My First Group Ride

[TGCarol]

Hi everyone.

Some family has invited us to ride with them on the USO Benefit Ride in Kissimmee FL this Saturday. There are three bikes and me on my Triglide. This will be my first big group ride. Anyone have any tips for me? It's supposed to be a good ride to start on. It's Police escorted, relatively slow paced and 70 miles + or -.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rosy]

Your first ride will be stressful, as anything else you do for the first time, BUT, don't let it get to you, think positive!
First thing you may want to do is listen to your Tour Master (he/she is the person leading the ride), they should give you instructions on how your ride should take place and where you are going.
As I would tell my drivers, you are responsible for the bike/trike behind you. Try to keep them in you rear view mirror, they slow down, you slow down, this should keep everybody within fairly close distance.
Try to stay as close to the trike/bike in front of you as you feel comfortable, don't get out of your comfort zone, but maintain a good pace.
Don't lag behind, this could cause a stray cage (car/SUV) to get in the line of bikes/trikes, unless the person behind you is lagging, which should slow everybody down.
Go to the ride with a full tank of gas. Don't need to worry about the next gas station stop, you have enough on your mind as it is! LOL
Know your ride, do not exceed your riding abilities, this could cause problems for you and the whole ride.
Stay in your comfort zone.
If you are a "rookie", pay attention to the seasoned drivers as they take corners, where they are in front of you, try to stagger, if you can, to give you a safe lane in case something happens, as you ride, have a mental note at all times to your surroundings, in case you need to "bail out" of line, and stay in your comfort zone!
Good luck, as you will do fine! Have fun and enjoy your ride!
Rosy

 

[Phu Cat]

Rosy, Maybe you have been riding longer than me but I've never heard of this before:
As I would tell my drivers, you are responsible for the bike/trike behind you. Try to keep them in you rear view mirror, they slow down, you slow down

The above then then contradicts this:
Don't lag behind, this could cause a stray cage (car/SUV) to get in the line of bikes/trikes, unless the person behind you is lagging, which should slow everybody down.

I'm confused. Could you clarify please?

PC

 

[paws]

Carol, you will do fine. Just keep your position and wits about you. This is no big deal. AND enjoy yourself!!!!
Carla

 

[G.W. Viper]

Carol, If you are very worried or un sure of your experience, I would probably wait till you feel more confident. Whats the rush, there will always be more group rides in the future. The last thing you want is being pushed out of your comfort zone. Only you know your abilities. If you feel you are up to it, go for it, and have fun ! If any doubt, I would suggest just wait and ride too build up your confidence.

 

[alienwulf]

When I first started to ride in a group many many years ago I did this. First I rode toward the rear so the biggest group was in front of me. I took their lead and watched how they rode. Ride staggered to the bike in front in case of any sudden stop's. Watch the space around you and all ways watch what is going on up the line so you know ahead of time of any problems. It's really not that hard to ride in a group if you are aware of what others are doing and you will be just fine. Remember to enjoy the ride, there is no feeling like seeing a hundred plus bikes in front of you. Something you will all ways remember.ThumbUp

 

[Big Dog]

Carol, when you check in let the leaders know what your experiance and comfort levels are. Any tour captain worth his or her salt will pair you with a good experianced rider, after all the goal is for a fun, safe ride. They will set you up in the rear, just watch the bikes up ahead of you, maintain your zone, as will the riders behind and or beside you. And remember that being a police escorted run, your "rear" will be protected, so ride your ride, take a breath and enjoy!

 

[Rosy]

Rosy, Maybe you have been riding longer than me but I've never heard of this before:
As I would tell my drivers, you are responsible for the bike/trike behind you. Try to keep them in you rear view mirror, they slow down, you slow down

The above then then contradicts this:
Don't lag behind, this could cause a stray cage (car/SUV) to get in the line of bikes/trikes, unless the person behind you is lagging, which should slow everybody down.

I'm confused. Could you clarify please?

PC

If the tour guide said, you are responsible for the person behind you..they slow you slow the whole line slows.
If they don't say you are responsible for the person behind you..then you have laggers..and I have seen this when riding in large groups..they lag for various reasons, out of comfort zone, not paying attention to the group, a mechanical problem, or just slow drivers.
Do you think being responsible for the person behind you is a good idea?

