Flip-Flop riding

[JamesW]

Refers to style of riding my riding buddy and I engage in. We change lead every gas stop/ 100-120 miles. I do not particularly like following other bikes or group formations, more variables to contend with and more accidents. When taking trips we flip a coin to see who starts out getting out of town (ugh). It is nice because you get to express yourself for half the ride. Works with threesome but after that splits in to pairs with collection points is my preferable way to travel. Compatibility/style is another aspect, there are many nice people riding bikes, but not all the same way. Ever follow a rider that sedately passes and leaves no opportunity for followers? Anyway, thought I would throw this out there for discussion to see how others have riding styles. Think there are probably folks out there that do not like following all the time but are to polite to say anything. I think one of the poorest rationales is that the other rider is faster so we follow them. What does that have to do with the view?

 

[wetwolf]

Ive got one friend that we will flip flop if it's just us riding. In a larger group, I like to ride second so that when (not IF) I have a bout of ATS (aggressive throttle syndrome) I only have one person to pass and I'm off. All the folks I ride with know enough to not try keeping up, and when they see me on the side of the road 20 miles later, I'm just having a smoke, the bike aint broke!

 

[PhilJet09]

I guess my view is...if you aren't prepared to ride with the group, don't even start the ride with them. I only ride with people I like to spend time with, and it has nothing to do with how fast any of us makes it through the twisties. I realize this is a learning curve situation, but my personal manners would not allow me to break off from a ride or pass the leader unless we were at a designated stopping point. Anything else seems rude to me.

 

[wetwolf]

I trust all the folks I ride with and we do very well as a group. I can generally maintain for about 100 miles keeping it at the group speed, but the FJR just doesn't like it. As a matter of fact, my regular pillion doesn't like it either, she loves triple digits and passing 4 cages at a time. Like i said, everybody knows my habits. If I have to lead, I can maintain a comfortable pace for the whole group, but in a group, I would rather not lead if I don't have to.

 

[hppants]

In my local world, I usually end up leading the ride because I tend to ride the twistiest stuff the fastest. This is the way it should be, IMO. Putting a slower rider up front is bad for everyone. The faster rider has to hold back and doesn't enjoy the trip as much. And more importantly, the slower rider feels bad for holding people up, and ALWAYS pushes his comfort zone, which is a horrible decision.

OTOH, I don't mind following and will gladly do so in any situation. With many of my FJR friends outside of my local area, I follow just as much as lead. Usually we take turns.

I've lead many group rides whereby I've met new riders. I always try to have a pre-ride meeting to go over the following:

1. We are heading generally to ___________. Expect to stop every 50 - 75 miles. If you don't like something (or everything), please let me know whenever you can. I'll either change or at least tell you why I can't. This ride is about _______ miles for the day, and I would expect us to be home about _________ pm.

2. I'm going to ride about 10 over in the twisty stuff. On the boring straight stuff, much closer to the limit.

3. Please ride in stagger formation, keeping at least 1 second between you and the rider in front of you, and 2 seconds between you and the next rider in your part of the lane.

4. I'm going to use turn signals and hand signals. If I run up to a turn too quickly, I'm going to pass it up, rather than slam the brakes and take us all out like bowling pins. I'll find a safe place up the road for us to turn around.

5. Faster riders filter to the front only when safe to do so or on breaks. Please don't startle your friends.

6. Slower riders do not worry. If you lose sight of the rider in front, do NOT push yourself. Just stay on the road you are riding and enjoy your ride. We will NOT change roads until we have visual sight of you, and will gladly wait as long as it takes for you to catch up.

7. If I crash and can't speak for myself, there is an ICOE card in my jacket pocket.

8. If you need to stop for whatever reason (gear adjustment, bike issue, etc), the please stop ASAP. Eventually, we will learn that you stopped and come back for you. Do NOT keep riding worrying about some stupid **** because you don't want to be left behind.

9. If you change your mind about riding with us, please don't break off until you can clearly communicate what you are doing with another rider. This way, we won't worry about what happened to you.

10. Everyone - PLEASE ride your own ride. Our #1 objective is for everyone to get home safe.

I'm sure all this sound ridiculous to most, but I think it helps a lot. Even with experienced riders, it puts their mind at ease regarding what to expect, and that I'm not going to be an ****** (at least not intentionally).

 

[Eagle Six]

In my location there aren't any groups I have yet found that I trust and feel comfortable with. Either it is a bunch of squids who ride like the street is their track, or a bunch of cruisers who ride 20-30 over in the straights and 5-10 under in the bends! Most all riders on these groups follow too close for the speed and type of road, and/or road condition. I've found the cruiser types to be the worse at breaking formation and passing. Of course most of these rides are the poker/bead runs from bar to bar, so as the ride progresses, the courage starts making their decisions! The charity runs (much too large of a group for my taste) are much more reserved, but a bit boring.

For those of you who have a couple ridding buddies who are in tune with each other, I envy you. I have had that in the past, but yet to find them in this location that I live now. In the past, with riders pretty much in sync with my style, I could lead or follow and enjoy both and most often would switch the lead and follow position as the day progressed. In recent rides I have been surprised that very few riders are using bluetooth communicators and very, very, few use hand signals or know what the signals are!!

