Well, some riders have lost their minds...

[R-Rated]

Maybe the owner of this dealership has COVID brain fog? Why else get a group ride that includes one overnight stop in 2 days?

Yeah, the stereotypical Harley rider is nowhere near being part of high risk groups for serious complications so why not hug, laugh, eat, and sleep together for 500 miles.

Then there is this. What part of a bagger translates into being a "street hooligan"? Maybe rev bombing but not agility or really speed. Here comes the Geezer Glide Street Stunt Team - everyone wave your walkers in support of these young whippersnappers.

Goodness, I like the brand but do really need to be poseurs so much?

I am going to tag my pal @LoneWolfer since this ties to a project we tossed around.

 

[Theodor]

What part of a bagger translates into being a "street hooligan"?

Maybe the "no club lone wolf" patches on the back and the occasional discussion of drive by shooting?

 

[Moto Mengy]

Many of my Harley riding friends are squarely in the group which thinks the pandemic is not as serious nor dangerous as the "fake media" makes it out to be. This event doesn't really surprise me.

 

[LandyVlad]

500 miles in an armchair in two days? Amateurs.

How about 1190 miles in two days from Brisbane to Phillip Island for the Grand Prix. And not in an armchair either, bot on a naked bike.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

500 miles in an armchair in two days? Amateurs.

How about 1190 miles in two days from Brisbane to Phillip Island for the Grand Prix. And not in an armchair either, bot on a naked bike.

In the UK lockdown, I am lucky to ride 10 miles a week, although I realise that is not the point here!

 

[Drakhen99]

Many of my Harley riding friends are squarely in the group which thinks the pandemic is not as serious nor dangerous as the "fake media" makes it out to be. This event doesn't really surprise me.

Ahem, as a Harley rider, I would take offense to this, but I take all the proper precautions and still try to squeeze in as many miles as I can Mask? Check. Not stopping where I don't have to? Check. Bring my own food & drink? Check. Gloves/hand sanitizer for at the gas pump? Also, check.

-John

 

[R-Rated]

Ahem, as a Harley rider, I would take offense to this, but I take all the proper precautions and still try to squeeze in as many miles as I can Mask? Check. Not stopping where I don't have to? Check. Bring my own food & drink? Check. Gloves/hand sanitizer for at the gas pump? Also, check.

-John

John,

You are not the typical Harley rider I have met anywhere in Tennessee.

But neither am I

 

[Drakhen99]

John,

You are not the typical Harley rider I have met anywhere in Tennessee.

But neither am I

I'm only a typical Harley rider in that I love wearing the t-shirts and hats and stuff, whether I'm on my bike or not

-John

 

[Arfa]

500 miles in an armchair in two days? Amateurs.

That was my initial thought, but then they do say backroads. I can certainly see 500 miles of interesting twisties being better to spread over two days. And big group rides can never make as much progress as riding solo, always faff organising folk, getting people moving and never-ending toilet/refreshment stops...

The real point is why would anyone in their right mind want to go to hang out in a big group social jolly in the middle of this pandemic?! That said, TN has a damn sight fewer cases and daily deaths compared to the UK...

 

[Drakhen99]

That was my initial thought, but then they do say backroads. I can certainly see 500 miles of interesting twisties better to spread over two days. And big group rides can never make as much progress as riding solo, also faff organising folk, getting people moving and never-ending toilet/refreshment stops...

The real point is why would anyone in their right mind want to go to hang out in a big group social jolly in the middle of this pandemic?! That said, TN has a damn sight fewer cases and daily deaths compared to the UK...

I feel for you guys getting hammered by this pandemic. And I agree, backroads are more draining than highways, if you're riding them right!

I haven't done an overnight trip in 3.5 years, and don't plan on any unless I'm staying with people I know, at least until this thing is over. It's all about taking the proper precautions, whatever that means to YOU. If people want to go out and gather in a group of hundreds of bikers and have a 2-day trip, I'm not one to talk - let them be. Let them accept the consequences, if there are any.

At the beginning of the lockdowns, when you could only go to check on elderly family or grocery shopping or whatever, I did that every day I could on my bike. Checked on my mom. Socially-distant, making sure she had what she needed. She needs lots of human interaction, like me, so it was a stress reliever for both of us, and for me doubly, since I got out on my bike. But lots of hand-washing, sanitizer, and staying at least 6ft apart.

-John

 

[R-Rated]

That was my initial thought, but then they do say backroads. I can certainly see 500 miles of interesting twisties being better to spread over two days. And big group rides can never make as much progress as riding solo, always faff organising folk, getting people moving and never-ending toilet/refreshment stops...

The real point is why would anyone in their right mind want to go to hang out in a big group social jolly in the middle of this pandemic?! That said, TN has a damn sight fewer cases and daily deaths compared to the UK...

