Which do you prefer, leading or following?

[Dirtrideroader]

I am just curious where in the line people like to ride.

[last option added by admin ;-)]

[VFRinAustin]

I tend to like to lead unless its a real large group or we are really just out for a lazy ride, then I like to sweep, that way I can see if anyone needs help or just to keep the group together.

[Chirpy]

Ooooh,

Really don't like to lead, too much responsibility. Even if it's just a buddy behind, I'd feel like crap if he overcooked into a corner.

Mid pack can get wierd if there are people you don't know, or who don't know group etiquette.

Clean-up is great. I can absolutely ride my own ride, and also keep an eye out for folks riding over there head. Sadly, enough track time has me pretty good at spotting this...

Anyway, that's my vote.

Daryl

[kawi jm]

I voted Leading, but that really only applys to riding w/ people I know. If they are new to riding or new to riding w/ me I usually prefer to sweep.

[buck000]

I voted follow. It's all I know... :-D

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab Just by virtue of the fact that I am often the one that puts together the rides and plans the routes, I often wind up leading. I don't really mind the extra responsibility. However, I like to occasionally drop to the back and just goof off. It's fun to watch everyone snaking through the curves. I seldom ride in the middle of the pack unless someone else just insists on riding sweep.

:tab Many riders make the mistake of thinking that because they are good solo riders that they are also going to be good group riders. This is simply not the case. Group riding is a skill just like anything else. The biggest mistake I see is people following to close to the person in front of them. This leaves no room for reaction if something goes wrong. The next thing I see often is a following rider watching the leading rider rather than watching the road and judging corners for themself. If people can get those two things sorted out, the rest is usually not to hard.

:tab One of the things I want to work on this year on the rides I do is really working with people to develop good group riding habits. Along those lines I would like to see what other people think in this thread. What do you think makes for a good group ride? What are issues that drive you nuts? (Things like everyone not gassing up at the same time... ;-) ) Let's hear it people!

Adios,

[scratch]

I voted tailgunner, even though I don't often take that position. Like uberhawk says, you can relax more while bringing up the rear. 8)

In a faster group, the temptation to chase can be hard to resist, so... :roll: :wink:

[scratch]

Howdy,

:tab One of the things I want to work on this year on the rides I do is really working with people to develop good group riding habits. Along those lines I would like to see what other people think in this thread. What do you think makes for a good group ride? What are issues that drive you nuts? ...Let's hear it people!



Um...when the group leader stops to take photos without giving a clear, unmistakable indication of his intent. :P

Hey, you asked for it! :mrgreen: :wink:

[Tourmeister]

Um...when the group leader stops to take photos without giving a clear, unmistakable indication of his intent.

WHAT!!?? My panic breaking to get the perfect shot is not a clear signal of my intent? :P See the comment about following too close :wink: Point taken though, I try to let everyone know what I am doing. It's those day dreamers that give me trouble :mrgreen:

Adios,

[brd]

<Reply moved to its own poll (http://www.twtex.com/viewtopic.php?t=966)>

[Tourmeister]

:tab Well, those are great points Brian, and I agree with all of it ;-) However, the original question assumes that you are group riding. The whole issue of which do you prefer, group or solo, would make for a good other poll :-P *hint hint*

Adios,

[brd]

However, the original question assumes that you are group riding.

Too true. That's what I get for responding to polls while on the verge of consciousness.

[John Bennett]

I prefer to ride WAY in the back. Preferable last bike with a BIG (like 300 meter) cushion of space between me and the next rider up.

This allows me to take curves at whatever speed I feel is fun or comfortable, and to slow down and gawk at pretty farmhouses and scenery when I feel like it.

[John Bennett]

On a side note, if I'm in the middle and going slower than the pack, I don't mind at all being passed by those who want to ride faster than me, or ride in tighter formation than me.

Some groups have different ettiquette regarding that. They get annoyed if anyone passes anyone.

[buck000]

I think I wanna ride with John.

I must admit to hypocrisy in that I'll occasionally yield to temptation and wick it up, but generally I just like keeping to The Pace with 5 mph of the limit, and just enjoy the scenery.

I understand where folks wanna, er, maximize their riding time and distance covered ;). Just don't become an 'actuarial statistic...'

It kind of sucks to go on a group ride, and have the group leave me in the dust. The, as I catch up to the group at a rest point, I pull in, but they take off, since they're all done resting. Note that I'm not speaking of Tourmeister's group here, btw.

I need to find out when the next Newbie ride is... :-D

[BMWRT]

Well I would have to say tail gunner for me. I'm not one to take the lead, first because I'd get everyone lost and it is hard to set a good, fun pace if you're not familiar with the roads. When I lived in Fl it was a different story. I spent many years learing the turns and how best to handle them. I would be affraid to lead someone into a corner too fast or bore them with my caution.

