Dry Club or Not?

[Pirate looks at --]

We have a chapter of SRA here in Sacramento and we have made the decision that we would be a "Dry Club", ie we don't allow the consumption of alcohol on any of our Club Sanctioned Rydes. I am totally in favor of this as I don't want anything clouding my mind while I am ryding, and I recall the scenery much better that way. I have my cocktail when the motorcycle is put away! This has caused some issue with some members and I was wondering, how do other clubs out ther handle this? Is alcohol consumption tolerated out there? Do you I force any kind of limits if you are not dry? I would be interested in your responses.

Thanks,

[Orange Spyder Man]

I most certainly would NOT ride in a group that some members has been consuming alcohol..

osm

[Don in E Texas]

Like you, have my beer at home. Only 'group' I ride with is Patriot Guard Riders -- no nonsense with these folks.

MAY have one with my brother when we get a chance to ride together.

Just me..

Don

[Bob Denman]

alcohol and motor vehicles of any type: do not mix well...
Once the ride is done...

[OJ UK]

It's a sad state of affairs when otherwise responsible people cannot be relied upon
to sensibly limit their consumption of alcohol.
My friends and I almost always stop at a pub on a ride and have a pint and a sandwich or snack.
We then leave refreshed and ready for the trip home or whatever.
None of us are drunk and we're in full control of our faculties.
Having someone else's moral standards rammed down your throat during your leisure time is
a good reason to go and find something else to do with other company.
Demonising alcohol is not any sort of solution, it may in fact exacerbate the problem.
What happens if one of the 'drinkers' in your group decides to get around your regulation by
knocking back a fifth before he leaves his home....you would be none the wiser and he would
be a serious liability to all in the group. Just my tuppence worth...

[Pirate looks at --]

It's a sad state of affairs when otherwise responsible people cannot be relied upon
to sensibly limit their consumption of alcohol.
My friends and I almost always stop at a pub on a ride and have a pint and a sandwich or snack.
We then leave refreshed and ready for the trip home or whatever.
None of us are drunk and we're in full control of our faculties.
Having someone else's moral standards rammed down your throat during your leisure time is
a good reason to go and find something else to do with other company.
Demonising alcohol is not any sort of solution, it may in fact exacerbate the problem.
What happens if one of the 'drinkers' in your group decides to get around your regulation by
knocking back a fifth before he leaves his home....you would be none the wiser and he would
be a serious liability to all in the group. Just my tuppence worth...

Dont get me wrong, we are not demonizing alcohol, and I agree with you, as when I am out for a ride with my brother we will stop and have A beer, the. Back on the road. This is more from an "Official Club" ryde point of view. This has nothing to do with moral standards, it has to do with safety. I know that after my one beer with my brother, I am not as sharp as I was without it, but like you, I am capable of handling my bike, but I am still not 100%. As for nocking back a fifth (we only have liters now) we have enough law enforcement people in the group, that would not go unnoticed. And thanks for the tuppence, I really do appreciate it.

[grumpybob]

I don't drink alcohol at all. I don't like to ride with others that do. All drivers of any vehicle need to stay off the stuff when operating any vehicle - car, bike, atv, boat, snowmobile etc. I have left a few clubs due to excessive alcohol usage by its members.

[OJ UK]

Safety? Once again your group appears to be saying that everyone is a safe rider if they
have had no alcohol....and that as I'm sure you're well aware is tripe!
Most groups encompass folk who aren't as competent as others and the really poor riders
are more dangerous than your good riders who've enjoyed a beer.
Sorry but the generalization of riders and the wish to put all into the same pigeon-hole just doesn't work.
While drinking and driving is unwise, one beer is not going to affect your cognitive abilities.
Of course it also means that if anyone has a cold, hay-fever or similar then they'll have to stay at
home too as many of the remedies most certainly do affect your driving.

[Pirate looks at --]

Safety? Once again your group appears to be saying that everyone is a safe rider if they
have had no alcohol....and that as I'm sure you're well aware is tripe!
Most groups encompass folk who aren't as competent as others and the really poor riders
are more dangerous than your good riders who've enjoyed a beer.
Sorry but the generalization of riders and the wish to put all into the same pigeon-hole just doesn't work.
While drinking and driving is unwise, one beer is not going to affect your cognitive abilities.
Of course it also means that if anyone has a cold, hay-fever or similar then they'll have to stay at
home too as many of the remedies most certainly do affect your driving.

