Auckland - Any cruiser riders interested in doing a few group rides?

[Scottie]

Hi everyone. I used to be a "foundation" member of the NZ Cruiser Group and was doing regular weekend rides with other cruiser riders.

A number of us have become disilusioned with the direction of this group and I have gone so far as to delete my membership following a tour around the South Island. We took issue with the leadership and decision making on the ride to the extent that most of us chose to ride as a separate group.

The guy who organised the ride (who also owns and administers the website) posted a littany of lies to justify his behaviour on the trip and then promptly suspended our accounts when we attempted to post a reply. I will have no more to do with this guy and his dictatorial "my way or the highway" attitude.

Anyway, that chapter is over now.

If anyone is interested in doing regular cruiser rides around the Region (and/or the odd overnighter or trip away) at cruiser speeds let us know and we can organise a few rides.

[Top Cat]

Yep, I'm in.

[Gummie]

sounds cool. maybe a quick gathering at the westpac ride as i to belong to the group but not yet met anyone.
P.S co pilot keep too

[Scottie]

What about a regular ride each month - say 1st or 2nd saturday each month?

[Top Cat]

I will let you know what weekends I am off .

[lovejoy]

HI Trotsky and Top Cat good to catch up and count us in cheers

[gilly]

Hi Trotsky,

Sorry to hear about NZ Cruiser Group, I had just joined as I'm interested in group rides with like minded riders, i.e. Cruisers not racers.
I hope to be purchasing a new bike on the weekend and will join hubbie who is on an M50.

So yes, very interested in group rides.

[Rockbuddy]

Hi All
Just a thought, in the groups section of this site there is a gruop called KB cruiser group that Toaster set up. could be a good place for anyone to discuss rides etc

[Scottie]

Good idea RB - just joined the KB Cruiser Group - just the spot to discuss and organise group rides. I like the idea of a regular group ride on ther same weekend every month - means you can plan ahead and if you miss one, there will be another in 30 days time.

[MotoKuzzi]

I'm interested in the occassional jaunt.

[Locodriver]

im am keen to go for rides, as long as im not working :yes:

[lovejoy]

part 2 HAS BEEN POSTED OK

[lovejoy]

HI CHAD hope to catch you on a ride soon ,maybe with top cat cheers L J

[bluebird]

Yes I'm in, I rode with you guys in the NZCG as "moonlight" sounds like things got a little weird. Looks like it's kiwibiker to the rescue.

[wainui]

Finally found you
Sorry to read that you had been deleted.Dont know much about the goings on at NZMCG but did consider you a good guy to know.
Wonderful account of trip and a nice ending to the story Stay Safe my friend

[Scottie]

Righto - looks like some very keen interest - will sort out some dates and routes and get back ta y'all. Perhaps the KB Cruiser Group (set up by Toaster) is a good place to discuss rides etc.

[lovejoy]

I will be interested to see what rides we can organize bit i might take awhile to learn my way around this site

[Locodriver]

hi lovejoy yeah it would be good to catch up with you and go for a nice relaxing ride instead of a race haha :laugh:

[MotoKuzzi]

I would be interested in seeing a spread of rides down the southern end, eg Port Waikato, Waingaro, Raglan etc as most nzcg rides tended to be north and for me it takes an hour just to make the meeting point. Emphasis on quality and social aspects rather than distance.

[Trojan]

looking forward to team hug...when do we ride!

[lovejoy]

i,m not looking for a hug from you and T C you guys will squash me

[Trojan]

lovejoy the post wont be up for long with the MZCG closing site.

[lovejoy]

I,m sure no one want,s that to happen

[bluebird]

Yes lets do some rides south. yeh, shame about the NZMCG site going, but I think it is going only for web members only, people that ride regularly will be still able to organize rides. I hope I will not have to not ride with Kev and co, I really liked those guys. Hope they find their way here, looking forward to the boule rally, lovejoy.... just put a boule decal on your tank mate!

[Rockbuddy]

lovejoy.... just put a boule decal on your tank mate!

why would he want to downgrade his ride by doing that???

