Bike Clubs? Bike Runs? (never been much of a joiner)

[drgibson]

In thirty three years of motorcycling I have never been a member of a club, been on a group ride of over five bikes (not counting mx races), or been on any type of bike run (poker, turkey, rocket or other).

We have been looking for a group in our area to ride with we are actually looking at CMA (Christian Motorcyclist Association) there are several chapters in our area. We have also been invited to a Poker Run this Saturday night. It is being held by GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders Association) yeah I know but it is for all bikes.

So I’d like to enlist this group’s vast knowledge of all things cycling. Has anyone had experience with CMA or been involved in bike runs. I have no idea what to expect in being involve with such things.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[sunny]

bike runs?
in my own opinion, toy runs are dangerous due to the fact that you have no clue about the experience level of the people in front of and behind you. you might end up with some idiot trying to ride parade next to you at 55 miles per hour when it should be staggered formation.
that being said, i went on two.
bike clubs are all different. you need to just tag along and see if you fit in with their schema.
i occasionally ride with the dallas southern cruisers because my boss is the first officer and another coworker is a member, but i don't really fit in so i don't go that often.

[c50tiger]

One of my employees is active in CMA, several friends are current or past members of Southern Cruisers, and I'm a charter member of the Selma Riders Riding Club - some members of which are also CMA and I think a couple are still in Southern Cruisers. Poker runs can take several different formats depending on number of riders, number of volunteers and the whim of whoever's running the thing. I, personally, enjoy them quite much - so long as everyone stays within the bounds of sanity and safety. It's good to have a "let's review the rules" speech before everyone takes off to try and mitigate some of the problems Sunny mentioned, but there's nothing quite like riding in a large pack of bikes. There's a couple of much more seasoned riders I know that I have no problem riding parade with even in excess of 55mph (even though that's not at all safe, mind you), but staggering is the rule, and everyone has to know and actually use hand signals (and not just the right/left/stop variety). And everyone should get a "course" map so nobody get's too lost if they get seperated from the pack. Beyond that, just stay sharp... keep your eyes open - with all that rumbling exhaust there's little chance you'll hear anything

Obviously it's hard to generalize these things across states, but almost all the CMA rider's and crew I've ever met were pretty decent folk.

[oldgeezer]

My wife and I are very active in our local CMA chapter. She's the chaplain and I do the newsletter. The nice thing about CMA is the fact that they are non-denominational and non-debikeanational. There is a great chapter up in Allen which shouldn't be too far from you. CMA is a tremendous ministry and affords you the opportunity to ride with folks that are generally pretty experienced riders and don't get into too much trouble. You can check out their website at cmausa.org.

[stp1971]

The local CMA groups here, the vast majority I have ran into, most of them are reformed Outlaws and Hells Angels. That being said translates to alot of them having some pretty serious ride time in. My word of caution is if you do not know the riders skills then ride either at the front of the pack or ride to the rear. Personally myself I like the rear that way I can see what is happening up ahead and I have more room to react. Plus if someone is riding bad I have the option of dropping off pace some and falling back away from them. I am a member of a riding group and we always have a mini ride safety brief before the ride unless it is members that always ride together.

I enjoy it and one of the advantages of the group is that you are more visible to cagers and if something was to happen to you there are others there to help. The disadvantages is you are at the mercy of the group as to where you are all going to ride and if you do not like their pace you are stuck riding it.

[tlwisner]

The quality of group rides varies depending on who is running it. Larger groups are more difficult to manage and less fun to ride with. The pace is generally slow enough that nobody needs to get nervous - most bikes are cruisers. I ride regularly with a small group of local guys and also do some rides with the Southern Cruisers. The small group, we all know each other and have no problems at all. The Southern Cruisers groups are generally larger, but the leaders do an excellent job of managing the group. Some other large rides I have taken part in have been fiascos where it was amazing nobody got hurt.

Riding with groups can be fun, be choosy who you ride with. Here's a nice info link:
http://www.southerncruisers.net/ridingrules.htm

[Fishpart]

I ride with the Leathernecks, we have rules and follow proper formations when riding, as for runs I've been on a few with the Leathernecks, have enjoyed myself each time. I ride with them because their Marines former and present and we do many things for the local veterans.

[ESEAMA1]

Hi Fishpart,

Do they allow all bikes in Leathernecks? I am a former Marine and would be interested in looking into this organization specially if they help veterans' organizations. I have an 03 Volussia VL800. Please let me know.

Semper Fi

[inspiron]

ESEAMA1, I'm not sure that Fishpart is still around ... this post is dated from August 2005.

You might check out the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club web site for more information: Leathernecks MC International, Inc.

[dragbar]

he's here inspiron. ESE if he doesn't see this post you can PM fish also.