Two weekends ago, I was out on a group ride up in the hills with four friends. I think we had up to a dozen people at one point. Some people joined up with us, we joined up with others, it was very casual. One guy on a Ducati stuck with us for at least 2 hours.

This past weekend, I was out riding on my own and kind of joined up with a couple of guys.

Like someone else said, be casual, don't crowd and if they don't want you tagging along, they will let you know.

At least that has been my experience.

shawn

Quote from: NickyNumbers on May 17, 2011, 03:22:55 AM
Safety in numbers!

no.

I hate riding in groups of more than 2-3.  If someone were to attempt to tag along I'd slow down or speed up.  Go away...I don't know you or your riding style.

Quoteif they don't want you tagging along, they will let you know.

+1

Its a public highway. I would ride appropriately.
If there were one or two bikes and they rode my style, I'd just go along and stay where I belong and mind my own business. Yes, staggered riding would be appropriate and the safe way to ride except on turns, twisties and other times a group would go single file.

HOWEVER..... if there are more, it could be an organized group. Tagging along could get dangerous. There is a technique in group riding called "wagging the tail". That's how they change lanes or do something else. The leader indicates a turn or lane change. The last person - the tail of the dog - will change lanes first and the others ripple over from back to front. This helps to insure no cars will try to merge into the middle of your group. The "tail" took control of the lane when the leader saw there was room for the group. Otherwise, if the lane change started at the front, other cars could speed up because they don't want bikes in front of them. There are other situations where the "tail" will move to control traffic and make it safe for the group.

You, tagging along and NOT being the tail and not part of the pre-ride discussion on the route and safety, would be creating a hazard for the group. If the group pulls off for gas or something, you might pull off and ask if you can join.

^^ some more sweet education

That info I did not know and appreciate it.

Def good to know if your a stranger and join up uninvited to the rear, then they motion to move and ur at the rear like uhhh duh! hahaha

Being too new, this is one situation I plan to avoid for awhile.
even if invited.
Just thinking of safety.

A couple weekends ago I rode to a motorcycle campout that a club in another state was having. Part way there I ended up meeting with some friends and rode the rest of the way there with them. About half way into the trip, our group of 5 bikes caught up with another group of 2 bikes. We followed them for a while, then one in our group jumped out of line and passed everyone, to pull up along side the leader (which was part of the group of 2). She was pointing at her tank motioning she needed to stop for gas. She had no idea that he was not part of our group!    So the poor guy pulled off a the next town and led us to some gas, but he was pretty shocked that some stranger would pull up along side him and make him and make him take a gas break! 

Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on May 17, 2011, 08:48:51 AM
everyone i've caught up to on my streets have been pleasant and more than willing to let you ride with.

a couple weeks ago i came up on a guy riding a SV in the back roads. he was cruising behind a minivan going pretty slow. saw check his mirrors a couple times as he start to spot me. i figured when the van turned off he'd be trying to rossi himself. sure enough, van turned off and twisted the throttle up. i've never ridden with another sport bike so i wanted to keep somewhat close to watch and learn. the first couple turns he put some serious space in between us. i'd almost given up since i didn't want to be putting myself in a sketchy spot. after he broke the line of sight i thought, "oh well, don't need to be riding with him anyways" but then whattaya know? next turn there he was slowed back and waiting on me! he started a bit slower into the turns this time, watching me to see how hard i was pushing. we rode for a good 20 minutes til my turn came up. i flicked my lights up to him, he gave a wave and went off in the distance. it was one of my best rides, got a little kick of confidence in the turns, and got to watch a fellow rider handle a suzuki in the squiggles

definitely just be respectful. they will let you know if they want you there or not.

OP was about crashing a "group" ride, not just a single rider.........A group is a group because they want to be together....impolite to join if not invited....

I ride alone because I want to ride alone....please either pass, or stay back..thank you !  (I already have friends, don't need any more)

Just my opinion.....

Hey just for shits and giggles...join up with every group you see...I bet you get 50 - 50... 1)they don't want you there . ...or 2) just put up with you ....maybe get your ass kicked one  out of 50.....

Cookie

Quote from: Tombstones81 on May 17, 2011, 06:04:37 PM
^^ some more sweet education

That info I did not know and appreciate it.

Def good to know if your a stranger and join up uninvited to the rear, then they motion to move and ur at the rear like uhhh duh! hahaha

Being too new, this is one situation I plan to avoid for awhile.
even if invited.
Just thinking of safety.

I do suggest you do some group rides with a reputable group. The Suzuki Owners Club has chapters around the country. There are other groups.