[kiwionabike]

Why hello there all.....what a great shame...I was just getting to a point where I was getting a bit of time to go on some rides...well, nice to see everone here :)

[midnight]

If you planning on coming down our way any time soon give us a bell would love to see you

[kiwionabike]

To all those of you who have surfed across from NZMCG, I just worked out that you can change the colour of this site ... I could hardly read it when it was all black ...but if you go down to the bottom left of this page you can choose a different colour ... I am using "The Light Universe" ..its heaps easier to read! ..sorry a bit off topic :)

[Scottie]

Righto guys - we have organised a ride to Raglan for 27 March - It is in the calendar - posted it everywhere else I can think of - so here is another link:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2010-3-27&c=0

Keep the ideas and suggestions coming.

[lovejoy]

all sounds good will try and make 27th and nest4u thanks for the tip

[HOOK]

To all those of you who have surfed across from NZMCG, I just worked out that you can change the colour of this site ... I could hardly read it when it was all black ...but if you go down to the bottom left of this page you can choose a different colour ... I am using "The Light Universe" ..its heaps easier to read! ..sorry a bit off topic :)

Wow - had a look at NZmcg site and can see it imploding... Going to shut out all members who haven't ridden 'with the group ' enough ... or posted enough... and apparently unless you ride at, or are willing to ride at 140+km/hr , then your not a real rider & lack skills. :pinch: Throwing the toys outta the sandpit and going back to grass roots, apparently.

Not knocking anyone who wants to ride at that speed - but it's not for me - I prefer to enjoy the journey and would like to ride with the similar minded :chase:

And thanks for the tip on changing colour :niceone: but "The Light Universe" nearly melted my eyeballs ... :rofl:

Stay Upright

[Scottie]

Well put Hook. When I was with the NZ Cruiser Group, I became dissillussioned with the presumption that you were not a good rider unless you ride at high speeds and corner fast. Often on group rides, slower riders were given the cold shoulder or simply left behind to the point where group rides were simply a joke.

Many in the Group had a point to prove - which was that they could ride their cruisers as fast as any sports bike. Big deal! We found that poeple were doing one or two rides with the Group and never riding with them again for that very reason. For me, and the people I like to ride with, you buy a cruiser because you like to take it easy, enjoy the scenery and have nothing to prove. A cruiser is not just a class of bike, it's a state of mind. Keep an eye on the calendar as we are planning a few cruiser rides in the near future which will be more to your liking.

[s8306]

Interesting what you say there Rob as i,ve had similar things said to me.Have never ridden with the Auckland crowed and never got the chance when you guys came to Wanganui for our charity ride.It seemed to me that the others followed where lord and master went, apart from some of the central region members.Hope you get things of the ground up there and more people wake up and realise it,s not about balls out riding.Personally this whole site shut down thing is just another way for him to gauge how much support he,s got.:tugger:

[s8306]

Looks like i,ve been removed as well,maybe he read what i said in my last post,who cares, what a wanker.

[duckonin]

Yes what you all have said is good and constructive, but at the end of the day it is all up to you ' ride your own ride' you know where they are going that should be enough, lunch coffee whatever social get together, heaps of group rides fail because the participants feel it is two fast, if you are at the back it can be very quick riding to keep up, got a pillion on board think of them, when riding on some good roads with others my wife and I always give others the option 'good road go for it enjoy the road ride and thrill that ego' we will catch you up if we need to, that way we at least enjoy the scenery and our ride because that is what we wanted to do...
To keep the back of a ride happy with the speed, you need to ride like the gangs, that is in good formation reasonably tight so no cars can get in and ride at the one pace, passing itself is an art, once the leader passes he slow's it all down till the last is back where it should be then it is ride on, to do this style of riding you need to b real comfortable with the others around you sometimes in a real tight formation.

[Scottie]

To keep the back of a ride happy with the speed, you need to ride like the gangs, that is in good formation reasonably tight so no cars can get in and ride at the one pace, passing itself is an art, once the leader passes he slow's it all down till the last is back where it should be then it is ride on, to do this style of riding you need to b real comfortable with the others around you sometimes in a real tight formation.

