[00 wildglide]

I recently went on a road trip to Utah/Bryce canyon--Zion national park.The trip started from home here in South S.F.,CA. to L.A. & onto Utah.I was invited to ride with my brother in laws "H.O.G." chapter.These people were like riding with a leash attached to each other.The ride formation & safety part was great,but at times I just wanted to pull away from the pack & be free.The Road Captain went by the name "MR." in front of his name(I won't say his name in case someone knows him)
This guy was o.k. until he started his chant about: "This is how we ride" crap.I've always preferred to ride solo & now I know why.He would often blow a whistle to get attention from the group.Every time I heard the whistle blow I just wanted to leave the group & go on my own.
I respect all who choose to ride with a club or not,I just can't do it...Won't do it!
Happy Trails!!!,00 wildglide

[charlieharley0057]

Hi
I like you have tried both and now prefer to ride with just one or two mates, any more than that and runs become a pain. Me and Bob have just returned from the European Super Rally Denmark, a 1895 sMile round trip. We were offered the oppertunity to ride with a group but declined and am glad we did as when we met with them later they told us all their tails of woe. (Again and Again and Again ) we had no such problems just open roads, blue skys, cold beer and great company. So at the end of the day do what makes you happy and sod the rest.
Ride free and safe

[maxpower_hd]

I too prefer to ride with a small group of friends that share the same riding style. People I know and trust and where there is at least SOME predictability as to how they will respond to certain situations. Plus you have the freedom to change routes or even destinations mid stream without difficulty.

There are a couple of large Poker runs I do go on every year because I know some of the people who organize them and they are for a good cause. One is for the Shriner's Burn Institute and the other is for MS. They are very well run with local support from Police and Fire Dept.s through the entire run which makes negotiating intersections in large groups much more rider friendly. I will continue to go on those as long as they have them. However, I have been on other large "organized" runs that were a fluster cluck and choose to stay away from most of them now.

I much prefer the sense of freedom riding in small groups offers rather than the feeling of being herded like sheep that comes with riding in large groups.

[Red Rider]

Yep, can't ride with packs. I do like to see big packs of bikes heading down the highway, as that is a cool sight. But usually they are right at or even below speed limit (we have 80MPH out here, and some packs won't do that) and so I'll have to work my way through them to travel in my comfort zone. Usually they're cool about it, but sometimes their herd-dog will glare at me like I'm checking out his sister on the dance floor. I just don't like giving up my freedom. Now I'll ride with no more than 3 other bikes, and with the understanding that it ain't no friggin' crisis if we break away from each other.

[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

[2fastnaz]

Not my cup of tea either. I did a few Toy for Tots runs when I was in San Diego. It was awsome to look in the mirrors and as far as you could see behind you were HDs. Other than that I prefer to ride with my buddys so I can have some fun.

[00 wildglide]

I did have a great time seeing the sights, although I probably would never do this type of long haul w/ another H.O.G. group again.These people are a little too "clickish" for my taste(did I just say"clickish".. ).As I said before,Clubs/large groups are great for some...just not for me.
I found the stock handlebars on my FLHTi suck!(short arm syndrome).I just ordered Wild1,inc. "575" bagger bars & whole crap load of cables,brake lines & other misc. stuff for this change.I'll post pics. latter,00 wildglide

[SK]

Have never really like more than about 4 bikes in a group, especially when you have to ride through the city and stay together. Mostly though, too many bikes means too many riding styles. Also, too much formality starts to take the fun out of it.

I did ride once back in '98 in Laughlin at the River Run with over 100 Royal Stars in one big train..that was cool.

[steveb]

The old saying 2 is company 3 is a crowd is my style of riding if I have a time schedule to get somewhere. If I am going to go on a benefit ride I just covince myself before I go to be patient and go with the flo because it is for a good cause.

[HellBoy]

The guys and girls at NYC HOG are easy to ride with, (not too strict and not foolish either) although I haven't done any longer rides with them yet. That said, my favorite thing other than solo is to ride with one buddy. It's really enjoyable to share the fun with a good friend.

* I've noticed two bikes often get more respect on the road than one.

[AZroaddust]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

I've noticed two bikes often get more respect on the road than one.

1 Sportster + 1 Rider + 1 IMI Baby Eagle 9mm = all the respect I need.

[mmiller0424]

Damn guys, I don't have enough people that like me to be in a group ride.LOL
I think I will stick to a handful of bikes. As Cowboy can testify to, I am not a real socialable person anyway. I want to have a cold one, a smoke, and the road.

[HellBoy]

quoting AZ "1 Sportster + 1 Rider + 1 IMI Baby Eagle 9mm = all the respect I need"

No one's gonna know what you're packin' when they do something stupid. Guess we all really have to remember not to count on the driver for much of anything. I try to respect anything on two wheels, but that's not so easy here in NYC when there are hundreds of delivery guys on unlicensed scooters who don't know green from red and turn anywhere and everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the sidewalk soon!

[Red Rider]

Hellboy's mostly right, but when I have my Browning 10-gauge strapped on my bike does seem to be more visible to other vehicles.....

[SPORSTERBOY]

DON'T HAVE ANY RIDE'N BUDDIES SINCE I MOVED HERE, MAYBE A GOOD THING, MAYBE NOT, DOSN'T BOTHER ME, I LIKE SOLO. RIDE'N WITH OTHERS GIVES YOU MORE WORRIES, AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY WANT TO RIDE BESIDE YOU, I LIKE HAVE'N MY HOLE LANE, CAN'T AFFORD TO HIT A HOLE

[Ultra Al]

I've done it both ways, not with no HOG chapter though, with the real deal (ah my misspent youth). It was pretty intense we would subdivide the main pack into groups of 6 bikes or so riding really tight , close enough to reach over and shake hands with the guy next to you. These days though, mostly just me and the wife take off and go at our own pace and enjoy the ride. Al

[FLHTbiker]

Originally Posted by HellBoy

The guys and girls at NYC HOG are easy to ride with, (not too strict and not foolish either) although I haven't done any longer rides with them yet. That said, my favorite thing other than solo is to ride with one buddy. It's really enjoyable to share the fun with a good friend.

* I've noticed two bikes often get more respect on the road than one.

Hellboy, I talked to 4 of your NYC HOG chapter guys at the HOG P.O.T. training last week in Vegas. Nice guys but they sure do talk funny, .

One guy said he rides a Haaaally and we in joking manner said we ride a Harley. Great guys was glad to meet them.

[maxpower_hd]

HAHA. All the locals here in MA ride Hahleys and the pahk em in the yahd.

[AZroaddust]

Originally Posted by maxpower_hd

HAHA. All the locals here in MA ride Hahleys and the pahk em in the yahd.

Ow long he be doen dat?

[FLHTbiker]

I've often wondered if we in the west have an accent to you guys on the East coast or do we sound like just a US American speaking normally.

Now southern girls to me just sound kind of sexy when thay talk.