A wonderful day's riding and when I stopped for lunch at the Whitehall A&W there was "Gramps" with his FJR buddies on their yearly gathering ride. :oGJ
I've always believed riders need off pavement experience. One must be able to deal with if not be comfortable on a sliding machine. A bit like when a driver ventures onto a frozen lake to learn about driving on icy roads. Trail riding also allows the newbie time to acclimate to operating a machine before throwing traffic into the mix. Unfortunately most new riders probably never get that sort of exposure. GJ
I was immediately worried when I saw the makeup of the group but people blasting by me through a red where I WAS stopping really did it. I understand the rubber band effect-when I rode w the WBMC we used to say "40 in front 90 in back". The disparity in experience/expertise would seem to dictate a mild pace. Making it home by dark should perhaps be achieved by shortening the route rather than increasing the speed. I know I'm old and horribly opinionated but my methods have kept me alive & riding. We should pow wow on leader methodology as I do have some "Road Captain" experience that might help down the road.GJ
After trying Vander's "DUALSPORT" putt through sand,water,& poison ivy in Carlos Avery I thought I'd try "Caribou Thursday". I began having mixed emotions when others passed me to "make" the already red light. The herd mentality(ENTITLEMENT?)MEANING THE MASS MAY ACT AS 1-at through stops etc. Later out in the countryside I could see a pair of riders seemingly standing up-not,they were doing the endless wheelie thing(later someone's engine blew up). The lead in had said 10+ on straights but when I saw 80-90 to keep up-exiting seemed in order. Luckily we happened to be on part of my NW Loop so I hooked up w that and had a beautiful ride solo. I read the only incident was a Supermoto Duck being dropped on pea gravel in a parking lot-I guess things like the Yammie w the fancy Fortuna fairing riding through the ditch doesn't count. It seems the Hooligan is a "HERD ANIMAL"!GJ
Just think of our own statements of "10 over on the straights" etc. How many of us don't slow down when passing a farmhouse especially when the barn's across the road? Any rider who says their "Hooligan" never comes out is a rarity indeed. GJ
My only comment is that it was after dark. I haven't ridden after sundown for decades. I'm old(66)but have survived 50+ yrs of riding. I believe the chances of mishap multiplies by maybe 6 times in the dark. A cool,romantic moonlight ride isn't worth the danger. Guzzi John
It's a shame you ladies are a generation too late too enjoy the Yamaha RDs & RZs. There may be a few Suzuki or Yammie 4cyl 400s around that haven't be raced to death or a Grey market bike like the one I sold recently. Light & nimble is heaven in the "TWISTIES".GJ
When I'm King any group of 6 or more bikers,roller bladers,camel drivers,texters,or streakers will have the right of way in ALL traffic situations! A goodly portion of society already believes that they own the road-just ask the drivers that run into school buses. GJ
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