Pecking Order?

[ktmboy]

How many of you find that there tends to be a pecking order amongst you and your riding buddies?

When I first started riding the guys I rode with were ex-racers, and didn't take too kindly to being passed. If you did manage to get by one of them (usually very briefly!) you were going to be severely roosted when they passed you back if they didn't rub plastic on the way by!

Whenever a newbie joined the group it was always interesting to watch the pecking order sort itself out.

I notice now when we have a big DRN group ride somewhere this same establishment of pecking order takes place. Everyone is going pretty hard at the beginning, and within a couple of miles most of the riders settle in where they're comfortable. My personal tendancy is to hang back at first, get a feel for the group I'm with, then slowly work up to the guys that are riding at a pace I'm comfortable with. Sometimes I'm near the front and sometimes I'm mid-pack.

How about the rest of you? Are you a front runner with one group and picking up the rear with another? How does your group sort things out? Do you always lead, or always follow? Does it depend on the terrain? I know I'm faster in the tight than I am in the whoops! What's your experience?:eek: :eek:

 

[XRpredator]

I usually ride slow . . . er, sweep

 

[BSWIFT]

The Heartland Spodes have a very diverse group of riders. Some are fast in areas where others are not and so on. It really depends on how the group feels in given day. We may run a hot race speed laps and other times we step back a notch and have a fast trail ride. We almost always have some newer riders with us and that really works out for the best We'll ride fast stop and wait, take a breather. We will also trade off who leads, if you snooze you loose. Bobble a bit and they'll roost as they go by. Best part is, everyone really looks out for one another. We are all overall close to the same speed. A few are generally faster and the rest are not quite as fast but not slow. Most of our rides are on trails but we venture to a track now and again. On the track, we seperate fairly quickly. It really makes no difference to me, as long as I'm riding I don't care.

 

[Green Horn]

Originally posted by XRpredator
I usually ride slow . . . er, sweep

Well I guess that If I ever rode with Pred there would be a fight for last place. :laugh:

 

[Tom Dixon]

The Michigan Trail Riders have a pretty diverse group too. We have had the likes of David Lykke and local Enduro champ Leroy Keen ride with us, but we have some newbies too. If I were to classify our group I would say a majority of them are B riders, with a few C and A/AA riders. Everytime we ride together it seems that we all kind of fall into the same spot is line which is kinda cool. I personally float from the front to mid-pack when we ride together.

 

[fender92883]

I ride in the same group as Tom Dixon ^^^

I just started riding Aug. 2002, so I'm usually toward the back...but the last couple rides I went on I was able to keep myself out of dead last (except when we ride on tight/rooty areas, I had a lot of trouble in that on my XR--it's probably more me than the bike ;) --I haven't taken my KDX on a ride yet :whiner: ). I've slowly been working my way up, but I'm still much slower than the majority of people in the group.

 

[70 marlin]

Dead last total squid! Nasty tighter woods with falling trees is one of my stronger points. It's a great feeling when you can move up in the pack! "I'll let you know when it happens" Nate I look forward to chasing you around on that new cabbage patch bike of yours. You were plenty fast on the little xr! Now that you’re on a big boy's bike, there'll be no catching you. :yeehaw:

 

[VintageDirt]

I usually end up lost, ride alone all day, run out of gas, drink all my water, chew my last stick of gum, build a signal fire out of riding boots and stinky socks, eat my underwear to keep from starving to death, and then discover that I haven't switched my tank to reserve yet. Then I get back on the bike and ride barefooted and commando-style until I finally stumble across the rest of the guys who have just finished my last beer while toasting my memory.

I just wish I could get out and ride more often.

 

[MrLuckey]

Originally posted by VintageDirt
I just wish I could get out and ride more often.

Uhh yeah, sounds like fun Wes :thumb:

 

[jaction125]

Since I can never get any of my buddies to go out and ride, I'm typically in the front.

Or I'm always dead last if you're a pessimist! ;)

 

[ktmboy]

Originally posted by VintageDirt
I usually end up lost, ride alone all day, run out of gas, drink all my water, chew my last stick of gum, build a signal fire out of riding boots and stinky socks, eat my underwear to keep from starving to death, and then discover that I haven't switched my tank to reserve yet. Then I get back on the bike and ride barefooted and commando-style until I finally stumble across the rest of the guys who have just finished my last beer while toasting my memory.

I just wish I could get out and ride more often.

 

:laugh: :confused:

Wes, when are you gonna write a book of your adventures? I'll definately order a copy!

Maybe Okie needs to give you your own weekly column a la Ed Herdfelter!(Sp?)

 

[Danman]

It depends on the crowd I'm with, but usually at the back :)

 

[fender92883]

Originally posted by 70 marlin
Nate I look forward to chasing you around on that new cabbage patch bike of yours. You were plenty fast on the little xr! Now that you’re on a big boy's bike, there'll be no catching you. :yeehaw:

I'm hoping...whether that comes true or not still needs to be discovered!

You mean to tell me that the big Husaberg 470 won't be able to catch me? C'mon! :moon: :)

 

[firecracker22]

I like to start as near the front as I can--that way anyone (usually everyone) can pass me as they like, but I can stay ahead of those I am faster than since I am not good at passing on trail rides.

 

[70 marlin]

You mean to tell me that the big Husaberg 470 won't be able to catch me? C'mon!

Nate: The berg has it in her :thumb: But as always it's not the bike but the rider and there willingness to twist the throttle!

 

[rickyd]

I like riding in the back, seeing if i can make up time (pass) its hard too do on a tight trail..
When i 1st started riding, one of my freinds as he would pass me, would reach over and shift my bike, hit my rear brake or twist the throttle :eek:

 

[JPIVEY]

I like sweep, far enough back to keep out of the dust, close enough not to lose sight of the group and just fast enough to keep it fun.

Heck, even now that I'm not racing, I still have to haul butt to get out on the course before the banner drops, so if I ever do get a chance to goof off, I just want to relax and ride.

 

[Enduro_Nut]

Some guys let their ego get the best of them :think: ! It's unfortunate when that happens - why worry about it if your out for a trail ride. Racing can be another story though.

On the mx course...well let's just say the bike never gets off the trailer, in the trees - depends on who I'm with, from first to last!

 

[FritoBandito]

I like to ride in the back and help the kids get through the rough stuff. They appreciate the help and it helps to make the ride last longer, because they don't get as tired.