Group Riding

[Sabrina]

Some of you know I've really wanted to ride with a group for a while. In four days I went on three separate group rides. I had an absolute blast, rode so much this past weekend I'm too sore to ride today. (But if it wasn't raining, I'd go out again anyway.) A few words of advice for new riders looking for a group:

• I found some people to ride with at a charity ride. Plus, the charity ride was for a good cause and a lot of fun, too! I see charity rides posted at the local bike dealerships.
  
• Ask about the riding habits of the group, the ride (if they plan to go interstate, if they ride fast, if they stop for breaks, back before dark, what they do if someone gets left behind, etc.). Be up front about your own riding abilities. One group I went with, all great people, just went a bit too fast for me, which was okay until I had to follow on completely dark rural roads. My high beam headlight didn't do much, and it was a really scary ride for me.
  
• Before heading out, find out how they order the riders, if shifting during the ride is okay, what the signals are, etc. As a newbie I was best in the middle, so I had people to follow and there we people behind me that knew the way, too. The leaders in our group were great about pointing out hazards like big dips, roadkill, gravel in the road, or objects on the side of the road that required we get single file - then we would all make the same indications so people behind us would know, too. Makes for a safer ride.
  
• Don't let the riding habits of others influence your own. Stay within your comfort zone. Know the way, there and back, so that if you have to you can say "I'm just going to head back on my own." Relying on others to know the way means you can't be independent, even if you need to be.
  
• While originally I was looking for other sport bike riders to ride with, everyone I'm riding with is HD or similar cruiser-style bike. It doesn't even matter, it's so much fun and frankly I love listening to their bikes while I'm riding. Very cool!

I had a great weekend, rode a ton, met some fantastic people, got to talk bikes/riding almost non-stop, went to two different bike and accessories shops, and got to eat out at a few different places. It was AWESOME!!!

[Saki.Girl]

glad you got to go out on a group ride

[dave007]

...and the best part about riding in a group? They can use your camera to take your picture

[Sabrina]

LOL! I should have guessed that would come up.

Anyone take a DSLR out on a bike? I'm a little worried about the vibrations causing problems with the camera - should I not have the lens mounted? If anyone has had experience taking a DSLR out on their bike, tips on safely doing so appreciated. Then I can get some PHOTOS!

[cmptrmn.1]

Good for you Sabrina. Glad you are having a good time and found some other riders in your area.

[dave007]

I take my camera with me all the time. I usually "wrap" it in a towel or t-shirt or something like that in efforts to provide some cushion, and just put it in my saddle bag. It hasn't been a problem at all, and I've been taking it with me on rides for a few years now. Leaving the lens mounted shouldn't be a problem, depending on how you store it and the size of the lens. With a larger lens, the camera may bounce around a little more, possibly stressing the mount... but I seriously doubt it would be a problem.

[sdbrit68]

you just gotta find the right groups. some are good, some are bad......but you are correct, be upfront about your abilities, and what they expect.

Rich has kinda been volunteered to our ride leader, he is fantastic, he sets a challanging pace, but keeps an eye on the new riders, seems to always stop at the correct time to regroup.

generally, we put the new guys in back, right in front of the tailgunner. the reason for that, even a good rider, who hasn't been in a group may get a little freaky and jerk the bike, or get distracted and not get on the brakes in time.

by being in the back, the newer riders are single file instead of staggered, when they feel confident they move in and out of a staggered position to get their feet wet.

Of course the tailgunner tries to take the lane for lane switches ahead of time, and makes sure they sweep every one to keep the group together


if you lived closer, we would invite you with us

[gpzrider]

I love riding in groups of 3 to 7. If the group is larger we usually break up or traffic breaks us up and it's just not as enjoyable. I generally ride tail by choice. Being the shepherd of the flock is just the role i fall into when a group gets together. I usually only lead if it's an unknown road and have lesser experienced riders in the group.

[stargazertony]

Hi Sabrina: Great that you found some groups to ride with and are enjoying it. Just seems like last month you were complaining that you can't find any. Go and have a blast.

Tony