So, of course the Ducati group rides are the best but since they aren't every week/weekend, does anyone even ride with other groups in the DFW area from time to time?  I've been going solo for the last few weekends but liked the HICO group ride a lot more.  Thanks.      [moto]

Just me, but I'd rather ride solo or with groups of less than 4 or 5. No more big group rides for me.

Next...

Good topic! 
Big groups have so many bikes, but are cumbersome.

I prefer small groups that leave early
and return early. I've got stuff to do.
Also, only a snack along the way works
for me as well

I agree, 2 to 4 bikes seems to be the best number but as I'm new to riding I need to find people to go riding with.  I suppose I should start posting rides I plan on taking.  That said, I'm not the fastest rider and don't know the good routes just yet so I'm a bit hesitant to advertise my rides. 

I work this comming Sunday, but hopefully
cooler temps for the next one.  [moto]

here in Oklahoma we ride, if even for 50 miles, pretty regularly.  I sometimes forget to post them but there's usually three to four of us doing various runs.  I can add you to the "secret" text list. 

You don't have to be "the fastest rider". That should never be the point of a street ride. Smaller group rides are always better than 10, 15 20+ bikes. Traffic will always bust up big group rides. Then the riders at the rear will take stupid chances to pass traffic when they see the lead groups disappear into the distance. No one likes the feeling they are being left behind. This group used to excel at group rides. Not so much anymore. I've done my last big group ride. Stick to smaller group rides until you feel more confidence. No shame in that at all. Duh... Have fun and be safe. [moto]

Thanks for the input, anytime anyone is thinking of going for a ride please let me know.  I can't seem to get enough of it.   [moto]

Now that the temperature is dropping below 95, I'm suiting up.  I've got a lot of riding to do.

Quote from: rc51 on September 20, 2010, 06:28:17 PM
You don't have to be "the fastest rider". That should never be the point of a street ride. Smaller group rides are always better than 10, 15 20+ bikes. Traffic will always bust up big group rides. Then the riders at the rear will take stupid chances to pass traffic when they see the lead groups disappear into the distance. No one likes the feeling they are being left behind. This group used to excel at group rides. Not so much anymore. I've done my last big group ride. Stick to smaller group rides until you feel more confidence. No shame in that at all. Duh... Have fun and be safe. [moto]

I don't see how the group has stopped exceling at group rides.  There has always been a fast group, a slow group, and a sweep to make sure no one gets left behind.  If the slow group is riding above there heads and taking stupid chances, its just dangerous and ignorant riding.  Being in the back with the slower guys and riding at your own pace is the whole point.  You're not supposed to try and keep up with the fast guys unless you feel you're ready for that.  There should be no feeling of being left behind as the sweep is there for a reason.

I think it helps to have rider meetings before rides with clear communication about what Jester posted. This helps riders feel at ease with riding his/her own pace.

I also think in larger groups, it helps to break up the groups, each having a group lead and sweep. This allows for the leads to set the pace for the given group, and your only concern is the group you are riding with.

The bottom line is that at the end of the ride all riders wind up at the same point, and lunch is usually good.  [moto]

Quote from: caffeinejunkee on September 22, 2010, 10:45:34 AM
I think it helps to have rider meetings before rides with clear communication about what Jester posted. This helps riders feel at ease with riding his/her own pace.

I also think in larger groups, it helps to break up the groups, each having a group lead and sweep. This allows for the leads to set the pace for the given group, and your only concern is the group you are riding with.

The bottom line is that at the end of the ride all riders wind up at the same point, and lunch is usually good.  [moto]

I agree completely but stress that the leader of each group know the people they ride with.  It's very easy to get caught up with the front runners while being pushed from behind if you're not paying attention like was my case on the Hico run (not the last one but previous).  After gassing up I ran with the front crew for a bit and realized I wasn't comfortable so I let Marty do his 100 mph wheelie past me and dropped back into the "slow" group. 

Uh oh, thread is starting to get crazy.  Time for some clarification.

It's not that the Ducati riding groups are too fast/slow/disorganized, very much the opposite.  I loved the Hico ride.  I was just looking for MORE rides.  There isn't one every week here and/or I can't always make them so I was just looking for suggestions as to groups, big and small, that might offer more changes to ride with others.    

We're moto enthusiasts, we're supposed to get crazy!  There isn't any malice here regardless, just differing opinions from cool people.   

True, no Malice.  I ride with the slow group because I am slow