My first "group ride"...

Message

havegunjoe · Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:27 am

On Saturday the 20th I am going for my first “group ride”. A group of bikers from my church go on a ride once a month and I contacted them to see about joining in. Their first ride of the season was last month but the day chosen turned out to be 40 degrees with 45 mph wind gusts so I decided to wimp out and not go. I think only 4 guys did go out of a possible 15 and those that did all drive Goldwings. I’ve got a Yamaha V Star 650 Custom. A buddy of mine who drives the same bike is coming along too. Anyway, any suggestions you all may have to make this more enjoyable would be appreciated. The total mileage is about 130 miles on single lane roads. Nothing too twisty and max speed is 55 most of the way as I recall. Oh and wish me luck. I’m really looking forward to this so I am praying for good weather too.

Lion_Lady · Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:05 am

A few comments about group riding:

#1 Ride your own ride. Don't try to keep up with anybody. If you start to feel pressured or that you might be getting in over your head, back off.

#2 The sign of a well organized and safe group ride is that the general expectations/procedures are made clear to everyone, especially new joiners. Basic hand signals should be shown/explained... single file, debris in the road, slow down, etc.

#3 Allow yourself a chance to bail out, if you feel you're in over your head. There will be other groups to ride with.

P

Tennif Shoe · Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:58 am

in my experience when you are ridding in a group the group should keep pace with the slowest ridder. in the front should be an experienced ridder prefeably with a cb and one in the back so they can keep communications. new or newer riders should be in the front of the pack, formation should always be staggered. if you are uncofterable at any point pull off and head home or go on your own ride (most of the time the rider in the back (the one with the cb) should be breifed on your situation so he knows what is going on and that you are not having mechanical problems.

RhadamYgg · Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:32 am

Good luck and hopefully you'll post about your experience. I've been riding just slightly over a year and I haven't once ridden with anyone else.

RhadamYgg

#5 Unread post by **sv-wolf** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:33 am

Lion Lady wrote: #2 The sign of a well organized and safe group ride is that the general expectations/procedures are made clear to everyone, especially new joiners. Basic hand signals should be shown/explained... single file, debris in the road, slow down, etc.

Tennif Shoe wrote:in my experience when you are ridding in a group the group should keep pace with the slowest ridder. in the front should be an experienced ridder prefeably with a cb and one in the back so they can keep communications. new or newer riders should be in the front of the pack, formation should always be staggered. if you are uncofterable at any point pull off and head home or go on your own ride (most of the time the rider in the back (the one with the cb) should be breifed on your situation so he knows what is going on and that you are not having mechanical problems.

LOL. CB? Formation? Staggered? signals? Wow! it's a different world to the one I know. (Sounds just a teensy bit too regimented for my taste.)

Having said that...

havegunjoe,

Whatever the riding style of your group, Lion Lady's and Tennif Shoe's advice is rock solid: ride your own ride at all times.

As soon as you respond to group pressue, you have started to lose control. Be aware that the likelihood is you will find yourself starting to respond in this way. When it happens, be kind but firm with yourself. Recognise it and reassert your own judgement. Remember, you are riding on your own licence and are responsible for your own actions.

One very common problem in group riding is getting fixated on the rider in front of you. That's especially easy to do if you are tired, tense or anxious. The remedy is to keep looking ahead up the road, beyond the rider in front - just as you would if you were riding on your own.

Finally, give yourself a good stopping distance; don't ride too close to the bike ahead.

Apart from that - have a great day. I'm sure you will.

Cheers

Richard

ssg · #6 Unread post by **ssg** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:57 pm

Havejunjoe:
I just started riding again after being away for some years, and while I've spent the majority of the time riding alone I have gone out on two occassions with riding buddies. Not really a group, but in pairs. We each took a different 'wheel lane' (staggered) and alternated leading. I must say I like both experiences. Stopping for coffee/lunch it's both a riding and social experience, were riding alone is a totally different experience.

I've learned that there are sevearl riders at my church too, and a couple have suggested we plan a group ride... So I'm anxious to hear of how you enjoy your church group ride.

I'll offer this one bit of advice (given it's a church group ride)...pray about it...

Enojy!

Sherri650 · #7 Unread post by **Sherri650** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:42 am

I went on my first group ride several months ago. I was placed at the rear which meant I had to go faster than everyone else because I had to constantly play "catch-up". Newbies in the middle.

Second, everyone over took a truck with a double yellow line. I refused to do this. Good news, they just waited for me at the next turn and I got right back into formation.

I love going for group rides and am currently planning a 4-day ride. As everyone previously said, just ride your ride and have fun!