So my local board is planning a big group ride for Labor Day Weekend and it got me thinking: why?
Am I the only one who dislikes group rides?
Can someone explain the attraction of a group ride?
I mean when you lead you've got all sorts of crap to deal with. Like, where you are and where to make the next turn, and how far to the next gas station, and to go fast enough so the fast people don't get board, but slow enough so the slow people don't get scared, and watch for cops, and keep an eye on everyone behind you in case you need to pull over.
It's not much better on rear guard, you still have to watch for cops sneaking up behind you. And you're normally the first on to stop at whatever emergency while everyone else is turning around. And for some reason, being the last one is just plain boring. Can't explain it, rear guard is just boring.
And when you're in the middle, you're just one of the herd, just another sheep following the one ahead of you. Who is never going the right speed, too slow when you want to go fast, too fast when you want to go slow. You're always making sure you're not too close to the person in front of you and that the person behind is keeping up. And it's such a pain in the ass to pass. It's like when the driver feels insulted for being passed by the first 2 bikes and has to speed way up to compensate until the next corner where they have to slam on the brakes to keep from tipping over and now half the group is stuck behind this idiot until they can gun it passed him.
Forget about parking. If it's one bike, you can sneak up on the sidewalk or squeeze in next to the handicap spot, but try that with a group and you'll have enforcement there writing tickets before you unzip your jacket.
I just don't get it.
When I ride, if I get lost, I don't care and I don't have to get yelled at by some other rider who's no better at leading than I am. And sometimes it leads to really cool little places I would never have found otherwise.
Alone, I ride as fast or as slow as I want and if I speed a little and get a ticket, oh well, I really don't care. Speeding tickets are stupid anyway, "so what," I say, but in a group it's a big deal. Had a guy tell me since I was leading I should pay his and everyone's tickets, then gave me regular updates on how long the ticket would be on his insurance for the next year.
If I want to pull over for a smoke or a picture I can, but in a group by the time you've signaled to everyone else, you're 10 miles past whatever you wanted to take a picture of.
I'll say it again, I just don't get it. And again, can someone explain the attraction of a group ride?
I never had a bad experience like that in a group ride... I rode with a huge harley group once... but the didn't do any twisties... and it was boring. I like some group rides just cause I like the people I ride with... good company. But often in group rides you get people pushing their limits to keep up... and that's never a good thing. I always hang back when I first learn a new ride... or when riding with people I don't know... just to see how they react to things... personal preference is smaller groups... of equivalent riding capabilities.... but I like to ride... group or no group.
Have you ridden with the portland group yet? They're real nice if you'd like to head over there and introduce yourself. If not, no worries.
To me, in a large group, its not as much about the ride, but more about being with other riders and friends. Its about hanging out with a bunch of people that like to ride bikes, and in the case of the Portland ride that you're talking about, its about meeting new people and forming bonds with other Ducati owners. Its about networking so if something happens or you need a tool, or a stand, or whatever, people know you and are willing to help you out.
Again, I feel like the group ride is something that you do to meet everybody and enjoy a ride with fellow enthusiasts, not so much a ride to push your abilities the entire time. The one that you're referencing is going to include some noobs. Sometimes the more experienced riders go out and tear it up. Maybe you would be more comfortable with a group that is more your level?
It's also how I got sucked into an 848. Group rides allowed me to test ride a 749 and a few other bikes.... then I had to sell my S2R and get the 848... (Damn you, Maurice... this is all your fault.)
I couldn't agree more cloud2blue, I can't stand riding in lrg. groups because of the cluster-make the beast with two backs you just described.
I also wonder why everyone wants to do group rides on major holidays...that's when that cops are out in force (at least here in CO they are), and traffic usually sucks in the mountains due to tourists.
Group rides and holiday rides = no fun IMHO.
T
I think they're fun (the big groups) if you're not looking to push yourself. Like I said, its more about networking to me.
