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MOA Email Newsletter on group riding

I have been on group rides both at rallies and club rides. We had a great ride last year visiting covered bridges in W. Ct. Quite a variety of bikes and riders, I brought along a friend with a Bergman. The leader made all the difference.
I went on a breakfast ride a couple of years ago in Ma. and got lost with another rider. All in all I prefer alone but it is fun to run into other riders when out exploring at a rally.
 
Always plan an out

In any group ride at the start plan an out, if someone going to leave the group. then make a signal to let everyone know that someone volunteering to leave.
 
I have ridden in many groups of various size. It can be anything from enjoyable to frightening, depending on many factors. One thing is fairly certain- few, if any every day motorcyclists have any formal training in group riding. This article is enlightening, but I'm about 100% sure that no one I know has read, or will read it! Too bad, as there is some good info here. Of course it isn't every day (or very often) that I ride in a group of more than 6 or so riders. The opportunity just doesn't come up- not that I'd leap at the chance anyway...
One of the most impressive groups I ever witnessed was a PA State Police squad of motorcycle cops riding on I-81. One leader, one sweep, and 12 or 14 riders in the main group- all side by side, everyone riding cohesively, pretty much as a single unit. It was pretty neat to see them.
 
The best group ride is three people ... and one of them doesn't show up.

I've ridden in group rides numbering from 2 to over 2,000 (Chicago-area Ride-For-Kids events - done several of these mega-rides), as well as formation escorts during my law enforcement motor years.

I'm warming up to Royce's philosophy.
 
I will do an occasional charity ride. It depends a lot on where they start....based on past experience. If the gathering location is a tavern, I don't even consider the ride.

My first experience was a late fall toy ride in Springfield, Ohio. 1980's. Temps were in the 30's on an overcast windy day. The sheriff department led the pack. We gathered at a bar in the middle of nowhere west of town at 9 in the morning. I was the only BMW in a mixed herd of mostly V Twins. I was dressed for the cold ride, but many of the riders were wearing their colors, some in only a leather vest and no shirt. There was a lot beer and other adult beverage being consumed. The sheriff deputies did a great job of leading the herd about 15 miles to the fairgrounds east of town where the alcohol consumption resumed. I put my toy in the pile and left during the thank you speeches to avoid riding any further with the drunks.

I moved from that part of the world and only participated in a few small group rides before giving the charity thing another try.

More than 10 years later I took my grandson as a second rider on another toy run that started at a local tavern. Again I was the only BMW rider. This time, they did about 6 checkpoints (all taverns) on a 60 mile ride on a beautiful day. The booze consumption started at the gathering point and most of the riders had another beer or two at every stop. You could ride in a herd or get to the next point as an individual. After the 2nd checkpoint I did not want to be anywhere near any of this group so I quit the ride and took my grandson out for lunch far from their ride.

Recently, I have participated in a couple charity rides for the Salvation Army. One began at the local Wal-Mart and the other at a local multiple brand motorcycle shop. The local Gold Wing Riders & bike shop ran the events very well and safely. These were enjoyable experiences with small groups and individuals riding to the poker run check points at local ice cream shops and community parks in the beautiful hilly area where I live. The sponsors provided a lunch at the end of the ride. Most of the bikes were V-twins or Wings with a good mixture of most other makes. In both cases, they were friendly groups and I found other solo riders seeking someone to talk to.

On the tavern related rides, no one would talk to me even when I tried to initiate conversation.
 
I have to confess I've never been on a "charity ride" and don't even understand the concept. Giving to those in need is good and I do it. Just don't understand how riding a motorcycle in a group benefits those who really could use some benefit. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.

Participating in a group ride with frequent stops for beer; well if your organ donor card is filled out, that does make you a likely giver to a very worthy charity. The doc's will probably pass on the liver.
 
In the 40+ years of riding & general involvement in motorcycles, I have participated in only two charity rides. I found early on it was not for me. Now i still support many, and will [go] to the opening ceremony and buy the $20 Tee shirt [I don't need] and buy the $5 hot-dog [I don't need] ....but will pass on the ride each & every time. For the very same negative reasons already mentioned. And as also mentioned, I found myself to be the only [or one of a very few] BMWs in attendance.

That said. I do hope they continue as I do believe they raise funds that are necessary and appreciated, as well as put to good use. It is my opinion though that if the beer / bar stops, are ever stopped? The participation will diminish a-bunch.
 