I could not agree more, we recently rode the East Coast with a group and then repeated it in the South Island (after we let the speedsters go do their own thing) and we rode just like you describe - especially when its comes to passing cars. It makes for a much more enjoyable ride, better shared memories and when one stops - we all stop. Hope to catch you ona ride one day.

[animaltkd]

Both styles of riding as a group in tight formation and riding in small groups to the same destination both have bonus's.
I rode for many years in tight formation group runs with various clubs I have been associated with, we have usually 50-80+ riders with the aim of arriving en mass.

Over the last few years ridden both and found a lot of riders struggle with formation riding as no doubt on the bigger rides we all have seen, also now at 42 years and have buried a few bike brothers i am more about riding how I want to.
South Island to me an example, I enjoyed listening to others who had ridden and done things differently to myself. For example, I didn't stop to do the helicopter to the glaciers, but when we met up later I heard how good it was... it is now on the plan for 2011, however I still thoroughly enjoyed my ride that day.

Trotsky wrote "It makes for a much more enjoyable ride, better shared memories and when one stops - we all stop." -
Again I agree with this to a degree, on a day trip or a weekend trip, yep totally agree 100% - more than 1 week,to be totally honest that I cant do, unless I am with someone who is very very similar to myself. I cant even visit my own family for more than 4 days without wanting to get away!!

Riding is a very personal thing, as long as you are not endangering anyone else with your riding then I will never have an issue, the only time I will get pissed is if riders hold up a entire group then I tend to break off, do my own thing and wait at the next meeting point.

At the end of the day it is all about do you have a smile on ya face when u finish.

BTW South Island was a blast, doing it again next year. Trotsky ya write up on the trip was really good.

[MotoKuzzi]

My sentiments same as the rest re group rides. Close formation is exhilarating and requires 100% concentration, so is speed and having a momentary blat and letting the bike have it's head. I don't enjoy continuos fast riding because I like to cruise and enjoy the scenery as well. All these things are possible within the one ride, ( ride your own ride ). I also ride on my own a lot because the window of opportunity to go may be short and I don't know too may others around where I live. The biggest problem with group rides as far as I'm concerned is the big noting and ego tripping by some, but I accept that as part of it and you can't make friends and have a enjoyable ride if that upsets you too much.

[animaltkd]

I have to say when I get pissed off with something, riding for a short time not having to watch for others in my mirrors really settles me back down again.
But I will openly admit and I do often so people dont get any misunderstanding because I ride a goldwing, I like to ride reasonably quickly, I love opening the wing up and I also love just chilling out...... Perfect ride for me is when I do both.

Close formation riding not only requires 100% concentration, but also more importantly 100% trust in the rider in front and behind, if I dont trust the rider in front or behind then I will make sure I have distance.

[duckonin]

Right !! The NZCG still advocates 'ride your own ride' it's used is to know when rides are on by being posted on the rides forum come if your want!

It does not mean we all have to ride together or as fast as each other, on most group rides anyway you may get others like your self who want to ride at another pace stick with them you will enjoy your ride, or just dodge along.

The Admin of the NZCG has always said the same as I just have, so has animaltkd, in his post's in fact all post's say almost the same thing, the CG was set up for like minded persons and has been going along with a brilliant website giving link's to other riders, who can all receive a private PM if you would rather ride with one or two persons rather than a large group.

animaltkd, both of your above post's have said it all, and I agree if couples can survive a few days and then a few more together they are special and a strong bond will keep you riding together for years to come but and there always will be BUT'S, never be scared to say "we shall meet you there " then off you go..

[MotoKuzzi]

Not bagging NZCG, but it's main attraction for me was to see what rides were on, because they're a good bunch of people in my experience. But, I prefer KB for entertainment and tapping into the knowledge available with a more diverse group of owners / riders. I've fixed more than one problem on my old shitter by going into the mechanical section and looking for advice.

