A few more thoughts: My guideline for organizing a ride is only meant to be just that, a guideline. I know to some people it can feel daunting trying to put together something like a full day's ride and I wanted to show some steps that have proven to work and hopefully make a person who is new to organizing feel more comfortable. I will not deny the fact that organizing a ride does sometimes feel intimidating. A feeling of "putting your neck out" does creep in sometimes. But if steps aren't taken to put together events by people who are willing to "put their neck out", nothing ever gets done. They didn't storm the beaches of Normandy by not sticking their necks out. Ok, that's a stretch.
Here's my first scheduled ride. Tri-State Boogie Sunday August 21, 2016. I'll be doing at least one more, probably in May.
Hey All, I hope everyone had a rewarding holiday / long weekend! I've had a few thoughts brewing these last few weeks about this forum regarding organized rides. In 2014 and in previous years, Ray has been terrific in asking people who are inclined to organize rides to please submit tentative dates to him as to when they would like to organize a ride. In 2015 this practice was discontinued. I'd like to propose that we reestablish this practice when moving forward into 2016. Although I believe Ray is the only one with administrative privileges on the actual web forum, I would like to offer my services to Ray and the group in helping coordinate dates for rides. There are at least 3 or 4 of us I can immediately think of that would be willing to put together a ride or 2. If we can get others to contribute that will only add to the variety! As people may have noticed after repeated rides with MSTA, there is a "format" to the way rides are conducted. An organizer needs to: #1. Decide on a route. #2. Create a route sheet. #3. Pre-riding the route is helpful but going above and beyond the call of duty. No organizer is expected to do this, and more don't do so than do. #4. Optional but not mandatory: Name the ride. #5. Although MSTA wholeheartedly (and rightly so!) stresses each individual is responsible for the choices they make while on their motorcycle, perhaps give a brief description of the "mood" of the ride. For example, " I'm Bob and I loooove the corners! No one is expected to ride the way I do, but I love a spirited pace" ..... or, "I'm Dawn and although each person is expected to ride their own pace, I love to smell the flowers and take pictures when I'm out for a day's ride".
One final thought for now. Creating a schedule of rides achieves 2 less defined outcomes. #1. It helps set ourselves apart from the myriad of other posted rides at various forums. #2. As individuals we all have busy lives with other interests. Having a schedule of rides helps people plan their season's riding from a logistical standpoint. Many of us also have limited budgets on which we can delegate money to this sport (which is very expensive!). Knowing what rides are coming up in a given month, versus waiting until Wednesday or Thursday of that week to learn of a ride that coming weekend, is very helpful.
These musings are my thoughts and I am not speaking for the organization as a whole. My only goal is to facilitate more rides, and enjoyable experiences for all.
Welcome Matt. As Ray mentioned, many of us are on a variety of forums as well. I'm "Stevens_ave929" on all the others. One of the things this forum DOES share in common with the old Twisted Addiction is that the rides tend to attract more experienced riders and focus more on smart riding. While MNSBR has morphed into more of a track-centered forum and ZG tends to lean more on the social aspects of motorcycling, MSTA is all about riding! (These are my opinions of the forums, others may see them differently) Here is what you can expect on our rides: Long 60-90 miles legs between gas stops. Gas stops tend to be kept relatively short while the opportunity for more socializing can happen at lunch and at the end of the ride. While some of us do enjoy the occasional straight line speeds, most of the "spirited" riding is in the corners. As I'm sure you agree, that's where most of the thrill is! Our rides tend to start in Hastings, Prescott, Wabasha or Nelson. We do deep rides (200-300 mile from start to finish) into SW Wisconsin and SE Minnesota, with sometime a bit down into Iowa and northern Minnesota. Riders are expected to be able to self-navigate and follow route sheets or GPS. While route sheets and GPS are used, we do still tend to follow the practice of waiting at each road change and doing a head count. Riders are expected to respect other riders "space" and pass only on the left. If you're in a pace line of riders and you feel you can go faster in the corners than the guy in front of you, pass him/her cleanly and give a short wave. There is no animosity. We try to keep egos in check and realize that we are all experienced riders and have various strengths and weaknesses on our bikes. Hope to see you on some rides next year! And you have excellent choice in bikes. Here's my 929 I owned from 2001 through 2005.
MotoGP continues to be exciting but it's slowly creeping into drama sports (pro wrestling). Looking back to the 80's, 90's, I just can't recall the top GP or AMA riders trying to take each other out, playing close proximity head games, or dangerous retribution acts. They just raced and congratulated each other on the podium. Sorry for the old man grumping but this is distracting to the point of not caring.
My feelings as well. Racing (and many other sports) at this level is entertainment, not sport. Though there is nothing wrong in enjoying it for the spectacle that is it.
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Our rides tend to start in Hastings, Prescott, Wabasha or Nelson. We do deep rides (200-300 mile from start to finish) into SW Wisconsin and SE Minnesota, with sometime a bit down into Iowa and northern Minnesota. Riders are expected to be able to self-navigate and follow route sheets or GPS. While route sheets and GPS are used, we do still tend to follow the practice of waiting at each road change and doing a head count. 
