[mmiller0424]

Whoa fellows, lets not start trash talking Texas!!!! It may not be the most beautiful place in areas, but we are VERY proud of our state.

[FLHTbiker]

SK, I've been to most places in Nevada passing through and agree it has its own terrain for sure just not my type of riding. Have you ever rode in western and central Montana, that has got to be one of my favorite places to ride. Northern and eastern Washington and upper Idaho really offer some fantastic riding with roads that will leave a lasting impression on you. Every time I ride through southern Idaho and almost all of Nevada all I want to do is hurry up and get out. Parts of Arizona are really nice like the time we rode into Springerville and the Flagstaff areas. Never been to Texas except to fly in to Dallas and out however would like to ride there someday.
I've lead a couple of tours down the Oregon coast from Lincoln City and then down to Eureka CA and both times everyone has said that was a fantastic ride. I guess unlike Red I love the trees along with mountain type riding. As for fires well every state out west gets them. There is still a lot of places that I want to ride including Colorado which it seems that everytime were headed in that direction we never seem to get there. Wyoming has got some nice areas to ride but Nebraska was boring. There are lots of great places to ride out west and I'm sure like you everyone is proud of the state they live in but Nevada to me is not one I care to do a lot of riding in as there are to many other places to ride.

[AZroaddust]

FLHTbiker: Lincoln City to Eureka is a fantastic and beautiful place to ride for sure!

One of my "must do some day" rides is CA Highway 1 from Malibu to Monterey!! I've done it several times in a car, but that's gotta be a fantastic bike ride with all the curves and cliffs, etc.

[FLHTbiker]

Originally Posted by AZroaddust

FLHTbiker: Lincoln City to Eureka is a fantastic and beautiful place to ride for sure!

One of my "must do some day" rides is CA Highway 1 from Malibu to Monterey!! I've done it several times in a car, but that's gotta be a fantastic bike ride with all the curves and cliffs, etc.

Yep another excellent ride and one I also want to do again.

[SK]

Originally Posted by mmiller0424

Whoa fellows, lets not start trash talking Texas!!!! It may not be the most beautiful place in areas, but we are VERY proud of our state.

I'm certainly not trash-talking Texas. Lived there for 3 years during the mid-80s, and the Texas Hillcountry is fantastic riding. Most people don't even realize there are huge forests in East Texas. I was just saying West is bare, but beautiful in it's own right..much like a lot of Nevada.

[gabby]

i have a brother i can ride side by side with over about any road. we just ride that much together. most of us in the club ride well together, when we are all together, there's a road captain and it's sort of organized, we don't get stupid. i enjoy the "tight friend" ride, but i'm proud to see all my brothers ITW. you got to ride with people alot to get relaxed around'em. gabby

[HellBoy]

It's been a while since I've looked at this thread and I've done lots more riding since then. I've been on group rides with the NYC HOG group, local runs with a buddy and plenty of solo rides. It's all been good so far, and each has it's merits. The HOG rides are often associated with good charities, like cancer research or the amazing ride to the World Trade Center on 9/11 where 700 - 1000 bikes crossed through the city to pay respects. I take a little pride being a part of a riding group that supports such good causes. I've also gone to places I might never have thought to go with the HOGS, so that's another benefit to being a part of it, as well as getting good advice from more experienced riders. It's also pleasure to take a ride with one friend whose riding style I'm familiar with. I really enjoy a good cup of coffee and watching the sun go down after an hours ride with a buddy. On those rides I usually don't go too far from home, so it's never tiring. As for solo riding, I love the freedom to choose to go anywhere I want to, any time I want. So, as I said before, it's all good.

Sorry to hear that some of you met with some jerks on group rides. F**k em', don't waste time with a**holes.

[usahellas]

Wow, pretty cool thread. Loved the way it started off about riding in groups and ventured off into riding Harleys vs. Haaalies and Southern Girls accents. hahahahaha Oh man, when I lived in Germany I started riding with a group. I quickly found that it was NOT my thing either. Granted it was a great group of guys but you ride in your pack and to their terms and when they ride and if you do not ride when they want you to ride then they get upset. I use to piss em off since I rarely had time when they wanted to ride and did a LOT of riding by myself or with a buddy who was with the group as well.

My best times have been spent riding with AFNurse. It all started back in the Army when we both had Kawasaki Ninja 600r's and hit the autobahn at full speed. I wound up staying and when AFNurse pcs'd back over to Germany for a while and I got to ride with him again. This time on a Harley and it was much more fun than a big group. Another really good ride was with a group of 4 bikers. My buddy and myself on Harleys and two of his buddies on crtochrockets. That must have been an awkward sight to behold. But the 4 of us had a blast. I have done a few LONG trips with the riders club I was a member of and they did little more than piss me off. I am now back in good old Georgia, USA and I ride pretty much alone and love it. I would love to ride with one or two more guys but that is about it.

Now on to southern Girls and so on, my wife is Greek and both of my daughters were born in Germany. My youngest daughter is now 7 but we moved back to the US when when she was 5. She has learned English the southern way so I was not surprised over the past few years to read things like Dawg, purty and thar. No I am not making it up I have actually had to correct these spelling words on her papers. hahaha, my oldest 12 has not picked up the accent yet and still corrects me at times. my favorite was the other day when I said something to her and she said daddy wait, could you repeat what you just said. I said what did you miss and she said well you said "this, that and the other thing and then something southern. hahahahaha

Well hope I did not ramble on too long. Take care have a great day and hope you not freezing like I am.

