Post by "Chainsaw" Jim Johnson on Jul 28, 2014 17:50:38 GMT -5
With the inspiration of the West Palm Beach FreakBike Militia in Florida and the FreakBike Militia - Golden Horseshoe Cruisers in Ontario, the FreakBike Militia - Great Lakes (now known as the FreakBike Nation - Great Lakes Freaks) was started in 2007 by Budzilla, my wife Giggles and me.
We've held many rides all over the state of Michigan, went to Ontario to ride with the FBM-GHC, participated in many bike shows and festivals, and have participated in charity rides. While doing all of these fun things, one thing has always stood out .... We have fun and everyone knows it!
While most bicyclist find themselves getting honked at, cussed at and sometimes ran off the rode, FreakBikers usually get "happy" honks, are yelled at with such sayings as "cool bikes!", WTF! or asked to pull over so they can have their FreakBikes photographed. Once on awhile we'll get an A-hole remark or cut off, but for the most part, We Are Loved.
So with this in mind, here's a few suggestions for your next ride .....
If you are hosting the ride, than you need to control the ride! You make sure that the people riding know how you or your club does things before you even start! Let the riders know that you will not tolerate someone being an asshole and that you have NO p[roblem telling, not asking, them to leave the group.
The larger the group is, usually means more chances for having problems with the other traffic. Obey the rules of the road as best as possible.
Ride as a group. Don't leave anyone behind, especially the new riders who may not know where they are to begin with. If the group is large, set up groups and group leaders.
Have planned stops along the route and make sure everyone knows the name of the place that you will be stopping at.
If you're doing a "bar hop" type of ride. Only stay long enough to have one drink and move on! Anyone that stays behind to drink more ...... is done riding, PERIOD!
Don't let people call themselves members of your club, if they are just riding with you! You don't have to charge any club dues to be a member (you can if you want), but they should have proven themselves and have some sort of an invested interest in your club before they can be a true member.
Don't act like some poser motorcycle club that forgot to bring their engines! Attitude usually just causes trouble.
If you're more of a family friendly group, make sure that the kids know your rules as well as the rules of the road. All members should help watch out for the little ones, but it is the parents rssponsibility to make sure that the kids are prepared for the ride,that they behave well and listen to what the adults tell them. Nothing sucks more than to spent your whole day babysitting someone elses children. Parents who are not responsible enough to watch their own kids, DO NOT belong on the ride and should be told to straighten up or leave! One warning and then they're gone!
These are just suggestions for any of you Freaks who are thinking about starting a club, having a ride or maybe even something to think about when you ride with other clubs.
Have fun and be safe!
Chainsaw
We've held many rides all over the state of Michigan, went to Ontario to ride with the FBM-GHC, participated in many bike shows and festivals, and have participated in charity rides. While doing all of these fun things, one thing has always stood out .... We have fun and everyone knows it!
While most bicyclist find themselves getting honked at, cussed at and sometimes ran off the rode, FreakBikers usually get "happy" honks, are yelled at with such sayings as "cool bikes!", WTF! or asked to pull over so they can have their FreakBikes photographed. Once on awhile we'll get an A-hole remark or cut off, but for the most part, We Are Loved.
So with this in mind, here's a few suggestions for your next ride .....
If you are hosting the ride, than you need to control the ride! You make sure that the people riding know how you or your club does things before you even start! Let the riders know that you will not tolerate someone being an asshole and that you have NO p[roblem telling, not asking, them to leave the group.
The larger the group is, usually means more chances for having problems with the other traffic. Obey the rules of the road as best as possible.
Ride as a group. Don't leave anyone behind, especially the new riders who may not know where they are to begin with. If the group is large, set up groups and group leaders.
Have planned stops along the route and make sure everyone knows the name of the place that you will be stopping at.
If you're doing a "bar hop" type of ride. Only stay long enough to have one drink and move on! Anyone that stays behind to drink more ...... is done riding, PERIOD!
Don't let people call themselves members of your club, if they are just riding with you! You don't have to charge any club dues to be a member (you can if you want), but they should have proven themselves and have some sort of an invested interest in your club before they can be a true member.
Don't act like some poser motorcycle club that forgot to bring their engines! Attitude usually just causes trouble.
If you're more of a family friendly group, make sure that the kids know your rules as well as the rules of the road. All members should help watch out for the little ones, but it is the parents rssponsibility to make sure that the kids are prepared for the ride,that they behave well and listen to what the adults tell them. Nothing sucks more than to spent your whole day babysitting someone elses children. Parents who are not responsible enough to watch their own kids, DO NOT belong on the ride and should be told to straighten up or leave! One warning and then they're gone!
These are just suggestions for any of you Freaks who are thinking about starting a club, having a ride or maybe even something to think about when you ride with other clubs.
Have fun and be safe!
Chainsaw