That's where I learned group riding. The leader is the experienced rider that knows the route. The tail is also a very experienced rider - kinds of second in command.
Behind the leader  - believe it or not - you start with the least experienced riders. Then you increase experience as you go back in the group.

Why you ask? So the experienced people can help the less experienced ones. In my rides, they would give me tips and suggestions when we stopped for a break or gas. Also the newbies are most likely to have problems. This way they can be watched and an experienced rider will pull over with the other rider if necessary or there are problems of some type. The newbies will never be left behind all by themselves.

Group riding really can be a blast. I'd never ride 90 miles into the mountains on my own. With a group - I have all the confidence necessary and people to help me out if I have a problem.

Quote from: twocool on May 17, 2011, 07:51:44 PM

Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on May 17, 2011, 08:48:51 AM
everyone i've caught up to on my streets have been pleasant and more than willing to let you ride with.

a couple weeks ago i came up on a guy riding a SV in the back roads. he was cruising behind a minivan going pretty slow. saw check his mirrors a couple times as he start to spot me. i figured when the van turned off he'd be trying to rossi himself. sure enough, van turned off and twisted the throttle up. i've never ridden with another sport bike so i wanted to keep somewhat close to watch and learn. the first couple turns he put some serious space in between us. i'd almost given up since i didn't want to be putting myself in a sketchy spot. after he broke the line of sight i thought, "oh well, don't need to be riding with him anyways" but then whattaya know? next turn there he was slowed back and waiting on me! he started a bit slower into the turns this time, watching me to see how hard i was pushing. we rode for a good 20 minutes til my turn came up. i flicked my lights up to him, he gave a wave and went off in the distance. it was one of my best rides, got a little kick of confidence in the turns, and got to watch a fellow rider handle a suzuki in the squiggles

definitely just be respectful. they will let you know if they want you there or not.

OP was about crashing a "group" ride, not just a single rider.........A group is a group because they want to be together....impolite to join if not invited....

I ride alone because I want to ride alone....please either pass, or stay back..thank you !  (I already have friends, don't need any more)

Just my opinion.....

Hey just for shaZam!s and giggles...join up with every group you see...I bet you get 50 - 50... 1)they don't want you there . ...or 2) just put up with you ....maybe get your ass kicked one  out of 50.....

Cookie

Pretty sure he said "a pair of riders"
You must ride in some pretty rough areas with some not so nice people there Cookie. Most clubs I know here would be glad you tagged along with them as they are social outings and the more the merrier in most cases. In saying that if I tag on to a group of riders I don't usually stop and have lunch or a beer with them. If we are heading in the same general direction I can see no problems just shooting the breeze till one of us has to peel off.

Who is honestly gonna take the time to kick your ass for riding behind them? That sounds insane, unless you're instigating. Your not supposed to be afraid of other bikers. I mean obviously don't try to act tough around 1%ers.

Quote from: Grommett2k on May 17, 2011, 08:14:49 AM
IMO it depends on the siuation. Commute time on the way to work/home, the HOV lane has a lot of bikes in it so unavoidable to run into another bike. On a weekend and I come up on what is clearly a group ride, different situation. In either case I would not run up and get right on them. But I am not going to intentionally hang back an abnormal distance, and will only pass when my ride dictates it. I view them as another vehicle on the road. Ride your ride, and all should go well.

+1 Grommett really nailed it. If I'm riding and I find a group going in the same direction I'm heading I'm not going to hang back and ride any slower than I want to because of them. If I have a chance I'll pass them, but if traffic doesn't allow it they're gonna have to put up with me.

Quote from: Twisted on May 18, 2011, 01:24:55 AM

Quote from: twocool on May 17, 2011, 07:51:44 PM

Quote from: steezin_and_wheezin on May 17, 2011, 08:48:51 AM
everyone i've caught up to on my streets have been pleasant and more than willing to let you ride with.

a couple weeks ago i came up on a guy riding a SV in the back roads. he was cruising behind a minivan going pretty slow. saw check his mirrors a couple times as he start to spot me. i figured when the van turned off he'd be trying to rossi himself. sure enough, van turned off and twisted the throttle up. i've never ridden with another sport bike so i wanted to keep somewhat close to watch and learn. the first couple turns he put some serious space in between us. i'd almost given up since i didn't want to be putting myself in a sketchy spot. after he broke the line of sight i thought, "oh well, don't need to be riding with him anyways" but then whattaya know? next turn there he was slowed back and waiting on me! he started a bit slower into the turns this time, watching me to see how hard i was pushing. we rode for a good 20 minutes til my turn came up. i flicked my lights up to him, he gave a wave and went off in the distance. it was one of my best rides, got a little kick of confidence in the turns, and got to watch a fellow rider handle a suzuki in the squiggles

definitely just be respectful. they will let you know if they want you there or not.

