That's an important point. We never share out tools or equipment. The Law of Sod would dictate that if you had to split up, you'd need something that was on another bike.


The rank of Muppet rotates regularly round the three of us. We are quite indecisive at times so nominate one person each day to rule on decisions. He will of course often end the day being the Muppet.

Ride Slowly? Yep, better get back on the Bus :wheelchair:. Trust me, you'd shit yourself trying to keep up with the above group ... and we've got two girls in there! :rofl:

But sounds like you've years of experience riding in groups to have such a strong opinion, eh? :rofl: Don't knock it till you've tried it! bier

Traffic? The pic above was taken a 1/4 mile after a re-group stop so everyone is bunched up. Within a mile the group spreads out nicely. No traffic. Ride your own ride.

Clearly, group rides are not for everyone. If you're a real hard ass one percent'er, then best ride solo :gun_bandana:

"never share"? I can see not giving a tool to a fellow rider to keep, but if broken down you wouldn't "Share" a tool that the rider needed? :innocent:

I mostly end up sharing the odd nut, bolt, washer, spring, O ring or doohickey. I carry a comprehensive nut/bolt kit just for this purpose. My Motto? Pay It Forward. :thumbup1: (Karma is a Bitch)

So true. God knows I've been the muppet more than once, and why I prefer to follow rather than lead. bier
Leading is HARD WORK!

Problem with following is you never really ever learn the route. When leading you HAVE TO KNOW where you're going ... or get the Muppet badge again!

Buy my book!:thumbup1:

I go into some detail on what I think on the subject (As I travelled alone, two up and with a group of strangers during my year around the world)

Gone Riding
Dom Giles

A group of one is brilliant, no arguments about where to go, when to stop. But as Ted writes, you are on your own when there's challenges.

Two can be a strain on a relationship unless you deliberately schedule time apart (e.g. separate bedrooms).

I've found three to be excellent, and in some countries you can easily get rooms with three single beds.

With four you tend to be splitting into two groups of two at nighttime which can upset group dynamics.

Over four and as Ted writes, you are into herding cats—the leader can't see what's happening at the rear of the group, everything goes haywire.

But there's much more to dynamics. For example, some riders when they stop don't seem to want to get out of the saddle, some do but don't move far from their bikes, others are throwing themselves into the local culture as deep as they can get.

Not quite so :innocent: , you've misinterpreted share. Yellow Tractor clearly states "if you split up".

(or a Roll-A-Way bed can be wheeled in)
I agree. A Triade is strong. It's my favorite number for group rides. But after 20 plus years riding with much larger groups, you learn to adapt and take the positive from all of it. bier

Funny isn't it. There really is no 'right' way. I would certainly agree that larger groups are hard work, but I would never again choose to travel as a group of three.

It all depends on the relationship you have at the outset and the type of trip, I suppose but, in my experience, someone in a group of three always ends up as piggy-in-the-middle, and expected to arbitrate in the event of a disagreement.