Ride your own ride
 

This seems like a good time for a word to the wise because we are getting a lot of new riders and members who are returning to riding.
Take your time when riding. Don't be in a hurry or try something that could have dire results. This quite often happens when you finally go for a ride with more experienced riders or another newbie who has to show off or lead. Play safe and ride at a comfortable speed for your own piece of mind and skill level. Don't try to play catch-up with another rider who gets too far ahead of you. If he/she has any sense then that person will slow down to your speed and comfort zone. You are going the same place so who really cares if you get there 1 or 2 minutes later. You just earned 2 extra minutes of saddle time on your new steed. You, the bike and the road. That's it.

Ride Your Own Ride.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

:2tup:

Good post.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Thank you.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Cheers

Re: Ride your own ride
 

I get the same sort of thing when I'm riding with cars. Sometimes in the hills they'll drive up close and have their high beams on and I feel like I have to ride crazy fast to stay out of their way. Eventually I remember that I have the right to ride at a safe pace and they can pass whenever they want and then I calm down and ride safer.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Good posting.

I'm back on the road after a break of 26 years. So here in Ireland I have to start all over with beginners training.

Yesterday I got the same lesson from my instructor.

Next week, when I can ride on my own, I'll remember your words and greatmaul's who reminds us not to be bullied by cars.

thanx,

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Ride on :2tup:

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Good one for starters.. Thanks for the tip..

Re: Ride your own ride
 

I really don't subscribe to burning the road up. So you get to the stop first and you sit and sweat while you wait for the others to show up. My point of being out there is getting the saddle time. While they are sitting there sweating I'm enjoying the wind blowing through my armor.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

:2tup: :2tup: Well said Skunkhome.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

To true Water Warrior.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Good advice WW! I've been riding for a year, and this is still a rule I follow. I've been invited to ride with those with more powerful bikes such as Harleys and I have declined because I know I would be pushing the Beast to the limit trying to keep up on highways and hills. I usually make plans to meet them at the destination. I ride to enjoy the ride not to be the 1st to arrive.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

I have discovered what 'my own ride' is; it is way back in the boonies, where I don't know quite where I am without stopping to pull my gps from my pocket, just exploring. I have ventured down some 'County Roads' (dirt roads) on my cruiser, in search of new things to see, turns to make, and hills to climb. A cruiser is not the best bike for those roads, but I figure that if it gets too bad I can always stop and turn around. It will do until I get an adventure bike.

I don't have to try to match someone else's speed or style, since I am alone. Only my curiosity dares me.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

I tried Sunday rides with a group of 5 or 6 and eventually bowed out. There was just a tad too much competition on some of the unfamiliar roads and that was unnerving the odd time. Exploring should be done at a relaxed speed to see the new sights.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

If you are riding with a good group they will pace themselves to the slowest rider. They will also put the least experienced riders toward the front so that they can keep an eye on them and critique them at the next stop.

Re: Ride your own ride
 

Unfortunately it didn't work that way. The majority of the riders let themselves get competative and that spoiled the ride for me and one other rider who was a pleasure to ride with.