Island Ride

Here in Washington State, there are many many ferries used to cross the Puget Sound. Bikes go directly to the front of the line and follow the bicycles as the first on the boat.

I was visiting my Mom in the hospital this last week, and was waiting for the Kingston Ferry. So this group of 7 bikes collects, 3 Harleys, 2 Goldwings and 2 Kawis (other was a newer 900ish). And I was the youngest guy.

I needed gas, but when the bikes got off of the Ferry in unison, something about being in such a large group (for me it was), made me want to continue on with them.

I have never ridden in formation like that. It seemed that the more they trusted my riding ability i.e. I wouldn't do something stupid and veer into another bike, the closer they allowed me to get. Pretty soon I was in the staggered formation thing with 'em. Fun!

I even passed a car in an oncoming lane in a group of four bikes.

It was not as if there was any recklessness either. Just faster than I would have gone on my own. And it seemed that these guys did this quite often. Many looked retired.

It was extremely fun, and I plan to take some time to go and take one of the ferry routes just to get into a group of bikes again.

Riding in a group does give a thrill. It also takes some concentration. But once you see the consequences of one person losing that concentration and see what happens and how fast it happens it quickly loses it's appeal. One darting squirrel can make the St. Valentines Day massacre look mild. Even riders with tons of saddle time can oops it! There are things you can do to make it less likely to happen and you should do them (stagger). Me, I'll stay solo or 2 bikes tops. Thats about all I can handle. I will say solo riding is not always the smart thing either. If something happens to one there is no one to help or to get help.

ditto with the loco one,i prefer to ride on an open straight stretch of highway for those times i like to load test my pacemaker with a little throttle pegging to clear my head for a few milesB)

When I was younger, two of my brothers rode, and a couple friends did as well. So riding with others was the usual and fun.
When I started riding again, after 10 years of not, I rode alone most of the time. I ended up forming a group on the internet to find other riders. It is nice to get together with others, talk bikes and ride.

Here are some links to group riding techniques:

www.sunsethog.com/groupRiding.html
There's another group riding info section in the below link somewhere.

Some good info here on all kinds of stuff:
www.msgroup.org/articles.aspx

where are you at?
I am in Kent just south of Renton.

we need to get all of os Washinton Members together real soon and hit the road.

I'm also with Loco on this one. In my earlier years a friend invited several other bikers to go with us from Baltimore to Harrington (Del) to see flat track racing. One of these jokers had a "peanut" tank, so he had to stop about every 10 miles for gas (and he rode like an idiot). My friend and I finally left the others behind when they had to stop at a bar. I doubt they ever made it to the races, but that's the last time I rode with more than 1 other biker. Ed

I actually enjoy a group ride. I like riding with fellow bikers. On the last couple rides with the SoCal guys it was great. We did not have to discuss how to ride, it just came naturally. We would ride in a staggared formation until we got into some twisties then it became a single line formation. When we went to Big Bear (8000ft, great roads) there was a section for high speed twisties and the leader (KZjohn) gave directions to the meeting spot so everyone would know. The group spread out with the faster riders way ahead and the slower ones bringing up the rear, but everyone knew where to end up. Markwing took this pic on our Malibu ride to the Rock Store....

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I ride in large groups a lot,, not the fun runs but neverless a LOT of bikes.

I rode for years with a friend, we knew where each of us was at all times, those were the good rides, never did like the loose cannons, never know where they would be next or how fast they were going next to you.

good fun rides are always the best no matter how many people

I must say that I prefer riding alone or with my wife aboard...although I've ridden with other bikes occasionally in the past.
For us, riding alone gives us more freedom to do what we want, when we want, wherever we want. Our 'gas' range is about 120 miles but my 'ass' range is considerably less. So when we get sore, or thirsty or whatever, we stop. That's not always possible when riding with others.
Yet, sometimes being with other bikes is pretty cool too. Nothing like the roaring thunder of a large group of bikers around you
That's my two-bits for the day.

I usually ride alone, but I really like riding with a group. The best part is parking in a line, taking the best parking spots that the Hardleys usually use :evil: