Why you should never try and keep up

Just last week, I was out on a ride and I was approached by someone who wanted to "ride back" with me - let's call them RiderX. My natural instinct is to say no in these situations, but for some reason I said sure, tag along.

Bad Idea. It was the end of a long day and we were on unfamiliar roads. Oh, and did I mention the light was failing and it was rural? It's not a situation I like to find myself alone in, but two up with a tag-along? It had all the hallmarks of being a problem (and it was) but more on that later.

Riding Alone is where it's at

Ordinarily, I prefer to ride alone. There's something about having the road to yourself I like. I'm not held back by those slower than me and don't feel the need to keep up with those who are faster.

I like it to the extent that when I meet other riders out there, I will try to get away from them if I don't know them. I'll either pull away or let them pass, and have even been known to strategically take a gas break to regain that separation.

That's not to say I don't ride with groups. I've done plenty of it and it's a different kind of fun. What you sacrifice in pace, you gain in the ability to share the experience. I don't ride as far or fast in groups, but I tend to have more memories of it and that pint at the end of the day tastes sweeter with a few good road stories.

If you DO have to ride in groups...

When I do ride in groups, I tend to have a little "talk" first. Normally, this talk comprises four key points:

• Please do not ride too close to me
• Ride staggered to give us more room
• Do not try to keep up with me and I will not try to keep up with you
• If you come to a main intersection, wait. I'll do the same.

It takes maybe thirty seconds and to most of you seasoned riders I'm sure this is self evident. It's all about the safety. All it takes is an animal (or child) to run out or a cager to cross the line. If we're too close, or pushing beyond our comfort level, there's simply nowhere we can go. Not only does it increase your chance of crashing, but you might take me with you.

Red Flags abound

Now, RiderX approached me off their bike and this should have a been a flag. You can tell a lot about the rider by their gear and what they ride. In this case, I could see a decent jacket and pants, which is a good sign. We agree to meet back at my bike and head out together.

When RiderX pulled up on a scooter, it should have been another flag. Sure, there's a full face helmet on the head, which is good, but a scooter? These are backroads we're headed down. We have the talk anyway.

It's all good until we get to the part about "don't try to keep up". A simple line, which the seasoned rider would understand, but RiderX proudly proclaims his scooter can do 140km/h.

At this point I should be seeing nothing but an ocean of red flags. Instead, I point out that I've been riding far longer and that my bike is way more powerful. I'm saying this to reinforce my experience. RiderX probably hears it as a challenge. We set off anyway.

When good rides go bad

Part of the reason RiderX wanted to tag along is that we'd come in via the Lakeshore Drive, which is a nice, quiet road and somewhat twisty. It's much better than the main road out of Port Dover. It should have been a fun little interlude before hitting the main highways back into the city and a chance to avoid most of the traffic.

The first corner should have been enough for me to stop and black-flag RiderX, sending him off on his own. It's a tight 90 degree left. The barriers along the side make sighting all the more important. I went slow, but took a tight line through without problem. Looking in my rear view as I straighten up, RiderX is almost on the grass. I stay slow, not so he can keep up but because it reminds me that I am tired.

After about five miles, there's a turn and so I stop, eyes on the mirror. It shouldn't take RiderX more than a minute to show up behind me. When there's still no sign of them, it's U-Turn time.

The pickup

As I ride back along the road, I half expect him to shoot past me but it's a hope left hanging. About a mile back, there's a bunch of people by the side of the road. This is it: What happens when you try to keep up.

RiderX is surround by a group of people at the local bible camp. He's dazed and there's grass all up his scooter with pieces of the windshield on the ground.

After making sure he's OK, I'm asking questions. It turns out he came around a corner, hit gravel and decided to head for the grass. He's obviously never off-roaded before and doesn't realize scooter wheels are ill-suited to the slippy, dewy dusken grass. Off he went, banging his head on the way down. While I've only heard this second hand, I'm sure that eyes and a deft application of throttle would have prevented it - Rookie error.

Checking his scooter, everything looks OK. There's no fork damage I can see, and aside from the windshield, just a cracked side panel. The bike will be fine, which is more than can be said for RiderX. He's not in mortal danger, but he might have a light concussion and he says his neck is stiff. Happily, one of the by-standers is a nurse and is able to provide better care than we can. He'll ride again, but not today.

The CAA are called while I remove what remains of the windshield. It's going to be a three hour wait, but not for us. It's already dusk and we need to get back before it's too dark, especially on these back-country roads. Selfish? Maybe, but also self-preservation. We're not both getting a tow home and I don't want one.

Aftermath

We get back to town just fine. Riding is slower after dark but that's OK. Safety is all that matters.

A follow up call late at night reveals RiderX is on his way back, but no lasting damage. He may need to visit with his doctor tomorrow, but the only real damage is to the pocketbook and ego.

I initially felt some level of guilt. Should we have taken that road? Should I have ridden slower? Should I have said "no, you can't follow me?".

All those things are possible, but I don't think it would have changed matters. Anyone could have followed me and, at the end of the day, I did nothing to endanger anyone. I'd just agreed to allow RiderX to follow me. I've not said that I will teach him anything, or show him what to do. There's no implied promise except "I'll not leave you behind".

I've already vowed that the next time I am out in a group, the talk is going to be more explicit. It's going to contain a new point: If you follow me and I don't think you can keep up, I am going to stop. I am going to tell you and then I will ride with you to the nearest town. After that, you are on your own.