Saving Lives on an Iron Butt Ride

[wheatonFJR]

I have a lot of Fjr riding friends that ride a heluvalot better n I do, but I'll never ride side by side parade style with em. Certainly not for a thousand miles.

Kudos to the OP for surviving...you must have the patience of Job.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

You guys sound like the beginners if you are scared to ride in bigger groups, no matter who they are.

I wish I knew what that means.

FWIW, I wouldn't ride anyplace in any 18-bike group, especially a saddlesore, especially with beginners trying to ride side by side, and especially in the middle of all that damn noise.

What it means is that this guy has never been almost taken out by a novice. It means that this guy thinks HIS skill can overcome the foolishness that runs rampant with novices during a group ride. It also means he does not have to worry about me riding with him.

But you already knew all of that.

You guys sound like the beginners if you are scared to ride in bigger groups, no matter who they are.

Yeah ... One of us does. I'm not sure it's who you think it is though

And I am VERY sure we have the truth figured out!

I have a lot of Fjr riding friends that ride a heluvalot better n I do, but I'll never ride side by side parade style with em. Certainly not for a thousand miles.Kudos to the OP for surviving...you must have the patience of Job.

I 100% agree with this. It would take some very strange circumstances for me to attempt an SS1k with ANYONE else. Certainly not with all that noise.

The group leader must have done a remarkable job.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Kudos and kongrats to the OP.

I led 17 bikes through the hills of PA a couple weeks back. Mainly b/c I created the 350 mi. loop and nobody else wanted to take a group. At the first Photo Op stop, I quickly made groups to riders w speed/desire and skill-set level. I just told everyone "Hey, I'm waiting way too long at turns for the tail to catch up. At one intersection, I even got off my bike and was walking around in circles.

Photo by Wine Guy who was riding around the 14th slot.

We had all ST bikes, mostly FJR's and K16's. I can't imagine doing this with Harley's ...let alone 1K! ...Hats off from me!

 

[rushes]

 

[bgross]

First, to the OP: Congratulations on surviving and completing the SS1K.

Now for my two cents on the group riding.

I've completed over 100 Patriot Guard Riders missions, some as short as 5 miles and over 50 miles; through residential areas, small towns, and on SoCal freeways; in pre-dawn drowsiness, bright midday sun and after midnight; in fog, rain, near- frosty temps and 100 degree heat.

I've seen tire-smoking, fish tailing evasive maneuvers; riders side by side (and staggered) who couldn't hold a straight line; a ride captain stroked out and died - and then crashed (fortunately, no other dominoes fell). One octogenarian, on the way to a mission on a freezing December morning, crossed the centerline and hit a car headon.

These fine patriots are not, for the most part, riders of the caliber found in the LD community. But most have decades of riding experience - even if it an v-twins! Rule #1 for PGR is "safety" - ride your own ride and if you are not comfortable in a group, ride at the back.

Am I comfortable on these rides? NOT FOR A SECOND.

Would I do a Cert ride with a group of them. Not a chance!

I really don't enjoy group rides. I'd rather ride 1000 miles solo than 10 miles in a group. For me, PGR rides are... An uncomfortable decision for a larger purpose.

I'm just naturally selfish.

My hat is off to the OP!

 

[MEM]

You guys sound like the beginners if you are scared to ride in bigger groups, no matter who they are.

HUH?

 

[MEM]

At least they weren't side-by-side !

 

[wild1]

I have led a lot. I have been in the middle and at the rear. You guys know you don't have to ride side by side right? You should also know you don't have to ride two feet from another rider no matter where they are. If you cannot handle riding in the middle then ride in the from or back. I have ridden on rides with thousands of others. I really don't understand the big deal???? Maybe you guys need to get off road and improve your skills with some high speed maneuvers? Maybe you are upset that I question your skill. I don't really care either way. Just pointing out that it isn't that bad. I think the people in cars are more worrisome then bikers.