OP was about crashing a "group" ride, not just a single rider.........A group is a group because they want to be together....impolite to join if not invited....

I ride alone because I want to ride alone....please either pass, or stay back..thank you !  (I already have friends, don't need any more)

Just my opinion.....

Hey just for shaZam!s and giggles...join up with every group you see...I bet you get 50 - 50... 1)they don't want you there . ...or 2) just put up with you ....maybe get your ass kicked one  out of 50.....

Cookie

Pretty sure he said "a pair of riders"
You must ride in some pretty rough areas with some not so nice people there Cookie. Most clubs I know here would be glad you tagged along with them as they are social outings and the more the merrier in most cases. In saying that if I tag on to a group of riders I don't usually stop and have lunch or a beer with them. If we are heading in the same general direction I can see no problems just shooting the breeze till one of us has to peel off.

People around here are nice and have manors and etiquette..... that is why we don't barge in, uninvited, on groups of riders!

Cookie

Barge in uninvited = tack onto the back of a ride?

Nice choice of words. You work for a newspaper or something?

Michael

Quote from: mister on May 18, 2011, 11:51:41 AM
Barge in uninvited = tack onto the back of a ride?

Nice choice of words. You work for a newspaper or something?

Michael

He's on staff at Fox. How'd you know?
Whenever you see me, alone or in a group, feel free to keep a lane guarded. Cars are the enemy. Not bikes.
I wouldn't ride up on some memorial parade and start buzzing up thru the middle.

Quote from: mister on May 18, 2011, 11:51:41 AM
Barge in uninvited = tack onto the back of a ride?

Nice choice of words. You work for a newspaper or something?

Michael

One poster is afraid to pass Harley's because they might beat him up, another thinks riding along with another group means you are crashing their wedding or something as well as incidents where people fight because they joined a group ride.


This is just asinine, I'm sorry.  If someone thinks that people are going to resort to violence and get crazy because you tagged along on the highway, there is something wrong with their outlook because that stuff just doesn't happen. 


Cookie, where do you live, Darfur?  What war torn country are you from that people act like this? 


Don't mean to be a duck, but maybe they just don't want YOU there.  Food for thought. 

Quote from: KnuckleBallz on May 18, 2011, 07:23:30 AM
Who is honestly gonna take the time to kick your ass for riding behind them? That sounds insane, unless you're instigating. Your not supposed to be afraid of other bikers. I mean obviously don't try to act tough around 1%ers.

If you are real (as in a criminal), you put in work.  Putting in work doesn't mean beating up civilians.

Anyone that lives that lifestyle have better things to do than teach punks on the highway a lesson about following them. 

I work in an industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn.  You want it, we got it here.  Bikers, gangs, stick up kids, you name it.  Its all here.

9/10 if something happens to you,  you owe them money or did something dumb.  I've never heard of anyone get stomped on because "they leaned on his car" or "he was following the group on the highway".  Some of you need to stop watching movies lol. 

So yea, I agree with you completely.

Quote from: NickyNumbers on May 18, 2011, 12:34:13 PM
If you are real (as in a criminal), you put in work.  Putting in work doesn't mean beating up civilians.

Anyone that lives that lifestyle have better things to do than teach punks on the highway a lesson about following them. 

I work in an industrial neighborhood in Brooklyn.  You want it, we got it here.  Bikers, gangs, stick up kids, you name it.  Its all here.

9/10 if something happens to you,  you owe them money or did something dumb.  I've never heard of anyone get stomped on because "they leaned on his car" or "he was following the group on the highway".  Some of you need to stop watching movies lol. 

So yea, I agree with you completely.

I'm going to have to disagree. Yes, this is how it is on the east coast; The west coast, not so much. Hells Angels members will ignore you unless you do something dumb, as they could care less; but other non-bike gangs on the west coast (Nortenos, Sureneos, Mexican Mafia) , make their money by robbing, killing, selling drugs, home invasions... I grew up out there and a good friend of mine's father was a Hell's Angels chapter president, now quite a few of my friends from highschool are patched in members, but they dont bother other guys on bikes unless your either wearing patches of rivals or being a jackass.

Quotebut other non-bike gangs on the west coast (Nortenos, Sureneos, Mexican Mafia) , make their money by robbing, killing, selling drugs, home invasions...

"Other non-bike gangs" pretty much means Cookie will be alright out there on the big scary highway by herself.

Maybe saw Mad Max one too many times as a kid?

Yeah. Its not the bikes that you should be worried about on the freeway. Its the cars and SUVs that dont care about you.

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