Western MA Ride, Sunday 5/6

[ticket2ride]

hahah thanks V! Yeah i don't want to over do it.... so I'll probably stick to the back of the pack or something incase yall decide to be speed demons

[Adrenalinechic]

Who wants to ride up to Amherst with Stephan and I...John, Tiffany?

Oh and....double the speed limit or faster?? As in 60 mph in a 30 zone on deserted backroads (all good), or 120 in a 60 zone type of thing? John you know I can ride pretty fast (not as fast as many guys I know tho), but doubling certain speeds or faster is just insane and suicidal on the street, so I'll just kick back and catch up later. Sorry guys but I really don't need points added to my driver's record right now...lol Besides, Tiffany I'm sure won't go THAT fast either... I'll stick with her to make sure she's alright.

I may be in if I stick to the back as well...still a newbie. I love speed but my issues will be: CANNOT get pulled over, the AF will def. kick me out and I don't really feel like messing up my plastics because I def. foresee myself pushing beyond my skill level. And I'll see how my back fends today. I think I'm gonna ride into work and get it inspected while I'm out.

People who go to UMASS: where can I park my bike if I ride to school? Are there special areas, do I need a permit, does the garage let you in?

[FastJohnny]

Its looking like it's gonna be a good size group, so I doubt theres gonna be much doubling the speed limit going on. Plus, I might have someone riding passenger, and if thats the case, Im going to be in the back. No one is going to get left behind, so if you wanna ride fast, ge up front, if not hang out out back.

[hammadown]

Adrenaline, I go to Umass and you do need a permit. We have certai n areas all over campus dedicated to MC parking so its actually more convenient...not restricted to one lot. if you are on facebook, we have a group "motorcycle group rides" join up and youll get an invite everytime I set up a ride.

Dont worry about double the speedlimit stuff, I doubt there will be much of that. Theres always a good number of people in the group who try n keep it sane for the streets for the most part. Anything more ill be hitting the track! Dont worry about keeping up, everyone will wait for people to catch up if for some reason you dont feel comfortable with the pace. I'd rather wait for someone to catch up and ride within their skills and comfort zone than not catch up at all!!!

As for the route, I havent really planned one, but I would really love to see some some of those glorious twisties to our north. Haven't gotten up there yet this season.

[MissTwisties]

You guys NEED to do the awsome stretch on Route 2 going across NY state...It changes from Mohawk Trail to Taconic Trail...it's a short stretch but amazing curves, I've been there a few times and the guys keep turning around to ride the stretch over again...LOL If you guys want we could do Route 9 and 100 up in Vermont, those are very nice roads with barely any traffic, it's in the woods...and there is a few nice little towns to stop in such as Bennington.

[FastJohnny]

Adrenaline, I go to Umass and you do need a permit. We have certai n areas all over campus dedicated to MC parking so its actually more convenient...not restricted to one lot. if you are on facebook, we have a group "motorcycle group rides" join up and youll get an invite everytime I set up a ride.

Dont worry about double the speedlimit stuff, I doubt there will be much of that. Theres always a good number of people in the group who try n keep it sane for the streets for the most part. Anything more ill be hitting the track! Dont worry about keeping up, everyone will wait for people to catch up if for some reason you dont feel comfortable with the pace. I'd rather wait for someone to catch up and ride within their skills and comfort zone than not catch up at all!!!

As for the route, I havent really planned one, but I would really love to see some some of those glorious twisties to our north. Haven't gotten up there yet this season.

+1, Well said.. Ya Ive been daydreaming about rt 100 since last year.

[Josephd14]

Might have to jump in on this ride.. I like to do alotta standups and burnouts in the center of town, and I will typically do triple to quad the speed limit.. I'll hang toward the back so if i see blue lights I can fade in the pack when I pull a Runner.. Lets do it...

[Adrenalinechic]

mmk, I'm in. Either heading up w. a friend via rt 66 or meeting V. Guess it's going to be a *sober* night in springfield sat ahahah (i hate coronas anyway!). see y'all sunday.

oh, i rode alone for the first time today and this is my conclusion:

-people can't F-ing drive
-the wind is a bitch!
-clutchless shifting is awesome!
-i got really really thirsty!

haha, take care!

[ejoy1220]

Nah it's cool, on group rides I tend to go at a slower, more sane pace as I don't need tickets, so I'll probably be hanging around the back, so no one is getting left back don't worry.

This looks like it's going to be a great ride.

oh, i rode alone for the first time today and this is my conclusion:

-people can't F-ing drive

Yeah Western, MA is the only time I've driven in Massachusetts and consistently had lots of people driving way under the speed limit. What the hell is that.

[FastJohnny]

Might have to jump in on this ride.. I like to do alotta standups and burnouts in the center of town, and I will typically do triple to quad the speed limit.. I'll hang toward the back so if i see blue lights I can fade in the pack when I pull a Runner.. Lets do it...

You sound like quite the standup guy!

