Group riding

[CirclesCenter]

I layed down to sleep and was thinking about group riding.

Unfortunately I haven't found anyone good to ride with here in Reno.

Except for one time.

I was riding with my licensed friend behind me, on the way to my license test (second go round because of mechanical failure on the first...Doubts abound about my ability still though.) Going down through the interchange of I-80 and 395, a slightly atypical clover interchange (three sides are clover, one is a mess.). As we came up to the interchange I was suddenly leading a total of five bikes of varying types.

Here I am, on my permit, leading 5 riders through a busy interchange. (Yes I know about the no freeway thing, but in this town sometimes the freeway IS the only way)

As we're all coming down the leaf of the clover I sneak a quick look back at the riders and their machines. I couldn't identify them with only a glance, but there were 2 faired sport bikes, 2 cruisers (one cruiser was my buddy's) and one naked. (At least I think, I KNOW that one was a TL1000)

I don't really have the words for what that felt like. To be the leader of the pack. Just so amazing, being beyond a noob, still barely grasping counter-balancing and counter steering to be leading 4 experienced riders (in my eyes at the time they were all Nicky Hayden, Arlen Ness, Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan) and my best friend of 17 years of my 20 year life through that clover leaf.

I don't know if anyone else gets it, but that was the moment when I stopped doubting if that seat was the right place for me. 30 minutes later when I passed the test I stopped doubting that I could stay in it. When I finally passed after failing on a ZL1000 (OMFG that is heavy, big, TALL, brutal, unweildy bike!) I screamed so loud it echoed off buildings and startled the lady testing me. I almost cried I was so happy.

Anyways, thought you guys might understand that morning. Wanted to share.

I hope I find another group to lead.

[RVertigo]

I hear ya'...  I like to sweep to though...  Watching all the different bikes rolling around the corners...   

[pandy]

CC:

GREAT write up!!! I think I feel the same way every time an impromptu group ride forms when I'm commuting home. I love being out there with other riders. I don't know them, but I know that they love to ride, and I love to ride, so I know them.

I nominate this for post of the week!

Hmmm.... we've always wanted to ride to Reno.... wonder if there's gonna be a BAGS ride to Reno.... 

[scratch]

GREAT write up!!! I think I feel the same way every time an impromptu group ride forms when I'm commuting home. I love being out there with other riders. I don't know them, but I know that they love to ride, and I love to ride, so I know them.

+1

I nominate this for post of the week!

Second!  And, stickied!  (til Tuesday of next week  )

Hmmm...we've always wanted to ride to Reno...wonder if there's gonna be a BAGS ride to Reno... 

It wouldn't be a B.A.GS ride, it would be a B.A.GS to Reno Ride (BAGSRR, next year, mmkay; late May/early June)

[pandy]

It wouldn't be a B.A.GS ride, it would be a B.A.GS to Reno Ride (BAGSRR, next year, mmkay; late May/early June)

Ok! My calendar's marked to remind scratch of the BAGSRR for next year! 

[MrDan]

Great post.  Only thing I can add is the tail of the pack perspective. 

A few times last summer (not nearly enough), a buddy of mine organized some group rides leaving from the Pentagon.  A nice mix of bikes with vintage Nortons (father of another friend), classic BMWs, some sport bikes, even a Harley with a big beefy guy carrying a little white dog in a satchel (ok so that was weird).

We'd often cruise out of the Pentagon and cross the bridge in to Georgetown and DC.  My buddy rode lead, and I'd ride second.  When we hit an intersection or ramp that was difficult for the entire group to make in one shift, I'd pull out to block traffic (Sunday drivers), and watch as the other 20 or so bikes would roll past.  Then I'd drop in behind and work my way back up.  A rather awesome experience.

Looking back, it may not have been the safest thing for myself personally to do, but it was necessary for the safety of the group, and it provided a cool perspective to the whole ride.