Highway etiquette--Is it too presumptuous to crash someone else's group ride?

[Twisted]

Funny....everybody focused in on the  "getting your ass kicked"  part of my reply  and overlooked the "etiquette" and "presumptious"  part.

Of course, you're not going to "really" get you ass kicked if you "tag along".

But still bad etiquette, IMHO.

But what would be the point of "tagging along" anyway?

Cookie

True I get where you are coming form as regards the etiquette side of things.

But what would be the point of "tagging along" anyway?

I am one that likes to ride alone too but if I am on the freeway it gets a little boring riding so if I see another rider I will ride with them to make it a bit more interesting and for the reason two or more bikes are more visible than just one. That is my reason.

[twocool]

Funny....everybody focused in on the  "getting your ass kicked"  part of my reply  and overlooked the "etiquette" and "presumptious"  part.

Of course, you're not going to "really" get you ass kicked if you "tag along".

But still bad etiquette, IMHO.

But what would be the point of "tagging along" anyway?

Cookie

True I get where you are coming form as regards the etiquette side of things.

But what would be the point of "tagging along" anyway?

I am one that likes to ride alone too but if I am on the freeway it gets a little boring riding so if I see another rider I will ride with them to make it a bit more interesting and for the reason two or more bikes are more visible than just one. That is my reason.

Yes two are more visible than one...also when some driver fu's up, two bikes get taken out at the same time!

If you don't know that other rider he may actually F you up!  So I give a normal following distance.  If it is a good rider on a technical road...I stay back a bit and watch...maybe learn something!

But by "group" I think of some sort or organized group...like a club, or charity ride.....This is where the etiquitte comes in.......bad manors to join up if not invited...

Cookie

[mister]

Don't like the phrase "tag along" then change it to Follow. Problem solved. All nice and friendly like 

As I said, experienced riders don't give a flying fig if you stick with them. They don't think it's bad form or whatever. What they think is, "wow, another rider to keep me company (for a bit until our routes change or they get fed up and pass me). This is how it is on the real world.

Michael

[twocool]

Don't like the phrase "tag along" then change it to Follow. Problem solved. All nice and friendly like 

As I said, experienced riders don't give a flying fig if you stick with them. They don't think it's bad form or whatever. What they think is, "wow, another rider to keep me company (for a bit until our routes change or they get fed up and pass me). This is how it is on the real world.

Michael

Well, you can certainty speak for yourself...but what you say in not true for everyone...

[mister]

Don't like the phrase "tag along" then change it to Follow. Problem solved. All nice and friendly like 

As I said, experienced riders don't give a flying fig if you stick with them. They don't think it's bad form or whatever. What they think is, "wow, another rider to keep me company (for a bit until our routes change or they get fed up and pass me). This is how it is on the real world.

Michael

Well, you can certainty speak for yourself...but what you say in not true for everyone...

You appear to be the only one in this thread with a problem. So, Your solution is, You don't do it. Fair enough?

Michael

[KnuckleBallz]

twocool is too cool to ride with you peons.

[ScootRider]

i think that most people enjoy when people "follow" them.. just a little story..

i was riding my 49cc scooter at around 12pm and i spotted two Ninja 250's in front of me, so i rode up behind them they nodded at me. i was following them for about 5minutes the "leader" sped up way ahead and the other one dropped back a bit in front of me, i was confused at this (it was probably my first week of riding anything) well about 10minutes later the "leader" comes into the lane next to mine looks at me.. on my baby blue 49cc scooter, Dainese mesh jacket, alpine star gloves, and my seven zero seven helmet, i just wonder what he thought.. anyways! he went ahead kicked out his foot (i had no clue what it meant) he turned his signals on changed into a left turn lane the guy behind him did the same.. i was confused they turned i rode on.. that was my first "Tag along/Follow".

i personally think they didn't mind.
they turned onto the freeway.. so it's not like i could've followed anyways ha ha.

[cjaama]

he went ahead kicked out his foot (i had no clue what it meant) he turned his signals on changed into a left turn lane the guy behind him did the same.. i was confused they turned i rode on.. that

what does that mean? that they're turning?

