Howdy everybody,
On June 13,2008 I put a thread on BurgmanUSA.com to invite Tennessee Riders for a Meet and Greet and a ride down The Natchez Trace Parkway on July 12th. We met at the Loveless Cafe in Nashville. The response was overwhelming. I believe the final count was 9 Burgmans, 1 VStrom, 1 Victory and 1 Harley Davidson. I’ve NEVER been on the Trace before let alone organizing a group ride. I did the research on group rides and thought I was prepared.
I was sadly mistaken.
Here are some videos I shot of the ride.
Part 1
Part 2
I have to give a BIG shout out to Chiefmas and Fuzzyquilter of TnMaxiRiders group for leading the ride and keeping us safe.
These are some tips I learned on this group ride.
Lessons Learned – My own personal tip. DON’T wear a big, black cowboy hat. Even when you stop for a break, that sucker is HOT!
- Even BEFORE you leave the house, do a TCLOCKS inspection on your bike. If it’s a long ride, you might want to change your oil. Here is the MSF inspection sheet.
- What to Pack.
- Water. You can de-hydrate VERY quickly and not even know it. Get some bottled water or a Camelback hydration system.
- Sunscreen for exposed skin. You ride for along time, you could get sunburn. Try NOT to get that on your gloves or gripes. It will make them slicker than snot.
- A do rag for under your helmet. It will keep the sweat out of your eyes and if you soak it in water and ring it out, it can cool you off some.
- Smoke visor or sunglasses. It sucks looking in the sun with out them.
- A cell phone with I.C.E. ( In Case of Emergency) programmed in your phone. I personally have the cell phone on me just in case I get separated from the bike.
- Rain gear. You never know what Mother Nature can throw at you.
- A medical records card. You can make your own here.
- A first aid kit
- A small tool kit
- For people that wear glasses, a Eye-Glasses repair kit.
- Before you get to the meet up point, make SURE you have a full tank in your ride.
- Have a pre-ride meeting
- Make copies of route and go over the stopping points were the ride plans to take a break. If you get separated from the group, you’ll know where to re group.
- Assign a Lead and sweeper bike. They should be the most experenced of the group.
- Know the hand signals of the leader. Some may be different than what you expect. The lead bike will should teach them to you.
. - Ride in staggered or single file formation. The video that I will put on the end will explain this. Above all, WATCH YOUR SPACING. Cagers can get in between you and the other riders and you may have a dangerous situation ahead. ( I learned that the hard way.)
- Above all, BE SAFE and have a good time riding. In my option, it’s not about speed, it about the fellowship and the fun of sharing the ride with others that share the same passion for the road.
MSF Group Riding Video
I hope in some small way I have helped you to become a safer and better rider.
Ride Safe,
Dave Netherton – The Symrna Cowboy
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Hi Dave – You’re article is right on. It is well written and documented and I will use these guidelines for our group. One question – have any of the riders in the groups that you have ridden with that have used the J&M CB & Intercom system on their Burggies? Also I love the trunk on your bike, can you tell me what it is.
Keep up the good work and love your videos.
Bubbafish,
Thanks for the complement. I’d be more than happy to answer your questions. To be honest, we have 2 people use the Scala Q2 bluetooth system. The sweeper at a CB radio. We just meet up at the stops and accounted for everybody.
The Top Box I have is a VIP box.
http://tinyurl.com/28gv4m
But to give you the heads up. My modular helmet fit fine. The OTHER full face helmets I have do NOT. I do like the extra 3rd brake light and blinkers. You can always put your helmet under the seat if it doesn’t fit.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Dave – keep up the good work.
Dave – just a quick question – I was showing a prospective Burggie buyer your videos and both of us are courious as to what addons you have on your bike. We noticed what looks to be a XM or sirius radio on the left handle bar but cannot make out what is between the handle bar. Also we want to shoot video for our area, what camera mounting are you using for your helmet. We are actually showing your videos to spark more interest with our riders and would like to create more to represent our part of the country – Colorado.
Thanks,
Bill
Ya done good, Dave.
Carl
I would just like to compliment Dave. He knew his limits and rode his own ride. That is very important, RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. You may think you have to keep up with the crowd, but you don’t. You ride as safely as your abilities allow you.
Dave I would encourage you to come out with us on some Patriot Guard Rides. They are usually slow and you have time to react. It has built my confidence more than you can imagine. It is also helping to pay respect to our heros.
I would like to do this reply in two parts.
Bubbafish,
In answer to your questions.”
We noticed what looks to be a XM or sirius radio on the left handle bar but cannot make out what is between the handle bar.”
It is a volume booster for the XM radio. Here is how I set it up.
http://tinyurl.com/6rv6me
“Also we want to shoot video for our area, what camera mounting are you using for your helmet.”
Here is a vid on what my set up is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH3e89TL0YM
Thank you for showing my videos to spark more interest in your area. I hope it helps.
Fuzzyquilter,
Thank you for the compliment. I will be coming to some of the PGR rides soon.
I feel I should say, I enjoy reading this website. Could let me know how I can go about subscribing with it? By the way I found this blog through Lycos.