Spyders riding in groups with motorcycles?

[JayBros]

This discussion is very good because as a newbie with many thousands of miles piloting a tandem bicycle with my bride stoking I learned very early in the game the biggest risk is proximity to other riders I do not know. I've seen some crazy :cus: over the years and am convinced a wide berth is the best course of action until I get to know folks. For now I am well satisfied riding behind the two-wheelers, mainly because if we head to the mountains they light their hair on fire and take off and I have no inclination to ride over my head to keep up. On my single Spyder group ride I was very comfortable in the middle of the pack. Everyone rode slightly staggered and it was easy for me to see those behind. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[cyclekid58]

Group rides

This discussion is very good because as a newbie with many thousands of miles piloting a tandem bicycle with my bride stoking I learned very early in the game the biggest risk is proximity to other riders I do not know. I've seen some crazy :cus: over the years and am convinced a wide berth is the best course of action until I get to know folks. For now I am well satisfied riding behind the two-wheelers, mainly because if we head to the mountains they light their hair on fire and take off and I have no inclination to ride over my head to keep up. On my single Spyder group ride I was very comfortable in the middle of the pack. Everyone rode slightly staggered and it was easy for me to see those behind. Thanks for all the comments.

I rode 2 wheelers for 37 years before switching to the spyder. Even on 2 wheels I preferred to ride more to the rear of the group, some of these rides had 5-600 bikes and a couple over 1,000 bikes. Many of these runs had stops at bars (poker runs) or to get drawing tickets at each stop. And usually a beer or 2, by the 3rd or 4th stop many were tanked and the staggered riding kept them from running in to each other. I got tired of crashes, showing off and agressive riding due to the alcohol so i no longer do these rides except for riding with our spyder club and patriot guard missions. The ride captains had a discussion on positioning and those of us on trikes were in agreeance to ride in the back just ahead of the support vehicles. I personally prefer the 2 wheelers ahead of me, guess it's a matter of choice but most of these large group rides kinda soured me over the years of riding 'ROCKING CHAIR", to each their own. ray:

 

[ARtraveler]

This discussion is very good because as a newbie with many thousands of miles piloting a tandem bicycle with my bride stoking I learned very early in the game the biggest risk is proximity to other riders I do not know. I've seen some crazy :cus: over the years and am convinced a wide berth is the best course of action until I get to know folks. For now I am well satisfied riding behind the two-wheelers, mainly because if we head to the mountains they light their hair on fire and take off and I have no inclination to ride over my head to keep up. On my single Spyder group ride I was very comfortable in the middle of the pack. Everyone rode slightly staggered and it was easy for me to see those behind. Thanks for all the comments.

You pretty much nailed it. I have been doing group rides for many years. Had both good and bad experiences. I brought the first :spyder2:'s to the group I am in. We never legislated where the :spyder2:'s would ride. There were also about a half dozen other trikes (HD & GW) in the group. Some naturally wanted to be the sweeper, others, sometimes leaders, or rode in whatever group they wanted.

I have also been careful about who I ride with, some are better at pack riding than others. There have been a couple I went out of the way to avoid riding with, just because I (not others) did not feel comfortable being in close proximity to them. Happy to say that in 17 seasons of riding, the group has never had an accident incident.

Just be safe and enjoy your group rides if you do them. :thumbup:

 

[sduskin]

If you feel that you and your ride are inferior to other machines, then i agree with you that you belong at the back of the pack. :dontknow::dontknow:

Cruzr Joe

And HOW did you get that I(!) think my ride is inferior to the 2-wheelers??? I liked riding with those folks and THEY had that view that "...more than 2 wheels = cage..."

I just didnt let it bother me. I was there to enjoy the ride!

 

[jimnsusie]

Our riding group has changed over the last two years. We've gone from all 2 wheelers riding staggered to about half on 3 wheels. Now we keep the 3 and 2 wheels separate and it doesn't matter which one is in the front. Our rides are still fun and we all seem to like it.

About 3 years ago we had a group of mixed bikes come in to ride in a parade. They rode as a bunch with no separation. Each to their own right. Later after the parade they were on their way home when two bikes came together. A 2 wheels and a 3 wheels. One was killed. It just seems safer to separate the two. Because the bikes both ride different. Doesn't seem to matter which groups are up front or in the back. Ride on and have fun.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

And HOW did you get that I(!) think my ride is inferior to the 2-wheelers??? I liked riding with those folks and THEY had that view that "...more than 2 wheels = cage..."

I just didnt let it bother me. I was there to enjoy the ride!

No Offense, I just got caught up in the moment.

Cruzr Joe

 

[Ben Burped]

My Choice

Being in the front, middle, or back is the choice of the rider. Personally, I prefer to being in the back. If anything happens, I have superior braking and handling and will be able to be there for my fellow biker. A second very good reason that I prefer to be at the back is that I can hear my radio and most importantly, I can hear my wife talk to me. Finally, I can ride my own ride while still being part of the group. For me, it's a win, win, win situation. My wife and I are much more important than where I'm riding in a group.

 

[Spyder2012]

Yep. That happens frequently, even on HOG open events.

 

[MRH]

I've found that sometimes the ride leader wants me in the back because my Spyder stands out. That way, he knows that if he can see me, everybody is there.

On more informal rides, I just follow where I want to be. My only real concern is not being caught behind slower riders (quite often we spread out and meet back up at the next turn).

For me, if the group rides in a tight formation, putting Spyders and trikes in the back makes a lot of sense. If not, then I place myself as best I can behind those who ride faster than I do, and in front of those who ride slower. At one time, either option put me in exactly the same place, but that's changed some over the past two years.