Thanks Liam,
I tend not to ride in groups, but I do go on about 3 to 4 charity rides a season. My first is in May. It is the Give Back ride for the city of Townsend Massachusetts Police/fire department. This ride has about 300 and is heavily supported by the local police and fire department. The organizers now have all riders sign waivers, and road rules associated with the rides.
I was in the 4000 bike "RIDE TO GROUND ZERO" that was a fund raiser for victims families of the World Trade Center attack. My motorcycle was a causality. My cooling system failed on the water cooled engine. Also 4 bikes went down less than 6 miles into the 200 mile ride. It was the accordion effect. Lately I lead a small foliage ride in October through the Vermont and New Hampshire Leaf Peeping Season.
Most organized rides that I turn down are in fact club affiliated and want dues and meeting attendance is required. Right now I am sort of a free agent and enjoy riding alone or with a close circle of friends that I trust with my life. We are all well seasoned and are all in constant visual, or electronic contact during the rides. I turn 65 in 2 weeks and have ridden constantly since I was 16.
The video that was posted by Scootereno shows some good points and some not so good. Since the "Not so good" is what will get you hurt or kill you, it overshadowed most redeeming aspects of the ride... Yes, I agree in theory, sometimes jumping into the haystack is what you have to do to find the better and finer points. I didn't mean to indicate that anybody on the ride was not a nice guy/gal, I am sure they all were great people.... An inexperienced or "edge" rider in a group that large stands out as a hazard to all.
I enjoy the camaraderie of a smaller group, but must admit really enjoy a long procession of motorcycles like the Rolling Thunder ride in Washington DC. It is to honor those that give me the freedom to ride and I pay my respects by attending, and it is my honor to do so.
This June and July, if anybody sees an old Ba***rd riding a White Victory Cross Country Tour towing a stake side "Radio Flier" trailer either heading East or West, pull up along side and let me know you are there, high 5, or stop for let's coffee, I'll buy.. I depart Massachusetts on the 20th of June and I am headed for Humboldt County in Northern California. I do this ride with one or two others, this year it will be solo.