Rosy

 

[BinIdaho]

Less experienced riders in a group setting need to be near the back of the pack!! I continually hear ladies in my group say "I ride my own ride!". NO, you do that when you ride by yourself, not in a group. It takes lots of practice to ride with a group.

 

[desertclassic]

Riding in a group can be stressful. Be on your toes and pay attention will take you a long ways. I ride with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, RoadMaster explains rules and route, inexperienced riders are paired with someone experienced, always ride staggered, trikes at the end after all two wheelers, hand signals, if you need to drop out of formation, use caution, group does not stop when one person pulls out, Tailgunner will stay with someone when they pull out of formation. I hope I didn't scare you, but make sure you are ready before you do a big group ride. Everyone has to start somewhere, make sure the group knows you are just starting out. Have fun and be safe. Jim

 

[TGCarol]

Thanks for all the replies

Your first ride will be stressful, as anything else you do for the first time, BUT, don't let it get to you, think positive!

First thing you may want to do is listen to your Tour Master (he/she is the person leading the ride), they should give you instructions on how your ride should take place and where you are going.

As I would tell my drivers, you are responsible for the bike/trike behind you.

Try to keep them in you rear view mirror, they slow down, you slow down, this should keep everybody within fairly close distance.

Try to stay as close to the trike/bike in front of you as you feel comfortable, don't get out of your comfort zone, but maintain a good pace.

Don't lag behind, this could cause a stray cage (car/SUV) to get in the line of bikes/trikes, unless the person behind you is lagging, which should slow everybody down.

Go to the ride with a full tank of gas.

Don't need to worry about the next gas station stop, you have enough on your mind as it is!

LOL

Know your ride, do not exceed your riding abilities, this could cause problems for you and the whole ride.

Stay in your comfort zone.

If you are a "rookie", pay attention to the seasoned drivers as they take corners, where they are in front of you, try to stagger, if you can, to give you a safe lane in case something happens, as you ride, have a mental note at all times to your surroundings, in case you need to "bail out" of line, and stay in your comfort zone!

Good luck, as you will do fine!

Have fun and enjoy your ride!

Rosy

This is great information Rosy. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

:clapping:I really appreciate it and will definitely take all of this in.

- - - Updated - - -

Carol, you will do fine.

Just keep your position and wits about you.

This is no big deal.

AND enjoy yourself!!!!

Carla

Thanks Carla .

I'm looking forward to it.

- - - Updated - - -

When I first started to ride in a group many many years ago I did this.

First I rode toward the rear so the biggest group was in front of me.

I took their lead and watched how they rode.

Ride staggered to the bike in front in case of any sudden stop's.

Watch the space around you and all ways watch what is going on up the line so you know ahead of time of any problems. It's really not that hard to ride in a group if you are aware of what others are doing and you will be just fine.

Remember to enjoy the ride, there is no feeling like seeing a hundred plus bikes in front of you. Something you will all ways remember.ThumbUp

Thanks. Great advice.

I' really looking forward to the experience

- - - Updated - - -

Carol, when you check in let the leaders know what your experiance and comfort levels are.

Any tour captain worth his or her salt will pair you with a good experianced rider, after all the goal is for a fun, safe ride.

They will set you up in the rear, just watch the bikes up ahead of you, maintain your zone, as will the riders behind and or beside you.

And remember that being a police escorted run, your "rear" will be protected, so ride your ride, take a breath and enjoy!

Thanks.

I will tell the tour captain I'm a newbie And ride my ride :clapping:

- - - Updated - - -

Less experienced riders in a group setting need to be near the back of the pack!!

I continually hear ladies in my group say "I ride my own ride!".

NO, you do that when you ride by yourself, not in a group.

It takes lots of practice to ride with a group.

Thanks Barbara.

I'll keep this in mind.

- - - Updated - - -

Riding in a group can be stressful.

Be on your toes and pay attention will take you a long ways. I ride with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, RoadMaster explains rules and route, inexperienced riders are paired with someone experienced, always ride staggered, trikes at the end after all two wheelers, hand signals, if you need to drop out of formation, use caution, group does not stop when one person pulls out, Tailgunner will stay with someone when they pull out of formation. I hope I didn't scare you, but make sure you are ready before you do a big group ride.

Everyone has to start somewhere, make sure the group knows you are just starting out. Have fun and be safe. Jim

Thanks Jim.

I appreciate the caution. I think I'm ready.

