It’s good to know some things haven’t really changed.
If you’d picked up a copy of Motorcycle and Bicycle Illustrated on this day, 126 years ago, you would have seen a full pageabout group rideouts to provide a “good time for riders, wives, sisters and sweet-hearts” and “favourable publicity for motorcycles.”
Not many female riders, then.
See if this sounds familiar:
- One person will lead the ride, with a couple of aides to keep everyone together.
- No overtaking, especially the no overtaking the lead rider.
- Choose a route with great roads
- Rides should be no more than 100 miles in a day. 75 if theres, er, fishing and boating to be had…ok, that one didn’t stand the test of time so well.
- Have a couple of people run the route a week before, marking turns, booking hotels and restaurants. Not really necessary with these new-fangled phones, satnavs and the t’internet.
- Print route plans for the riders in case they get lost (or break down).
And a spiffing good time was had by all, no doubt.