 Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72 |
Last Saturday I participated in a fundraising ride. As the group got out onto the highway, the front bikes blasted off to 80MPH, causing the remaining 100 riders to do the same to keep the group together.
Individual bikes blocked off traffic at intersections ( I guess hoping no one would get mad, and drive through the group when the light changed to green.
Needless to say, between the way the bikes were going, and having no idea of the experience level of those around me, it wasn't something I plan to do every weekend.
Is this normal for these events?
No matter how Cynical I become, I can never keep up.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 497
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 497 |
Try doing a Poker Run, Thats when the nutters come out..... 
05 Speedmaster,Reverse Cone Shortys,Thunderbike AIR Kit,K&N Air Filter,Snorkel Removed,Dynojet Stage 1 Kit(126 main),Needle-Clip 1 From Bottom,42 Pilot,NGK Iridium Plugs,Progressive Springs,Hagon 2810's,Barnett Green Springs,TTP Safe-Start,MOSFET R/R
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
I have known three riders that have died participating in "rides".
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
I like poker run s better, ride at your own pace just follow the markers to the finish.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,286 Likes: 65 |
We have "Ride for Dad" here that brings out somewhere around 3000 bikes doing a giant conga line. I send Prostate Cancer research a cheque and take off in the opposite direction. No Thanks. 
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Last Saturday I participated in a fundraising ride. As the group got out onto the highway, the front bikes blasted off to 80MPH, causing the remaining 100 riders to do the same to keep the group together.
Individual bikes blocked off traffic at intersections ( I guess hoping no one would get mad, and drive through the group when the light changed to green.
Needless to say, between the way the bikes were going, and having no idea of the experience level of those around me, it wasn't something I plan to do every weekend.
Is this normal for these events?
short answer, yes it's normal. and it's why I never participate in those amateur hour rides.
mostly wannabe hard asses trying to give the impression that they don't have tiny appendages.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 497
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 497 |
Oh don't get me wrong, Love poker runs (even won one once) just the fast guys are FAST. But as said you know where your're going and can go at your own pace. 
05 Speedmaster,Reverse Cone Shortys,Thunderbike AIR Kit,K&N Air Filter,Snorkel Removed,Dynojet Stage 1 Kit(126 main),Needle-Clip 1 From Bottom,42 Pilot,NGK Iridium Plugs,Progressive Springs,Hagon 2810's,Barnett Green Springs,TTP Safe-Start,MOSFET R/R
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
poker runs are different to be sure, but around here they are more like pub crawls where the stops are all at bars and they offer drink specials... wtf
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I do that all the time. Ride in the back or the front or go at ya own pace. Had a fella go down in front of me but I had plenty of space to stop.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
Quote:
Last Saturday I participated in a fundraising ride. As the group got out onto the highway, the front bikes blasted off to 80MPH, causing the remaining 100 riders to do the same to keep the group together.
Individual bikes blocked off traffic at intersections ( I guess hoping no one would get mad, and drive through the group when the light changed to green.
Needless to say, between the way the bikes were going, and having no idea of the experience level of those around me, it wasn't something I plan to do every weekend.
Is this normal for these events?
short answer, yes it's normal. and it's why I never participate in those amateur hour rides.
mostly wannabe hard asses trying to give the impression that they don't have tiny appendages.
 Perhaps a tad harsh Dave  .But I know what you mean.
I run with a few mates or Alone.I did a charity ride once with Sport bikes,The Harley crowd,a few Triumphs and some UJMs.
Frantic is a word that comes to mind.I think there were a couple of crashes.One resulting in Hospital if I remember correctly.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,073 Likes: 82
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,073 Likes: 82 |
I used to go on those rides but they truly are dangerous in my opinion so for awhile I would just ride by on the benefit runs, make my donation and roll on my own.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
I call those things a Slinkey. Ya know, like the toy we played with as a kid. They go real fast like, then slow down to a stop real fast like and repeat the thing again through many cycles. The Harley bunch up front usually take off and get up to 80 then it's brake lights and blue smoke.
I just got back from a nice peaceful solo ride in the N. Ga. mountains. I was my own Slinkey.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,174 Likes: 15
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,174 Likes: 15 |
They have a huge annual fund raiser ride for breast cancer in my area. we did it a couple 3 years, then decided no more.
I will have to say it is pretty well organized, but so many bikes its just crazy. The last time we rode it, we started out at 0800 with the second group of 200 riders (there were 8 groups). All sorts of bikes, but many big HD ultras and electro glides, most riding 2 up. I would have to say most appeared to be low mileage riders. The constant surging of the group and the inability to maintain a spacing within the group is, a some point just plain frightening.
Low speed wobbles and turtling on street corners are common to see. Once the bike turtles then it takes a whole crew to lift the bike and help out the rider(s) if they are hurt.
it all becomes not fun. better to just donate and call it good.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
My favorite part of riding with a larger group is slowly rolling into the large parking lot and hanging about. Not a fan of riding with large group. 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 72 |
My first clue should have been the fact that the group is known as "Motorpsychos".
I am actually sponsoring a ride with my local ABATE chapter, who approached me to have a Sheriff's Ride. It is a fundraiser for our local child advocacy center. I plan to have an escort car, that will maintain some semblance of sanity.
No matter how Cynical I become, I can never keep up.
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 220 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 220 Likes: 2 |
In 2007 my wife and I rode in a Christmas toy run organised by the motorcycle riders association here in Australia, this run has been going since 1978 I think, ( I have a 1979 T.shirt that doesn't fit anymore, from my first ride. ) There was an estimated 10,000 bikes riding out of the centre of Melbourne ( yep 10,000 ). I gotta admit I was nervous especially having her royal highness on the back ( she wasnt fussed at all ) but the ride was very orderly and it didnt take long to settle in and enjoy it. There was a big police presents and they broke us up into four groups ( do your sums ). It interrupted Melbournes traffic so much that it was to be the last time it was started in Melbourne, it now starts from different places throughout Victoria, but the noise, the atmosphere and the sight, man what a hoot, glad I was there, sh&%n myself and all. 
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Minister of war and finance will not ride with me any more.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374 |
I have to agree with the unsafe rating, these guys ride like they have no throttle, just an on off switch. I ride to relax, not to get my heart rate jacked up.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Did my first fundraising "ride" scared the **
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 754 |
About every 2 years I participate in the March of Dimes...Bikers for Babies ride here in KC. Outside of the usual small contingent of of HD hotdogs & A-holes most of the riders tend to ride pretty safe, maintain good spacing & pace...however the official rest stops along the route tend to get very congested. A coupe of years back, my employer sponsored a number of employees & clients on the ride and I caught heck from the VP of Sales for not riding with our "group". (needless to say the "group" made the entire ride a race to multiple drinking establishments along the route). Regardless, I think riding safely in large groups is more about one's presence of mind & sense of purpose (for the ride itself) rather than an opportunity to prove to everyone what an idiot one can be on a cycle. 
Karl
Odessa, MO
'07 America, Cinnamon Girl (aka: Black Beauty or Ol' Penny) - Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On
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