If you're in a group (5 or less is optimum) that is your level of riding, then I bet you could ride like you want to.
I still suggest talking with your fellow Portlanders and seeing who's on your level. Maybe a small group ride is your thing. Maybe not.
It couldn't hurt right?
Just a suggestion, just an opinion. To each their own.
I generally find motorcyclists to self absorbed obnoxious assholes who are hell bent on proving the size of their pricks instead of having a good time. I, being happy with my prick and finding no need to wave it around in public, think like this: Hmm . . . I could spend a an afternoon going where ever the make the beast with two backs I want, stop when I want, pee when I want and not have to listen to retards that have nothing else to talk about other than a) how fast they go b) how many miles they ride c) how many bikes they own d) how many track days they did this year e) other obnoxious moto related crap designed to establish some bullshit "hardcore" motorcycle heirarchy that exists only in their own minds. make the beast with two backs group rides and make the beast with two backs the make the beast with two backsing make the beast with two backsers who like them. Ridng with a buddy or two is great. Riding sandwiched in the middle of 20 asshole strangers who may or may not be in their right minds? Um, make the beast with two backs right the hell off. I would make exceptions for well organized charity or memorial rides.
sac
/sexist side note below:
// I have found that women often times love group rides because either a) they ride better than 90% of the guys on the ride and therefore can summarily dismiss the prick waving or b) they get heaps and heaps of the attention they so deperately crave
///many exceptions of course
They should be called caravans. I've found large group rides are social events more then rides. They are good if you're more interested in getting lunch and b.s.ing then riding. If you want to really ride in a group, go with 2 to 5 guys similar in speed and style, with nothing to prove to each other. Great fun and the safety of having a buddy there to help out should somebody go down is big plus. And everybody has something to learn from each other - its a great opportunity for that too. Been riding both street and dirt with the same small group of guys for 12 years and everybody's familiarity with each others skills and riding habits allow us to move pretty quickly down any road or trail.
They also tend to attract attention. [leo]
I've been on a few and I had fun.
Thanks Luca. ;D
Maybe your thinking too much about everyone else. Might just need a more selfish approach.
I ride regularly with a group of fellow italian bike enthusiast. We usually have somewhere between 30 and 50. Someone decides where we are going and its a matter of making your way there. those who want to ride fast end up out front and within a few miles you end up riding with someone your comfortable with. Sometimes traffic lights mean you end up riding on your own until you catch up or someone behind catches you. Anyway, we all seem to end up at the destination within several minutes of each other.
Sometimes I enjoy these rides, other times not. I also enjoy getting out on my own or riding with 2 or 3 friends. Mixing it up a bit helps keep the balance.
Wow man, if ya don't like group rides ......... don't go on em. I participate in a few, but we usually brake into several groups of 4 to 6 and go in different directions, maybe meeting up a the same place for lunch etc. and then at the end of the day at a little honky tonk for a couple of beers before going back to tell the all important lies. [thumbsup]
The main thing on all the "group rides" is to ride your own ride. If you get lost you know where you started from and can find the way back maybe.
Ride your own ride. I know what you mean about some of the down sides of a group, but the people I know that I do occasionally ride with are so "talented" and such good people, wonderful people, I'd not miss it for the world. ;D
There's good and bad in everything.
LA
the biggest group ride ive ever been on is like 9 deep. I perfer dual rides, but anything under 5 is good. I like riding alone too cause i can do whatever i want.
i prefer riding with a single friend, or 2 friends at most.
Quote from: LA on August 26, 2008, 06:51:10 PM
Wow man, if ya don't like group rides ......... don't go on em. I participate in a few, but we usually brake into several groups of 4 to 6 and go in different directions, maybe meeting up a the same place for lunch etc. and then at the end of the day at a little honky tonk for a couple of beers before going back to tell the all important lies. [thumbsup]
The main thing on all the "group rides" is to ride your own ride. If you get lost you know where you started from and can find the way back maybe.