 

[TGCarol]

I'm Back.

Hi guys.

I'm back from my ride and wanted to let you all know how it went. It was a weekend of firsts for me. It was my first time on the interstate, my first time riding with my in laws (awesome people) and my first big group ride. Here is a picture of all of us right before we left the house.



I was so excited about all of this that I didn't take any pictures but my sister did so I'll post more when she gets them to me.

The ride was a great experience. We were at the back of the pack. There was a lot of slowing down and catching up back there but I did pretty well keeping up. There were people lining the streets waving and taking pictures.

A helicopter flew overhead and it was great fun blowing through the intersections without having to stop epper:.

The ride lasted close to two hours and we had a lunch of pulled pork sandwiches waiting for us when we got back.

The best part of the whole thing was knowing that our donation will send a care package to a soldier overseas.

Those guys and girls deserve everything we can give them.

I had a great time.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

 

[rhino 2]

The best part of the whole thing was knowing that our donation will send a care package to a soldier overseas. Those guys and girls deserve everything we can give them.

I had a great time. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Glad you had a great time, And those care packages will be well appreciated, I know because My Mom would send them to me in Nam [66].. Every time one came in with the resupply it was like Christmas...

And simple things meant a lot, Like unsweetened Kool-Aid to kill the taste of the iodine tablets we put in out canteens to purify water... Good work....ThumbUp

 

[alienwulf]

Looks like a family that rides together, well you know..Good looking group i am sure it was a lot of fun. You will always remember this first one for sure. And you did some service members a good deed remembering them.ThumbUp

 

[Rosy]

Great job on your first ride. Now to meet more people next year at the Snowbird Gathering which will be near you.
If you can, stop by and say Hi, we would love to see you and your Family if they would like to come by and say Hi!
So, now you have more plans for the future. LOL
Love to see more pictures, tell your sister to hurry!
Rosy

 

[ricksurratt2]

Glad to hear y'all had a fun and safe ride. You'll always remember your 1st one! I love riding in groups, especially large ones! Find you some rides you can go on. Poker and benefit are everywhere or just ride with your friends and family.


I am a Veteran and have some questions about your ride if that's OK? If it is a sponsored ride can you get me some information about it? I would like to organize a local ride here in Va. I know it will be a worthy cause! If there is any info you can get to me I would appreciate it! Thanks in advance for any help you can be!!

 

[Zammy]

Great to hear you had a good time Carol, hope you can come to the Snowbird gathering, it's in your back yard this year in Ocala.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/33786-Snowbird-Gathering-17

 

[TGCarol]

Glad to hear y'all had a fun and safe ride. You'll always remember your 1st one! I love riding in groups, especially large ones! Find you some rides you can go on. Poker and benefit are everywhere or just ride with your friends and family.

I am a Veteran and have some questions about your ride if that's OK? If it is a sponsored ride can you get me some information about it? I would like to organize a local ride here in Va. I know it will be a worthy cause! If there is any info you can get to me I would appreciate it! Thanks in advance for any help you can be!!

Hi Rick.

Thanks we did have a great time.

The ride has a website www.usobenefitride.com.

There is a list of sponsors on there along with a way to contact the organizers.

I believe there out of Jacksonville.

I hope this helps.

Good luck organizing your ride.

 

[TGCarol]

Great to hear you had a good time Carol, hope you can come to the Snowbird gathering, it's in your back yard this year in Ocala.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/33786-Snowbird-Gathering-17

Thanks Zammy and Rosy for suggesting the Snowbird gathering. Looks like fun :clapping:

 

[Rosy]

Since it is in your back yard, maybe you could chime in with tour suggestions for our group. We would love to hear from the " locals", on where the good rides would be.
I know, I have my favorite spots which I like to take friends to, when they visit, that normally would not be on a tour map!
So, think about it, and come back to us on the Snowbird Gathering site.
Thanks, can't wait to hear from you.
Rosy

 

[ricksurratt2]

Thanks Carol! I will definetly check it out and see what I can get worked out.

 

[Lunchbox1983]

Slinky Dog

Being in the back of the pack and having to slow down and catching up is called "Slinky Dog".

or at least here is SC that's what we call it.

 

[paws]

We call it no fun at all. We just catch up with them later or beat them to the destination.

 

[Gone2Three]

We call it no fun at all. We just catch up with them later or beat them to the destination.

True that! :Trike1: