SuzukiSavage.com - another first for me - what am i getting in to?

weracerc

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another first for me - what am i getting in to?
04/27/11 at 14:09:08

Ok all i am riding in my first group ride this weekend - not sure where we are going or how long the ride will be - It starts @ 11AM @ HD of GSO and is benefiting Carolina Patriot Rovers - group that rescues dogs and trains them to be service dogs for returning military personnel who need a service dog......anyway those of you who done this type of deal what should i do to prepare and what should I expect?

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #1 - 04/27/11 at 14:30:08 There should b a meeting IMO, everybody should understand who is leading & what signals will be used & how people are to position themselves in relation to one another. Otherwise, I would stay well back..
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thumperclone

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #2 - 04/27/11 at 14:34:29

assume everybody else ridin with you has never rode in a big group either....and 1/2 of those are idiots & 1/3 are show offs
if youre lucky the rest are okay....
take the side youre most comfortable with and NO side by side ridin while your movin, keep your stagger and an escape route at all times..
if the group ahead gets away let em go youll catch up (know the route!)
large groups tend to expand and contract like an accoridan...
saw a 10 bike chain reaction wreck on a toy run couple years ago..

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12Bravo Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 628 Mid-Missouri Gender:	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #3 - 04/27/11 at 18:08:23 Here is a 10 minute video from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation on group riding. http://youtu.be/erpkyD7SMfw I am the road captain for my BACA chapter and I make everyone watch that video once a year. Its a good start.
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weracerc Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 594 Greensboro, NC Gender:	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #4 - 04/27/11 at 19:29:41 thank you for the video link - very helpful - i'd hate to have gone in to this with no idea how it is supposed to work. If I get there and it is too big of a group i may just donate to the cause and wait for another opportunity with a small group.
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kimchris1

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #5 - 04/27/11 at 20:04:05

Ok well here is my personal experience, riding in
a huge group ride.
If you have never done so, get some experience
at least with a few smaller group riders first.
Make sure you know the route, have signals and
keep a safe distance between riders. Myself I don't like
riding 2 by 2. I prefer single file.
Let the leader know your not as experienced riding
with a large group. You may decide to ride towards
the back of the pack.
Don't ride out of your comfort zone.
Remember some or most may have many years riding
experience than you do.
Other than the toy runs, I have elected to ride in small
groups.
Take it easy, smile and let us hear about your experience.. Hugs, kim

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #6 - 04/28/11 at 02:13:01 If I really wanted to make the ride, Id make it, but if I was not comfortable in a group, & Im not, Id be a straggler,,
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weracerc

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #7 - 04/28/11 at 07:28:43

i got the route from the event promoter looks like about 40 miles round trip some 2 lane and some 4 lane hwy. I know the area so if i get separated i can find my way home no problem. I also asked if this is an annual event and what kind of rider turn out is expected (have not heard yet).....If it is a large group (50 or more) i might hold off if it is not so big around the +/- 20 riders i will probably do it. I would prefer that the group ride were next week and the MSF course this week but i cant change that part...cart a little ahead of the horse so to speak. If i dont feel comfortable with the idea of the group ride i will pass......I am a safety guy by profession so I dont take un-nessecary risks.....no wet riding no night riding no risky riding..... Wink

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #8 - 04/28/11 at 14:05:59 Surely you have he ability to follow, at a distance, ny number of riders.. You could ride along & watch & IF & When you felt safe o join them, you could ease up from behind & slip into formation..
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mornhm - FSO

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #9 - 04/28/11 at 15:05:31

I've ridden in some big groups before, not my cup of tea, but the causes were good. Main thing is that the group leader checked to make sure that I knew what I was doing with each group when I showed up, and the first time I rode with a group (I told them), the leader put experienced riders around me. Made me feel more comfortable. Make sure you know and are comfortable with the speed they are going to be traveling and how close together they plan to be riding. Find out if they have the intersections covered etc. (escorts) and what their expectations of keeping the group together through these.

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weracerc Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 594 Greensboro, NC Gender:	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #10 - 04/28/11 at 17:06:02 there is a police escort.
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mornhm - FSO

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #11 - 04/28/11 at 19:42:26

With escort, the biggest issue with group rides (intersections) and the second biggest (group pace) are solved. I'd say introduce yourself to the leader, follow their directions, make sure your tank is full - 80 miles is plenty on a Savage tank and don't let yourself get out of your comfort zone. If the group ride becomes not fun make your own way.

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weracerc

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Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to
Reply #12 - 04/30/11 at 14:15:01

well - I made it! - over 100 bikes! - I was in the middle - rode staggered the whole time - never got over 60 mph - the escorts made it it easy and fun - I would do this again gladly! I did something I have always wanted to do and for a good cause - I was the only single cylinder bike in the group - a few trikes a lot of customs and lots of 2 up on big bikes - a Harley - to my left in front and a Valkyrie in front 2 up with the rider waving like she was in a parade - when we got back the two on the Valkyrie introduced themselves - and go figure he and I have the same first name - got a big laugh out of that. - The big bikes behind me never pushed me - and I maintained eye contact in the mirror with the rider in front of me like the ride leader said to do.

It was a lot of fun and I am proud of myself for doing it after only 10 months on a bike and never having ridden in a group before.

I was surprised that the local TV media covered the event too - I might even be on the news as the group took off they filmed it. I will attach some photos once the local Harley Dealers posts them on their website.

Thanks to all of you who encouraged me to do it and those who gave me good advice and helped me prepare for this.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #13 - 04/30/11 at 17:39:32 Attaboooy Luther
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kimchris1 Serious Thumper Offline Pink Posse Rider... Posts: 2135 Belfair, Washington Gender:	Re: another first for me - what am i getting in to Reply #14 - 05/01/11 at 06:18:31 Great to hear it went well for ya. Sounds like you had a nice time. You showed those twins what being single is all about.. kim
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