[adidasguy]

Often kicking out the left or right foot is to alert the following riders of a road hazard: bad pot hole, road kill, anything else you don't want to ride over. Reading your whole post, it may have meant something else, but not being there and seeing the gesture and which foot it was, it is hard to tell.

Tap on top of head, sometimes followed by pointing, indicates cop ahead. Pay attention if someone coming the opposite direction gives you that signal.

Yesterday 3 of us West Seattle GS500'ers went to the monthly Backfire Moto gathering. Enjoyed the ride. On the way back we got a little separated at a stop sign turning right. There was a bike coming and I had to wait. The extra rider that mixed in with us at that one corner followed all proper etiquette, including staggered riding and 2-up at a stop. He knew we were a group and at the light for the left turn, I was to his right and he nodded for me to go first to stay with my group (proper etiquette is the left rider takes off first) . I guess that's an example of what that one thread is all about.

[lucifer_mr2]

On the rides i go on, kicking your foot out is a sign that the person wants you to overtake them on that side. Sometimes people think you want to ride a bit faster than them and are allowing you to pass in their lane.

Had a fun ride where I tagged along, after an Australia Day slow. I was at the back, bit of distance and keeping staggered. At the lights the rear bike directed me to come up next to them. Once I was he rolled his bike up to touch his mated rear tyre and did a burnout. Kept riding with them until they turned off.

[adidasguy]

Yea, it could mean to pass. We didn't really get a description of the gesture or which leg.
We don't know if it was a leg point (I'm pointing to something in the road) or a swinging motion (pass me?) or a shaking motion (a bee just flew up my pants)

[philgs500F]

Don't like the phrase "tag along" then change it to Follow. Problem solved. All nice and friendly like 

As I said, experienced riders don't give a flying fig if you stick with them. They don't think it's bad form or whatever. What they think is, "wow, another rider to keep me company (for a bit until our routes change or they get fed up and pass me). This is how it is on the real world.

Michael

Most experienced riders avoid riding with people they don't know.  I'm one of those experienced riders.  If you are behind me, you might run up on me, miss a braking zone, take me out.  If you are in front of me, you might slam on your brakes unexpectedly, or make a dumb move in general.  If you are talking about highway droning...which is probably the most boring and torturous riding that there is...someone "joining" out of nowhere is plain creepy.

On the backroads where things get twisty, I ride with just a couple people that I know, who are very predictable.  I could care less about people "keeping me company."  It's not like I need others to ride with, to make a ride enjoyable.

[twocool]

Don't like the phrase "tag along" then change it to Follow. Problem solved. All nice and friendly like 

As I said, experienced riders don't give a flying fig if you stick with them. They don't think it's bad form or whatever. What they think is, "wow, another rider to keep me company (for a bit until our routes change or they get fed up and pass me). This is how it is on the real world.

Michael

Most experienced riders avoid riding with people they don't know.  I'm one of those experienced riders.  If you are behind me, you might run up on me, miss a braking zone, take me out.  If you are in front of me, you might slam on your brakes unexpectedly, or make a dumb move in general.  If you are talking about highway droning...which is probably the most boring and torturous riding that there is...someone "joining" out of nowhere is plain creepy.

On the backroads where things get twisty, I ride with just a couple people that I know, who are very predictable.  I could care less about people "keeping me company."  It's not like I need others to ride with, to make a ride enjoyable.

Well stated! (Gets my point across better than I did)

Original poster asked a logical question....and got various answers.....some valid points on boths sides of the fence. Some BS based on nothing..... Tough group to have a discussion with though!

OP used asked if it was "presumptuous"...and of course it is......because to join up uninvited you must presume the other rider is thinking the same as you....which is not always so......and then there is the etiquette thing....manors, respect...common sense......concepts which seem to elude some.....

Cookie

[NickyNumbers]

Most experienced riders avoid riding with people they don't know.  I'm one of those experienced riders.  If you are behind me, you might run up on me, miss a braking zone, take me out.  If you are in front of me, you might slam on your brakes unexpectedly, or make a dumb move in general.  If you are talking about highway droning...which is probably the most boring and torturous riding that there is...someone "joining" out of nowhere is plain creepy.

