[Chinmay]

hello every1...been a long time i have posted sumthing here n i've got a reason now...

tomorrow i will be going for my first ever group ride with along with some of the riders from the local motorcycle riders association .... i have never done it before.... it might sound dumb to some of u, but im kinda worried as im a noob to this... also, i havent signed up for a membership yet, its going to be a free trial ride for 2maro and if i like it and they thing im good enough to join them, i will continue..

so i was wondering are there any things i shud be keeping in mind...apart from general common sense while riding and bit of googling abt the do and donts, i thot some insight from you people wud be helpful too... so if u guys have some experience of group rides and gatherings, please feel free to make some comments...
also, is there anything i shud be carrying along with me apart from my gears n bike..!!(this sounds evn more stupid)

bdw, the ride is going to be about 300km (186 miles) in total...and on really steep down hill curvy roads while going and exactly opposite on way back..!!

 

[jkv357]

I don't like group rides much at all, but if you go, stay towards the back, ride in a staggered formation, and give lots of distance between you and the rider in front of you.

Have fun, but if you don't like the way it's going, peel-off and go your own way. Depending on the crowd, group rides can get out of hand.


Jay

 

[jsonder]

+1

My largest group ride was with 5 other bikes, and that was plenty. I actually enjoyed riding back on my own through the twisties at least as much as the "comaraderie" of the group ride.

 

[Wanderer]

Enjoy the ride - that's it !

 

[TX_Dj]

If this association is worth half a penny, your ride leader will give you a briefing and answer any and all questions before you guys roll out.

I don't like what most think of as a "group ride". I play "follow the leader" in traffic every day, there is nothing interesting to me about riding a formation.

A spirited pickup ride between a few experienced riders, that's a different story.

Everyone should experience the "group ride" at least once.

Have your leader explain to the group hand/foot signals that will be used, there are common ones like kicking the foot out to the side to show people behind you any hazards in the road and the like... but some groups and/or leaders like to have other signals too.

Just don't get into the mindset of watching the tail light ahead of you, treat it like you're riding rush hour traffic. Stay aware of your environment 360 degrees and always plan to have a way "out" in an emergency. Everyone in your group should do the same as well, otherwise this happens:

and that's just the short version of what happened that day!

 

[zephod]

I've been lurking on this site for a while, but I thought I'd chime in on this one... Group rides vary quite a bit depending on who's selected as the leader and the mix of participants. I've seen newbs fall by trying to keep up with the leader, so number one, don't feel you have to keep up. Usually there is a "sweeper" who is an experienced rider who stays in the back to make sure no one is left behind. Don't feel bad if you have to hang with the sweeper.
Z

 

[live_to_ride]

A well planned and disciplined group ride has its fun moments, but, I prefer only a few like minded, similar styled riders to hang with. I'd rather solo ride than end up being held hostage on a group ride that is too large with undisciplined rogue riders. IMO

 

[TX_Dj]

a well planned and disciplined group ride has its fun moments, but, i prefer only a few like minded, similar styled riders to hang with. I'd rather solo ride than end up being held hostage on a group ride that is too large with undisciplined rogue riders. Imo:d

Woo! HaRLeY!!! W0O!

 

[furious_blue]

The flavor of the ride totally depends on the group. It could be a fun safety oriented tour or a testosterone gone-mad free for all. If you get a sense that you don't really want to be there, just let the leader know before you take off (unless they're the kind of group that just drops you and forgets you)

Here's a local ride in which there were 4 (yes 4 !) crashes including one guy who actually ran into a Highway Patrol car ! (it's all on the video) I would have dropped this ride pronto if I were in it !

ride with 4 crashes video:

4 Crash in one ride

 

[ERrunner]

I'm trying very hard not to make an extremely stupid "In Soviet Russia..." joke. I just want you all to appreciate that.

 

[live_to_ride]

Woo! HaRLeY!!! W0O!

Lol, give me a break. I no longer ride with HD dudes. Haven't for yrs.

