Stay Out of the Gutter!!

I had an interesting conversation yesterday regarding “short women’s” preference for taller men and the frustration it ‘gives’ some of our shorter stature brothers.

As is the case with many things in life, I tend to over-analyze and I can make connections between seemingly unrelated topics – for my 'rider' friends, bear with me because - THIS connects to riding!


Recently I was asked by a 6'2” man if I (at a mere 5’0”) prefer tall or short men to which I responded, I prefer awesome men. So, what is one trait (to me) that makes a man ‘awesome’ or less so -- simply put – his riding skills – or – his lack of them.

As a woman who is passionate – some may say addicted - to riding, it is important to me to always be improving my skills and to understand the dynamics of riding alone vs riding in a group. When a man has great riding skills; THAT - in my opinion - is sexy as hell.

When I ride with a new group of people, I tend to hang in back to watch. I ‘find’ those whose skills I admire – and then – I tell them, “Hey, if I’m riding in front of you, do me a favor – critique me. If you see something I should be doing better or differently TELL me. Help me improve.”

Most of what I have personally learned about riding in groups – not rubber-banding, tightening up in traffic, protecting the ‘merge’ lane, when to hang back (in a curve), when to ride single file, how to stagger, how to merge into a round-a-bout as a unit of 4 bikes and so on and so on – I learned on the fly – by paying attention.

As a rider – I am sometimes shocked at how many people don’t even know the basics of riding in a group – and one of my pet-peeves – leading “from the gutter”. Seriously? WTF??

My last relationship began from a Riding Group we were both in. The first thing I noticed about ‘him’ was – man, oh man but he had ‘mad’ riding skills! As time progressed, I found out he’d attended numerous more advanced riding classes (Ride Like a Pro) – simply because he thought they were fun and he wanted to constantly practice and improve his skills – and man, did it show.

Yes, he could easily do U-Turns with both of us on his Road Glide, (yes, I’d occasionally ride bitch with him) which was certainly impressive, but it was more his ability to watch and read the road that really impressed me.

Which leads me to my pet peeve. Seriously. I have had occasion now to ride with a few guys and when they are leading, they lead from the gutter. WHAT IN THE SERIOUS HELL.

I’ve got to tell you. I don’t care if you’re tall or short, if you take off with me on a ride leading from the gutter, you’ve almost guaranteed I’ve lost respect for you – as a rider - and as a man.

Why as a man? Well, you are riding in the lead in this case and let’s face it, you’re not using proper riding skills and riding is inherently dangerous. Maybe one of the reasons a woman prefers a taller guy is she wants to feel ‘protected’. Perhaps it’s a throw-back to the whole ‘cave-man’ thing. Don’t compound the issue by being a weak-rider.

Is this just me being bitchy? Well, I don’t think so. ANY group riding instruction tells us the lead bike should be in the ‘driver’ – not the passenger position (if you’re comparing road position to a cage). (For non-riders, cage = car).

But WHY? Why does it matter? Simply put – duh – visibility. How in the hell are you going to see down the road around the car ahead of YOU – the LEADER – from the gutter AND – how are cars going to see you?

To cars, it LOOKS like the second position person – if properly staggered - is the lead because YOU are hidden behind the car ahead of you. The 2nd position bike is what they see. YOU are invisible and that makes for a dangerous situation. Don’t be invisible. If you’re leading, learn the basics of leading.

This public service announcement is over. I am now stepping off my soap-box down to my normal 5 foot height. You’re welcome!

Sam out!