Do you ride with a group?

For years and years I rode on my own. I like to just wander and turn when a road looks interesting.
About three years ago I looked into a few groups. I found this one in Richmond, IN called SOS~ Seniors On Scooters. We meet every Thursday morning at Carver's restaurant near the intersection of Rt 27 and Interstate 70. If the weather is nice then some of us take off for a ride. We have about 25 who come to breakfast and 8-12 take off for the ride.
I've learned a lot from the guys about safety, maintenance and just riding in a group. They have become great friends and I enjoy their company so much.
Do most of you ride on your own or with a group?

Coralee,

I ride a lot by myself but we have group rides every month that are about 300-400 miles and takes most of the day. Sometimes I just like to ride by myself so I can take any road I want and also just to mellow out from work and things. A few of us in our group plan to do the Saddle Sore ride this summer. That is the 1,000 mile ride that you must document. Sounds like you are having fun too.

I think with groups it really depends on the make up of the group. My group is older so I find myself really watching them and being careful who I ride next to. I think our group really rides safely.

Here in the Atlanta area there seem to be dozens of riding groups from 50cc scooters to 1500cc motorcycles, from 17 to 85yrs old (that I have met). One group I joined last year have safety meetings and practice manouvers in an empty parking lot once a month. I prefer slower speeds on back roads versus the 85mph highway But mixing it up is fun also; meaning, rolling with a Vespa club one day and a motorcycle club the next...talk about a variety of personalities/experiences ...just got a TomTom and look forward to exploring on the Mountain roads this spring.

Ride Safe
Mel

We do ride with groups, just not as a regular kind of thing. Unless of course you count 2 as a group, we generally ride together if going for a ride that is not a commute to work.

We take an annual ride with a couple of SilverWing riders from Atlanta.

We ride with the Patriot Guard Riders.

We ride with the North Alabama Scooter Riders.

We ride with groups whenever we attend a rally or organized ride.

Riding with groups is not always easy and if you're not the lead it really requires a mind set that is focused on safety. We've ridden in a group that was more than 400 bikes long and travelled more than 150 miles as a group. I guess I prefer to ride with a group that is less than 10 bikes as it is not as stressful. My real preference is 5 bikes max. I led a flight (section of bikes) that was part of a large group ride and it was really sort of nerve racking - keeping the flight together and safe.

I agree big groups are just hard to handle. When I started leading last year I rode the ride I had planned first just to check for any dangerous areas. I find myself checking all the time where everyone is and making sure we are staying together and safety is number one.