I think you are missing the point. I am not saying that all non drinkers are safe, I am saying that all Ryders no matter the skill level, are safer if they have not had anything at all to drink, than they would be if they did have a drink, and that my friend is just Science. The inexperienced ryder is still inexperienced, and potentially more dangerous, than the seasoned ryder. Now add alcohol to the equation and both the these ryders are impaired with regards to reaction time etc. These are two different pigeon holes if you will, the common factor is the impact of alcohol on these two groups. I know that this is true for me, and I am pretty sure that anyone on this board would agree, if you feel the relaxation effect of one beer, that same effect has impaired your ability to handle your machine at the same level you did before you had the beer. I am not saying that one beer makes you unsafe, I am only stating that the ryder is impaired once they have indulged. As for medication, 14 years in the pharmaceutical tells me that the warnings on labels are there for a good reason, and anyone using narcotic pain relievers, or antihistamines that cause drowsiness, should also not be operating vehicles either. In today's day ther is a plethora of non-drowsy medications out there that will not impair anyone, short of an allergic reaction.

I salute ute your enjoyment of a nice cold libation after a long ryde, and I would gladly join you one of these days. I am just not going to do on our officially sanctioned group rydes.

[Gumbeau]

I think you are missing the point. I am not saying that all non drinkers are safe, I am saying that all Ryders no matter the skill level, are safer if they have not had anything at all to drink, than they would be if they did have a drink, and that my friend is just Science. The inexperienced ryder is still inexperienced, and potentially more dangerous, than the seasoned ryder. Now add alcohol to the equation and both the these ryders are impaired with regards to reaction time etc. These are two different pigeon holes if you will, the common factor is the impact of alcohol on these two groups. I know that this is true for me, and I am pretty sure that anyone on this board would agree, if you feel the relaxation effect of one beer, that same effect has impaired your ability to handle your machine at the same level you did before you had the beer. I am not saying that one beer makes you unsafe, I am only stating that the ryder is impaired once they have indulged. As for medication, 14 years in the pharmaceutical tells me that the warnings on labels are there for a good reason, and anyone using narcotic pain relievers, or antihistamines that cause drowsiness, should also not be operating vehicles either. In today's day ther is a plethora of non-drowsy medications out there that will not impair anyone, short of an allergic reaction.

I salute ute your enjoyment of a nice cold libation after a long ryde, and I would gladly join you one of these days. I am just not going to do on our officially sanctioned group rydes.

I do not drink alcohol when riding. I don't like to ride with those that do.

[flaggerphil]

Safety?
While drinking and driving is unwise, one beer is not going to affect your cognitive abilities.

You don't know that. It completely depends on the person drinking the beer. Safety? Yes, safety. The overall safety of the group...regardless of their ability...is going to be greater if there is no drinking.

"While drinking and driving is unwise..." is one of the most ridiculous understatements I've seen on here. Drinking and driving isn't "unwise", it's stupid.

[wyliec]

Anyone that thinks that with only one alcoholic drink that their reflex time doesn't decrease is only fooling themselves.

Pirate looks at--,

If your rules are going to state no alcohol, then those joining should abide, or don't ride. I think once you allow alcohol, and then try to limit the amount, you'll run into trouble.

I drink every now and then, but not while I'm riding the spyder. The only drink I like these days is hot sake, and my gf drives the car, if I partake.

[Pirate looks at --]

Anyone that thinks that with only one alcoholic drink that their reflex time doesn't decrease is only fooling themselves.

Pirate looks at--,

If your rules are going to state no alcohol, then those joining should abide, or don't ride. I think once you allow alcohol, and then try to limit the amount, you'll run into trouble.

I drink every now and then, but not while I'm riding the spyder. The only drink I like these days is hot sake, and my gf drives the car, if I partake.

Man I love hot Sake, and Some really great Cold Sakes that I have had recently. Like you I jus don't drink and drive at all anymore, here in California the penalties are worse than for Man Slaughter!

[WEB-WVR]

A couple things:
It is a Club, they can make their own rules and I would suggest NO alcohol or drug use period. It can decrease the safety level, potentially illegal and can cause liability to the Club.....LIABILITY ! One lawsuit even not warranted can destroy you because you need to defend it....$$$$.

Some dont no when to stop drinking, who is going to monitor that ?....most people wont stop another from drinking too much....so you cant monitor it other than to say NO. And if someone shows up intoxicated....they cant go on the ride and repeat offences, they need to be expelled from the Club.

On the commenter from England (remember we have people here from all over), attitudes about drinking differ from all over the world. As an example, in Germany you can actually drink a beer legally while driving....do that here in the USA and see what happens. Attitudes about alcohol differ around the globe.

