June 11, 2013 3:08 PM PDT
I don't think it's odd at all. I've been riding since '64..and would rather ride with only a few bikes or friends most of the time....or sometimes just the wife and I (we can go and do as we please). However on June 30th we'll be riding with probably around 200 bikes for a friend's memorial ride(Son killed in Iraq). We do it every year..but that's the biggest ride. Never do Harley dealer Rides. Rode with 2000 bikes once to the James Dean festival in my Indiana hometown..but more of a hassle than anything else. Always the jokers who want to show off..and laggers in the middle who must keep the group spread out. Never fails...
June 11, 2013 3:47 PM PDT
When riding with a group I like riding at the rear, for two reasons, 1. I can see everything going on, 2. If someone has problems I'm there.
June 29, 2013 2:56 AM PDT
Not odd at all. I like riding with people I know in a small to mid-size group. On a long distance ride maybe 4 or 5 bikes and on a local ride maybe 8 to 10 bikes is max for me.
Years back I rode with the local HOG chapter who had rides every weekend with 40+ bikes. I could never enjoy the ride in a group like that that was first of all too large and second I was surrounded by people I had not rode with before.
The only exception I will make is a parade style ride for a cause. But I really can't enjoy the ride because I am busy paying attention to everyone else who is not paying attention.
June 29, 2013 4:23 AM PDT
I don't think it's odd either. Honestly, I never much enjoyed riding with the club, strange as that may sound. I think there's a sense of Freedom Lost when riding with a group. I prefer the free solitude of enjoyment in the ride, not the confines that come with group riding.
Peace
June 29, 2013 11:56 AM PDT
I don't think it is odd at all we ride in a toy run every year last year we had 1376 bikes and I was right in the middle showed up late hoping to be at the end.I was so tense that end of the ride I felt like I had rode 500 miles so iguess I am saying small groups 5-10 bikes is plenty for me
June 30, 2013 1:43 PM PDT
Do it sometimes, enjoy it never
Something wrong about riding thru beautiful countryside and keeping 1/3 of focus on the road - 1/3 behind you - 1/3 on the axles of nearby rides and zero on the scenery.
Not the least anti-social, will be glad to meet most anybody, most anyplace, for most any reason.
Personally I don't find group rides any different than the drive to and from work, but I am picky about which rides I attend, while all charity rides have a good purpose and worthwhile,the putt-putt rides from bar to bar are not for me,as for whats at the end of the ride,the look on a kids face at St.Jude or the family of a soldier who didn't come home,that all the reward I need,no T-Shirt or Ride Pins or Meals but thats just Me
July 8, 2013 10:34 AM PDT
I don't drink or ride with people I don't know. I also prefer riding at the back if there is a group. I like blocking the assholes coming from the rear and always carry tools.
Most of the time I ride by myself because everyone usually has to plan evrything or be "in charge".
July 8, 2013 10:41 AM PDT
I'm not a big fan of large group rides and generally prefer to ride alone. I think it's partly because of trust and partly because I like to be in charge and stop where I want too and when I want too.
July 8, 2013 11:04 PM PDT
nope ! to many fumes and to many idiots who brake check constantly .
July 16, 2013 11:16 AM PDT
I don't like it either get a few of your buds stop when you want stay as long as you want ride as long as you want that's the way I like it
July 17, 2013 2:07 AM PDT
Yep I was riding with our group and the Prez locked the breakes up and slammed into the RC. That was the last big group ride I was on. Four or five max for me now and I need to know them if it is that big. Two or one other if I don't know them.
July 17, 2013 6:21 AM PDT
Its certainly not odd,.Everyone rides at their own comfort level,group riding demands dealing with a lot
of different situations over varied roads.Its not pleasant when anothr rider in the group doesnt feel comfortable or rides in a manner that is unheeding of others around them.
The largest group I can recall riding with, that wasnt a parade sort of deal,was about 50+ bikes about 10 years ago,to celebrate & raise money for 9/11 victims fund.The ride went well.Yet a lot of us had rode together before.
July 17, 2013 11:38 AM PDT
Same here. A few friends on bikes is enough for me when going for a ride. But I do like the once or twice a year riding in a Toy Ride or Veterans Day ride with a couple hundred bikes and having the people lining the street and waving.