[ticket2ride]

mmk, I'm in. Either heading up w. a friend via rt 66 or meeting V. Guess it's going to be a *sober* night in springfield sat ahahah (i hate coronas anyway!). see y'all sunday.

oh, i rode alone for the first time today and this is my conclusion:

-people can't F-ing drive
-the wind is a bitch!
-clutchless shifting is awesome!
-i got really really thirsty!

haha, take care!

i live right by V too.. so I think I'm going to meet up with John and V and then head up with them!

Where abouts are you at? I'm a newbie too myself!

[Josephd14]

Can't miss me, I should be the one in the green shorts and black T-shirt.. Will we be in NH at all? If so I can't put my side mount back on the bike for when I take off my Lid.. This is gonna be sweet..

[ticket2ride]

hmmmm

so what're the plans for lunch>?? Eat before the ride or are we stoppin somewhere..? Food is a necessity in my life haha it holds a lot of importance

[Josephd14]

hmmmm

so what're the plans for lunch>?? Eat before the ride or are we stoppin somewhere..? Food is a necessity in my life haha it holds a lot of importance

Holy crap, and I thought I was bad, I atleast wait til I show up for the ride to start discussing Lunch..

[MissTwisties]

Ok, Andrea and Tiffany, since you never really went on group rides before I can give you a few tips. Tiffany you're talking about food and being thirsty. I strongly suggest that you drink plenty of water (well specially in the summer when it's hot outside). You need to be well hydrated. I have a tank bag, and I carry a few things in there:

-bottle of water (juice or anything else will be yucky if it gets hot),
-granola/energy bar
-paper tissue (wipe your nose if it's colder, or to use to wipe your shield, whatever, it's been usefull many times for different reasons! )
-camera (if you want to take pics)
-map
-cash money (when you end up somewhere in wood land, some places don't always take plastic)
-an EXTRA sweater!! You might *think* you won't need one when leaving if it's sunny and warm, but again, when you hit the mountains, it can get COLD very fast and you won't want to freeze, you need all your concentration!!!
-Some go a little bit further and bring zip ties and duc tape...

Another thing, why don't you read the group riding etiquette in the general section, lots of important info when riding with a group in there. I think it's a must read for all newbies.

[MissTwisties]

If Andrea, Tiffany, John and who ever else want to meet up with us, we'll have to make sure to leave EARLY enough to get to UMass on time. The latest is 10:00am, specially if you girls don't feel comfy hoping on the higway and slabbing it on I-91N...

[Ryno]

Not sure what route you guys are taking, but if you're heading to the mohawk trail I've got input.
Go one exit down from route 2 on 91 (I think it's route 17)
Head west off the exit. It's a great road and meets back up with the Mohawk trail just when it starts to get good.
We usually take that into North Adams then take route 8N (which turns into 100 when you get to VT)
You can either head back on 9 or keep going from there.
I haven't taken 2 past North Adams, but I've heard it's good towards the NY border.
I may try and meet up with you guys along the way, not sure how much time I'm going to have on Sunday

[hammadown]

for those of you who are coming, my number is 207-229-1986. call me if you are running late.

[FastJohnny]

if your not comfortable on the highway we could take RT 5 all the way to RT 9, and then RT 9 all the way to UMASS. I did that last weekend because I was freezing my ass of! It didnt take much longer than slabbing it on I-91.

Where do you guys want to meet up? Basketball Hall of Fame okay? Say 10:00?

[ticket2ride]

i don't mind the highway.. so it's up to you guys.. will we be going on the pike at all ?

I'm going to bring my bike over here to agawam tomorrow.. unless we just all meet up @ the bb hall of fame.. that works too and i can leave it in wilbraham..

I dub john as my photographer! Sound good Flash?

Thanks for the tips V

[ejoy1220]

Oh I'll also be bringing a camera to grab some shots, I'm going to see if I can find a lanyard big enough to fit around my neck and see if I can get some action shots

[duff daddy]

Duff, I havent really planned a route, guess we'll see where we end up, but what time you getting outta work? We can try n head towards Orange to meet up with ya.

ah i work part time at this selfserve car wash ( work for chrysler during the wee) but im there tomorrow till about 4:00 or 3 ish ..if you want here is my cell give me a ring if you guys are gonna head up 978 413 3374

[MissTwisties]

if your not comfortable on the highway we could take RT 5 all the way to RT 9, and then RT 9 all the way to UMASS. I did that last weekend because I was freezing my ass of! It didnt take much longer than slabbing it on I-91.

Where do you guys want to meet up? Basketball Hall of Fame okay? Say 10:00?

There is a better route than Rte 5 to get to UMass if we're not going to slab it. We can take Rte 33 (Memorial in Chicopee), then Rte 202 towards Granby, then Amherst Street (becomes 116) straight to UMass. It's a very nice route...Andrea told me she doesn't feel comfy slabbing it, she's still too new at riding.

[ticket2ride]

define.. slabbing it............

[MissTwisties]

define.. slabbing it............

Slab = highway = BORING, long and painfull ride...lol