You are right about why would anyone want to hang out in big groups for a pandemic. As far as our deaths in Tennessee, I am a bit suspicious of the numbers because last year we hit 10 dead in my county and stayed there for a few months then it dropped to 9 for some reason.

I guess someone was just sleeping very quiet.

 

[AmpdMoto]

While I agree public group rides probably aren’t super smart, I say to each their own. I do find it funny everyone is like “oh it’s the Harley people”. There are plenty of group rides and trips planned out there for every type of bike. I got an email about an ADV camping event just today.

 

[R-Rated]

While I agree public group rides probably aren’t super smart, I say to each their own. I do find it funny everyone is like “oh it’s the Harley people”. There are plenty of group rides and trips planned out there for every type of bike. I got an email about an ADV camping event just today.

Knowing some of the places where you are . . . will there be banjo playing local folk there to "welcome" riders?

Joking aside, I am not sure if in my area there are sport bike meetups or any other kind. I do know I get emails from a lot of types of dealers and only the Clarksville, Nashville, and Franklin Harley dealers are broadcasting big group rides or big dealership gatherings. Maybe this is all part of Harley's plan to get their demographic to shift younger - cull the graybeards.

I cannot say to each their own because the virus does not always affect the person spreading it as much as it does the folks who are unintentional victims.

 

[AmpdMoto]

Knowing some of the places where you are . . . will there be banjo playing local folk there to "welcome" riders?

Joking aside, I am not sure if in my area there are sport bike meetups or any other kind. I do know I get emails from a lot of types of dealers and only the Clarksville, Nashville, and Franklin Harley dealers are broadcasting big group rides or big dealership gatherings. Maybe this is all part of Harley's plan to get their demographic to shift younger - cull the graybeards.

I cannot say to each their own because the virus does not always affect the person spreading it as much as it does the folks who are unintentional victims.

If I here banjos I turn around haha

I only say to each their own because people will do as they please regardless of what others say. I personally practice social distancing but it’s easy for me since I work remotely.

 

[Drakhen99]

I cannot say to each their own because the virus does not always affect the person spreading it as much as it does the folks who are unintentional victims.

I in no way mean to offend, but am genuinely curious ... who are the "unintentional" victims? I would assume [but we all know what assuming does!] you mean the riders' families, should they pick up the virus while on one of these group rides? Everyone working at any place they stop should be aware of the risks? [Whether they're there by choice or because of finances, that's another discussion]

Again, just trying to understand another's mindset ... I have made my choices in the best interest of my loved ones, and taken the precautions I deem necessary to prevent us from getting corona.

-John

 

[R-Rated]

If I here banjos I turn around haha

I only say to each their own because people will do as they please regardless of what others say. I personally practice social distancing but it’s easy for me since I work remotely.

Working remotely has made me reduce my yearly mileage from about 20k miles to maybe 2k.

Good idea how to react to banjos.

 

[R-Rated]

I in no way mean to offend, but am genuinely curious ... who are the "unintentional" victims? I would assume [but we all know what assuming does!] you mean the riders' families, should they pick up the virus while on one of these group rides? Everyone working at any place they stop should be aware of the risks? [Whether they're there by choice or because of finances, that's another discussion]

Again, just trying to understand another's mindset ... I have made my choices in the best interest of my loved ones, and taken the precautions I deem necessary to prevent us from getting corona.

-John

Yes, anyone an infected person passes it on to without kissing is an unintentional victim. For example, my assistant of my real job caught it from their roommate who is a school bus driver that took every possible precaution but still caught from a child who either did not know they had it or was not ill enough to stay home.

Now my assistant has been dealing with the after effects of balance and brain fog problems. I imagine dealing with those as a rider?

 

[Drakhen99]

Yes, anyone an infected person passes it on to without kissing is an unintentional victim. For example, my assistant of my real job caught it from their roommate who is a school bus driver that took every possible precaution but still caught from a child who either did not know they had it or was not ill enough to stay home.

Now my assistant has been dealing with the after effects of balance and brain fog problems. I imagine dealing with those as a rider?

OK, so we're on the same page. Exactly why I do what I do.

I'm sorry your assistant is dealing with it. I know a few people who have gotten it and are many months into rehabbing afterwards, still dealing with the aftereffects. We had to lay the law down for my mom - gave her a set of rules she had to follow [on the honor system] in order to continue seeing us and our kids [the real draw for her LOL]. Since the start of this thing, she's been in our "COVID Bubble".

-John

 

[LandyVlad]

Backroads:

Backroads for Harley riders:

 

[Drakhen99]

Sadly, I agree. I consider backroads anything with 2 lanes [1 each way] that has at least 1 bend per half mile

I miss my Harley. She's lonely outside by herself. I should really find a way to bring her in the house. Maybe if I put a slip cover over her, the wife won't notice how comfortable I am while watching TV with her? I might even spend more time with her, rather than editing footage from December.

-John