Organization tips for a group ride?

[gokidd]

Hopefully some of you have taken part in a successful group ride event.
?
If it's a route of 50 miles or so, do you distribute route sheets? Or is it just better to have a couple of ride leaders -- one for the front and one for the back of the group?
Or both?
Or neither?

I'm looking for some safety tips for group riding events.

[chucktuna]

I've never organized an event, but I have been on enough to give some tips.

I guess the main questions for you are:
How many riders? and what size cc group ..50 cc's or maxi scoots?
If there is a big variation in top speed, its harder to keep them all together, and two different routes may be called for.

Location and terrain? City or country ride?
Again, the more stop lights, the harder it is to keep a group ride, in a group.

And how much help do you have?
If you have a leader and a tail gunner for every 15 to 20 bikes with a high vis vest, it helps noobs feel more comfortable on roads they probably have never ridden on.

Most highly organized rides have a map and gps coordinates of the route / finish location.
If you have enough riders, you may want to plan on a follow truck/trailer for breakdowns. If not, you may want to mention the lack of support vehicles when you send out invites.

Anyway, hope a few of these common sense things help out a bit.
Good luck

[gn2]

I'm looking for some safety tips for group riding events.

Tip Number 1: Avoid them, ride on your own.

[gokidd]

I'm pondering whether to offer up something low-key to attract some riders out into the country.
Dunno. PCX riders around here seem to be more task-oriented and not really riding for the joy of riding.
Thanks for the suggestions, chucktuna.

[chucktuna]

[dustin91]

Kidd, I joined this Meetup group (http://www.meetup.com/scooter-NJ/) for scooter riders in my general area. Haven't had one come up on the schedule yet that I could join, but it might be a good way to form a group.

Also, there is good info here (http://www.meetup.com/scooter-NJ/files/) as far as waivers, guidelines, etiquette, etc. Not sure if you need to join Meetup first before being able to view these though.


For every day I've had my 150 so far - while I haven't been traveling – I've been on it all but one day, and would love to go on a group ride before it gets too cold out! It is definitely not a commuting vehicle for me, it is all for fun.

[Taz]

Ive been on a few with 30-40 scooters and motorcycles. You need to stop every 10-15 min or so to let the stragglers catch up when in urban areas with traffic lights etc.

[you you]

That would so p155 me off if I was in my car!!!

And a challenge if I was on my scooter

[you you]

Hopefully some of you have taken part in a successful group ride event.
?
If it's a route of 50 miles or so, do you distribute route sheets? Or is it just better to have a couple of ride leaders -- one for the front and one for the back of the group?
Or both?
Or neither?

I'm looking for some safety tips for group riding events.

Start at the back and try to get to the front by end

[khaosaming]

You can find some tips here:

http://www.msgroup.org/groupridingguide.aspx

[gokidd]

Many, many thanks!

[kramnala58]

That is one looooong line of bikes! Thanks for sharing the pics.

[gokidd]

Terrific photos, chucktuna.
What was the event?

[chucktuna]

Terrific photos, chucktuna.
What was the event?

That's was one of the WKRP rallies out of Cinncinnati

[gokidd]

That's was one of the WKRP rallies out of Cinncinnati

Oh, man ... all that fun riding AND Cincinnati Chili!!
Dang. I could eat a Five-Way right NOW ... and it's only breakfast time.

[skuuter]

chucktuna gave some Great Tips...not a lot to add......I lead Group Rides year round of Scooters, Motorcycles, Trikes, and Mixed Groups. I've been leading various Group Rides since 1976.....Lots of Fun, but I've done it so long, my Wife and I have trimmed it back a lot this year. It gets time consuming pre-riding Routes, making Motel "Deals", arranging Gas Stops, Meal Stops, etc. We're starting to ride new areas, take longer distance trips, etc., and these are much easier to do when it's just us. I've lead 17 Group Rides this year, rode in 2 Others I didn't lead. We're riding in one more this month, leading one more next month, and that's it for 2013's "Group Riding". Next year will be very, very few, as in "maybe only one or two". Try it, it's a lot of fun...37 years of doing it is about "enough for me".....

[skuuter]

We rode the HILL ON WHEELS RALLY at DEALS GAP last weekend with the PCX150s.....







Mostly "Classic Scooters", but mixed from 50cc to 600cc...rode "The Dragon", Cherohala Skyway, etc. ...it was organized well by a Scooter Shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee...Scenic City Scooters...Great Bunch of Folks.....

[gokidd]

^^^ OH, that looks great, Skuuter!
Yeah, a few decades of being the organizer might be enough for a while.
Love the scooter rally shots!

[maddiedog]

I wouldn't distribute route sheets, but outline the route on a facebook event or similar, so that riders can look at it if they're running late to catch up. Make sure to indicate landmarks you'll pass during the ride, so that people can reroute if they separate.

Large group rides I've been on usually block intersections and go through red lights to keep the group together. I don't recommend that, but it's good to keep the group together, especially on city rides through silly light patterns.

[skuuter]

I'm leading a Group Ride this coming Sunday (April 27th) from the Monteagle SHELL/McDonalds on top of Monteagle Mountain in Monteagle, Tn down to South Pittsburg, Tn using twisty Hwy 156 for the NATIONAL CORNBREAD FESTIVAL. Anyone that has never attended and would like to attend, here is an Information Link:

http://www.nationalcornbread.com/

It's a lot of Fun, and the many kinds of Award Winning Cornbreads are FANTASTIC... ...even if You can't ride with us, but are within "striking distance" of the Event, check out the Link.....