Group vs Solo

It is interesting how topics seem to come in waves and one recent one that I have heard, seen and had in the past couple months has been centered around Group vs Solo riding. Typically the conversation is started by a person who strictly rides solo or with just one other rider talking about the danger of group rides and how they will not do them anymore.

Of course the term "Group Ride" seems to vary, from anything like a group of people who have just met, to a close knit group of friends to a Poker Run. They all involve groups and they all have fans and riders who avoid them, yet typically a person who doesn't like one type of group ride lumps them all together and avoids them all.

As I stated before the primary objection about group rides is that they are dangerous and about the best response I've see so far is this. -

There is no problem with group rides. There are however, problems with some riders on a group ride.

And to the heart of the issue that is the problem, remove just one rider and a group ride can go from a mess to perfect harmony on the road.

I've learned some very interesting things about group riding dynamics over the years and while I am no expert I do have a wide array of experience with all different types of group rides, from HOG rides, to Poker Runs, informal gatherings and organized runs. I haven't just been on a few of each either, it has been a lot of time and miles riding around others and I've noticed a few trends.

People that ride poorly or beyond their limits are much like someone who has drank too much alcohol. They don't believe they are doing what you say and will take great offense to anyone who points it out. It doesn't matter what type of bike they ride either, from a Harley to a sportbike the rider who puts others at risk will justify things to no end and immediately go on the defensive to prove that all others ride dangerously as well.

I've noticed that when a leader is assigned as a person not to pass there are some who want them to go faster and others that want them to go slower. Typically when a leader is getting (there are exceptions) complaints that he or she is too slow it is one rider and that person is usually the "one" that is more willing to take more risk on the road. They see themselves as a more experienced rider, but in reality a more experienced rider understands risks and what consequences occur when adding risk to a group ride.

Much like the situation of the "Drunk" I've found that some people like to point out how dangerous a person is, but will never tell that person to their face and afterwards act like their actions or behavior is all cool. All the while stating that they would never ride with them and that "they will get their's in the end." I try not to be that way and try to state how I feel and have even stated how others have felt. That has a cost in the long run, as without any support from those who will not state things publicly I tend to look like I have an agenda against certain individuals. (Oh well) Since people who get upset with me and say things to others never have bothered to ask me why I would say such a thing, they go off thinking that I have the problem and of course put others in danger. Over the years I have watched these people go off into major crashes, and one particular incident where one rider killed another, walked away and didn't think he had any responsibility for the incident.

So, with all that you might think I am against group rides. I'm not, in fact when the rules are understood ahead of time and people can control their personal "drive to ride" with the group in mind, trips become a lot of fun.

There is nothing like hanging with a bunch of friends at the end of a day talking about the sights and sounds, the trip ahead and the freedom of the open road to make me smile at the end of a day.

Of course, just as equally fulfilling for me is the relaxation that comes when I am the only thing on the road, purring along as the miles go by without a concern for schedule, the safety of others and when that next motorcycle next to me will need fuel.

I have found out you can truly tell a lot about a person by how they respect others through their actions, not their words.

Well, would you look at That?!?

Yes, that is a VRod and yes, that is my garage.......



But, nope....not mine! ;)

It is actually forum member Ricky's and today Ricky, Rix-ster, James K and I tore into his bike.

We increased the rear tire size with a swing arm swap, upgraded the wheels with custom chrome ones and did a few other things. It was a full day of fun, kidding around and having fun all while working on a motorcycle.

I'll let Ricky tell you all the modification we did on his bike today and you can find photos of our fun - Click here!

The First Step?

For many riders the first step was a cruise around the block with zero training and zero understanding of a motorcycle. It is a risky way to learn and being that even a well-trained individual can be killed on a motorcycle it is a serious risk, without even understanding what the risks are in the first place.

That was exactly how I started to first ride a motorcycle on the street. I had previously ridden in the dirt and thought I was pretty darn good, so riding on the street should be an issue at all, right? Well, it was a little different, but not all that big of a deal for the time I rode, all without training and without a license. When we are young sometimes we make unwise decisions, some pay for it and others don't. For me the need for speed got me tied up with a telephone pole on a two-wheeled vehicle. It shattered my elbow into 32 individual pieces and required a 4-hour surgery and 2 weeks in the hospital. Lucky for me the bike was pedal powered, but the physics of the operation of that bike were exactly the same. So were the physiological reaction to uncertainty. Most call it target fixation, when in reality it is simple inaction.