[duckonin]

Motokuzzi you are right, not many if any except u on the CG with Cali's, not many in the membership full stop, at all compared to Kiwi biker, so info to u would be small in that respect, as for the entertainment on KB well ha ha I will not respond, Some may say the CG may need to iron out some kinks I myself do not think any exist, we all have our own subjective views on matters which can create conflict, use it for what it stands for, ' A meeting place for like minded persons'.. Life is too darn short so enjoy!!!

[9rider]

Yes what you all have said is good and constructive, but at the end of the day it is all up to you ' ride your own ride' you know where they are going that should be enough, lunch coffee whatever social get together, heaps of group rides fail because the participants feel it is two fast, if you are at the back it can be very quick riding to keep up, got a pillion on board think of them, when riding on some good roads with others my wife and I always give others the option 'good road go for it enjoy the road ride and thrill that ego' we will catch you up if we need to, that way we at least enjoy the scenery and our ride because that is what we wanted to do...
To keep the back of a ride happy with the speed, you need to ride like the gangs, that is in good formation reasonably tight so no cars can get in and ride at the one pace, passing itself is an art, once the leader passes he slow's it all down till the last is back where it should be then it is ride on, to do this style of riding you need to b real comfortable with the others around you sometimes in a real tight formation.

Well put I agree with what you are saying. I think that is called a group ride. :yes:

[Top Cat]

Well put I agree with what you are saying. I think that is called a group ride. :yes:


Thats what we had on the South Island trip, a group of 2 and a group of 4......neat aye? :chase:

[animaltkd]

Thats what we had on the South Island trip, a group of 2 and a group of 4......neat aye? :chase:

Agreed, everybody rode their own ride and that was what the whole trip was about and there are shitloads of new places to go and see.

I cant get over how stunning the place was! and how great the roads were..... After the state of the roads on the Coast2Coast yesterday, South Islands were brilliant.

Iching to get back down there again.

[Top Cat]

Agreed, everybody rode their own ride and that was what the whole trip was about and there are shitloads of new places to go and see.

I cant get over how stunning the place was! and how great the roads were..... After the state of the roads on the Coast2Coast yesterday, South Islands were brilliant.

Iching to get back down there again.


No....wrong.
Originally the ride was about us all riding as a group. The organiser set out ride rules on the nzmcg thread....eg If we turn at an intersection the No2 waits at the corner for the last rider, then makes his way upto No2 again...plus many other rules.........WHAT HAPPENED?
It is so easy to say now that we were all going to ride our own ride but we all know that is bollocks.....just like JJ's original blog.
The 'Band aid' is to small to cover the wound.

[animaltkd]

No....wrong.
Originally the ride was about us all riding as a group. The organiser set out ride rules on the nzmcg thread....eg If we turn at an intersection the No2 waits at the corner for the last rider, then makes his way upto No2 again...plus many other rules.........WHAT HAPPENED?
It is so easy to say now that we were all going to ride our own ride but we all know that is bollocks.....just like JJ's original blog.
The 'Band aid' is to small to cover the wound.


Lots of things happened, shit happens...
Everyone falling out over everything..... life too short.
Free ride or group ride, it never went the way anyone intended to go, misunderstanding's etc etc....

Ah who cares anyway, was an amazing trip, surely you, Kev, Rob and John had a good time too without us being there? For both myself and kirsty the postives outwieghed the negatives by heaps.

I never saw Johnny's origanal so have no idea what was said.

At the end of the day the trip made both of us what to ride more, a lot more.. so we do. South Island 2011 here we come!

Still cant get over meeting the Mad Butcher in the bog at Milford Sound! Now that was random!



Still going back next year

[9rider]

Lots of things happened, shit happens...
Everyone falling out over everything..... life too short.
Free ride or group ride, it never went the way anyone intended to go, misunderstanding's etc etc....

Ah who cares anyway, was an amazing trip, surely you, Kev, Rob and John had a good time too without us being there? For both myself and kirsty the postives outwieghed the negatives by heaps.

I never saw Johnny's origanal so have no idea what was said.