I have to confess I've never been on a "charity ride" and don't even understand the concept. Giving to those in need is good and I do it. Just don't understand how riding a motorcycle in a group benefits those who really could use some benefit. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.

Participating in a group ride with frequent stops for beer; well if your organ donor card is filled out, that does make you a likely giver to a very worthy charity. The doc's will probably pass on the liver.

My posting about charity rides was to show how they could benefit from at least some of the group riding "rules" in the original post.

You are to be commended for supporting those in need without any incentive. On the other hand, many people seem to need the encouragement of a social function or opportunity for personal benefit. I perceive a motorcycle charity ride as no different than a fundraising banquet, concert, walk, run, product sale, 50/50 sale, lottery, charity bingo or other variation of a social or personal benefit function that helps people make a decision to give. I confess that I bought a MOA Foundation ticket last summer because I had the chance to win a new bike. I may have given a more modest donation without the incentive.
 
I have to confess I've never been on a "charity ride" and don't even understand the concept. Giving to those in need is good and I do it. Just don't understand how riding a motorcycle in a group benefits those who really could use some benefit. Perhaps someone could enlighten me.

You have to pay to go on the ride, and that money goes to a charity.

I few years ago our town had a charity ride to raise money for our new Hospice House. I really didn't want to go on a large group ride, but wanted to donate, so I stopped in at the Hospice and gave them a check directly.
 
You have to pay to go on the ride, and that money goes to a charity.

I few years ago our town had a charity ride to raise money for our new Hospice House. I really didn't want to go on a large group ride, but wanted to donate, so I stopped in at the Hospice and gave them a check directly.

So, correct me if I am wrong, Yiou pay money which goes to a charity which you would like to support for the chance to ride in a large group of riders whose skills are unknown to you? Hmmm. How does the group ride garner donations from non-riders? Or is this simply a way for MC outlaws or wannabees to put on a good face?

I guess I still don't get the ride/bike/walk/run for dollars idea. Clearly I'm retarded since all of them are so prevalent. I clearly understand the idea of setting oneself a challenge. I just don't get why people should donate to a particular charity because one does so.

Still seeking clarity.
 
So, correct me if I am wrong, Yiou pay money which goes to a charity which you would like to support for the chance to ride in a large group of riders whose skills are unknown to you? Hmmm. How does the group ride garner donations from non-riders? Or is this simply a way for MC outlaws or wannabees to put on a good face?

I guess I still don't get the ride/bike/walk/run for dollars idea. Clearly I'm retarded since all of them are so prevalent. I clearly understand the idea of setting oneself a challenge. I just don't get why people should donate to a particular charity because one does so.

Still seeking clarity.

They're all different, but most rides have a participation fee that includes a meal at the end and door prizes donated by friends of the charity. Door prizes may be awarded by drawing or by high/low hand on the poker/games that the riders did at the stops.

OTOH, the CMA often participates in these types of events by serving the meal at the end. I know some of our organization will ride with but don't drink along the way. Our hope is to improve lives by being an effective witness that motorcycling doesn't require alcohol or bad behavior and can serve a higher purpose.

When I have ridden in CMA chapter rides or rides sponsored by a CMA chapter, there is always a pre-ride briefing for all attendees and a number of chapter members that have pre-ridden the route and serve as lead/sweep. Etiquette, riding position and group signals are always part of the briefing. The sweep stays with anyone that leaves the group to provide assistance. I wish more clubs/organizations would be as conscientious - I frequently find that most groups are terrible to ride with, usually due to bad attitude and alcohol (which never go well together).
 
Although as an MSF instructor, I can teach Group Riding (4-Hr. classroom block), I rarely see such principles adhered to by most riders.

I like Ted's approach to the issue. :thumb

+2. The best advise is "Ride your own ride". I also like to ride sweep position if I end up in a group ride. It keeps all the excitement in front of me so I can avoid it if necessary.



I've done a few Edelweiss Tours. By the end of the day my nerves were shot . . . so many different riders with so many different styles. The next time I ride in Europe I'll ride alone.

This is why you really do need to know who you are riding with. I will not ride with some groups or individuals, nor will I scuba dive with some individuals or dive operators. You very quickly get to know who is a danger to themselves and others. It is not worth getting hurt to associate.
 
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