riding in groups

i have been invited onto a small group ride over the next weekend.. i am a bit wary of going as i know two of the riders are absolute nutters who speed absolutely everywhere.. how do you avoid the 'red mist' when you go group riding... i don't want to be left behind but at the same time don't want to be pushed into mistakes by riding above my abilities

part of me is saying it's probably best to turn it down...

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Gnan

i i don't want to be left behind but at the same time don't want to be pushed into mistakes by riding above my abilities

Simple dont ride above your abilities. If they are any sort of mate they'll respect that and they'll wait for you. Or if you know the route just arrange to meet up with them at certain points along the way.

Simple... When riding in a group, ride for y'self. Just because the rider in front goes for gaps etc you don't have to

If they leave you for dead make sure you know where they're going so you can meet them there

Go steady

[timwilky]

I have nutter mates. They take risks I wont. So what if I turn up somewhere a few minutes later than them. There are some roads that they simply leave me for dead on. An SV has no chance of staying with Blades/R1s on full chat. But they don't loose me on the twisties.

Ride for yourself. Remember when you are at the back, you have to be riding faster than them to catch them up. If they are slowing they have a reason at least you then have a greater advanced notice of a possible hazard ahead

[Balky001]

There are friends I go out with and we do go quickly, but if we have someone new we generally slow down until we're all comfortable.

If these 2 friends speed in built up areas then you might just want to let them go - catch them up (or they may wait for you) a couple of miles down the road. In National Speed limits you may well keep up with them but ride in a staggered line not behind each other, know when they may under or over take you by looking and listening and you ride how you want to (couteously of course!). riding in a group may push your abilities sometimes and that can be the fun of it - just don't compete. Riding with good riders can improve skills, lines, overtake and filtering. Just remembered the staggered line as this is your escape route if it goes wrong!

Just ride for yourself. If they are good friends then they will respect you. Would they rather you fell off than being a few minutes late to the next meet up point? Of course not.

Remember you are much more likely to have an accident if you are riding out of your skin just to keep up.

[anna]

I dont know of one ride out that I have been on that I know I havent been the slowest.. to be honest it isnt about speed to me it's about constant improvement and building confidence levels up..

If you do go out with them and they hoon off .. then they will just have to wait for you to catch up otherwise why did they ask you to ride with them in the first place?

Agree totally with what has been said before, if my family go for a ride out together & my son & i feel like having a bit of a spurt we will wait for my other half in a layby or somewhere, we would never expect her to ride any faster than she was comfortable.

[tigersaw]

Ditto Ditto Ditto.

I was burnt off by a chav on a scooter going home from work last night, he was happy to put himself and oncoming traffic at risk, I wasn't.
Just get used to enjoying the ride at your own pace and within your own ability.

Arrange in advance where the meet up points are going to be, choose places that have roadside burger bars, the first one there places the order and pays.

It could end up being the slowest ride youve been on.