I just dont get the drinking when on a motorcycle....you need to be alert and not impaired ! If I was in a Club that did not have strict policies on this....I would leave. Same goes for drug use including marijuana....which is becoming legal in some states. It impairs too ! We have had 4 deaths recently in my State where a "high" driver had hit and killed someone.

Enjoy the ride....for the ride !

[OJ UK]

Sorry if I was sounding contentious.....I was a professional motorcycle instructor back in the 80s
and blaming alcohol for every known driving problem is a non-starter. There are some people who,
even given decades of riding experience, will always be a liability to those around them. I know two
who have been riding for over 20 years and have their full motorcycle licenses and are totally unfit
to ride. But as long as they haven't yet killed anyone it seems OK! Their car driving is no better.
By the way drinking a couple of large stiff Espressos is almost as risky, as the caffeine will ramp your
blood pressure right through the roof....also not great for the concentration. The same of course
goes for energy drinks such as Red Bull. Over loud music while driving should also be banned as
should be the wearing of ear-buds as they both isolate a rider/driver from their surroundings and
cause disorientation.
I'll stick with my single pint accompanied by a small meal. No caffeine o/d, no loud music!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Anyone that thinks that with only one alcoholic drink that their reflex time doesn't decrease is only fooling themselves.

Pirate looks at--,

If your rules are going to state no alcohol, then those joining should abide, or don't ride. I think once you allow alcohol, and then try to limit the amount, you'll run into trouble.

I drink every now and then, but not while I'm riding the spyder. The only drink I like these days is hot sake, and my gf drives the car, if I partake.

......But, I have some alcoholic drink/s every day. I just don't have any while I'm out riding either on my Spyder or in any of my other vehicles....Do I think a beer, glass of wine , one cocktail with lunch or dinner is OK for an adult, Yes.........But I also see there are Serious problems with people THAT CAN'T HAVE JUST ONE !!!!.............So a NO DRINKING Club Rule is also acceptable......A person can chose to join or not.......Mike

[Bob Denman]

I have more than enough trouble staying between the lines anyway!

[jtpollock]

We have a chapter of SRA here in Sacramento and we have made the decision that we would be a "Dry Club", ie we don't allow the consumption of alcohol on any of our Club Sanctioned Rydes. I am totally in favor of this as I don't want anything clouding my mind while I am ryding, and I recall the scenery much better that way. I have my cocktail when the motorcycle is put away! This has caused some issue with some members and I was wondering, how do other clubs out ther handle this? Is alcohol consumption tolerated out there? Do you I force any kind of limits if you are not dry? I would be interested in your responses.

Thanks,

It's the law Don't Drink and Drive. jtpollock

[Bob Denman]

It's not the alcohol; it's the mis-use of it...

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

Well i don't drink but i am a pervert so i guess it's a good thing there is no law 'no sex while riding'.

[jwulf74]

We do not drink and ride and don't like to be around those that do. The local Harley shop has free beer Saturdays, lots of drinking and I still can't believe that they feel it is ok to have everyone ride in, liquor them all up and then send them back out on the road. Bike nights there are basically the same except the beer isn't free.

[IGETAROUND]

We do not drink and ride and don't like to be around those that do. The local Harley shop has free beer Saturdays, lots of drinking and I still can't believe that they feel it is ok to have everyone ride in, liquor them all up and then send them back out on the road. Bike nights there are basically the same except the beer isn't free.

I knew there was some trick involved to get people to buy a Harley

[Shiznit98204]

If I do even stop at a pub and have a drink I choose to only have one and then won't even touch my keys for at least an hour afterwards. I do this whether I'm on 2, 3 or 4 wheels. The cost of a DUI and even worse, the thought of me hurting someone else due to not being 100% focused is enough to keep me from even thinking about driving with alcohol fresh in me. As former law enforcement I have seen too many people hurt by drinking and driving. Almost lost my father to a drunk driver when I was 3. So I'm very serious about it. Just my opinion though. And if someone does not like the rule of your riding group they can find others to join. You will never make everyone happy.

[Bfromla]

It's not the alcohol; it's the mis-use of it...

Some people cant (just be happy)& can ruin it for the rest of us. Fyi not in AA but last taste was new years 2011 b4 I was injured by a DUI crook. Long story but they in jail & im enjoying all I can. No alcohol needed just

[Bfromla]

Some people cant (just be happy)& can ruin it for the rest of us. Fyi not in AA but last taste was new years 2011 b4 I was injured by a DUI crook. Long story but they in jail & im enjoying all I can. No alcohol needed just

If the DUI & medicated people could only injure themselves World be a lot better off. But fact is they CAUSE accident & usually get minor injury if @ all, now so many are txting & driving as well, Driving is not suppose to be Russian roulette!


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