Ride your own ride. I know what you mean about some of the down sides of a group, but the people I know that I do occasionally ride with are so "talented" and such good people, wonderful people, I'd not miss it for the world. ;D
There's good and bad in everything.
LA
This describes our regular group of riders. We're definately a "Ride your own Ride" group, and the largest group we've had has been 16. Most of the time it's 6 or less.
I go once in a while to be social, but in general, I prefer to ride on my own, on either kind of bike.
I've been on group rides like Poker Runs for Charities and that's ok. If it wasn't for the Charity I wouldn't do it.
I am a rider who is trying to improve my riding skills.
I generally have a route of about 100 -150 miles that I RoadRace so to speak. I can ride those miles many different ways on many different roads.
If I am to improve to the levels I have set for myself I can't be distracted by other riders.
I need to stop about every 30 miles and stretch and drink water . Take 5 minutes to clear my head and get my mind right for the next 30 miles and then go.
I am learning the ways of my 1098 R . I have 1374 miles on it so next time out I may have the 1500 mile to have it broken in.
I have learned that it is a harder bike to ride than my #1 S4Rs. I have to manhandle the R . It is a beast and one has to take it by the horns and get tough w/ it.
I couldn't accomplish any of this in a group ride. It seems someone has to lead and someone has to follow . Riding for me is not about socializing. It is about me and my bike and nature and becoming one w/ all .
I absorb nature as I race through it and my bike must be in control of what nature has to offer it along the way.
Riding is a way to loose one's self in the power of the machine and the beauty of nature. Dolph
Quote from: JBubble on August 26, 2008, 04:22:43 PM
To me, in a large group, its not as much about the ride, but more about being with other riders and friends. Its about hanging out with a bunch of people that like to ride bikes, and in the case of the Portland ride that you're talking about, its about meeting new people and forming bonds with other Ducati owners. Its about networking so if something happens or you need a tool, or a stand, or whatever, people know you and are willing to help you out.
took the words out of my mouth.
We just had about a 78 bike ride on sunday. We do it once a month and it ranges from 30-70 bikes, with a mix of 'regulars' and new people. We take an easy 40 mile route, gets new people in our group a low-stress way to meet new people and get used to riding in a group. We only do it once a month, so the other 3 weekends a month you're free to do whatever you want, solo or small group. And hell, no one is -required- to attend anyway.
if it's not your cup of tea, don't participate.
Andy
2 = fun times
3 = group ride
more = hassle
If you don't like larger group rides then ride by yourself or with one or two others. No big deal. I like to mix it up once in a while. I'm an old fart by comparison with most of you folks and a mentor of mine used to ride in small groups way before I started riding. They would ride in small groups of 4 to 5 bikes, more than that he said it wasn't any fun anymore. Plus everyone in the group needed to be of the same skill level or it also killed the fun. They were riding on old BMW's, Triumphs and BSA's. His wife told me that what was fun was to pass cars in turns and she (riding pillion) would reach out and drag her fingertips along the side of the car they were passing similar to how a surfer drag's their fingertips along the wall of a tube. How's that? I like the 3 to 4 sized group too the best. Yahoo!
Same here. Not a big fan of riding in groups more than 4, but every now and again I'll do it just to meet some new cats. Of course, if the people are kinda boring or you dont really have much in common you can always just break off on your own ride! (i tend to end up doing that too often)q
I ride to get away from people ;D
Once in a while I will join a group of people for a charity event, that`s it [thumbsup]
I guess it would depend on the people your riding with. I can go riding with a few strangers but sometimes too much is too much. But if you are out with 20 people you know you aren't caught up in wether you know them or not and who's riding where in the group and how fast everyone is going.
on the other hand I don't see group riders getting down on people who only ride by themselves??
its all about the people i think. Ive been in a few group rides that sucked ass, but the portland group of guys are really fun to hang out with so i enjoy the group rides, before i met up with them i felt the same way you do.
