Rather than discuss more about rallies in this note (I will touch on them later), I will give my thoughts on group rides. These are my opinions, and everyone may not agree with all of them. Group rides (typically for lunch) are the most popular club events. Special thanks to our events director and ride leaders for scheduling and leading these events.
I ride with about a half dozen different groups and some have different riding styles, speeds, and approaches. While every member is welcome on club rides, not everyone should go on group rides. Group rides take a certain amount of patience, skills, and proper attitude to be enjoyable. Also, while the Ride Leader is responsible for the destination and route, everyone on the ride is a “ride leader” for the person behind them. You should keep the person behind you regularly in sight, and slow down slightly if you haven’t seen them recently. If everyone does this, it sends a signal to the ride leader to slow the pace down to keep the group together. Also, if you are waiting for the next rider at a corner, DO NOT leave when you see them since they might not have seen you. Wait till you see their turn signal come on, indicating that they have seen you. When I lead large groups, I often pause or slow briefly at stop signs or past corners to allow the group to come back together. You don’t necessarily have to wait for the whole group to come together, just tighten up the pack regularly. This really helps to keep the group from getting separated.
Pace: Different groups will ride at different paces. It is up to the ride leader to set the pace and adjust it appropriately, depending on who is along on the ride. Rides work best when everyone is willing to follow the pace of the leader and do not want to go much slower or faster. For safety, you need to ride at a pace you are comfortable with, especially in the curves. However, if you can’t or won’t keep up with the group, you should consider a group that rides at a slower pace rather than have the whole group constantly waiting for you to catch up. This waiting leads to frustration and occasionally causes the group to get separated. On the other hand, a couple years ago, I rode with a group of MSTA riders after a ROMEO lunch. I was on a borrowed bike and hit triple digit speeds several times. I will not do this again. Tony Weaver, one of our ride leaders, leads many rides for the Shadow Riders, and I have run across them several times. Once, they were at the deli in Hermann when I was coming home from the Swinging Bridges ride. There was Tony’s RT and a number of Cam Am Spyders parked along the street. I am sure that they set a much more leisurely pace than most of the GWR rides, but that is just fine. These riders were enjoying scenic roads on a beautiful spring day and were perfectly happy with the pace set. Dave Leligdon, a past tech director, became uncomfortable with the pace of most GWR rides as he aged, but found a group of vintage Jap bike riders, who cruised around for coffee at a pace the older riders and bikes were happy with. Find a group or ride that you are compatible with.
The position requiring the fastest riding is the sweep (back) position of the ride. The ride leader should have the slowest rider ride behind him/her (or very near the front), so the pace can be adjusted to accommodate this rider and keep the group together. The worse thing to do, is to put the slowest rider at the back. They quickly lose sight of the group, slow down, and cause much waiting and frustration. Being behind the ride leader, who sets an appropriate pace, keeps the ride together and running smoothly.
A final point is that the sweep rider should know the destination and be able to get part of the group there, if it gets split. It rarely happens, but the sweep should be able to be the ride leader for the new, smaller group.
Thanks;
Jeff Ackerman
President – Gateway Riders 4/1/2026