Observations from My First Group Ride

[Rickster]

Once a year we have a big ride through St Paul for the MAKE A WISH foundation, usually about 3,000 bikes show up, and we do a 30 mile zig-zag route through the city with police escort, I think it's pretty cool to ride with a big group every once in a while. The only other bikes I ever worry about are the ones in close proximity to me, the same as if it was just 4 or 5 other bikes I was riding with, what someone else might be doing a block or two ahead of, or behind me, isn't going to effect me at all.

[SNAFU]

I recently joined a riding club. I enjoy the group rides, it's something different and it's cool. I've been getting to know the members so it doesn't seem like I'm ridng with "strangers". I also like talking to other motorcycle enthusiasts in person and this is a great way to meet other riders. We always ride staggered and have standard hand signals to communicate. One thing I found out though is don't ride with your high beams on because it's not fun being blinded every time you check your side mirrors.

That being said, the largest group I've rode in was 6. But I'm curious to see what it will be like in larger groups.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Uncle B

Some Group Riding Info.

Good info Uncle B!

Now, do you know any hand signals for cars that tailgate?

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by SNAFU

I recently joined a riding club. I enjoy the group rides, it's something different and it's cool. I've been getting to know the members so it doesn't seem like I'm ridng with "strangers". I also like talking to other motorcycle enthusiasts in person and this is a great way to meet other riders. We always ride staggered and have standard hand signals to communicate. One thing I found out though is don't ride with your high beams on because it's not fun being blinded every time you check your side mirrors.

That being said, the largest group I've rode in was 6. But I'm curious to see what it will be like in larger groups.

still rolling with the CMC? It's not that great here. I showed up, a couple of times and they completely ignored me then everybody jumped on the bikes and went for a ride. No note as to who was new or what was goin' on. Glad it's working out for you

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

still rolling with the CMC? It's not that great here. I showed up, a couple of times and they completely ignored me then everybody jumped on the bikes and went for a ride. No note as to who was new or what was goin' on. Glad it's working out for you

Let me guess, a lot of Harley's .

I can say that because I am one of those Harley guys.

Of course some just can't help being that way, no matter what kind of bike they own.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Let me guess, a lot of Harley's .

Nope, only one if you can believe it. I ride with harley guys all the time, never really had an issue, in fact i'm likely worse than them at bashing, . It's Honda's and Suzuki's and Yamaha's...little bit of everything. Just a closed group I think...socially stunted. Much like Tim

[Uncle B]

Yes; but it could get you run over!!!
"B"

Originally Posted by Sandman

Good info Uncle B!

Now, do you know any hand signals for cars that tailgate?

[womper]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Good info Uncle B!

Now, do you know any hand signals for cars that tailgate?

i usually just weave back and forth in my lane... people behind me think i'm losing control and usually back off

if they don't... i just slow down... way down... then keep doing that over and over until they give me my space

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by geoffsimpson

still rolling with the CMC? It's not that great here. I showed up, a couple of times and they completely ignored me then everybody jumped on the bikes and went for a ride. No note as to who was new or what was goin' on. Glad it's working out for you

Yeas, I am. We have over 40 members but I have only about 6 or so that have come out regularly. Too bad it didn't work out for you, I would hate to think that your group would ignore you on purpose. When we meet at Timmies there are lots of other riders that congregate there so I suppose I wouldn't know if one was interested in joining or not. For me when I first came out I just sought out the officers that I recognized from our local CMC website.

You have your own riding group anyways so it's all good.

[Barbarian]

When I was living in Manhattan group rides would rumble under my building a few times a year (my building stretched over a highway). Hundreds, if not thousands of people riding past, and most of them seemed like they *needed* to have all three lanes blocked off -- even if they were riding two by two.