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.