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Group Rides – Any Advice for Beginners?
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July 24, 2010 at 8:50 pm #4132dashParticipant
I went on my first group ride a few weeks ago, and I was wondering if others had advice about ideal size of group, ideal distance for a one day ride, time between stops, etc. Our particular ride was 200 miles (SF to Garberville) with overnight stay and return the following day. Riding time was about 6 hours on the way up (because we took the coast route) and less than 4 hours back for those who took the inland route.
We planned to ride as a group of 4, but we wound up going in pairs – one pair taking the coast all the way and the other pair taking a hybrid route – part coast, part inland – (because high wind, fog was predicted on the coast that morning). I was nervous about riding in a group, because I like the idea of taking rest stops on my own timing, but it was great to compare notes (scenery, critters, bad patches of road, roadside attractions – like the Drive-Thru Tree in Willets) with the whole gang over dinner at the wonderful Calico diner in Garberville. Does it count as a group ride when people get to the destination by different routes???
July 25, 2010 at 12:14 am #27742MunchParticipantFor your first questions….. size of group….. whatever your comfortable with. Everyone has their comfort level. Some will state 4 is just right and anything over 2 could be dangerous…. I have seen and been in rides 45+ bikes strong. Just make sure you know the ride rules, signs, destination, alternative routes and the rider in your vicinity. Other then that it is all still up to you. Same with distance. If your not up for the length of the ride of the agreed consensus you can always bow out and go your own way.
As far as the last part…. as far as I am concerned a group is anyone + someone or a slew of others, other then themselves.
July 29, 2010 at 2:54 am #27834madjak30ParticipantIf you have agreed to ride together and have come up with acceptible stop distances…I have only done one of these rides, where the expectation was that everyone stayed together…no one is left behind…but I find that those rides, if they are longer, are not as enjoyable…some want to stop more often, others get impatient and want to “get going”…the best rides I have been involved with are destination rides…you agree to meet at the destination at a certain time…this way you can either ride alone if that is more comfortable for you, or in smaller groups or couples…as long at you get to the destination at the agreed time, all is good…if you are going to be late, I would call one of the riders and let them know so that no one is worried…obviously you would need to get a couple of contact numbers for the just in case…this way everyone goes at their own pace and has a better time…good stories over the dinner/lunch/or just a coffee stop…
I would say the way you did it would be my preference…I’m not really a large group kinda guy…and like Munch said, have the hand signal thing going…hazards, stops, signal still on, need gas..etc…
One of the guys in my group likes to see how fast he can get his bike up to, and always tries to get others to go on a “how fast can we go” ride…not for me, I just let him have his fun being a squid and go my own way…hopefully he doesn’t have to learn the hard way to make better choices, but hey, I’m not his Dad…?? I guess he is still invincable, I’m not.
As for your question, if you are part of a group that will start and end up at the same destination and have a get together…it’s a group ride…just kinda spread out…
Later.
July 29, 2010 at 12:35 pm #27836TrialsRiderParticipantOccasionally I have started out solo and caught up to some other bikes. If we are cruising at close to the same speed, I take up the formation position and make use of the ‘safety in numbers’ theory. You can tell by their lane positioning if the others are experienced riders and appreciate your company, or if your presence makes them uncomfortable.
True story One of my most memorable early experiences was riding my little full knobby dirt bike on highway 35/115. ( headed for the Mosport race track weekend). I found myself being overtaken by a string of several dozen biker, bikers, they were less than friendly with my existence and continued to pass me in side by side formation until I was eventually forced onto the gravel shoulder. Being on a dirt bike riding gravel was no big deal but I was slightly ticked by such rudeness, ( also being very young and in hindsight totally foolish ) I saw my exit coming up ( damn, a left turn ) I panicked and powered on, passed the lead dozen or so choppers still riding on the gravel and made my left turn in front of the whole bunch at my max speed. Thank god they were on enroute to Peterborough and didn’t take pursuit, I was one nervous little fella for a while, looking in that mirror and realizing what I had just done. …I must have graveled a few of em’ pretty good !:i
July 29, 2010 at 3:12 pm #27842eonParticipantIf you are riding behind someone the most important piece of advice I would give you is to focus on the road and NOT the person in front. I think that is the natural thing for us to do but it can get you into all sorts of trouble. On my first group ride I was doing exactly that when taking a right hand corner. The guy in front takes it fine but because I was looking at him (and you go where you look) I turned into the corner too soon which meant I made the corner far tighter than it really was. I drifted into the opposite lane but thankfully there were no oncoming cars but it scared the beejeebus out of me. Look at the road but be aware where other riders are.
With groups you will find different people have different expectations on what makes a good ride. Eventually you will find a group that has similar tastes to your own but you will probably have some bad experiences along the way. But I prefer small groups (no more than 6) and to ride in loose formation. Essentially you are riding solo but you can still see the person in front and behind. Others prefer to ride 1 sec apart in staggered formation and the more the merrier. For me that is just hell but each to their own.
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