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

Once in a while I will join a group of people for a charity event, that`s it

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

+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.