group ride, rules of the road

[Hooter]

I won't do large group rides anymore. People I don't know and have never ridden with, not for me. Most rides I have been on include "bars" as stops, poker runs mostly and even charity stuff. Then there is the guy that stands there with his shiny leathers on and a beer in each hand. Probably has no more than 500 miles on his bike a year and no cycle endorsement. I know some of these people. Thats who I want to ride next to.
The unknown first time riders, the "go like hellers", and those that just think I want them next to me. 
Personally I like to ride with the people I know and have been on the road with. But I like to ride alone for the most part. I won't ride with people that drink and ride. If you want to, fine but I will leave the group if that is the gig. Bar to bar riding is what some do here. None have had issues yet, but it's only a matter of time seeing what I've seen.
I used to do charity rides and I like the interaction with others until the ride starts. I donate to the cause and thats when I go my own separate way. If  you ever see a group of bikes go down it isn't pretty. I have and I will stick to what I do. To each his own.

[wiggydotcom]

Wiggy, good point.  I also haven't seen anyone mention the mechanical status of all 100 bikes.  If they ride once or twice a year, there are dead batteries, bald tires, minimal safety equipment, faulty brakes, etc...  I keep on top of my maintenance and expect the people I ride with to do the same.  My life is worth it.

I ride the Ride for Kids twice a year and they have someone that looks over all of the bikes and eliminates ones that are marginal at best.  Maybe you could nominate someone to be the "bad guy" and give the bikes the "once over".  It might save someone's life.

Ok, that's my $.01875.

Hay 
Jimmyt

That's a good 18 and 3/4 cents worth of info, Jimmy!   

Looks like 1 7/8 cents worth to me.

Good catch, Cracker Jack...I didn't give enough credit to that "tenths" placeholder.

[BobB]

I'm the Secretary of another riders club.  Several years back I collected group riding information from several sources and created what I consider to be the definitive guide on the subject.  It may be TMI.

http://www.se-mn-masons.org/mmci43/groupRidingGuide.html

[Valkorado]

I'm the Secretary of another riders club. Several years back I collected group riding information from several sources and created what I consider to be the definitive guide on the subject.  It may be TMI.

http://www.se-mn-masons.org/mmci43/groupRidingGuide.html

Apparently Oss didn't have any say in the secretary selection process for that club.    Great guide, by the way.

[Patrick]

I've resisted posting because I have nothing to offer the original question.
I don't ride in large groups. I usually ride only with those I'm familiar with and its usually no more than half dozen. I only ride lead or drag and won't ride abreast unless I really know the fella. No one really cares where we stop and thats up the lead guy. If someone needs to stop [ we're getting older] we just flash the lights and pass it forward then the lead rider pulls in/over somewhere. We don't drink during that time even if we stop at a bar.

[Woton]

I've enjoyed following the posts on this topic.  I really feel Eagle 1 was well intentioned in his original questions, and the group has replied with their typical no-holes-barred enthusiasm.  The replies are well intentioned, and valuable information can be gleaned from them.

I have to say that Biker Girl and I tend to enjoy group riding.  We've enjoyed the area charity rides we've participated in, usually with law enforcement escort. Somewhere on the other end of the spectrum we've also enjoyed the Joe Boyd rides and informal poker runs at the past two Inzanes.  Heck, even losing our law enforcement escort in Lake Lure last year was a fun experience.  We still feel one of the best small group rides we've ever taken was the one hosted by gregk and his wife Roberta at the La Crosse Inzane XIII.

That being said, 99.8% of the time it is just me and Biker Girl, with her leading the way.  She aggravates the heck out of me following every speed limit sign on the small roads, yet she causes me to hang on for dear life once she hits the interstate on that 1800+cc Stratoliner.

Point is, the group rides are a refreshing change for us.   We go into them knowing other folks don't ride like we do, so we watch front and rear and ride with the folks right around us.  No tragedies to date...

I don't minimize the concerns expressed by the group to Eagle 1 (and I wholeheartedly support the "No Drinking While Riding" position) and who can ignore liability issues these days.  But, I will say that discouraging group riding out of hand lessens the opportunities for a LOT of fun and interaction with different riders.  The past two Inzanes would certainly have been the less without the group rides that Biker Girl and I have enjoyed.

That's more than my $0.02...  

[Eagle 1]

Great information guys, will take it all to heart, and give as safe and fun ride as humanly possible. I think if I put all the info. received into practice that will happen.
Again, Thanks a bunch
(Eagle 1) Manny

[Beer van Huet]

Some other practical tips:

Planning:
Ride the entire route one day in advance to check for road blocks, detours, etc.  Remember, your flexibility with such a group will be close to zero.
Avoid junctions & traffic lights to the maximum extent. The group will undoubtedly break up with cars in between.
Do not use small and scenery, curvy backroads, but roads wide enough to handle this kind of traffic.
If passing congested area's, have marshallers blocking other traffic. Best to have these folks out there in advance on the same freq., not riding with the group. BTW Check if this is legal.
Plan for decent stops, where ladies can also go to a proper washroom.
What ifs. Most important you know who to call and what to do in case of an accident. Designate some people to stay with the accident and let the group continue. A salvage trailer in trail for broken bikes is a good idea.


Briefing:
Have everybody sign a statement that you are not responsible for damage, injury or theft. This can be done online during the registration. Re emphasize  that participation is everybody's own responsibilty during the briefing.
No one shall overtake somebody else. This is hazardous and leads to accidents.
Have a basic game plan for lost sight situations. For the trailing bikes. Normally, follow the road and keep going straight ahead until you see someone (or another biker) pointing in a different direction. For the front bikes. The last bike of the section stops at the junction where a different direction is taken, pointing his bike in the right direction.

Riding:
Other than the sensation of riding in a big group, the ride itself will not be as much fun as in a small group or individually. Usually the participants can only see a small portion of the group and the pace will be much slower.
If riding in front, try to maintain a constant speed. Remember that the group acts like a harmonica during accelerations and decellerations. If you ride 60 mph, someone in the back will have to accelerate to 90 mph to overtake the gaps, caused by individual riders behaviour.
Keep a safe distance, also in a group. Be able to brake and stop if the people in front of you suddenly halt. Especially in unexpected situations. People tend to lose their concentration after several hours riding in a group.

[Gryphon Rider]

Remember that the group acts like a harmonica during accelerations and decellerations.

I understand the effect that some describe as the rubber band effect or the bungee cord effect, but I'm grasping to figure out the harmonica analogy.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Remember that the group acts like a harmonica during accelerations and decellerations.

I understand the effect that some describe as the rubber band effect or the bungee cord effect, but I'm grasping to figure out the harmonica analogy.

European harmonica 

[..]

Squeeze box?

[Skinhead]

accordion = harmonica

[Jess from VA]

Slinky.