On the backroads where things get twisty, I ride with just a couple people that I know, who are very predictable.  I could care less about people "keeping me company."  It's not like I need others to ride with, to make a ride enjoyable.

Actually, "most" experienced riders,  based on the responses in this thread, don't agree with you.



There really is no sense keeping this discussion up.   Phil, nobody wants to ride with a guy that doesn't use his rear brake anyway.  Maybe you're lack of basics on the bike make it so people think your the squid. 


Just for background here, Phil doesn't like to use his rear brake.  Says its useless.  This is the guy we are debating here people lol. 

[twocool]

Most experienced riders avoid riding with people they don't know.  I'm one of those experienced riders.  If you are behind me, you might run up on me, miss a braking zone, take me out.  If you are in front of me, you might slam on your brakes unexpectedly, or make a dumb move in general.  If you are talking about highway droning...which is probably the most boring and torturous riding that there is...someone "joining" out of nowhere is plain creepy.

On the backroads where things get twisty, I ride with just a couple people that I know, who are very predictable.  I could care less about people "keeping me company."  It's not like I need others to ride with, to make a ride enjoyable.

Actually Phil makes his point..clear and concise......you do not.

Cookie

Actually, "most" experienced riders,  based on the responses in this thread, don't agree with you.



There really is no sense keeping this discussion up.   Phil, nobody wants to ride with a guy that doesn't use his rear brake anyway.  Maybe you're lack of basics on the bike make it so people think your the squid. 


Just for background here, Phil doesn't like to use his rear brake.  Says its useless.  This is the guy we are debating here people lol. 

[steezin_and_wheezin]

just fueling the fire, but oh well..

is it presumptuous to tag along with an organized ride with 2+ riders?

my thought: yes.
___________________________________

but the OP asked, "is it presumptuous to take along with a pair of riders?"

my thoughts: no, but i understand where phil is coming from.

[pave_spectre]

No it's not presumptous, anymore than it would be to follow within safe distances if you were in a car, assuming traffic conditions/speed etc don't allow you to pass and carry on your own way.
If you come right up on their rear fender however, or invite yourself to their barbecue, that's an entirely different kettle of fish.

[Twisted]

No it's not presumptous, anymore than it would be to follow within safe distances if you were in a car, assuming traffic conditions/speed etc don't allow you to pass and carry on your own way.
If you come right up on their rear fender however, or invite yourself to their barbecue, that's an entirely different kettle of fish.

What if I rock up with a six pack?   

[pave_spectre]

No it's not presumptous, anymore than it would be to follow within safe distances if you were in a car, assuming traffic conditions/speed etc don't allow you to pass and carry on your own way.
If you come right up on their rear fender however, or invite yourself to their barbecue, that's an entirely different kettle of fish.

What if I rock up with a six pack?  

Make it a slab and you're more than welcome.

So long as it's not XXXX

[madjak30]

I kind of agree with twocool...when I catch up with a group, I stay back...about a 3-5sec distance...I don't assume that I am welcome to join in...if I am riding alone and someone comes up on me, I don't mind if they "tag along" but it would be wierd if they pulled off at the coffee shop and sat with me for a coffee...might be okay, but it would be strange at first...

And as for the "wearing colours" issue...a group that I am just starting to ride with is all "leathers & patches"...I'm the only sport bike guy there in my JOE ROCKET gear...don't get me wrong, most of them give me a hard time about my "Ricky Rocket get up"...but I don't think they really care...(plus my V twin is bigger than most of theirs...hehehe...so they are jealous  )...most of them wear all the patches & junk to fit into the group and to feel like they are part of the "gang"...I couldn't give a crap about that, I just like to ride...I'm not saying all "colours riders" are like that, but I would bet most are...also our group is in the "the more the merrier" camp of riding, but not all are... 

My advise to the OP is to just stay a little back of the pack, or pass when it is safe (and don't be all squiddy about it...don't scream past)...like twocool has stated (or someone did) a larger group is probably on a ride for charity and riders in the group have paid a fee to be in it...it would probably be poor etiquette to just join up on the ride...although the fee is usually a donation that gets you a lunch or something, but still...I would go online and search out a local riding group and join up, that way you are part of the group and not "crashing the party"... 

Later.