Quote from: SaltLick on August 27, 2008, 06:12:42 AM
its all about the people i think. Ive been in a few group rides that sucked ass, but the portland group of guys are really fun to hang out with so i enjoy the group rides, before i met up with them i felt the same way you do.
He lives in Portland I belive Salt Lick. Shoot him an invite to plan b sometime?
I went on a group ride once. It was actually ok. Except for the guy who's bike broke down and we sat around for 30 minutes with our thumbs up our asses. Then there was pulling over for 20 minutes cuz we lost two guys. Nice and mellow though, no tomfoolery or anything really.
But all my significant rides are solo. I don't stop for food. I stop for gas only. I'm a miler (and i'm on the wrong bike for it!)
It was the same way when I had a snowmobile. I just want to freakin go not stop at bars, sights. blah blah blah :)
Smaller groups, like I see mentioned, of about 5 is ok. My fiancéem and I did a long weekend with about 10 people from eSB and it was great fun. We basically seperated into two groups as we ride, there was the fast group and the not so fast group and we re-grouped at route changes. Worked well and it was a great social event ~
JM
Quote from: SacDuc on August 26, 2008, 04:38:49 PM
I generally find motorcyclists to self absorbed obnoxious assholes who are hell bent on proving the size of their pricks instead of having a good time. I, being happy with my prick and finding no need to wave it around in public, think like this: Hmm . . . I could spend a an afternoon going where ever the make the beast with two backs I want, stop when I want, pee when I want and not have to listen to retards that have nothing else to talk about other than a) how fast they go b) how many miles they ride c) how many bikes they own d) how many track days they did this year e) other obnoxious moto related crap designed to establish some bullshit "hardcore" motorcycle heirarchy that exists only in their own minds. make the beast with two backs group rides and make the beast with two backs the make the beast with two backsing make the beast with two backsers who like them. Ridng with a buddy or two is great. Riding sandwiched in the middle of 20 asshole strangers who may or may not be in their right minds? Um, make the beast with two backs right the hell off. I would make exceptions for well organized charity or memorial rides.
sac
/sexist side note below:
// I have found that women often times love group rides because either a) they ride better than 90% of the guys on the ride and therefore can summarily dismiss the prick waving or b) they get heaps and heaps of the attention they so deperately crave
///many exceptions of course
speaking of riding with a-holes....we still on for this weekend?
I love group rides... with friends. I hate them with people I don't know.
My favorite though is riding with 1-3 friends. Like others have said, it's more about just enjoying the time with other riders and friends more than the ride itself.
Quote from: big bear on August 27, 2008, 12:22:48 AM
I ride to get away from people ;D
[thumbsup]
+1. I like to ride alone, but on occasion I do enjoy riding with a couple of other people, assuming I know and trust them and their riding skills and habits. I don't like larger group rides.
I find there are two types of group rides, both of which quite frequently feature someone crashing or breaking down:
1 Sportbikes: You usually end up riding WAY too fast or doing dumb thing because everyone's trying to prove they can keep up at a pace that may or may not be appropriate for their skill level.
2 harley/ cruisers: You always end up riding WAY too slow and bikes are bunched up way too close for comfort. Add in a few stops for beers and you've got trouble.
I prefer groups of 5 or less.
3 is even better.
I've done a couple 20+ bike rides, and it just isn't my thing.
I did ride for a short distance with the PDX gang when I was picking up Toasty at St. Helens. It was a lot of fun...there were only 8 of us total though...which isn't much more than 5. ;D
Quote from: SacDuc on August 26, 2008, 04:38:49 PM
make the beast with two backs group rides and make the beast with two backs the make the beast with two backsing make the beast with two backsers who like them.