I decided after that incident that I lacked the maturity to handle understanding consequences beyond my knowledge and swore off bikes completely. It would take about 15 years before the draw became overwhelming enough for me to ride again.

Now, older and wiser I made the decision (with the aid of advice from a good friend) to properly learn how to ride a motorcycle by taking a MSF course. What I didn't know was that the course would also help me understand the risks involved in riding a motorcycle and how I could control how much risk I was willing to accept.

Back in College when I was a Music Performance Major a ensemble Professor made a statement that has stuck with me through life. He said that "Practice does not make Perfect, only Perfect Practice makes Perfect." It was based upon a point in the music that was never really right. He stopped and made us make it right without mistake and the session went late into the night because of that practice. His point was that people practice things wrong all the time and that all it does is make us better or more comfortable at being wrong.

Anything that requires skill, also requires that every so often that you break that skill down to the very basic and analyze it. Better yet, get input from others who are better than you to improve. If get complacent you'll make mistakes and while mistakes by an Orchestra may just sound bad, a mistake on a motorcycle can end your life.

For that reason I personally seek out ways to practice and be critiqued by others that are better than me in certain skills sets. I also strive to pass this knowledge on, because to show a skill you must first understand it at the fundamental level and then be able to execute it correctly in a consistent manner.

If you really want to Practice Perfect you must start at the beginning, so here I am.....again.

10,000+ Bugs, 300 Miles and 2 Birds

This is the time of the year when a ride up North from Phoenix yields a reward, one in the form of cool temperatures and the occasional refreshing rain. It of course can also throw a good Monsoon at you as well, so the prepared rider is ready for it all.

This of course is in stark contrast to what many think when they envision Arizona but the fact of the matter is that on Sunday I left 90º in Mesa with a few other riders to enjoy 64º in Sedona just a few hours later.

One side effect of the rain we are getting this year is of course bugs and in my 11 years in Arizona this summer seems to have delivered more bugs than I have seen before. Of course Spring still takes the cake, but bug are bug, so no matter when you get them you eventually have to clean them. Well, I do at least!

Along with my bug population control this weekend I also had one of the most aggressive hits from a bird that I can remember in recent history, so much so I had to clean my helmet visor and the guy behind me almost got blow back.

Ah well, it was an awesome ride and the time in the cool weather up North made the 110º easier to handle as I rolled into home.

The Road Warrior

I had the chance to meet up with James Kingstone today, he is the guy that just finished a 15K trip of the US.

He had a ton of strories to share and I will share his Blog a little later when I get landed.

Here in the next few weeks we'll have meet and greet, so stay tuned to SWRides.com!

Page 2...

Those were the words that Paul Harvey used to use to introduce "The Rest of The Story" when as a child I listed to him weekly at my grandfather's house in Lisbon, Ohio.

And that is where my Buell Ulysses is headed, for its next page, so to speak.

Her new owner picked her up tonight, after I rode her home for one last time.

That bike has provided a lot of good times over the last few years and hopefully I'l be riding with and passing her on the road soon. Maybe the new owner will pop into the forums and say hello.

The garage is a little more roomy, but if all goes well that will not last for long.

Stay tuned folks, for the Rest of the Story!

Are We Done Yet??

This year has been a scorcher! I don't care if it is global warming or whatever, all I know is that is has been a hot one and I'll be happy when we begin to see some fall weather here in Arizona.

Maybe it is the fact that after riding the same routes year after year I know that I am just a month away from beautiful weather that I find myself wanting to wait, but the call of the road is just too strong. Plus, I just love breakfast at my favorite spot.

Of course I do have an actual excuse as I have been sticking close to home to help my wife learn to ride and the fact that she has been traveling quite a bit since my trip to Ohio, but next weekend I am pretty well set on a good long ride up North into the cooler areas of Arizona.

Of course no matter how cool it is up there, the ride back is always a reminder that I do live in the Valley Of The Sun!

I guess I'll just use on of these to let me know when the ride is over!