Protocol and hand signals, questions

[Travelor]

Ok so don't be offended like my buddy was this last week. Honest question. I assume this is merely protocol among an agreed group or club ride thing, but I went on a 5 day run with five other bikers/friends this last week through Oregon and Washington. three of us do not do the hand signal thing and the other three do. The lead biker was bent out of shape about us not doing the hand signals every time, which to me was more of a puppet show, who does hand signals on off ramps and coming into small towns where you know you have to slow down, there are speed markers and stop signs? We get it, we can see it.

I understand pointing out obstructions and debris in the road, but I honestly see more risk in having every biker in a small or large chain, do the hand signals for every lane change, slow down to stop, take off ramps, etc. it takes their hands off the bars and we have turn indicators and brake lights.

Anyone else run into this while riding with others? It came to the point I am just either riding in the back or not going to ride with those that get so upset about not passing signals back. This is a guy who does the HOG rides every weekend and likes to play road captain. Not my thing really to do that, to me its safer to just ride and obey traffic signs.

Maybe it's the only thing he's got going for him in life. Too bad. I won't ride with a group using this ridiculous crap. I want my eyes on the bigger picture, not looking at the hand waving going on.

[rdbonds]

I tend to be fairly picky about who I ride with (maybe too picky?). Got some feedback on how I can be safer, ride better, then I'm all ears. If they're trying to make everyone be carbon copies of themselves, to enforce some sort of "cult" ride rules I'm out. I know the way home (or at least my GPS does). Maybe that's why m/c clubs never appealed to me. Too much forced structure for such a "free" activity.

I'm a firm believer in riding your own ride. If someone is a faster rider than me, excellent...I know the next stop...I'll catch up there, and I'll buy the first round of cokes. If they're slower than me, that's cool too. It about enjoying the ride. I'm not sure why some folks want to make it so rigid and stressful.

[lloydmoore1]

I tend to be fairly picky about who I ride with (maybe too picky?). Got some feedback on how I can be safer, ride better, then I'm all ears. If they're trying to make everyone be carbon copies of themselves, to enforce some sort of "cult" ride rules I'm out. I know the way home (or at least my GPS does). Maybe that's why m/c clubs never appealed to me. Too much forced structure for such a "free" activity.

I'm a firm believer in riding your own ride. If someone is a faster rider than me, excellent...I know the next stop...I'll catch up there, and I'll buy the first round of cokes. If they're slower than me, that's cool too. It about enjoying the ride. I'm not sure why some folks want to make it so rigid and stressful.

This is me also 100% and that's also why I ride mostly by myself...well said
I encountered the same style of riding once and never went back, it's simple follow the rules of the road and be respectful of each others riding styles..

[Big TP]

Four in a group is the max for me. Avoids conflicts, confusion and hurt feelings. And usually with guys I know and want to ride with. No guess work,