EZPower,
You are bringing up a very good point. As a beginner, if you rely only on a route sheet, and you put yourself with an experienced riders group, you will end up riding by yourself most of the time, which defeats the purpose of group ride.   If you try to follow more experienced group than your own level and the group doesn’t wait for you in the turns, you are risking losing control and potentially getting hurt.
I recommend seeking a group that you are comfortable riding with. 

Allon
 

It was interesting to read the opinions of more experienced riders. I thought it would be nice to include the thoughts of a more inexperienced rider like me. I am late to the sport. I only began riding two years ago. For the last two years I've been riding with members from other forums and fortunately most of the rides were organized with the same theme. Group ride. No man left behind. Every one was made aware that faster riders who knew the route and were better skilled were generally ahead, but at major intersections everyone would wait for the noobs like me. This provided a few key points for me in learning to ride. One: it gave me the opportunity to concentrate on the road and not a piece of paper taped to my tank, which would create a distraction for me, and keep my eyes off the road. Two: I have been on many rides where experienced riders went down, including inexperienced me, and were glad others were there to help them, and not following a piece of paper to the next meeting spot.

I am still learning and very grateful to riders who are willing to wait for others.

Some of the postings of group rides on other forums will say "experienced riders only". Which is perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong with letting everyone know what the intention of the pace is going to be.

Bought the Etymotic Research ER6i and between Mankato to Worthington MN (The first leg of my 3200 mile trip) I found out I can't stand them. Honestly, my ears are very sensitive and most foam plugs will irritate me.

Bought them last month for $110 on Amazon. Selling for $55. Used them once on the motorcycle and once on the treadmill.

LMK  if you want them. 

Allon

I think Pat should set up a jump and escape Duluth to  join me on a great trip out west.   
Still amazing that no one got hurt  just a few unlucky animals. 

Thanks for everyone for the suggestions. I will give  Etymotic a try.

Marty,
Good observations. Personally, I hardly use the rear brake and definitely not during emergencies. That’s on sport bikes, but on your boat, that might be a little different. I can’t remember if it was Schwantz or Spencer  that said they won GP racers while using only the front brake.

Even on the dirt, rear brake is mostly used for steering and  help in descending steep hills. I use it a lot in the parking lot to  aid in making tight turns.
Yesterday when I was riding two up on the adventure bike, it helped me in making stops gentler without helmet butting each other.

There are two kinds of riders my friend, those who quit after the first serious get off, and those who learn and make strives to  become a better rider. I hope you are on the second group.

Take care.

Nice seeing you at Huntersville Ray. Personally I prefer the d/s rides to single track woods riding.
D/s rides like the Wisconsin D/s riders put at Wabeno or the Central ADV rally in Eagle river combines everything. From pavement to single track and everything in between. (ATV, snowmobile trails, forest roads etc)
I still find there there are a lot of similarities between sport touring and d/s riding. A testimony to that are the many d/s rides that were organized at STAR and a lot of other MSTA events.


Allon

I need some help setting up my suspension.
I would like to start with setting the sag properly.
This can be done with one extra person, but can be done easier with two.
I live in the western suburb (Plymouth)

Would greatly appreciate the help.

Allon   

Well,
In two weeks a  small group of people will join me on the way to Twistar. We will probably leave Prescott around 1PM.
Same goes for the way back and during the event. You or any other MSTA member is welcome to join me.

Allon