Part Three: Norm Goes on a Social Group Ride

In previous articles we discussed the Sport Touring riding style- riding a fun, challenging road, at a brisk pace, getting in the “zone” of total concentration on a capable motorcycle, often with a small group of like-minded friends.

Most other riders do what I call Social Group riding, which has different objectives:

1. Informality- minimal rules, no riders meeting, etc., because those kinds of things are “not welcoming.” 
2. Non judgmental- Everyone who shows up is good to go. 
3. No group size limitation- the more riders the better. 

My riding buddies know that I am not a good fit in such a group, but in 2007 a friend invited me along with about fifteen others to attend a flat track race at a fairgrounds about seventy miles away. Those who wanted to go paid him in advance so he could buy a block of reserved grandstand tickets and we could enjoy the races together as a group. 

He planned for us to meet and ride our bikes to the race, stopping for dinner at a nice restaurant about 20 miles from the track. A fun evening with friends- a great idea! I paid my money and was in.

The races were on a Saturday in late June, and it was over 90 degrees and humid- very typical for the time of year in Ohio. We were  to meet at 3PM in a Wal-Mart parking lot just off an I70 exit northwest of Dayton, Ohio. 

The Social Group Ride

I arrived about 2:45 PM and saw a few other people and bikes in the parking lot out near the road. There was no shade, no place to sit or get any refreshment. The others were standing around in their jeans and T shirts- I was the only person wearing gear.

3 PM came and went. Turns out we were waiting for someone who had lost track of time and was running late. I had taken my helmet and jacket off right away but was still broiling in the sun. The straggler arrived at about 3:30 and the first thing he needed to do was get gas, so we waited another ten minutes before everyone started their bikes and rolled out. Our route went north on OH 48 through Englewood, Union and other suburbs. The stop and go traffic never moved more than 40 mph between long stops at many traffic lights. 

About ten miles into the ride, we arrived at West Milton, the last town before OH 48 got rural. While waiting at the light, one of the riders told the leader that he was on reserve and needed to stop for gas. Fortunately there was a station just across the street so we all pulled in. 

Four riders had their wives on back and they were all friends with each other. While the rider filled his tank, the women got off and headed to the bathroom. It was small and only held one person at a time, so they had to take turns. They all lit cigarettes and enjoyed a leisurely smoke. About 25 baking minutes later, everyone was ready to go again. 

We finally got moving at a pace up to about 45 MPH as we got off OH 48 and onto less traveled roads. About 50 miles into the ride, we came to a non-descript little crossroads town and the leader pulled over and stopped. 

After a couple minutes I walked over him to see what the problem was. Turns out he thought he knew where he was going but this town was not what he expected so he was lost. He didn’t have a map or GPS. I asked what town we were going to for dinner, and offered to lead the group there. 

I was able to pick up the pace and get us to the restaurant where we had a nice dinner and still got to the fairgrounds in time to enjoy the races. Afterward, we all got on our bikes and headed our separate ways home. 

Takeaways

What can be learned from my social riding experience? Most of the problems could have been avoided while still having a social group ride. Here’s how:

1. Meet and start from a nice gas station with a canopy over the pumps and a convenience store with some seating inside. 
2. Riders can easily get drinks and snacks and be comfortable while waiting for others to show up. 
3. Riders can easily take a bathroom break before the ride if needed.
4. The ride leader can remind each rider to top off their tank before departing.
5. The ride leader should always have a map or GPS and be sure they know the route they are leading others on. 
6. The route could have been planned to get out of urban areas and traffic more quickly.

People can ride whatever style they want. It’s all good, but you will have a better time if you’re riding with someone who enjoys the same riding style as you. (and there are a LOT of different styles!) 

This month MSTA rally season starts and I’m off to the North Georgia Classic rally in Dillard, Georgia. Check out the event website at https://www.ridemsta-ga.com/events/rallies/n-ga-classic-2025

See you on the road!

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Connect with local Ohio Motorcycle Sport Touring Association riders at these monthly breakfasts:

Southwest Ohio Breakfast, 9AM, April 19

Village Family Restaurant
144 S. Main St.
Waynesville, OH 45068

Central Ohio Breakfast, 8AM, May 4

Portside Cafe
6515 S High St
Lockbourne, OH 43137