Sunday 15th April

[Terminated]

I was was looking through last weekends ride report:

I think small groups of maybe no more than four with an experienced leader and TEC might be the way to manage newbie rides in future.

That's a bloody good point Jim. I think Buckbuck mentioned something about a buddy system for this next ride. Maybe that's the way to handle it. It's nice for newer riders and people new to KB to meet a big bunch of KBers, and talk rubbish at lunch, but maybe while riding we could buddy each newbie up with an experienced rider to ride with.

My suggestion would be to break up into groups of 4 or so similar bikes and set off at 30 sec intervals...

My preference is for smaller group rides too. I don't like to lead rides as I don't want to have the responsibility of setting the pace that others may feel they have to ride to. KB rides have become a very popular for various reasons, one being the comraderie of like minded people. The social aspect is pretty good. I wouldn't like to see that broken up by smaller groups possibly becoming cliquey. I've heard comments made about that already.

I wish there were no motorcycle accidents - whether on group rides or otherwise. We can only encourage other riders as much as possible to ride safely and respect other riders/road users around them. Smaller group riding is good and I think very large group riding should be left for events like toy runs etc. I guess having responsible mentors willing to take smaller groups under their wing (TCWNR's?) is the answer. Having 'someone' take on the responsibility for organising these sessions is also something that very few people are willing to do.

Was a very good day, next week I am thinking of a departure from Rimutex with a little twist, something for the 'newbies' and something for the 'learned', a buddy system up and over the hill.....

More later.

At Rimutex: Form up 'senior riders' line up on right side, 'intermediate and junior riders' form up together on the left side. We set off in two pair sets, ie four riders and maintain a 12 second gap between each group of four riders.
[What constitutes a senior, intermediate, junior rider - commonsense and a genuine desire to assist and be assisted in improving our riding skills.]

Depart around the rear of the the service station passed the car wash.

Make up your own four by all means.

Any people with first aid training / medical background, remain at tail end of whole group ride.

Each group of four: have a brief between all of you, discuss safety and items to focus on eg counter steering, braking, suspension etc, seek feedback. before you depart.

Suggest start arriving by 11.00, form up by 11.20, and staggered departures at 30second intervals from 11.30am and maintain no closer than 12second horizon distance.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[I am without pc at moment and will only be on during the day for an hour or so I welcome any PM's and offers of assistance for next Sunday.]
Guy

[Steam]

That sounds cool as long as it's still okay for people to do a regular group ride and not be involved with the small-group thing if they don't want to.
How many newbies are you expecting? Last weekend there were only 4 or 5 who said they were newbies and one of them was Colapop.
There were maybe two or three people on 250's.

[alexthekidd]

sounds like an idea that could provide far more 1 to 1 help for us newbies, though really i dont know if the are enough of us 250 boys that would constitute a system like this

[Colapop]

sounds like an idea that could provide far more 1 to 1 help for us newbies, though really i dont know if the are enough of us 250 boys that would constitute a system like this

...just don't let him have any Bourbon!

[alexthekidd]

...just don't let him have any Bourbon!

ur a bully colapop, bully bully bully

[quallman1234]

ur a bully colapop, bully bully bully

More bourbon!!! Give him more!

[Trudes]

Now this is just my opinion and I value your input immensely BB#1.
I would consider myself a cautious intermediate rider and although I could do with some more mentoring in the near future, I personally would rather do that one on one with a mentor and not during a group ride situation.
I do however think that any newbie who does come along on Sunday (or anyone else for that matter) that wants to have an experienced rider ride along with them, then that is their choice and maybe they could mention that to either BB#1 or myself and we can hook you up with a sensible mentor type person for the day who'll stick with you during the entire ride, and ride toward the back of the ride, in front of the ride TEC.
As much as I understand that group rides can be dangerous and easily get out of hand, I still think it needs to be fairly relaxed also, otherwise people end up not having fun, getting bored and buggering off to do their own thing and not coming on future rides.
I think things went fairly well last Sunday. BB#1 asked that people split themselves into two groups, experienced and intermediate go first at their own pace and newer bods and people who want to take it easy after with a TEC.
It is up to everyone to make their own choice of which group they fit into and how fast they want to ride. Like it is constantly said here "you must ride your own ride", it's up to you personally to pick your comfort level and stick to it, nobody will get left behind, that's what the TEC is for.
I'm pretty sure anyone who is old enough to have themselves a bike license and a bike is old enough to make some decisions for themselves and don't need to be babied along on rides.
This ride on Sunday is a newbie ride, the idea is for newbies to come along, meet some other riders and know that there will be people who'll keep an eye on you and offer help when needed or asked for.

[Terminated]

Now this is just my opinion and I value your input immensely BB#1.

Thanks Mrs Kendog I support your comments entirely.

As an example, last weekend we had a professional riding instructor in our midst, who was there purely for the social enjoyment. I did ask him however, that I would welcome his feedback on my riding. Having the new V-Strom I was keen for his opinion about my bike handling. He followed me from Featherston to Martinborough, and I was very pleased to receive his comments. [I had to return to Wellington early for another commitment, would have liked to have done the Lake Ferry loop though.]

Generally, I am of the opinion that to ride in a group of no more than four, is realistic and wise. Where there are extensive groups eg toy runs etc, then there is significant planning, co-operation, and safety first issues, and bike recovery co-ordinating plans. Our huge day light saving weekend last October was a great day, well organised in riding skill group levels etc and catered for admirably at the destination point. They are the 'Group Rides'.

When riding on any Sunday I am happy to ride in a small group and meet up at gathering points where other small groups are waiting and then at the destination point to enjoy a social gathering. I think it is important to maintain a significant gap and a 12 second horizon at any speed 50 - 100kph is quite long between you and the group of four in front so be prepared for traffic interventions, and indeed pull over if you have a junior rider in your group if congestion is a problem.

I am happy for a 250 rider to ride with me over to Martinborough, however if they haven't done the Rimutaka Hill before or only a few times, I will immediately abandon the ride to Martinborough and invite the 250 rider to do the Whitemans Valley circuit first with me.

We have some very good riding districts in our greater Wellington region for junior riders, and it is prudent to practise in some of these areas before taking on the Rimutaka Hill and the open rural districts.

So I leave it with all of you to ascertain your level of commitment and willingness to assist upcoming riders. I have made my position clear in the above comments, and without prejudice or disrespect to any of our Kiwibiker community I will not hesitate to tell a rider, 'No, I think you may want to consider doing this before doing that....I am prepared to ride along with you if you want.'

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Lissa]

sounds like an idea that could provide far more 1 to 1 help for us newbies, though really i dont know if the are enough of us 250 boys that would constitute a system like this

...and girls!!!!

[Hitcher]

Good plan. Also Front-end Charley and Tail-end Charley should have each other's cellphone numbers, just in case...

[elle-f]

only the flash people with those flash helmets can answer those phones though!

[Dodger]

only the flash people with those flash helmets can answer those phones though!

You haven't seen my $8 rangimod then have you

[Nasty]

only the flash people with those flash helmets can answer those phones though!

So does that mean i am TEC again

[Lissa]

I will be bringing my new Helmet YAY!!!!!! If I can just mention that the weather looks a little crappy, elle will be doing sundance Sunday morning early so stay tuned.

[elle-f]

i dont' do sundances - wrong culture. i do haka.....badly