Riding on the street - The Pace

**holtff1074** · 06-04-2008, 06:12 PM

.....i even brake for redlights...therefor always playing catchup!

**Riverszzr** · 12-22-2008, 12:16 PM

The "pace" is definately words to live by. I have been riding for 28+ years, and raced for 10. I totally enjoy going over to the wisc alphabet roads 10-15 times a season and riding with my primary riding group who all ride "the pace" once in a while I get with people that think blasting out of a turn wot and charging into the next turn at full speed and jamming on the brakes is the way to have fun....Those guys inevitably fall down, and cross into oncoming traffic etc....I usually just pack up and go for my own ride then, too many times have I seen them fall down and get injured or worse. And nothing ruins the fun and enjoyment of a group ride faster than someone falling down
That being said, sure there are times when I get caught up in the adrenaline rush or ego, or whatever. and push my pace up a notch, passing others and pushing them beyond their limits, but once the sane and realistic side of me catches up with my alter ego, I slow it back down and try to lead as a good example, keeping a brisk pace through the turns and a manageable pace between them, keeping the group close and safe.
There are several good books to read and learn more, but real world experience and learning, in conjunction with practicing good skills is ultimately what will give you that split second reaction, that someday may save your life. Go to your local advanced riding school and go to a few track day events, where there are "good" teaching instructors, it will be money well spent. It will enhance your riding enjoyment, by improving your skills and allowing you have more fun at the pace.
( Proficient Motorcycling by David Houghs---Total Control by Lee Parks----Sport Riding techniques by Nick Ienatsch's----Staying safe by lawrence Grodsky----How to ride a m/c and Ride hard, Ride smart by Pat hahn ----Twist of the wrist I and II by Kieth code...just to name a few)

**BIG O** · 12-22-2008, 03:16 PM

You forgot "Scooter Passing Made E-Z" by Big O

Mike

**dbsuperbiker** · 12-22-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by BIG O

You forgot "Scooter Passing Made E-Z" by Big O

Mike

You make it look soooooo easy.

**CrazyTrain** · 04-28-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Riverszzr

The "pace" is definately words to live by. I have been riding for 28+ years, and raced for 10. I totally enjoy going over to the wisc alphabet roads 10-15 times a season and riding with my primary riding group who all ride "the pace" once in a while I get with people that think blasting out of a turn wot and charging into the next turn at full speed and jamming on the brakes is the way to have fun....Those guys inevitably fall down, and cross into oncoming traffic etc....I usually just pack up and go for my own ride then, too many times have I seen them fall down and get injured or worse. And nothing ruins the fun and enjoyment of a group ride faster than someone falling down.

That being said, sure there are times when I get caught up in the adrenaline rush or ego, or whatever. and push my pace up a notch, passing others and pushing them beyond their limits, but once the sane and realistic side of me catches up with my alter ego, I slow it back down and try to lead as a good example, keeping a brisk pace through the turns and a manageable pace between them, keeping the group close and safe.

+1164

**mehush** · 04-28-2009, 06:58 PM

Very timely post what with all the group rides coming up.

Thanks CT.

**Frogfoot** · 05-07-2009, 10:11 PM

As a civil engineering student I took a preliminary course in road design.
It has changed my attitude greatly about how to drive either in a car or on a bike.

The one design feature that is constant and usually controlling in road design is site distance. Basically it is:

2.5 sec to react + 0.5*g deceleration = stopping for a 6" object in the road.

If you cannot see an obstruction in the road and stop in time you are going to fast. The rules of physics are fairly unbreakable that way.

If you don't have time to analyze the road let alone stop, you are asking to die.

When I was a kid, a friend's uncle told my he was an excellent driver.
When I asked what the hallmark of a good driver is, he said "No radical evasive movement is ever necessary."

Since then it is the gold standard by which I drive.

The ZZR1200 comes out of winter storage this weekend.
I will be driving it from my mom's in Charleston, SC to Chicago in 2 days.
wish me luck. : )

**rocket12** · 03-19-2012, 02:14 PM

Great article. I found "The Pace" on the web a couple years ago and have since found that my riding is smoother and more enjoyable. It's nice to feel more in control of your ride... it frees you up to savor the riding experience (how the bike feels, the environment around you, etc.) without the pressure to go faster than you need/should.
Thanks for posting it!

**Danno** · 03-19-2012, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Frogfoot

As a civil engineering student I took a preliminary course in road design.
It has changed my attitude greatly about how to drive either in a car or on a bike.

The one design feature that is constant and usually controlling in road design is site distance. Basically it is:

2.5 sec to react + 0.5*g deceleration = stopping for a 6" object in the road.

If you cannot see an obstruction in the road and stop in time you are going to fast. The rules of physics are fairly unbreakable that way.

If you don't have time to analyze the road let alone stop, you are asking to die.

When I was a kid, a friend's uncle told my he was an excellent driver.
When I asked what the hallmark of a good driver is, he said "No radical evasive movement is ever necessary."

Since then it is the gold standard by which I drive.

The ZZR1200 comes out of winter storage this weekend.
I will be driving it from my mom's in Charleston, SC to Chicago in 2 days.
wish me luck. : )

Roadbuilding standards have changed for the better over the last 40-50 years. Unfortunately, some roads are much older than that, a few having started out as deer runs, whom the natives chased, whom the europeans chased until they became the way to get from point A to point B. The other thing is, roads must be built around obstacles, if there are any, so whatever radii results, recommended speed limits follow. The third fly in the ointment is mobile obstacles such animals, falling rocks and general road debris, much of which would never be left laying around if everyone on the road crews had to get where they're going on two wheels.

So the ideal of "The Pace" of never using the brakes or the ideal of your friend's uncle of never taking radical evasive action are just that-ideals. Both are much easier when obeying posted limits rather than doubling them as most of us do regularly. I think a better rule of thumb is 'expect the unexpected' and even that's not foolproof.

**JeffS** · 03-19-2012, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

Originally Posted by Frogfoot

As a civil engineering student I took a preliminary course in road design.
It has changed my attitude greatly about how to drive either in a car or on a bike.

The one design feature that is constant and usually controlling in road design is site distance. Basically it is:

2.5 sec to react + 0.5*g deceleration = stopping for a 6" object in the road.

If you cannot see an obstruction in the road and stop in time you are going to fast. The rules of physics are fairly unbreakable that way.

If you don't have time to analyze the road let alone stop, you are asking to die.

When I was a kid, a friend's uncle told my he was an excellent driver.
When I asked what the hallmark of a good driver is, he said "No radical evasive movement is ever necessary."

Since then it is the gold standard by which I drive.

The ZZR1200 comes out of winter storage this weekend.
I will be driving it from my mom's in Charleston, SC to Chicago in 2 days.
wish me luck. : )

Roadbuilding standards have changed for the better over the last 40-50 years. Unfortunately, some roads are much older than that, a few having started out as deer runs, whom the natives chased, whom the europeans chased until they became the way to get from point A to point B. The other thing is, roads must be built around obstacles, if there are any, so whatever radii results, recommended speed limits follow. The third fly in the ointment is mobile obstacles such animals, falling rocks and general road debris, much of which would never be left laying around if everyone on the road crews had to get where they're going on two wheels.

So the ideal of "The Pace" of never using the brakes or the ideal of your friend's uncle of never taking radical evasive action are just that-ideals. Both are much easier when obeying posted limits rather than doubling them as most of us do regularly. I think a better rule of thumb is 'expect the unexpected' and even that's not foolproof.

Ha a thread that just keeps showing up.....You forgot those pesky LEO's that pop up now and then ruining a perfectly enjoyable "pace".....