These guys manage quite well.
Big Trail Bike Club.
The so-called drop off system (second man dropoff) mentioned above is used.

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Dave

I attended one of their events a long time ago (late 90s?) in Wales. Of the 10 or so "alleged big trail bike riders" who turned up, 2 were on bikes (both newbies: me and a n other) and the rest in cars, some towing caravans. No, it wasn't advertised as a "BTBC show us yer car and caravan" event....

Maybe that's how they manage so well. They drive in a convoy of cars/caravans...

(I never went again. )

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TBS.com

My large group experience only applies to four wheels not two, but I think the same problems present themselves insofar as a clash of expectations and personalities. Touring Ted hits upon this quite well and recognise a lot of his observations.

To add, my personal experience is that the wannabe alpha male leaders are to be avoided at all costs. The sort of folk who assume 'leadship' roles not because they are good at it or have the requisite experience or can command the natural respect of the group, but because they just want to be top dog.....at all costs.

Seriously, the moment someone starts to display these traits you need to make a tough decision of heading off and doing your own thing or putting said alpha male back in his box or even better, out of the group. These are the kind of folk who will always be throwing rocks from the side, unable to admit when they are wrong and more then happy to take the credit for anything when it goes right. They are unable to accept that someone else may have a good idea/more experience/be more popular then them. These people are kryptonite to any kid of group cohesion.

Some good points there Fitz
A truly sociopathic Fascistic leader should be avoided. But hopefully your group leader is well vetted before assuming leadership.

On UNI Mog Caravans I can imagine serious snipping and whinging due to pure boredom from sitting in a metal box all day. Bike groups have more fun, ride great roads fast and stay more occupied racing each other. In the evenings there are always tales to tell over drinks and recount the day. :

Authoritarian is bad but, IMO, groups do need a strong, smart leader. We may not like our Marine drill sargent either! Leaders can never please everyone every time. What's nearly as bad as a bent leader is a leaderless group. Been there! Not good.

Some personality traits may not appear until STRESS enters the dynamic or someone challenges the leader or some other point of conflict crops up. In this, Fitz has it right. Bail out ASAP.

Group meetings and discussion are important, keeps group on the same page and reasonably happy. Important to air grievances and work things out sooner rather than later. It's called democracy, and unlike internet forums, EVERYONE has an equal voice and the group can DEPOSE the leader at any time. (their choice!)
In rare circumstances we've had riders leave the ride. Usually on good terms.

Our group leader is an impeccable planner, excellent navigator and personally KNOWS the routes by memory. Knows ride times/miles, Motels, knows back roads, dirt roads and alternate routes. 20 years doing California makes this possible. A good leader PRE RIDES the route. Documents everything and shares info with group. MAPS! It's a thankless, unpaid job, getting only the odd pint sent his way.

Nice variety on this dirt/street mix: DR650's, KLR's, R1200GS, 955i Tiger, DRZ400, KTM 990/950, KTM 640, XR650L and a few odd others.

Interesting thread.

Did I miss the advantages of group travel in amongst the need to form a committee , depose the despotic leader , ride in traffic all the time, never see anything no one in the group has seen before and defend my position in a race?





I'll own up. If I wanted to travel slowly with other people I'd take a bus. It's probably best for everyone that I don't.

Andy

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

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

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

Very different from this decade.

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Dave