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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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!

[Pirate looks at --]

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!

Awesome! I agree with you 100%. There are some people that should only use public transportation no matter what their state of sobriety. And Cheers to ya!

[Magdave]

If you have a DUI you cannot enter Canada. They consider it an aggravated felony up there I just heard this when John Stamos (Full House) got picked up over the weekend. He is filming in Canada and if convicted he won't be anymore.

[MouthPiece]

It's all about choice.

Chris

[MEP]

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,

Wise move on the part of your group to prohibit alcohol altogether while participating in a group sponsored or sanctioned ride. Trying to figure out and enforce some kind of a limit on alcohol consumption has its own set of problems, and leaving it up to individuals to monitor themselves would need to work consistently 100% of the time to be effective and reliable. There is no margin for error. In my opinion, your group's policy keeps it simple and safe for everyone.

[ARtraveler]

I have a feeling we are in for a lively discussion on this subject.

Way to go Pirate

Our club does not have a written policy on the use of alcohol. I have been in the club since 2001 and am now the "longest" member with the group.

We have never had an issue with drinkers, or had to drive someone home because they came to the meeting blitzed.

Peer pressure seems to be the rule. Most do not drink and ride. Our meal stop is at the end of each ride and there are a couple that will have a beer with their sandwitch or meal--myself included--sometimes. I have never seen anyone put down more than one beer--most of the time they drink about half. The meal lasts for an hour or more. The group breaks up at the restaurant and most do their own ride home.

DUI is a hefty fine now in Alaska and they are putting people in jail for many years if they are involved in an accident/death situation.

Ideally, the drinking of alcohol should not be mixed with motorcycling or any driving and should be done after the ride and at home. Realistic: Similar to the above is what is going to happen.

My two cents on the subject.

[cuznjohn]

i don't drink, i hate people that drink to the point of being stupid, but my 2 cents on this is that a person in the club should have a 1 to two beer limit. i ride with people that when they get off a bike after a ride, they like to sit down and eat and have a beer, so this my my thought because you might lose riding members who enjoy a beer or just walk off and sneak one