 

[exskibum]

I have led a lot. I have been in the middle and at the rear. You guys know you don't have to ride side by side right? You should also know you don't have to ride two feet from another rider no matter where they are. If you cannot handle riding in the middle then ride in the from or back. I have ridden on rides with thousands of others. I really don't understand the big deal???? Maybe you guys need to get off road and improve your skills with some high speed maneuvers? Maybe you are upset that I question your skill. I don't really care either way. Just pointing out that it isn't that bad. I think the people in cars are more worrisome then bikers.

HAR! Good stuff! Pretty sure I'm not the only one who thought we HAD TO ride side by side and two feet apart. No wonder you question our skills. Thank you for having ridden with thousands and deigning to correct us.

 

[Twigg]

I have led a lot. I have been in the middle and at the rear. You guys know you don't have to ride side by side right? You should also know you don't have to ride two feet from another rider no matter where they are. If you cannot handle riding in the middle then ride in the from or back. I have ridden on rides with thousands of others. I really don't understand the big deal???? Maybe you guys need to get off road and improve your skills with some high speed maneuvers? Maybe you are upset that I question your skill. I don't really care either way. Just pointing out that it isn't that bad. I think the people in cars are more worrisome then bikers.

Your faith in your fellow riders is touching. Whatever works for you.

Stay safe.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I've actually ridden for short distances right next to another rider. And believe me, it's NEVER been because I pulled up next to HIM.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I've actually ridden for short distances right next to another rider. And believe me, it's NEVER been because I pulled up next to HIM.

I KNOW! This happens to me all the time. How do all those beautiful women recognize us anyway? As long as it is a HER pulling up next to me I am good with it.

I don't care how much experience anyone has riding with groups, a bunch of LD novices on an SS1K has to be a unique and different situation. The OP has my respect.

Although, he still has not told us how many of them actually made it... I would love to hear (read) the whole story. I bet it is funny.

 

[wild1]

I guess I hurt some feelers. I apologize.

 

[Geezer]

I think we're talking about apples and oranges. Although riding close to another rider is always a bad idea, I believe the large packs of cruisers get away with it because of the lower speeds they generally use. There is simply no way a pair of FJRs could ride side by side. I need the entire lane, center stripe to fog stripe, in order to navigate a tight curve at an exhilarating pace. Not to mention obstacle avoidance.

I have ridden in larger groups of FJRs, but since we tend to leave each other enough space to ride safely at speed, the group stretches out. Once you start passing the other vehicles on the road, which a large group can never do all at once, the group gets stretched out into several smaller groups. So, we have learned to start out in small groups and make it easier and safer from the beginning.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Man, I've ridden in a bunch of Toy Runs, Charity Runs, and Memorial Rides with all kinds of bikes. I've seen a few douche bags making it dangerous for others, but my vigilance and ability to pay attention to what is going on trumps the "Oh, there's too many riders who I think I'm better than for me to participate." Honestly, many here sound kind of whiny, but will ride through California rush hour traffic.

This idea that a single rider has no control in a group setting is wrong. What's worse is if anyone thinks they have any more control while dealing with cars, trucks, and potential road kill, they are very mistaken.

AND, FWIW, the closest I have ever come to being killed on a group ride was a department funeral escort with 20 highly trained motor officers. Try running 100+, less than 8 feet apart, while passing a line of cars driven by a bunch of dipshit cops. After that, a charity run is a walk in the park!

 

[Bugnatr]

I guess I hurt some feelers. I apologize.

I liked your post, it's fun to see the dandruff get flying around here.

 

[bluesdog]

...Try running 100+, less than 8 feet apart, while passing a line of cars driven by a bunch of dipshit cops....

OK. I'll just say you told me to..

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Orginized HD rides in this area are know as "Suicide Rides" anyone who knows what they are doing does not participate, it's not if there is an accident, it's when

 

[LagerHead]

I guess I hurt some feelers. I apologize.

I liked your post, it's fun to see the dandruff get flying around here.

Me too, because I am exactly the same way. if you don't like everything I like in the way that I like it, you must suck. Only my way of doing things is approved. Anything less makes you a noob.

 

[wild1]

LOL not just me then huh.