Bored kids

**dpex** · 15th April 2009, 19:45

I stopped and had a yak to a couple of kids doing silly shit on a back-road near me, in a car.

Granted, it took me a few minutes to talk them down from giving me the bash for interfering with what they perceived as their God-given right to act like fools.

The fact is, they're kids (early 20's) bored shitless with the modern risk-free environment of wall-to-wall OSH.

I asked if either could ride a bike. Both said they could...although maybe not one quite as big as mine...which kind've put them in the 1-to-2 zone of knowledge of bikes, 1-to-10.

Anyway. One thing led to another and I asked if they'd be keen to have a crack at riding my bike at Puke, on a track-day. That got their attention.

I explained that they could start really slowly till they got a handle on the bike and the track, then go from there. And that there would be 'almost' professional riders willing and able to give them all the advice they would need during the day.

I offered to kit them with my leathers, boots, helmet, back protector and gloves.

That all got too much. Vinnie (clearly the Alpha male) then said, 'Why ya talkin' 'bout this? Whaddaya want? Youse just an old cunt'....Gawd, where have I heard that before.....'Why you sayin' what ya sayin' man?'

'Hmmmm. The reason is complex. But to make it simple. You two, and lot like you, believe you know a lot about driving fast, but my guess is you haven't actually gone to any real limits.

On this bike, on the Pukekohe track, you 'could' take this bike out to 240Ks, legally.'

The fact is they'd be in group 4 and making the slowbies look fast, at first. And maybe a lowside or two might bring some reality to their lives. :--))

'The fuck you say! Man!' That's modern Hoon-speak for, 'You're kidding me, right?'

'Nup.'

That got their interest. Half an hour later, having explained the rules of engagement for a track-day, the 'boys' were converts.

So, I'd like to ask you all this, but prefaced with:-

I have had a fabulous life and taken from it a great deal. I now have the time and resource to put a bit back. I'd like to expose these hoons to the joy/fear/bang of real speed in a safe ER envirnoment. The hope being they'll tell their mates who will also want to have a go and, thereby, get a few more hoons into a new head-space.

I'm happy to put my bike on the block for the adventure.

The question is. Do you think I'm barking up the madman's tree?

**Hitcher** · 15th April 2009, 19:49

Originally Posted by dpex

The question is. Do you think I'm barking up the madman's tree?

Yes, well intentioned as you clearly are. Stuff like this is all good fun until somebody loses an eye. I suspect there are legal liability issues that may crap on your great idea.

**sinfull** · 15th April 2009, 19:58

Good on ya, but the old Zimmer might not last too long at the hands of hoons lol

**sil3nt** · 15th April 2009, 20:24

If i turn up to said trackday can i ride your bike? I can come do skids in your driveway if you want.

**Mikkel** · 15th April 2009, 20:26

Originally Posted by sinfull

Good on ya, but the old Zimmer might not last too long at the hands of hoons lol

The hoons will most likely very quickly realise that neither will they if the bike doesn't...

**nico** · 15th April 2009, 20:32

Originally Posted by dpex

I stopped and had a yak to a couple of kids doing silly shit on a back-road near me, in a car.

Granted, it took me a few minutes to talk them down from giving me the bash for interfering with what they perceived as their God-given right to act like fools.

The fact is, they're kids (early 20's) bored shitless with the modern risk-free environment of wall-to-wall OSH.

I asked if either could ride a bike. Both said they could...although maybe not one quite as big as mine...which kind've put them in the 1-to-2 zone of knowledge of bikes, 1-to-10.

Anyway. One thing led to another and I asked if they'd be keen to have a crack at riding my bike at Puke, on a track-day. That got their attention.

I explained that they could start really slowly till they got a handle on the bike and the track, then go from there. And that there would be 'almost' professional riders willing and able to give them all the advice they would need during the day.

I offered to kit them with my leathers, boots, helmet, back protector and gloves.

That all got too much. Vinnie (clearly the Alpha male) then said, 'Why ya talkin' 'bout this? Whaddaya want? Youse just an old cunt'....Gawd, where have I heard that before.....'Why you sayin' what ya sayin' man?'

'Hmmmm. The reason is complex. But to make it simple. You two, and lot like you, believe you know a lot about driving fast, but my guess is you haven't actually gone to any real limits.

On this bike, on the Pukekohe track, you 'could' take this bike out to 240Ks, legally.'

The fact is they'd be in group 4 and making the slowbies look fast, at first. And maybe a lowside or two might bring some reality to their lives. :--))

'The fuck you say! Man!' That's modern Hoon-speak for, 'You're kidding me, right?'

'Nup.'

That got their interest. Half an hour later, having explained the rules of engagement for a track-day, the 'boys' were converts.

So, I'd like to ask you all this, but prefaced with:-

I have had a fabulous life and taken from it a great deal. I now have the time and resource to put a bit back. I'd like to expose these hoons to the joy/fear/bang of real speed in a safe ER envirnoment. The hope being they'll tell their mates who will also want to have a go and, thereby, get a few more hoons into a new head-space.

I'm happy to put my bike on the block for the adventure.

The question is. Do you think I'm barking up the madman's tree?

ill take u up on that im borded would love a crak on a track some day

**The Pastor** · 15th April 2009, 20:34

bro your bike will be destoyed

**DMNTD:Me** · 15th April 2009, 20:36

Originally Posted by dpex

The question is. Do you think I'm barking up the madman's tree?

Yes I do...and I like it

**Reido** · 15th April 2009, 20:38

im a bored kid! you should let me ride your bike on the track!
promise i wont crash / bin it

**dpex** · 15th April 2009, 20:42

Originally Posted by sinfull

Good on ya, but the old Zimmer might not last too long at the hands of hoons lol

Bollocks. I'm a hoon. And she's still upright.

**RocKai** · 15th April 2009, 20:43

Once they fall off once they'll give up and go back to skidding in your drive because it's easier

**mujambee** · 15th April 2009, 20:45

Originally Posted by renegade master

bro your bike will be destoyed

was thinking the same, and one of the kids may end up in hospital.

**dpex** · 15th April 2009, 20:58

Hows about that!? In the space of fifteen minutes I've had seven PMs plus a couple on the open board.

I see there's alos a few worry-guts worrying about my bike being destroyed.

Really? In order to destroy my bike the rider would have to do something so far outside their comfort-level as to be almost unimaginable.

But if he/she does, then ho hum, we'll probably have a funeral to attend. I like furnerals. The fre food, the singing.

No, all you worry gutses. Those who want to have a go will be real cautious till they get up a head of steam, then something will happen, like roaring into Jenian and suddenly realising ya can't see out of it, or into castrol and seeing the big fat wall ahead...all these things.

But the plan is to have some smart chaps from AMCC quietly guide the aspirants.....

At one stage I was an aspirant. I followed Doug...I think that was his name, acting as a line marshal.

We went into Castrol at about 90Ks and I'm thiniking, 'I'm dead.' Pulled brake. Doug waited for me down the straight.

Nar. These aspirants, these bored kids, they'll learn real quick that ego and death are brothers in alms.

And when they do, they'll start having fun. And then, just maybe, they'll realise that this sort of shit is done only on the track, not the roads.

Maybe,

Won't know till we give it a try.