I'm wit cha! [clap]
I think it depends entirely on the group you ride with. Last group ride I was on we would all ride our own pace and then just meet up at a designated spot. It was more like groups of two or three riding together than a whole pack. There was one group that I have gone out with one time that I will never consider riding with again. Then there is my usual group which is a mix of Ducs and jap bikes that I really enjoy riding with. Sometimes I will just go out by myself. You can meet some great peeps riding in groups and make some great friends.
for me its less about showing off and more about having fun with people. kinda like bar hopping. would you rather go bar hopping by yourself or with a group of friends? never been in a huge group though, the largest was about 8 people. as long as we're not going absurdly slow or the really fast guys are going at track speeds, i enjoy myself.
Quote from: bobspapa on August 27, 2008, 07:31:02 AM
speaking of riding with a-holes....we still on for this weekend?
There is no bigger self absorbed asshole I'd rather ride with this weekend than you. [thumbsup] [moto]
sac
/wait. . . you weren't implying that I am . . .
//naw, couldn't be
[moto]
I dunno [evil]
i don't know what it is, but i don't ever group ride. i'm not interested in sharing the experience or doing something i was not planning on by suggestions. i'm not really into riding with 2 people(me included). i guess that's why i don't ask a bunch of people to get together in cars & go for a ride. i do like to [drink] with groups though. [moto] i like this emoticon, as it is just 1, & he's smiling.
I used to HATE group rides when I used to race mountain bikes. I hated going slow when riding with a group of guys of varying ability, and hated waiting for slower riders. I would usually just get out front and drop the pack.
On my dirt bike, I rode solo about 60% of the time. But I enjoyed the group rides because we could push each other and do crazy things I would never attempt on my own. And there was always someone around if you crashed to help pull you out of a ditch.
Many of the trails I would ride in Colorado are pretty remote. Even those near Denver. If I broke down or crashed during the week, there was a good chance I would not be found for a day or so (depending on where I had trouble). So, I tended to take a slower pace when riding on my own so I could be sure to get back in one piece.
On the street, I don't mind riding with a group if it's a small group. I don't push myself on the street like I do in the dirt, so going slower isn't a big deal.
I think it depends on your pace, and purpose of the ride. On the street, I like mingling with other like-minded riders and talking Ducati.
If I start pushing the pace to crazy fast, as we often did in the dirt, I guess I feel I am game for a night or two in jail if I get caught. At that point, I might as well take it to a track.
Wow! Am I getting rational in my old age? Bummer!
It's not that bad riding group rides sometimes,the best thing about it is when and after the ride, the conversations are great with a bunch of riders having the same passion. [thumbsup]
for me it's social :)
Quote from: DuCaTiNi on August 28, 2008, 07:19:33 PM
for me it's social :)
Thank you. That one little phrase helped clarify why I truly abhor group rides. Yeah the riding sucks, but I'm slow as hell anyway so that shouldn't bother me so much. The real reason is that I am unfriendly and don't like people.
For me it is is anti-social. :)
sac
Quote from: SacDuc on August 29, 2008, 10:56:51 AM
Thank you. That one little phrase helped clarify why I truly abhor group rides. Yeah the riding sucks, but I'm slow as hell anyway so that shouldn't bother me so much. The real reason is that I am unfriendly and don't like people.
For me it is is anti-social. :)
sac
gas up for Sat 8)
Quote from: bobspapa on August 29, 2008, 11:08:18 AM
gas up for Sat 8)
Okay. But we don't have to talk or make eye contact or anything do we?
sac
/what time we headin' out?
Quote from: SacDuc on August 29, 2008, 11:29:42 AM
Okay. But we don't have to talk or make eye contact or anything do we?
sac
/what time we headin' out?
