Risk Management Magazine

Group motorcycle rides can be one of the most enjoyable — or terrifying — ways to ride. Groups vary in size and purpose and usually consist of three or more motorcycles to upward of 100! Sometimes, the rides occur by chance or are organized to support an event or cause. Others are planned to raise awareness for a national observance such as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

It was spring and I was stationed at beautiful Camp Pendleton, California. I had just recently married my high school sweetheart, was two months from pinning on the rank of corporal and was gearing up to go on my first deployment. I thought my life could not get better until I received a phone call from my older brother asking if I was interested in purchasing one of his motorcycles.

As hard as it may be, resist riding on days when you know there are other factors that might make the ride risky. Remember, the weather is not the only factor to consider when deciding to take the bike out for a spin.