 

[angela2491]

I have participated in a few group rides now and the one thing I always seem to do is focus TOO much on the rider in front of me and not enough on my surroundings. Just be aware of this and try not to have target fixation or tunnel vision. Also, no matter what happens, ride at your comfort level--don't try to keep up with the group if it feels like it's beyond your experience and/or safe control. Finally, have fun--it's fun being with other motorcycling enthusiasts!

 

[Frank Bama]

Everyone in your group should do the same as well, otherwise this happens:

Russian motorbike crash - YouTube

and that's just the short version of what happened that day!

Where's the long version?

 

[Cambobomb]

I'm trying very hard not to make an extremely stupid "In Soviet Russia..." joke. I just want you all to appreciate that.

... "the group rides YOU!"?

 

[TX_Dj]

Where's the long version?

Haven't seen it in years and years. Suffice to say, that crap continues for a solid number of minutes... just wreck after wreck after wreck.

Since I can't deliver that kind of carnage... And in light of the other joke... I offer this instead...

 

[Chinmay]

Thank you very much all for your comments and sharing ur experiences...!!!
but after today's group ride, i've come to a decision that i am never ever going on a long ride on a cbr250. And you might be wondering why...

BECAUSE IT SUCKS

there were few reasons to get me startled...
to begins with, i rather say my grandpa would look younger compared to all the group members...
cbr250 is one of the best city commute bike and there is no doubt in that (and thats why i liked it in first place) , but when it comes to highways and uphills/downhills, it sucks...and that too big tym...it doesnt hav enough power to run smoothly uphill and not easy enough to overtake other cars on highways... i had to struggle to do so....(please dont doubt my overtaking skills...i aint joking) i agree that the wind wasnt friendly at all but still... furthermore, the seat made my butt chicks go numb at the end of 150km ride...i am experiencing pain in my back (upper back in between two shoulder blades)...

so the day didnt go as good as i expected it to be and im only gonna use my littl ceebee for city commute only...!!!

if anyone has any different opinion, please be my guest and comment and correct me if needed...!!!

 

[MotoMike]

If you are mainly accustomed to the short stints of city riding, I'd expect you to be a little sore from a longer ride than you are use to. After 75 to 100 miles in the saddle, I'm ready to stop and stretch my legs and back for a few minutes.

How was the ride as far as being in a large group?

 

[furious_blue]

The CBR205R is a great versatile bike capable of long enjoyable excursions. As far as butt pain goes, *everyone's* butt hurts on long rides on any bike until you're in shape for it (yes, the butt needs to be broken in ).
If you required that a bike has massive power though, the 250 will not measure up. I'm not sure how much street riding you've done so far, but when the road gets tight and twisty, that's one place where big power is not such an advantage and a light and small bike really shines.

 

[jkv357]

cbr250 is one of the best city commute bike and there is no doubt in that (and thats why i liked it in first place) , but when it comes to highways and uphills/downhills, it sucks...and that too big tym...it doesnt hav enough power to run smoothly uphill and not easy enough to overtake other cars on highways...

You shouldn't have to struggle to overtake cars traveling at normal speeds.

Are you getting the engine RPMs near peak power (8500) or above when you are looking for acceleration? Downshift as much as needed to get there (8500) and tuck down if you are above 40 for better acceleration.

The CBR isn't fast by any means, but if the engine is where it should be, acceleration should be adequate for most "normal" traffic situations.


Jay

 

[MotoMike]

The CBR205R is a great versatile bike capable of long enjoyable excursions. As far as butt pain goes, *everyone's* butt hurts on long rides on any bike until you're in shape for it (yes, the butt needs to be broken in ).
If you required that a bike has massive power though, the 250 will not measure up. I'm not sure how much street riding you've done so far, but when the road gets tight and twisty, that's one place where big power is not such an advantage and a light and small bike really shines.

Sounds like the OP has more street (city) miles under his belt, than open road miles. The differences between the two types of riding are like night and day with very little in common.