KG_66:
Okay people. I have created a poll (Thank you Admin!) and am curious. I have been part of this forum for a while. I too, have a desire to ride. Where is the participation?
vince:
You might want to add. Weekly and daily.
naustin:
I check the forum almost daily - but don’t expect to see new posts. There are several other FB pages for general discussion. It seems the forum is primarily for cross posting ride organization for those non-FB folks. And, occasionally realitively private conversations intended for members only, like this one.
There is a shortage of folks willing to plan and organize rides. A couple people host several every year - but no one can expect them to do it every weekend...
I think a lot of members either struggle to find time to ride, or ride in 2s or 3s with people they are most comfortable with — and know generally when and where to find each other. It’s not about excluding people - small groups have a lower profile and attract less attention. It’s arguably safer, too.
Most of my riding is solo - and I enjoy it that way. A lot of that is where I’m located and my preferred timeline isn’t easy to match up with people coming from the Metro. Although, an occasional group ride is fun.
I’ve never hosted an organized ride - or even led during a group ride. It’s a big responsibility to really know where you’re going and not get someone behind you in trouble if you over-cook a corner. My fear would be offering to host and having 29 bikes show up... Ideally, 2 or 3 people need to get together and agree in advance to host together and split up the responsibilty of keeping the ride organized, leading/running sweep, etc. Again, I see that as a big commitment, and many thanks to those that take it on!!
Greg:
I 2nd a lot of Naustin's points. Over the last several years the participation level here at the forum has dropped significantly. Prior to last year there were several of us that scheduled "open" forum rides. As of this year only myself and one other person has done so. Part of that decline is due to the factors Nick mentioned, as well as people retiring, having kids, losing interest, etc ... I do depart from Nick in the sense that although I have done a lot of solo riding, I prefer riding with like-minded riders. Given motorcycling is inherently a personalized endeavor, peoples definitions of what a "group" ride is can differ greatly. A group ride could be 20 miles there and back at posted speeds to a lunch spot, it could be 350 miles of very spirited twisties following a route sheet with stops every 70-80 miles (my favorite), or anything in between. One of the ways this organization has dealt with that difference of opinion about group rides is for the organizer to clarify up front what type of ride they like, as well as stressing every rider is responsible for his/her own choices. Perhaps this is more information than you needed (lol), but I hope it helps some. And feel free to organize a ride! ?
Greg
PS. More nonsense on this topic. http://mn-msta.com/index.php/topic,1967.0.html
PSS. Find us on FB too. More activity there.
wiemanca:
Here is an idea: I live in Owatonna, about half ways from metro MSP and Nick. Well, maybe closer to Nick. Anyway, my wife rides on the back with me. Had here own bike many years ago, Honda 350 4cyl. after adding a header and 400cc kit, then needed heavy springs so clutch would not slip, she did not like it anymore. Sold it and she bought a new car, followed by two sons. Now she says she like to relax on the back and tell me where to go through the intercom. LOL
Anyway, back to the original story, sometimes when we take a ride now, many times we take off and just head East on county roads until we reach the Mississippi River. Then decide where we are and go towards Hwy 60 or such and come back home. We don't just go directly East, we add lefts and rights and generally head East, never using a map or knowing exactly where we are at times or where we will end up. Can't get lost, maybe just not know where we are, and if needed, pull out cell phone and put in a town, such as Wabasha if headed that way and they go from there.
We have done the same going West, and pick out at major highway, such as Hwy 15, then either go north or south to New Ulm and return on Hwy 14.
New Ulm is about 70 miles direct route, last time we did the county road thing, it took us over 150 miles to get there. And it was on roads that we have never been on before.