I see your posting as asking 2 different and distinct questions.
First:
[SIZE=8pt]Over the weekend when riding with a large group, I found myself questioning my riding style, my speed, my desire to keep up and my judgment about the actual road conditions themselves.[/SIZE]
When we started up Skaggs Springs Road on our ride this past Sunday, I intentionally allowed several of the faster riders to take the lead. For many miles I tried to keep up with their pace, but questioned my own riding ability and judgment in trying to maintain their speed.
Several times there was water on the pavement going around tight curves and I found that I backed off the throttle and became very cautious. Over time I kept dropping back until I could no longer see the riders in front of me.
This caused me to wonder, was I trying to keep up due to my ego and was I trying to ride above my own ability?
I have been in conversation with a couple of forum members since the posts about the ride. Since I haven't been riding regularly after my KLR incident, I find that my skills and muscle memory are not what they should be. Once the FJR is back from the warranty repairs, I intend to "relearn" some lost skills...starting with parking lot drills for braking, etc., then moving on to riding the twisty foothill favorites at a speed designed to make me apply my head-knowledge until it again becomes second nature.
There are two words that I found repeating themselves as I conversed in type with my friends and riding partners:
SMOOTH and
RYTHYM!
I know when I am not mentally (whether distracted or fatigued) or physically on "my game". It is my responsibility to rein in my ego and emotional excitement and ride a more controlled ride. It sounds like that is what you did....albeit after a couple of "excursions".
Several of the written responses to the ride, spoke of slowing down, concerns with riding two up, and not riding over one’s abilities. Some responses mentioned a downed rider that we had seen and what may or may not have caused the accident. Other responses celebrated the exhilaration and risk of high-speed riding.
I don't feel the need to reopen this vein of thought.
Second:
[SIZE=8pt]I find myself confused by my own thoughts and the responses of others to the day and the accident. When do ego, conceit, over-confidence and/or recklessness take a back-seat to common sense, a healthy fear and self-preservation when riding a high performance sport touring machine? How do you know if you are pushing too hard and when do you have the common sense to let go of ego and ride within your personal skill level? Do group rides have the unintended effect of causing you to ride at a level that is unsafe for you and others?[/SIZE] As the person who organized the ride, should I try to influence those who want to ride excessively fast to slow down for others or is that an unrealistic expectation?
Your thoughts are appreciated…… Rich
Murph covered this rather succinclty, but I'd still like to offer my opinion. Caveat: I took last year off from organizing group rides. My reasons are my own and varied, but when I did (and will again this year) I always had a basic plan and EVERYONE got to hear one of Madmike's infamous safety lectures.
1.) Everyone gets a map of the ride
2.) We ride "The Pace" and leave 3 seconds between bikes.
Link to The Pace!
3.) I no longer lead "formation" rides, but "shared destination" rides. SInce all have a map in their possession, I have marked the rest stops and lunch stop. Even the very fastest rider won't usually beat the slowest rider by more than 5-10 minutes on a 60-70 mile leg of the ride.
4.) I KNOW there are some very smooth and skilled riders and I usually will let them pair or group-up and have fun. [SIZE=8pt]
Besides, that lets them mark out the parking places for the rest of us!!![/SIZE]
5.) During my "lecture" I usually inform the group that I am riding the speed limit +5mph. I've found that is the best in the Sierras because the CHP has a habit of patrolling the back roads and the "Gold Country Cities" (Sutter Creek, Calaveras, San Andreas,
et al) won't use me to help finance their treasuries.
Maybe the above sounds a little "high and mighty", but it has worked pretty well for the last few years. I always remind folks that if they are being "pushed" by the trailing rider, simply let him pass.
Have I violated my guidelines? Absolutely. On our Hwy 36 ride in 2006 I had just found out my Dad had passed away the day before the planned trip. My entire family told me to make the ride (there was nothing to be done...all had been planned, etc.). I w2arned others NOT to follow me as a leader and I chose one other rider to "explore the limits" with....Andrew and I had a "yee-freakin-haw" time of riding from Red Bluff to Eureka. I then followed that with a lovely controlled ride on the "Lost Coast" with FJRay. 2 completely different rides on the same day, and equally as fun and enjoyable!
In the end, there are no easy answers. Hopefully you (and everyone) will glean some insights from the discussion and apply them to their own riding excursions.
