| Author | Message | ||
     Al_lighton |
The SW Torquefest thread has certainly stirred up a lot of emotions and discussion. In that thread, it has been said that group rides are too dangerous and some don't attend them because of it. The social aspects of motorcycling appeal to me as well as the excitement of riding, so I'd will continue to attend group rides. But some education is in order. I know there are a lot more than the following, but these are, to me, the cardinal rules of group rides: 1) Know your limits, do NOT be pulled above them to keep up. 2) Never pass a slower rider in his lane prior to knowing that he has acquired you in his rearview and has moved right to let you by. Never pass on the right. 3) Always scan your rearview so that no faster rider is waiting for #2 above for too long. There is no shame in waving someone by, but there IS in not paying attention to what is happening both in front AND behind you. 4) No passing in corners. 5) No turns without collecting all riders. This includes ambiguous forks in the road. 6) Staggered formation on wide open sections, single file with double distance in the twisties. There are surely lots more, but the ones above are the most important ones to me. After this past weekend, I will speak strongly to anyone I ever see violating them on a group ride, and will depart the group if there is no change of behavior. I never want to have another weekend with the horrible aspects of last weekends ride, but still want to ride with fellow Buellers/riders. #6 above is very subjective. I watched Ferris and FMJ riding staggered formation style thru all kinds of twisties on Fourplay, with Ferris leading. They knew each others skills, trusted each others lines, and were never even close to their riding limits. But just because THEY could ride in staggered formation style thru technical stuff like that, doesn't mean that everyone behind them should, and we didn't. Goes back to #1: Know your limits, stay within them. | ||
| Ghostrider |
I agree. I'm sure I've broken most of those rules at one time or another, but agree that all should try to follow them out of respect for others in the group. Know your limits. Words to keep living by. | ||
| Ferris |
words to live (and learn) by, Al. i know you'll have something to say to the group on Saturday morning. as will i. as will EBear. and as will anyone else in attendance who wants to share some words of wisdom. #1 is SO important, and is SO hard to convey to some folks, especially when someone is a naturally energetic person, and who is perhaps even MORE amped to be attending a large Buell-sponsored or similar event. the SW Torquefest thread has given me lots to think about as this weekend draws near. and we shall ride. FB | ||
| Nevco1 |
Great Thread...Keep it going!!! | ||
| Phillyblast |
No crossing the double yellow. | ||
| Josh_ |
>No crossing the double yellow. How about, no more than one bike over at a time? | ||
| Glitch |
The Pace | ||
| Phillyblast |
Josh, Sounds reasonable, and includes something like when passing a car, one bike at a time, next one doesn't pass until the first one is clear? (i'm thinking about the large # of cars that pulled to the right to let us by at Aaron's) | ||
| Josh_ |
Here's the thing - you need to keep it real simple. See, the people who will read and remember the rules you lay down are typically the ones who don't need them. I think you're better off laying down how to approach/deal with someone who is not riding in a "safe" manner. | ||
| Phillyblast |
Josh, agreed. Last year was the first time I'd ever been involved in a "group" ride and I learned my limits, luckily for me by only nudging them, not hitting up against them. Some common sense ground rules, plus a consensus on how to approach and deal with someone overstepping those boundaries (possibly without even realizing it). Perhaps an agreement before the ride commences that if the ride captain tells you to "knock it off" you do, and save the argument for the next rest stop or after the ride. | ||
| Ferris |
...It's the group aspect of the Pace I enjoy most, watching the bikes in front of me click into a corner like a row of dominoes, or looking in my mirror as my friends slip through the same set of corners I just emerged from. nice words, Nick  FB | ||
| Nevco1 |
Ahhh..."The Pace" surfaces again. Smart post!!! I contend it is one of those epistles that should be posted frequently for the benefit of all. Old, young, experienced or novice. Is a fundamental mind set that can be argued but not denied. | ||
| Court |
>>>..."The Pace" surfaces again. Still one of the great peices of moto-writing. And, Dear Friend Ferris, I well recall the day you and I left, just our two lonesome souls, and went to enjoy ourselves. Now, that was some domino-clicking. The other that stands out was at a Buell gathering 1996 when John Schreck and I mixed it up, not knowing one of the bikes we'd passed was a writer for a moto-mag. The story of the "one of a kind" Green S-2 and the 916 in the corner near Jim Thrope, PA with my leg rest on the side of the duck made an acticle. It was later that day, imbued with the spirit of the day, I pulled THE squid move that calmed me for a long time. I love this sport, the memories, the places and the people. Court | ||
| Road_thing |
At least you still have all your tentacles, Courtney! r-t | ||
| Reindog |
Thanks to Al for posting "rules of the road". It shouldn't hurt anyones ego to get an educational reality check before each ride. What you do affects others and vice-versa. I kinda like rides with 4-6 riders personally but have had a blast with huge snakes winding through the Rockies. I have been guilty at times of trying to catch up with the group as I tend to be in the back. Damn, that is how The Forger was born. That attitude definitely increases the odds of a brain spill and I don't need that right now. That said, I'm hoping that the San Diego crew makes it to OktoberFast this weekend. Ferris is an excellent ride leader and his "shucks, we weren't the guys who were speeding, officer" style makes for an exciting ride. |
