Group vs. Solo
#1
02-19-2005 | 12:59 AM
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,066
Likes: 1,297
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Group vs. Solo
Got to thinking this morning about the bit of a ride I went on yesterday. If you read my post you'll know the first part was with a group and the last just my Sweetie & me. Anyhoo, as I reflected I thought about my (li'l ol') brain processes during the two riding periods.
While riding with a group you've got to be aware of the folks around you and have less time to see the sights. The group dynamics determine how you ride. Pay attention or you put yourself, or worse, others, at risk. And while the ride might be enjoyable, something is missed. Usually, a group ride is with a destination in mind; the actual trip is somewhat secondary. It can be enjoyable, but it definitely different.
I usually try to run near the back of the pack, simply to watch the riders ahead of me. It allows me to observe the others and watch how they react to the various road situations. That can be rather entertaining, and I s'pose I substitute it for not being able to more closely observe my surroundings. It is something that can be useful, though. You pick up on things others do, good and bad. Adjust your riding, incorporating the good things. Gotta be good!
At times I'll choose to ride further up toward the front of the pack. The choice will usually depend upon the makeup of the group. Yesterday it was a smattering of new (to the group) folks, several regulars, and a couple of relatively new riders. I chose near the front simply as I didn't want to worry over the 'newbies'.
The group ride was relatively short. We'd barely started when it was time to stop and eat. When we got back on the road after pigging-out, there were fewer people to worry about. Still, there were two less experienced riders. I stayed near the front for that reason.
The second, actually middle, portion of my ride, yesterday was around Longview, TX. L'view is a middlin' sized town of about 75k. It is also one of the regional shopping areas, so on weekends a crowd of folks hits town. Gets crowded, it do! Anyway, I don't much care for city driving. Too many idjits thinking 'bout there next stop and not paying attention to the cars around, let alone thinking about bikers.
We had several 'moments', nothing serious, just a bit inconvenient. A roll back on the throttle, and some ducking and dodging, served to extricate us from these bad spots. (I surely do love the ol' Harley torque! Whatever gear, just roll it back and off you go.) Startled looks on the faces of the offending idjits was a bit of a reward. Maybe they'll pay a little more attention, if only for a couple minutes.
After we left the 'city' we were finally on our own. For about two minutes. We were behind someone that thinks the way to drive is to speed up in the passing areas and slow to a crawl in the no passing zones. Remember, this is Texas, and the speed limit on most two lane roads is still 70 mph. When someone drops to 35 mph, it tends to make those behind a tad unhappy. Plus, on a bike, following a pokey car, and having a bunch of soccer Mom SUVs and 'necks in pickup trucks close on your tail, isn't a good place to be. We were finally able to pass the codger and it finally felt like we were riding, again.
I asked my Sweetie how her buns were faring. She hasn't ridden much this year and isn't in shape, yet. Plus she has a back history and sometimes riding gets her. (She's been hurting today!) She said she was OK so we took the long way home and went around Lake o' the Pines. Now, finally, we were able to just ride and enjoy. The sun was warm, temp was in the low 80s, and traffic was light. The greenery was bright enough to almost hurt; it looks as if winter has finally called it quits.
We rolled on through the countryside, just enjoying the sights and each other. My Sweetie is a very good passenger, only occasionally moving a little too sudden. When that happens I know to ask how she's doing, as it is usually related to fatigue.
While riding with a group you've got to be aware of the folks around you and have less time to see the sights. The group dynamics determine how you ride. Pay attention or you put yourself, or worse, others, at risk. And while the ride might be enjoyable, something is missed. Usually, a group ride is with a destination in mind; the actual trip is somewhat secondary. It can be enjoyable, but it definitely different.
I usually try to run near the back of the pack, simply to watch the riders ahead of me. It allows me to observe the others and watch how they react to the various road situations. That can be rather entertaining, and I s'pose I substitute it for not being able to more closely observe my surroundings. It is something that can be useful, though. You pick up on things others do, good and bad. Adjust your riding, incorporating the good things. Gotta be good!
At times I'll choose to ride further up toward the front of the pack. The choice will usually depend upon the makeup of the group. Yesterday it was a smattering of new (to the group) folks, several regulars, and a couple of relatively new riders. I chose near the front simply as I didn't want to worry over the 'newbies'.
The group ride was relatively short. We'd barely started when it was time to stop and eat. When we got back on the road after pigging-out, there were fewer people to worry about. Still, there were two less experienced riders. I stayed near the front for that reason.
The second, actually middle, portion of my ride, yesterday was around Longview, TX. L'view is a middlin' sized town of about 75k. It is also one of the regional shopping areas, so on weekends a crowd of folks hits town. Gets crowded, it do! Anyway, I don't much care for city driving. Too many idjits thinking 'bout there next stop and not paying attention to the cars around, let alone thinking about bikers.
