Group Ride Etiquette

[Boog]

I know some of you have mentioned the rules issue and even though I am not going to get to tag along on the next big event, I think ‘knowing’ really is half the battle and proper communications is key to safety and in avoiding bad blood to rise up amongst brothers. While being the lead a few years ago with my neighborhood riding group, I looked in the mirror and noticed one missing headlight from the group of 6 bikes. I pulled over and none of the others knew where our tail gunner had gone. We circled back and found him in the ditch wrapped up in a mess of brambles with his GSX 750R bent and broken. He had fallen behind and was catching up and couldn’t take a curve ending in a disastrous low side. We had gone about a mile ahead before I realized he was gone.
The very next weekend ride with the same group, our new tail gunner was on a Fat Boy. Right after the gas stop, we went into some technical/skinny roads out by Winchester, VA. The kind that usually keeps you in second gear. Three miles into the ride I noticed the Fat Boy was nowhere to be seen. I pulled over and asked the group if anyone saw where he went. One guy said that the tail gunner had mentioned that he might pull out along the way back but didn’t say when or where; no one told me this vital little bit of info. We circled back and rode to the last gas stop but didn’t find him. Back home, I saw his bike in his driveway. His lack of communication really got me upset since he didn’t let me know of his intensions. I initially thought I was going to have to prove my combat medic skills in back to back rides.
Group etiquette is always a good idea and everyone should stick to their own level of comfort. And by all means, have a backup plan for emergencies and communications. Boog out.

 

[JoseyR3Wales]

Obviously, I'm not the social type.

My Sentiments Exactly. Thank you and I hope we never ride together

Honestly I would head for Ouray and stop to ride something else before I ever got there. Thats just me.

 

[sweettennbabe]

I feel the same way and that is why we are only gonna be in Ouray Monday night. The rest of the time we will be riding different areas!

 

[TriumPhil]

I, like Harry, tend to enjoy riding either as a lone wolf or with just a couple of friends whom I know to be at least as competent in the saddle as myself. The last thing that I want to concern myself with is second-guessing what my fellow riders will do in any given circumstance.

This philosophy also explains the necessity for well-articulated, uniformly applied rules of the road and the means for clearly and effectively expressing them for the benefit of all riders in groups, whether large or small.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I feel the same way and that is why we are only gonna be in Ouray Monday night. The rest of the time we will be riding different areas!

Hopefully you will change your mind and stay in Montrose with the rest of us

 

[sweettennbabe]

i meant Montrose. But only one night.I dont want to spend 6 days riding interstate so I am looking for better routes there and back

 

[R3Tex]

Nolton...thanks for posting this. As you know I have a distinct aversion to riding in large groups but this should help out those that prefer that method. The thing to remember about RAA is that it's a good excuse to get together with the folks we've met online, get to know each other, drink too much, etc. Most of this will happen AFTER the ride. Riding in large groups more than once should definitely be optional IMHO. I enjoy riding with a few good friends (new or old) way more than a big parade where you typically spend more time worrying about the bikes around you more than enjoying either the scenery or the ride. For this reason I have intentionally stayed out of the discussion on routes, etc. I usually make that decision the day of or the night before. Having you guys with more local knowledge lay out some route options is very helpful to those of us not from the area, but being the largely independent individuals that we are I would predict that there will be several different groups going their own way.

 

[Ogremeister]

i meant Montrose. But only one night.I dont want to spend 6 days riding interstate so I am looking for better routes there and back

There are plenty of options but it all depends how much time you have.

 

[nolton]

You guys were definitely having doubts about following the Ride Nazi here....

Andy, I'm one of the few that followed you off the pavement onto a steep down grade. I would be honored to ride with you again. Just remember, I'm just a boy that wants to ride like you when I grow up.

 

[ksquared]

In my opinion and experience (many years as road captain and tailgunner for several large groups), anything over 10 bikes should be split into 2 (or more) groups, depending on the total number of bikes, with an able and experienced road captain leading each group and an experienced tailgunner trailing. I don't think any group of over 5 -6 bikes is safe, and it makes maneuvers like passing on 2 lane roads unwieldy. Groupings should, as near as possible, reflect the relative skill levels of the riders making up the group.