[Candice]

Has anyone joined any riding groups?

I already joined the Chrome Kitten Cruisers because it was a women’s group but I am learning that they ride super hard, like it’s not even enjoyable really, they ride fast and they ride far and they expect you to keep up. Also, they seem to like gravel roads a lot. Thank goodness I didn’t go on the camping getaway they just had because they rode 4 hours on the highway, then 30 miles on a gravel road. Like hours of hard riding is not that comfortable after awhile. I am a little wary now. I will see how their Sunday rides go but I was already warned to start taking long trips over the next two weeks to get used to the long rides.

A woman I work with has been asking me to go to her STAR group meetings for almost a year, so I went 2 weekends ago to their picnic event because it was being held in my town where I live and the people were really nice. So, then since she was asking me for a year I finally went to their meeting on Sunday too and we went for a small ride and lunch which was actually pretty nice. They have a lot of older people in this group and I really liked that they were concerned about me and kind of kept an eye on me and gave me safety advice and stuff because they know I haven’t been riding for that long. They didn’t go too fast and I was surprised that I actually liked this group. I was also complimented on how well I ride since I only started last year. They have men and lady riders but I think I will be the youngest in that group at 37. I guess I will attend a few more rides and events and see how it goes.

[Munch]

The STAR group I hear is one of the best to get into. Unfortunately I work wayyy to much to be able to enjoy this aspect of riding. STAR is the only group I have found that isn’t consumed with the 1%’er mentality or overly religious.

[Candice]

That’s good to know. I like that they don’t tolerate drinking and riding either.

[eon]

This STAR group sounds pretty good. You might also try http://www.meetup.com to see if there are any motorcycle groups near you. I have been going out with one near me and it has been fun. These types of groups are obviously very dependent on who runs them and how they run them but you might find one that is a good match for you.

I’ve been extremely lucky in that a guy who runs a local online bike mag also organizes group rides. These are much more sporadic than the meetup groups but they are much more fun. This guys philosophy is much closer to mine and that makes a big difference in how much I enjoy it (simple example, slow folks go to the back. That suited me when I was the slowest and it suits me now that I am faster).

Good luck!

[leigh.v]

Hey Candace, thanks for the thread. I have been curious about riding groups.

[megaspaz]

If you’re in the Kalifernia bay area, go to http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/ or http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/index.php and check out the group rides section. There’s quite a few mellow group rides that meet up regularly. If you’re looking for an actual MC club, can’t really help you. I know a couple of people from various MC clubs, but that’s about it… not saying an MC club is bad, I just never understood the point of this exclusive club/initiation thing just to go out and have a good time riding…

[Sangria7]

Hi Candace…

Have you tried the website Meetup.com. Just put your area in and see what you have around there…

[Author]

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