| Have you ever been on a group motorcycle ride | | | | stop. A simple rule of thumb is if you don’t |
| before? If you have, then you know about the | | | | know where you’re going, don’t get out |
| feeling you get when you’re cruising down | | | | in front. |
| the highway with a dozen or so of your close | | | | I’ve been on a number of group rides and |
| riding buddies and all you can smell is the exhaust | | | | I’ve learned a great deal each time I’ve |
| from the other bikes in front of you. Or the | | | | gone out with a group. One thing I’ve |
| rush you get when you all leave a small town and | | | | learned is that is important to stick together as |
| hammer on the throttle, roaring out of town, as if | | | | much as possible. This includes waiting at stop |
| to say, “We were here!” | | | | signs, or pulling off to the side, while the others |
| It’s true, group motorcycle riding can be an | | | | catch up if they’ve fallen behind. What’s |
| exhilarating experience and can provide for hours | | | | the point of going on a group ride if you’re |
| of great riding and camaraderie with your | | | | always going to be separated and not stick |
| friends. But it can be a dangerous activity if the | | | | together? I’ve also learned that each rider is |
| proper safety precautions are not met and if | | | | unique and it’s important to realize that |
| members of the group are riding unsafely. A | | | | you’re not always going to be able to keep |
| group motorcycle ride can be successful if each | | | | up with each other. If you feel you are riding |
| person participating in the ride acts responsibly | | | | too fast for your own comfort, then it’s |
| and without carelessness. | | | | better to fall back a little and catch up at the next |
| Organizing a group ride should only be left in the | | | | stop sign than to ride out of your comfort zone |
| hands of one or two individuals. This will help to | | | | and possibly get in an accident because you |
| prevent the ride form getting too much input and | | | | couldn’t handle yourself properly. |
| not enough decision making on which routes are | | | | Finally, always be sure you are properly equipped |
| taken and when and where stops will occur. The | | | | for the ride which means having a proper |
| trip should be planned out beforehand so that | | | | motorcycle helmet, jacket, boots, pants, and |
| there is a set route in place and there isn’t | | | | other riding gear. The thrill of the ride won’t |
| any question about where the ride is going. | | | | be as great if you are not properly equipped. |
| Stops should also be planned ahead of time in | | | | You’ll be much more comfortable on your |
| order to keep the ride on track and on schedule. | | | | ride knowing that you’ll be protected in the |
| Stopping too many times or out of schedule will | | | | event of a crash. |
| cause the ride to take longer, thus possibly having | | | | The group motorcycle ride can be an exciting |
| to alter the route and scheduled stops. Those | | | | experience and if it is lead properly, well organized, |
| individuals that are organizing the ride should also | | | | and ridden respectfully, it can be very rewarding |
| be the ones to lead it since they are the ones | | | | for all of those involved. So sit back and enjoy |
| that know which turns to make and where to | | | | the ride! |