 

[gray ray]

I don't ride in; poker runs, charity runs, or any other group rides, for exactly the same reasons as EAGLE SIX.

 

[wetwolf]

In my local world, I usually end up leading the ride because I tend to ride the twistiest stuff the fastest. This is the way it should be, IMO. Putting a slower rider up front is bad for everyone. The faster rider has to hold back and doesn't enjoy the trip as much. And more importantly, the slower rider feels bad for holding people up, and ALWAYS pushes his comfort zone, which is a horrible decision.
OTOH, I don't mind following and will gladly do so in any situation. With many of my FJR friends outside of my local area, I follow just as much as lead. Usually we take turns.

I've lead many group rides whereby I've met new riders. I always try to have a pre-ride meeting to go over the following:

1. We are heading generally to ___________. Expect to stop every 50 - 75 miles. If you don't like something (or everything), please let me know whenever you can. I'll either change or at least tell you why I can't. This ride is about _______ miles for the day, and I would expect us to be home about _________ pm.

2. I'm going to ride about 10 over in the twisty stuff. On the boring straight stuff, much closer to the limit.

3. Please ride in stagger formation, keeping at least 1 second between you and the rider in front of you, and 2 seconds between you and the next rider in your part of the lane.

4. I'm going to use turn signals and hand signals. If I run up to a turn too quickly, I'm going to pass it up, rather than slam the brakes and take us all out like bowling pins. I'll find a safe place up the road for us to turn around.

5. Faster riders filter to the front only when safe to do so or on breaks. Please don't startle your friends.

6. Slower riders do not worry. If you lose sight of the rider in front, do NOT push yourself. Just stay on the road you are riding and enjoy your ride. We will NOT change roads until we have visual sight of you, and will gladly wait as long as it takes for you to catch up.

7. If I crash and can't speak for myself, there is an ICOE card in my jacket pocket.

8. If you need to stop for whatever reason (gear adjustment, bike issue, etc), the please stop ASAP. Eventually, we will learn that you stopped and come back for you. Do NOT keep riding worrying about some stupid **** because you don't want to be left behind.

9. If you change your mind about riding with us, please don't break off until you can clearly communicate what you are doing with another rider. This way, we won't worry about what happened to you.

10. Everyone - PLEASE ride your own ride. Our #1 objective is for everyone to get home safe.

I'm sure all this sound ridiculous to most, but I think it helps a lot. Even with experienced riders, it puts their mind at ease regarding what to expect, and that I'm not going to be an ****** (at least not intentionally).

#10 IMO is the most important. Slower riders trying to keep pace spells disaster. There are many time when our group will split into two groups for a particular road. The harley guys know that we will be waiting at the next bar/turnoff, having a smoke. and the faster guys get to try to keep up the blistering pace I've been known to set.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Did a 50CC the same way. Four guys, rotating into the lead bike after each gas stop. Always had fresh eyes and a fresh brain at the front. Great way to fully share the ride.

What really mattered was that all four were experienced -- and skilled -- FJR pilots.

 

[Spud]

Group rides are fun with blockers you trust in front of you who hang in the passing lane on blind corners or hills and give you the signal that the coast is clear to pass that semi...

 

[wetwolf]

Did a 50CC the same way. Four guys, rotating into the lead bike after each gas stop. Always had fresh eyes and a fresh brain at the front. Great way to fully share the ride.
What really mattered was that all four were experienced -- and skilled -- FJR pilots.

What kinda 50 cc bikes??? That sounds like quite the pit bike challenge and I know a few guys that would buy a 50cc for just such an occasion!

Bruce

 

[Uncle Hud]

https://www.ironbutt.com/rides/50cc.htm

I'm not even sure you can buy a 50cc bike these days. <edit, 2 mins later> I stand corrected. LOTS of 40cc-50cc "pocket bikes" out there.

 

[Geezer]

I have lead many rides of small groups, primarily because I am the one with the GPS and radar detector. I have no objection to someone who wants to go faster taking the lead, either temporarily or for the rest of the ride. It happens sometimes. I don't remember ever actually planning a switch of lead, it's always been impromptu.

 

[Uncle Hud]

At first, I thought this thread was going to be about riding in flip-flops, shorts, and a t-shirt. Because, well, I used to do that a lot 40 years ago in Hawaii.

 

[wetwolf]

At first, I thought this thread was going to be about riding in flip-flops, shorts, and a t-shirt. Because, well, I used to do that a lot 40 years ago in Hawaii.

****** hooligan, it's squids like you on those british bikes that gave us good folks a bad rep!

 

[Heen]

I ride with two different groups usually less than 5 in a group. When with the slower group I must have the mental outlook "we are going to be slow" and have a great time when we stop for breaks. I never pressure the person in front of me. When I lead that group I tend to drive slower on the straights and work at perfect lines through the corners. When riding with the faster group, it is actually more relaxing for me because I am in my comfort zone, finding it easier to concentrate on riding. With this group, I will once in a while have one of the better riders trail me and give me feedback on my performance.