Yep. I've been riding more than 50 years and pass up group rides (big, organized ones) altogether. I might cruise around a few hours with a few others, but that's the limit. Riding in a parade is a distraction. I don't care for a radio or earbuds playing music, either. I'm not nervous or tense, but never relaxed. I'm planning ahead as I go for any surprises in the road. I keep an eye on every car around me. It's not even a conscious activity now. It's just riding. I love the sounds of the engine and the wind and try to be in the best gear for every section. Not racing, just improving all the time. That's how you get to be a rider with 54 years of experience. And never ride drunk.
I joined Adam’s Great American Convoy for a few days. They had a safety briefing before each section and advised where each type of rider should be in the pack. With that being said, there were still some close calls. I agree with your experience comment. 30 years of riding like crap doesn’t mean you are a better rider than someone with 2 years of experience and well trained.
A friend of mine did the Wa state route on that group ride. He had a lot of fun. He invited me to go with him, but I’m just not a fan of the whole thing. Respect to Adam for doing what he does.
It all boils down to comfort zone, if you’re out of it, then that group is not for you and avoid at all costs. A great vlog, some really good observations.
Many good points. I would like to add that as a slower small bore rider that other riders just don't understand that we need to ride momentum when they can power through going uphill. And sticking in the back only causes rubber banding distances.
There is a larger segment of riders who are dangerous and do unsafe things. I'm talking about people who lack experince, are over confident, drive like a "hooligan" or other non sense. Look, we all may get on the throttle a little bit when there is no traffic around or when the situation allows for a little error. There are just too many riders who are a flat out danger. Something about motorcycles can make even the guy/gal who has always been a good rider, turn into a lunatic. Too many riders have a secret death wish when on two wheels. I never have rode with any groups, but I would not be opposed to ride with 1-2 people I know VERY well and trust. But it would never be on a long ride. At least not until I am sure they are not gonna turn into a hooligan. I will venture to say, most riders are not safe riders. Look at about any motovlog channel. All of them speed, and drive unsafe. Very few riders take safety serious. It's not just on RUclips that I see it, it's most riders I encounter too.
Oh man, I really dislike group rides and I wouldn't recommend group rides for any beginner rider. I travel to demos a lot for my channel now but even before that ive seen all types of riders at these events and my lord sometimes I can't even enjoy my ride because i have to worry about the person right next to me. I much prefer to do my own ride! Sometimes I like to ride a little faster and sometimes I want to ride slower. I want to ride at my pace not what the group is doing.
Its especially dangerous in the USA where a 17 year old can buy an S1000RR and once he gets insurance he is free to go - without even a helmet in some states - crazy. At least in Europe the regulations are much stricter and a new rider has to start off on lower powered bikes and take a certain amount of riding lessons and pass a test etc.
I do group rides all the time with 10-30 bikes but we don't do the formations like 1%ers. We stagger with only 1 bike on the same line at any time. Also keep a sensible distance. Fun runs and the like are the worst. Too many squids with no common sense.
Not interested in being part of someone's mistake/accident I trust me and my reflexes/instincts nobody else's Its worked out well for me so far Riding for 40 years
The only “group riding” I do is where my wife is seated right behind me and no other bikes riding along nearby. In fact, that’s my favorite manner of riding. We’ve ridden a lot of long multi state road trips together, and we always have a great time. I have ridden both long and short trips with other riders before, but I don’t do that any longer. I find it to actually not be that enjoyable overall and more of a distraction.
I never understood the compulsion to cluster up like that. Everything I do for pleasure is driven by my desire to get away from people in general.
Yep. I've been riding more than 50 years and pass up group rides (big, organized ones) altogether. I might cruise around a few hours with a few others, but that's the limit. Riding in a parade is a distraction. I don't care for a radio or earbuds playing music, either.
I'm not nervous or tense, but never relaxed. I'm planning ahead as I go for any surprises in the road.
I keep an eye on every car around me. It's not even a conscious activity now. It's just riding.
I love the sounds of the engine and the wind and try to be in the best gear for every section. Not racing, just improving all the time. That's how you get to be a rider with 54 years of experience.
And never ride drunk.
I joined Adam’s Great American Convoy for a few days. They had a safety briefing before each section and advised where each type of rider should be in the pack. With that being said, there were still some close calls. I agree with your experience comment. 30 years of riding like crap doesn’t mean you are a better rider than someone with 2 years of experience and well trained.
A friend of mine did the Wa state route on that group ride. He had a lot of fun. He invited me to go with him, but I’m just not a fan of the whole thing. Respect to Adam for doing what he does.
@@GasWorksISO when are you going to test ride the new goldwing?
Probably when I buy one in a few years
It all boils down to comfort zone, if you’re out of it, then that group is not for you and avoid at all costs. A great vlog, some really good observations.
Many good points. I would like to add that as a slower small bore rider that other riders just don't understand that we need to ride momentum when they can power through going uphill. And sticking in the back only causes rubber banding distances.
I rode with 4 people once didn't care for it. I ride alone everyday.
Agree i ride with 2 mates and thats it,
There is a larger segment of riders who are dangerous and do unsafe things. I'm talking about people who lack experince, are over confident, drive like a "hooligan" or other non sense. Look, we all may get on the throttle a little bit when there is no traffic around or when the situation allows for a little error. There are just too many riders who are a flat out danger. Something about motorcycles can make even the guy/gal who has always been a good rider, turn into a lunatic.
Too many riders have a secret death wish when on two wheels. I never have rode with any groups, but I would not be opposed to ride with 1-2 people I know VERY well and trust. But it would never be on a long ride. At least not until I am sure they are not gonna turn into a hooligan.
I will venture to say, most riders are not safe riders. Look at about any motovlog channel. All of them speed, and drive unsafe. Very few riders take safety serious. It's not just on RUclips that I see it, it's most riders I encounter too.
Great channel breath of fresh air thanks
Oh man, I really dislike group rides and I wouldn't recommend group rides for any beginner rider. I travel to demos a lot for my channel now but even before that ive seen all types of riders at these events and my lord sometimes I can't even enjoy my ride because i have to worry about the person right next to me. I much prefer to do my own ride! Sometimes I like to ride a little faster and sometimes I want to ride slower. I want to ride at my pace not what the group is doing.
You nailed it with the comment about experience riding not related to competence riding a m/c.
Its especially dangerous in the USA where a 17 year old can buy an S1000RR and once he gets insurance he is free to go - without even a helmet in some states - crazy. At least in Europe the regulations are much stricter and a new rider has to start off on lower powered bikes and take a certain amount of riding lessons and pass a test etc.
I only ride with my family and friends or solo.. we all ride our ride..we will set a place to meet along the ride gas station convenient store exc.
I do group rides all the time with 10-30 bikes but we don't do the formations like 1%ers. We stagger with only 1 bike on the same line at any time. Also keep a sensible distance. Fun runs and the like are the worst. Too many squids with no common sense.
Not interested in being part of someone's mistake/accident
I trust me and my reflexes/instincts nobody else's
Its worked out well for me so far
Riding for 40 years
The only “group riding” I do is where my wife is seated right behind me and no other bikes riding along nearby. In fact, that’s my favorite manner of riding. We’ve ridden a lot of long multi state road trips together, and we always have a great time. I have ridden both long and short trips with other riders before, but I don’t do that any longer. I find it to actually not be that enjoyable overall and more of a distraction.
best spot to be in group rides is in the front of the group. All the "look at me" people tend to ride in the back of group rides.
What a great ride 👍🇬🇧
I don’t like groups of people. Avoiding groups of riders follows same logic.
Never ride groups.