We had several 'moments', nothing serious, just a bit inconvenient. A roll back on the throttle, and some ducking and dodging, served to extricate us from these bad spots. (I surely do love the ol' Harley torque! Whatever gear, just roll it back and off you go.) Startled looks on the faces of the offending idjits was a bit of a reward. Maybe they'll pay a little more attention, if only for a couple minutes.
After we left the 'city' we were finally on our own. For about two minutes. We were behind someone that thinks the way to drive is to speed up in the passing areas and slow to a crawl in the no passing zones. Remember, this is Texas, and the speed limit on most two lane roads is still 70 mph. When someone drops to 35 mph, it tends to make those behind a tad unhappy. Plus, on a bike, following a pokey car, and having a bunch of soccer Mom SUVs and 'necks in pickup trucks close on your tail, isn't a good place to be. We were finally able to pass the codger and it finally felt like we were riding, again.
I asked my Sweetie how her buns were faring. She hasn't ridden much this year and isn't in shape, yet. Plus she has a back history and sometimes riding gets her. (She's been hurting today!) She said she was OK so we took the long way home and went around Lake o' the Pines. Now, finally, we were able to just ride and enjoy. The sun was warm, temp was in the low 80s, and traffic was light. The greenery was bright enough to almost hurt; it looks as if winter has finally called it quits.
We rolled on through the countryside, just enjoying the sights and each other. My Sweetie is a very good passenger, only occasionally moving a little too sudden. When that happens I know to ask how she's doing, as it is usually related to fatigue.
#4
02-28-2005 | 12:26 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: Group vs. Solo
Skip,
I had not read this post previously, I don't know how I missed it, but I did. I spent the past two days riding with two distinctly different riding groups. You summed it up pretty well, when just me and the baby's mama, we get more looking and together time. When you are riding in a group, you're watching...making sure the idjits around you aren't going to kill you.
It was very enjoyable, both days, but like you said, entirely different experiences. I think riding with 1 or 2 other bikes seems to be the best of both worlds, but there is no substitute for alone, and likewise, there is no substitute for riding with 25 other bikes like earlier today.
Mac
I had not read this post previously, I don't know how I missed it, but I did. I spent the past two days riding with two distinctly different riding groups. You summed it up pretty well, when just me and the baby's mama, we get more looking and together time. When you are riding in a group, you're watching...making sure the idjits around you aren't going to kill you.
It was very enjoyable, both days, but like you said, entirely different experiences. I think riding with 1 or 2 other bikes seems to be the best of both worlds, but there is no substitute for alone, and likewise, there is no substitute for riding with 25 other bikes like earlier today.
Mac
#7
03-18-2005 | 04:46 AM
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
From:
Trending Topics
#9
03-27-2005 | 10:39 PM
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Group vs. Solo
Having both ridden in and lead a group of 80 plus bikes I can definitley say a small "pack" is more to my liking. The roup ride was in Daytona last year all the way to the Florida Keys, it was extremely slow going which is important for a group and I usually prefer to roll at my own pace. The relaxation that comes from riding comes in small or no groups but you cant substitute the feeling of 80 plus Vtwins rolling down the road together![sm=americanasmiley.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=grinangel.gif]
#10
03-28-2005 | 02:25 AM
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Group vs. Solo
I have done Run for the Wall (LA to DC...ten days and up to 600 or so scooters in the pack) a number of times (and doing it again may 18th from LA)...they ride side by side and real, real tight! That large a pack has to be moved along and kept together...a tough job. Depends upon the riders, who starts where (asome can only day ride, others ride a few days and have to return to work, etc.), but on any given day, some of us will have 5 days a 1500 miles or more logged and others are starting fresh and "wanna hear them pipes!".
I like a pack if the riders are experienced or at least know their limits and ride accordingly. I ride regualrly with four other riders and I can run shoulder to shoulder with them knowing they will hold their line. After years of pack riding, I check the mirrors every 15 seconds or so...some will pass you on either side (anther reason to always hold that line!).
Solo is great too...youi have tohave confidence that your scoot is in good shape is all...I have been NM to WA, NM to FL and DC to NM solo...enjoyable, but at times boring.
I like a pack if the riders are experienced or at least know their limits and ride accordingly. I ride regualrly with four other riders and I can run shoulder to shoulder with them knowing they will hold their line. After years of pack riding, I check the mirrors every 15 seconds or so...some will pass you on either side (anther reason to always hold that line!).
Solo is great too...youi have tohave confidence that your scoot is in good shape is all...I have been NM to WA, NM to FL and DC to NM solo...enjoyable, but at times boring.