[Panthera]

I think one thing to keep in mind with pack riding is that it has it's own inherent dangers. That many bikes riding in a tighter formation could result in a large pile up if only one rider screws up, so ride directors, particularly those with clubs, have to try and keep discipline.

I like to ride with a few friends and my son, but not side-by-side. I am with sportsterboy on this, I like the whole lane. We generally do a staggered formations, and we do not worry about keeping it to tight, we are out to ride, not march!

Part of the appeal of riding is the freedom. Find a new road and find out where it goes.

[hotroadking]

All y'all have an accent.

Only southerners speak proper ahmurcun english.

On groups, I prefer smaller 4 to 6 at most usually just people I've ridden with.

Don't like side by side riders and I don't do it, If I am riding with you and you pull up beside me, and eventually don't pass or lay back then I'll pull ahead and move to the center of the lane until you get the point.

Small or large groups, with guys/gals you know speaking your mind isn't a problem, "hey don't ride by me side by side, nothing to do with you but I like my room to avoid stuff, ok?" is my request, it's done one on one and not a problem.

For large groups however there needs to be a leader, and it's a pretty big responsibility, and there has to be rules.

Watch the Kyle Petty charity run, they meet each AM, discuss the route, where to stop, make sure people know how to get help, place the helper riders with radios, safety etc.

Big groups just require more administration, directions etc.

Lots more can go wrong in a 100 group ride.

I do only a couple of bigger rides, find them to be pia clutch in, clutch out rubber band out, in out in, cars cut in, out.

[charlieharley0057]

Originally Posted by Panthera

I think one thing to keep in mind with pack riding is that it has it's own inherent dangers. That many bikes riding in a tighter formation could result in a large pile up if only one rider screws up, so ride directors, particularly those with clubs, have to try and keep discipline.

I like to ride with a few friends and my son, but not side-by-side. I am with sportsterboy on this, I like the whole lane. We generally do a staggered formations, and we do not worry about keeping it to tight, we are out to ride, not march!

Part of the appeal of riding is the freedom. Find a new road and find out where it goes.

I agree! I have tried it all, riding with a Club , Hog, and a 2500 bike RTTW this year. No matter how well they are briefed or their control I have seen all of them come to a stop because of one rider who lost it, weather because of lack of concentration or trying to ride beyond their ability or simply showing off. (Remember show-offs fall off) in matters not the end result is just not worth the effort.
I now tend too ride with one or two trusted buddies, who no matter what happens you just know where they will be in relation to your own position and they you. but at the end of the day we know we will be sitting round shootin the $hit over a cold beer. So ride free and safe however you choose to do it.

[HellBoy]

Haven't posted for a while, but I forgot to mention my absolutely favorite ride... that's the one where a sexy woman's on the two up and we're heading to my place.

[Ashley]

Yeh riding with a sexy woman on pillion is always good. To home, or anywhere else for that matter.

I'm probably never going to do the HOG ride out in formation stuff. I simply cannot do with the whole organisation, rules and whatever. I do drop into the HOG socials now and then, and HOG does have some decent membership benefits.

I prefer to ride with my lady, just the two of us. Go where we want, do what we want.

[amf4399]

Reading the first post with the guy blowing the whistle wow thats crazy. One blow of the whistle and I would of high tailed it out of the there. I pretty much ride alone or maybe with one other person. My ass gets sore about every hour so I like to take a quick break and kick back a bit. Whats the hurry. If I wanted to race I would of bought one of those crotch rockets. I belong to the local hog club in Baltimore and everyone has been nice but never have riding with them.

[FLHTbiker]

Yep, another great HOG chapter ride today. 50 bikes and split into 2 groups, no issues, no accidents, no problems just a bunch of happy, friendly riders making great friends and rekindling old friendships. Couldn't get any better than this.

[chucktx]

glad ya had a good ride!!!! i had a short nice ride today also.....had to wear long sleeves tho............

[FLHTbiker]

Long sleeves, sheesh Most of the riders today were wearing their heated gear, face masks or full face helmets and heavy chaps or insulted pants. Temps started out at 30 F but had clear blue Sky's. FINALLY, warmed up to 47 F but still everyone had a great ride. Rode from Latus Motors HD in Portland to the Izzy's pizza and buffet in Salem by way of back roads.

[meoutlaw]

Originally Posted by cowboy

I would have told him what to do with that whistle & that MR crap & then left the pack eather up front or in the way far rear

I second that one LOL!! myself I like to ride alone or with at the most 10 bikes and that's with good bros. No whistles or Mr. for me, Popeye

[FLHTbiker]

Riding in groups or not is a personal choice and a choice everyone needs to make on their own.

I like riding in all ways whether it be by myself, small groups or with our great HOG chapter. We have made many great friends in the chapter and really like riding with them. Many times like last weekend several of us from the HOG chapter will get together and go for a ride. I'm really glad we belong to HOG as for us its like having a great big family. I know that there are some HOG chapters that are not as well organized and have in house fighting but not ours. Everyone really seems to get along very well and have a lot of fun, ride well together and that's probably why we have right at 500 members. HOG members from other chapters have come over and joined ours because of the positive group we are.
We also have a very strong ladies of Harley group where 90% of them ride their own bike.

[HellBoy]

That sounds cool. I wouldn't mind a few more ladies in the NYC HOG chapter!