I dunno.... we be heading your way Sat morning. so maybe an afternon ride. If that dont work for ya'll..... we can do it Sunday (after you get out of church ;))
Quote from: bobspapa on August 29, 2008, 11:32:53 AM
I dunno.... we be heading your way Sat morning. so maybe an afternon ride. If that dont work for ya'll..... we can do it Sunday (after you get out of church ;))
Saturday afternoon it is! Will LM and the boys being hanging out with M at the casa while we go putt-putt? I can put some red meat on the grill when we get back.
sac
Two is company, three is a crowd. [moto]
Quote from: pompetta on August 29, 2008, 11:52:34 AM
Two is company, three is a crowd. [moto]
That's why me and BP didn't invite you. [cheeky]
sac
I hate group ride and hate ride during holiday weekend. My bikes will stay in garage this weekend, to many cage and ass hole on the road. THe only group ride i took was with guys stopping every 15min to wait or smoke or take a piss or...we spent more time on parking lot than ridding.
The perfect ride is during the week with one or twofriends that I know (we know) we do not have to watch at each other, just ride and I know where they are and what they are doing...and we ride until tank is empty with no destination. [drink]
Haters!
Quote from: cloud2blue on August 26, 2008, 04:13:56 PM
So my local board is planning a big group ride for Labor Day Weekend and it got me thinking: why?
Am I the only one who dislikes group rides?
I'm with you. I don't enjoy group rides. to be honest I don't enjoy most other riders (at least those in their early 20's). I have a couple friends who I ride with on a regular basis. Mostly it's me and this one guy who is far more aggressive then me... but it works out. We kinda have the same idea of what is fun. and how fast to run, and when to take breaks. he has to smoke every 30 min, and I don't mind as we don't ever seem to get wore out that way, but we don't make very good time. If he wants to get moving a little quicker no worries... I'll catch up. Then their is this other guy, who is a good friend as well, but when he joins us... it's not very fun, he wants to do everything as fast as possible, as dangerous as possible. and He gets pissed when ever we are ready to call it a day. No matter how long we have been riding.
I think it's just about finding a friend or two who suit you and what you like. That's about as big of a group as I ever want to be a part of...
From what I read, he enjoyed our group ride. We split into two groups of 6 and had a great time.
[thumbsup]
So I decided, why the hell not, and joined the local group for a ride. 14 bikes show up. We introduced ourselves and chatted before getting started, but I couldn't get over the fact that there was 14 people. In the back of my head I was thinking of what a bad idea this was and of the different places I can separate myself. We head 20 miles on a boring highway to a gas station next to the turn off that leads to the good stuff, so everyone can make sure they have full tanks before the fun begins. A few of the fastest leave first, then everyone else heads out in whatever order they feel like, leaving those who know they're slower to bring up the rear. And that was it. From that moment on it was like riding by yourself, there just happened to be 13 other people going the same way. If you wanted to go faster, you just passed those in front of you and continued on at your pace. A couple times I just fell in behind someone to study them and follow their line for awhile. If I wanted to push it harder, I passed them, otherwise I just followed them to the next stop. JBubble said we broke into 2 groups, but that's not entirely right. We broke into like 8 groups. There were a couple predetermined stopping points and we would roll into each at our own pace. First a couple, then a few minutes later a couple more, then a minute later a few more and so on till the whole group was there. There were whole sections where I didn't see any of the others. There was a half way point where we did split into 2 groups, but that's just because half the group decided to was too cold and too wet. WIMPS! Yes it was fracking cold at the summit, but the road was worth it. And that's the other thing, the 2 groups weren't together when the decision was made. We waited at a gas station for a bit, decided they must have gone a different way and we would meet them at the next stop. It's not like it was a single rider (we would have backtracked for that) but it was a whole group of 7. This is what a group ride truly is. Riding along the same path, looking out for each other, but not controlling each other. I can see that my past bad experiences with group rides were due to the people I was riding with. So I'll end with saying that if you feel as I did, don't give up on group rides, it's just a matter of finding the right group.
make the beast with two backsin A!
Thats how our group rides usually are, a bunch of good guys in our group i feel lucky. They get together once a week usually at a local beer house to shoot the shit as well, throw in the fact that everyone in the group pitches in to help each other when things are needed. Billy was on that ride, before he ever met me he invited me over to help me put on my clip ons, he spent 4hrs of his time on a week night struggling with me to put those dam things on. Victor (the guy that gave the speech at the beginning of the ride) invited me over to his house and gave me the pair of Sidi boots i was wearing that day. Chuck (the tail guy ridin the yellow monster on the ride) is coming over this week to help me chop my pipes....its wierd but ive never met such a group of cool people, and good riding buddies. Come on over and get a beer with us sometime soon, they usually post the meeting place in the drinking thread. [drink]
Quote from: cloud2blue on September 02, 2008, 08:32:03 PM
So I decided, why the hell not, and joined the local group for a ride. 14 bikes show up. We introduced ourselves and chatted before getting started, but I couldn't get over the fact that there was 14 people. In the back of my head I was thinking of what a bad idea this was and of the different places I can separate myself. We head 20 miles on a boring highway to a gas station next to the turn off that leads to the good stuff, so everyone can make sure they have full tanks before the fun begins. A few of the fastest leave first, then everyone else heads out in whatever order they feel like, leaving those who know they're slower to bring up the rear. And that was it. From that moment on it was like riding by yourself, there just happened to be 13 other people going the same way. If you wanted to go faster, you just passed those in front of you and continued on at your pace. A couple times I just fell in behind someone to study them and follow their line for awhile. If I wanted to push it harder, I passed them, otherwise I just followed them to the next stop. JBubble said we broke into 2 groups, but that's not entirely right. We broke into like 8 groups. There were a couple predetermined stopping points and we would roll into each at our own pace. First a couple, then a few minutes later a couple more, then a minute later a few more and so on till the whole group was there. There were whole sections where I didn't see any of the others. There was a half way point where we did split into 2 groups, but that's just because half the group decided to was too cold and too wet. WIMPS! Yes it was fracking cold at the summit, but the road was worth it. And that's the other thing, the 2 groups weren't together when the decision was made. We waited at a gas station for a bit, decided they must have gone a different way and we would meet them at the next stop. It's not like it was a single rider (we would have backtracked for that) but it was a whole group of 7. This is what a group ride truly is. Riding along the same path, looking out for each other, but not controlling each other. I can see that my past bad experiences with group rides were due to the people I was riding with. So I'll end with saying that if you feel as I did, don't give up on group rides, it's just a matter of finding the right group.
you've come a long way since you're first post in this thead. [clap] i'm so proud of you. ;D
I love group rides. I wish I had time to do them more often. What can I say, I'm a social creature and love being around other people at lethal speeds. Could explain why I like bicycle racing.
I generally don't like group rides unless we hand-pick the riders that go with us and they are comfortable at the speeds we run. Usually, it is just my wife and me riding along, but lately, we've been dragging a few other guys off the mountain and introducing them to hundreds of miles of other roads and to the joys of slightly slower "sport-touring" riding. In our area, we have groups of guys who like to stay on one road and ride it up-and-down, all day long, until they know absolutely every fast line.....and they work the hell out of those lines. It's bad enough that they make a "slow" ride to check road conditions for debris and whatever else, sometimes moving objects off the road, and then cranking those throttles wide open.
One of the guys that has been hitting the 300-400 miles sport-touring rides with us was riding with the really fast guys and he crashed back in November. We've gotten him off the mountain and now goes with us on tri-state day rides. He's discovered that there are a LOT more fun-as-can-be roads out there......that don't have anywhere near the traffic or police patrol that has been on our local favorite road.....plus, by not having the roads memorized, the speeds are a bit slower and safer.....and you learn more about reading the road and watching for obstacles and avoiding them when they appear.
My ideal "group" ride is 3-5 people. Once you get over five, it becomes difficult keeping everyone together on the tight, twisty roads.....especially when hitting traffic and passing them whenever you get the chance.