I have to agree with John's view also. There are lots of great things that make a ride a ride!

[sphpkr]

In a small group I like to switch around. In a large group I like to ride near the back.
Kelly

[Shortline]

When I was on the Harley, I didn't mind leading. Did so often enough, in fact. But, that was a completly different kind of riding, than what most of you do. Now that I'm on the Bandit, I don't ride much with the cruiser set. I simply can't keep up with a pack of high-tech supersports. And, Im ok with that. I like the tail, I can watch everyone elses entries, and learn from them. So, lead on, I'll be there in a minute!

TR
Brady TX

[ddavis]

I always lead with my small Greenville group but, I would much rather follow.

I always follow when I ride with Plano Honda but, that's because I ride a Suzuki and I am a threat to their 95% Goldwing brotherhood! :lol: Honestly, they are a great group.

The responsibility of leading, takes some of the fun out of it for me.

[rxpx40]

I seem to fall into the same situation Scott does.
When I started group riding, I gathered a bunch of friends and mapped out a ride. Next thing I knew, everyone was following me. I didn't have a problem, since I mapped out the ride. But then, it seemed to become a habit. Everywhere we went, everyone followed me.
I decided I didn't want to lead every ride, so I offered the lead to anyone who wanted it.
No one took me up on it.
I asked why everyone wanted to follow me.. (?)
My friends told me that I have an 'air of confidence' that they trust me. They know I won't lead them into a turn too hot and that I watch out for them.
For me, I like to set the pace and not have to be constantly adjusting my speed to a group in front of me.

[BabyT]

Tailgunner here..... I like to ride my own ride. And besides, Im gonna wave ya'll ahead anyways, so its better I just start in the back.

[varnado]

When I take the lead in a ride, I usually see how much space is behind me to check if I need to pick up the pace or slow it down. When I sweep, I have the most fun. I usually ride about 30 yards behind in long straights. When we come into the twisty stuff, I fall wayyy back and wick it up till I hit the buffer zone. I am not a very good middle rider because of that very reason.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab I watch the rear of the pack to determine if my pace is appropriate. The reason is that no matter how fast I go, there is always someone that likes to hang right on the back of your bike ;-) So using them to gauge the whole pack doesn't work real well.

Adios,

[focus frenzy]

on our (gsr) hill country rides I always lead the north Texas group down to San Marcos because I remember the way, but out in the hills I prefer to be mid pack due to the group breaking into basically two groups, the front one riding semi aggressive and the second taking a more leisurely pace.
I like a pace between the two and I also like to keep a eye on the slower group and I also like letting the front group get out a good ways and chase them down :twisted: before dropping back to check on the slow group.

[Bill J. from Austin]

I'm tailgunner on almost every ride. I don't mind leading, or being in a pack, if I really know the folks I'm riding with, but if I don't know you I wanna hang back and see how you handle yourself. More than one biker has gone down because another biker did something stupid! :roll:

I'm also the shepherd of the group, watching for strays and breakdowns. :angel:

When I do lead, I'm still playing shepherd, counting headlights to make sure we haven't lost anyone, and planning lane-changes and turns well in advance so no one is caught out by traffic, or left to fend for themselves. I've seen "leaders" signal a lane-change, turn or exit with only moments to spare, and not enough room for the entire pack to make the maneuver. Then everyone has to pull over and wait while the pack reassembles. :angryfir: Who needs that?

There was an Austin-area group ride last year that ended in tragedy because the "leader" suddenly decided to take that exit right there, right now, without taking into consideration the dozen or so motorcyclists following him. I think a total of three bikes went down, as some people caught the last-minute signal and others didn't. No fatalities, but plenty of injuries and damage to go around. What a cluster!

Ride safe, y'all!

[Tx Rider]

I like tailgun, leading is a lot of work to do it well. I run a company and I ride to get away from leadership and relax. :)

The only cost is having folks in front of you when you get into some sweet turns, but I don't need to be scraping pegs anyway.

[Valker]

The only problem I had in voting was there was no spot for "Don't ride with groups, but I'd LOVE to meet someplace". :shock:

[Doc]

I tend to ride where the law of natural selection puts me. I never assume I know where that will be before I get there. :chug:

[DucGirl]

I like to follow as I tend to not like to worry about someone behind me.....dono, maybe I'm just picky....lol

[Thermalser]

I tend to ride where the law of natural selection puts me. I never assume I know where that will be before I get there. :chug:

Yep... I voted anywhere as long as I'm riding. All depends on who I riding with and where we are riding. As long as I'm with a group that rides smart, like all the TWT rides I've joined in on! :-D