Group Ride/ Event Ride Necessities

[Not Sure]

I'll volunteer to sweep for you providing its on as Sunday . . . I work every saturday (FML) lol

Sounds good. I'll post up a Sunday ride in July where we can meet up in the Nashua area. That should be a good central location for folks.

[DankDirtyBird]

The best tips I can give you:

1. Look THROUGH the guy ahead of you. Don't fixate on their bike/tail-light... look UP and ahead, just as if no one was in front of you.



Cheers.

This is especially true when following behind Danny500 while he's bouncing his tiger all over the road. Fun to watch, but hard to mimic.

[Cheese]

Lastly, get into a routine when riding/prepping to ride. When I let the bike warm up, I always check my lights, give the brake and clutch a squeeze, jacket first... then helmet.. then gloves.

Although this seems like overkill you'd be surprised how many people mess this up. Complete each step before proceeding to the next item. You'll know fairly quickly when you've done it out of order. You'll find you can't get your key out of your pants because your gloves are on. You'll start riding and feel a tapping on your wrist indicating 1 or both glove straps aren't fastened. The clincher is when you feel the same type of tapping on your neck and realize your helmet isn't strapped on either. We've all been there, but hopefully our advice might prevent these issues from happening to you. Never try to fix these mistakes while moving. Pull over, fix them and then rejoin the group.

Although it's been said not to try to keep up on the ride, you should be the first rider on your bike and ready to ride. Don't spend too much time talking with the group. Instead do your checklist and get geared up early. In other words, make the extra time you need before the leader is ready to depart instead of after.

[Manik]

Thanks guys. all good tips. ill take them to heart. looking forward to meeting all of you, and even more so riding with you!

[Kenn157]

It"ll be a good experience for you Mark.

[DucDave]

Sometimes I feel a tapping on my shoulder.

It's usually someone trying to get my attention cus I cant hear shit with my earplugs and helmet on...!

[ThisBitch]

2. If you're uncomfortable in a group; LEAD. Especially if you start out with a handful of riders, get up front. Less to focus on as far as people, lines, and keeping pace.

I disagree with this completely. Despite their best efforts, many new riders are unpredictable and do the wrong thing. Maybe being second to last is ok, but last with someone keeping an eye in the mirror is best. That way if you panic and grab a hand full of brake mid-corner, you won't cause a pile up.

[Kenn157]

I for one would not want to follow a new rider in the lead. There would be too much presure on him/her to ride beyond their ability. I'd rather be in back watching their lines and technique. Stop any so called bad habits.

[gadget]

Mike, I would happily sweep for your ride.

Manik, I was glad to meet you last night. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more. Maybe next week if you can get to MCN earlier (say around 6pm). We usually head over for chinese around 8pm.

some of my suggestions

Bring:
a Full Tank (plus money for gas and some lunch) some of our rides last most of the day

Proper Gear (helmet, gloves, boots, jacket, pants) We have all witnessed people being saved from injury due to the wearing of proper gear. This includes not being injured by someone else who would have lost control had they not been protect from the bird that flew into them or the rock that hit their hand.

a small toolkit (we all carry some things, if someone has trouble we usually team up to solve it)

A motorcycle that is maintained properly

thoughts:
leave plenty of room in front of you (3 seconds at least) when you're in a town and riding slow, riding staggered is ok, This is really so that you can smoothly pull up next to someone at a light.

never ride to your limits (always save 20% for the unexpected because they ALWAYS happen when you're not expecting them to)

Use your turn signals and hand signals

Do not horseplay. We have all seen stunts before. You won't impress anyone unless you crash and at that point the impression you'll give us will be in the pavement. If you cause someone else to crash because of your asshattedness, additional impressions may be given freely.

Check your mirrors once in awhile. If you don't see someone behind you, slow down. If you don't see someone behind you for awhile, pull over and wait.
Eventually, everyone will stop and the leader will turn around to go back and check. There are two reasons for this.
1.) someone may have had to stop (a crash, a cop etc)
2.) you may have missed a turn and the leader is now trying to catch up to you to tell you to turn around.

[Manik]

More and more good advice. Thanks!
I enjoyed meeting everyone that was present during my tardy appearence in dracut!
Next time I come, I will be caging it again, but ill try to get there at a more reasonable time.
Id love to roll out on the grass with a seat -aka my bike- but watching some of the antics that other riders were pulling on the lawn, and leaving the bike night, made me happy I was not on two wheels
The large race down vfw highway ( no doubt the biproduct of too many "squids" on the road at once) did not seem like a good riders practice to me.
In the three weeks iv been riding, iv already had leasure rides ruined by bikes who noticed me and sped up behind me to push my speed.
Not that I'm susceptable to such acts, but the idea of another rider speeding up my ass is not a welcomed one.
If the stressing of propper riding technique that is exibited on this site is at all strenuous for riders or bloggers, know that its 100% worth it even just for the environment it supports.

[Kenn157]

smart kid!

[nhbubba]

The worst for me was always (and still kinda is) the 'riced' FWD econoboxes that pull up next to me at a traffic light and rev the engine. More than once I have not been able to help myself. My ego weakness.

Don't be like me.

[Manik]

Ooh, I'm free of that weakness. I prefer to watch those road personalities from afar. That way when they crash, I can get popcorn/ watch the blue lights appear everywhere instead of go down with them in a tangled mess.
Iv raced cars, mostly saab's on and offroad. But iv never been tempted to race my own cars on the street. There's a time and place for stupidity, and if the police and ambulence aren't already there and payed for by a sponsor, then I think its expected of drivers to practice caution.
Its real easy to wait til you get on a track alone and beat on your vehicle by yourself safely. Its not as easy to convince the rider/driver you crash into on the streets that you "just had to speed ".

No matter how much the other driver may agree with your love for speed, it will never be an acceptable excuse for damaging their ride or injuring them. (And youl feel like just as big an ass if its your own ride you damage.)

[DucDave]

Hey wait a second....how old ARE you? Is this really DOC? Much wisdom for such a youngster!

I'd welcome you on any ride I lead! You'd be fine!!!

(...the implication that DOC is 'wise' is purely for effect...not to be taken as substantially true)

[Kenn157]

Hey wait a second....how old ARE you? Is this really DOC? Much wisdom for such a youngster!

I'd welcome you on any ride I lead! You'd be fine!!!

(...the implication that DOC is 'wise' is purely for effect...not to be taken as substantially true)

Was wondering when you see this!

Like I said.. Smart kid!

[mzdagrl]

Ooh, I'm free of that weakness. I prefer to watch those road personalities from afar. That way when they crash, I can get popcorn/ watch the blue lights appear everywhere instead of go down with them in a tangled mess.
Iv raced cars, mostly saab's on and offroad. But iv never been tempted to race my own cars on the street. There's a time and place for stupidity, and if the police and ambulence aren't already there and payed for by a sponsor, then I think its expected of drivers to practice caution.
Its real easy to wait til you get on a track alone and beat on your vehicle by yourself safely. Its not as easy to convince the rider/driver you crash into on the streets that you "just had to speed ".

No matter how much the other driver may agree with your love for speed, it will never be an acceptable excuse for damaging their ride or injuring them. (And youl feel like just as big an ass if its your own ride you damage.)

You are welcome to ride with me anytime.

[Manik]

If your knowledge (and chastizement when needed) comes as readily as your praise, I look forward to riding with all of you.

Though I suppose its better to let a sufficient amount safety go to your head than to let an assumption of skill go there..
That said, let's keep my head small enough to fit in my helmet

[freeskier]

im also going to be looking for some new people to ride with later this summer as i am a newer and younger rider as well. i ride with my uncle quite a bit but him and his harley friends are not a fan of my little gsxr. my question is, how fast are most of these rides if there needs to be cop protocol?

[Not Sure]

If it turns out to be me leading a noob ride, with help from Danz19899, Kenn, and Sam, then the pace will be appropriate for the group joining. I won't rehash all the good points a number of folks have posted up on this thread already, so just read through them. We'll take a few breaks during the ride - at each stop talking with the group about their comfort level on the last leg, answers questions, etc.; and then we'll move on to the next leg. A few of us have communications too so managing this type of ride & the pace should be smooth for all.

[Manik]

Where are you out of freeskier?

[ThisBitch]

im also going to be looking for some new people to ride with later this summer as i am a newer and younger rider as well. i ride with my uncle quite a bit but him and his harley friends are not a fan of my little gsxr. my question is, how fast are most of these rides if there needs to be cop protocol?

Speeds range from 5 - 10 over to double the speed limit +10, it all depends on who you're riding with. As was mentioned before, the leader of the ride will make it REALLY clear what the pace will be and on much bigger rides, there are generally more than one group so that you can ride with the group that best meets your riding skill and speed tolerance.

Unfortunately, even if it were a ride where people were doing the speed limit, large numbers of sport bikes attract police attention because for every NESR ride that is full of people who are geared up and riding within their abilities, there's a ride of idiots in sweat pants, air jordans and a t-shirt with their bike screen printed on it. Its just the way it is.

Fortunately, almost every bigger group ride I've been on where police were involved, they were very nice, happy to see us all in gear and organized and let us go on our way with no ticket. The one exception was the Hurricane Mountain Road ride a few years back with Dave where Terry (nhbusa) was nice enough to take one for the team and got a ticket while the other 15 of us did not.

[DucDave]

The one exception was the Hurricane Mountain Road ride a few years back with Dave where Terry (nhbusa) was nice enough to take one for the team and got a ticket while the other 15 of us did not.

Actually, as I recall (if it's the same one in Wolfeboro) Terry didn't get a ticket! He had a nice conversation and was warned that others would be watching for us as we continued north!

There was another Ride - maybe covered bridges - where a member got a 'Performance Award' but he went to court and got it dismissed.

Jacki's right though. All group rides I attend are 'geared up'. Not everyone has full leathers but Jackets, Gloves, Helmets, boots of some flavor, and at least jeans. I really believe that helps. Also, stunting is frowned upon on rides I attend. And waving to everyone is encouraged. (Passing on double yellow in a large group is sure way to have someone call ahead...except in VT where it's legal!)

I managed to get a ticket a couple years ago chasing down someone who missed a turn. Officer 'Anger'....

....(prounced, I later found, 'Anjer'!) And almost collected a second one the same day but that officer agreed that no one should get two awards in one day and sent me on my way!

Generally speaking, I don't like to speak to speeds on public forums. As far as I'm concerned, I lead a ride at the posted speed limit..

[ThisBitch]

Generally speaking, I don't like to speak to speeds on public forums. As far as I'm concerned, I lead a ride at the posted speed limit..

Well, you're like the daddy on NESR, so of COURSE you ride the speed limit!

[freeskier]

manik, im out of norwood MA, 15 mins south of the city.
Not sure- i read the thred and a few like it and understand the flavor of these rides i just wasnt sure on the pace. i know that on my mini cooper rallies it all depends on who shows up.

thanks for all the help and im glad to see a group that doesnt make us all look like dicks

[Wanderer]

Actually, as I recall (if it's the same one in Wolfeboro) Terry didn't get a ticket! He had a nice conversation and was warned that others would be watching for us as we continued north!

There was another Ride - maybe covered bridges - where a member got a 'Performance Award' but he went to court and got it dismissed.

Jacki's right though. All group rides I attend are 'geared up'. Not everyone has full leathers but Jackets, Gloves, Helmets, boots of some flavor, and at least jeans. I really believe that helps. Also, stunting is frowned upon on rides I attend. And waving to everyone is encouraged. (Passing on double yellow in a large group is sure way to have someone call ahead...except in VT where it's legal!)

I managed to get a ticket a couple years ago chasing down someone who missed a turn. Officer 'Anger'....

....(prounced, I later found, 'Anjer'!) And almost collected a second one the same day but that officer agreed that no one should get two awards in one day and sent me on my way!

Generally speaking, I don't like to speak to speeds on public forums. As far as I'm concerned, I lead a ride at the posted speed limit..

Heh, I remember those incidents!

As for speed, your right hand is connected to your brain - if things are too fast by all means simply slow down. Nobody will judge, or get annoyed - we've all got our own level of ability and comfort.
Bikes are a lousy place to let ego make decisions, very unforgiving.