officer daughter and the other was a Firemans daughter.

 

I take part in and help out with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad here in Ottawa every year. We do get the odd vehicle that isn't real happy with us but most people are pretty good about the whole thing. It helps that the parade portion of the ride is down with a Police escort and that we have volunteers at EVERY intersection that this ride passes by to block traffic while the ride passes.

It does get interesting though given that there are usually over 1500 participants so you've got lots of different levels of riders involved but thankfully there haven't been many serious issues over the years.

 

So, whats your point? Let's stop group rides? I have not been on any benifit rides where I was summoned and had to show up. If you were FORCED to ride and had no choice, then you have a gripe. My advice to you is DON'T ride in a group.

 

I have never been in a group that large, but agree, it is just too large to be managable.

 

maybe they can find a way to break up the groups....

 

I do charity rides but never ride with the group. I try and stay at least 10 minutes ahead of or behind them. One time one of the organizers/road captains scolded me about it, I told him that I wouldn't be attending next year.

 

I do benifit rides when I can helps someone out and maybe change the way the public thinks about bikers.If a person doesn't like riding in a group it may not be for them.I do not do any thing that I feel is unsafe when on a group ride.

 

I do charity rides and poker runs. Some DO get crazy, especially when going through towns with heavy traffic. Very hard to manage. Things WILL happen.

Being a HOG member, I have done many group rides so maybe it doesn't bother me as much as the next guy but it's definitely not for everybody. Even worse when you mix unknown riders together, some in a mad dash to make it to the finish to get in line for a burger.

Rides of this nature can be fun and helpful to the cause but best to ride your own ride and pull to the side if you are uncomfortable with riders around you or the pace that is being set.