At the end of the day the trip made both of us what to ride more, a lot more.. so we do. South Island 2011 here we come!

Still cant get over meeting the Mad Butcher in the bog at Milford Sound! Now that was random!



Still going back next year

What a lot of dribble :shifty:

[animaltkd]

may be dripple " what ever that is" but very true.

I will be honest I cant see what went so completely wrong that there is such bad feeling between Johnny and everyone, so there were a couple of room fuck ups and me/johnny rode early and you guys rode late.

I know TC was'nt happy that is wasn't a group ride all the way round.... But honestly the massive fall out and shit flying everywhere over a trip is totally beyond me. I wasnt happy with a few things either but that happens when travelling in a group of a long period.

I just dont get it at all, Rob came and spoke that he wanted to ride later, that was cool.
I told Johnny I would be riding early and was more than likely going to ride a bit alone for a while..... I was on honeymoon.
LJ said from the beginning he was doing his own thing.
You and TC wanted to ride later which suited with what Rob was doing.

Really I dont get why everyone was so pissed off!!

call it crap, dribble, bullshit whatever..... Everything seemed to be really minor issues

[Toaster]

Righto - looks like some very keen interest - will sort out some dates and routes and get back ta y'all. Perhaps the KB Cruiser Group (set up by Toaster) is a good place to discuss rides etc.

For the Kiwibiker website (for those not too familiar with it), the best and correct way to post up rides is to use the meetings and events forum. There are guides on how to use it properly in there. Then create a calendar item for the appropriate day. You can then insert links for both.

The thread then created in the meetings and event forum is usually then used as a discussion thread for the ride pre and post ride itself.

[Toaster]

Oh and you can insert maps in the discussion thread and also a ride attendance click to attend option in the calendar item.

[Scottie]

call it crap, dribble, bullshit whatever..... Everything seemed to be really minor issues

I'm afraid TC is right Animal. The SI tour was promoted as a group ride as set out in TC's post above. That was what we signed up to and expected to occur. The ride rules were there for everyone to see - a group ride at cruise speeds etc etc. It seems that some never intended follow the agreed ride format that had been in place for about 6 months. That, for me, was very dissappointing and when I realised it was not going to happen, we reluctently broke away.

The real shame was JJ's actions when we returned and that appalling vitriolic diatribe badly disguised as a ride blog. I really wanted to leave the bad stuff in the South Island. That is way I wrote a blog that focussed on the positives and got it up on the NZ Cruiser site as soon as I could. Sadly that was not to be and I left the group due to totally unreasonable levels of censorship when I dared question his post.

Anyway that episode is all in the past now. I look forward to riding my new Triumph Rocket III Touring with fellow like minded riders through the Kiwi Biker cruiser group and a few other initiatives that are in the pipeline.

[bluebird]

What a bloody shame, and the nzcg site is withering away without the old crew, but let's move on. Can't make Raglan unfortunately but a run at Easter would be good.

[animaltkd]

Ok, for myself it was never going to be a group ride all the way around, I suppose I had told Johnny what I wanted to do but not anyone else. The main for me as you all know I like to go off and meet up later.
I did so many years "riding like gangs" with clubs when I was younger that nowadays riding in tight formation all day really isnt my thing all the time. I do however understand the desire to ride like that and I do often but not all the time as you all know.
We all had issues on the trip over one thing and another, but I agree it should have all been left behind on South Island.

I can not comment on Johnny's blog because it seems I am the only one who never got to read the first version.
I know Johnny was pissed about a few things but we didn't really discuss it during the ride.

Personally for me a was a couple of misunderstanding's that was all, if anyone got offended by me riding ahead and at the speed I enjoy then I am sorry. If anyone was surprised my the way I rode, then you haven't ridden enough with me.

I was there to enjoy myself and for the enjoyment of my wife. I wasnt in anyway offended by other riders not wanting to ride at 8am and maybe as quick as me, I also dont tend to stop that often so to me stopping regularly starts to irritate me. But others who like to stop often that was always cool. I didn't expect to have one ridding with me by day 5! So for me Johnny riding with me was nice.

I can not believe the fall out since we got back, but like I said I haven't read the blog and no doubt there was replies to it, to honest after seeing people I held in good regard react the way they have I never want to read it.

All my issues were left behind on the ferry.

I had a great trip

[9rider]

You're sounding like a broken record. So far you're last few threads would make good Tui ads

[animaltkd]

LOL

Yea I know.. Just giving up understanding people.

[Top Cat]

Geeeze Rob....if the rides are all going to be like that one (Raglan) count us in all the time. Bloody marvelous mate.:banana::banana:

[dilligaf_nz]

Geeeze Rob....if the rides are all going to be like that one (Raglan) count us in all the time. Bloody marvelous mate.:banana::banana:

Count me in too

[9rider]

Tauranga on the 10th is planned to be the same kind of ride as Raglan. Scottie has set the bar, lets see if we can maintain the same level of ride or better. You did well Scottie we had a great day mate

[Scottie]

Tauranga on the 10th is planned to be the same kind of ride as Raglan.

Excellent, looking forward to this one Kev. :Punk: :rockon:

[Top Cat]

:scooter:Tauranga........Bring it on!:scooter:

[cooper_man]

This looks like it is the start of something great!

I have recently picked up a V Star 650, hopefully i will be able to keep up with you big boys our there. Wont make the 10th but count me in for anything after it!

[Top Cat]

Sweet as Cooper_man.....look forward to meeting you.:ride:

[Scottie]

Hi Cooper_man - we take things pretty sedately so no problems there. Probably orgainsing another ride for early May - weather permitting.

[bluebird]

Last ride I went on an M50 set the pace and it was all good. We all got home, saw the landscape, and enjoyed our rides.

[Top Cat]

Yep...isn't that what it's all about...bugga the racing.

[bluebird]

Looking forward to maybe the first weekend in May for a group ride.

[Scottie]

Yep - thinking Sunday 2 May for a ride - How does the Twin Bridges route to Opononi and back through the Hooooooooooooooooooookainga and Waipua Forest sound? Another slighly shorter option is to do the Waipu Loop.

[MasterBry]

Thats a route I have never done on a bike Scottie, so you can count us in for that.

[MotoKuzzi]

Great ride to TGA today. Nice to meet new people and catch up with others. Bugger about getting split up at Tahuna turn off Kev, I decided to follow the leader. Probably wont make May 2nd ride I'm moving house that weekend.

[kiwionabike]

Awesome day today...Thanks Kevin!..:)

[lovejoy]

Bloody good day KATHY AND KEVIN thanks very much for organizing such a great ride we got home just as it in the dark had a lovely tea and into a steaming hot tub ,let us know whats happening tomorrow cheers john and janine. :rockon::yes::scooter::niceone:

[Top Cat]

Meet at Albany at 10am, then to Pete and Vee's at 10.30am, then up 16 to Wellsford. Should be there around 11.30am. - 11.45am. Go down to Warkworth and into the Marraposa for lunch, down to Puhoi for a 'Cuppa' then home.:scooter:
A nice easy day.:Punk:

[MasterBry]

Yes totally agree with every one esle, a great ride, lovely lunch, and the company of a nice bunch of people. Thanks Kevin & Kathy for arranging it !

[MasterBry]

The Shell Petrol station in Albany township, is that right ?

[lovejoy]

we will meet you at the kkk pub at 10.30 ok.

[MasterBry]

KKK Pub ?..

[lovejoy]

kaukakapa town pub state hiway 16, you can contact me on 09 431 5115

[Top Cat]

Bugga me....another great day, thanks for the company people. Thanks for the hospitality Pete and Vee.
741km on the new bike. 100 times better than the C90 for comfort for me and Sue, and handling and power is far superior. Im wrapped. :Punk:

[9rider]

Another great day with good company for lunch at Matakana RD6. Thanks for the guided tour over the hill Lovejoy. Thanks for your hospitality Mr and Mrs Mad Tom. Looking forward to the next ride. :yes:

[Scottie]

Yep - another great day on the bike. Thanks for the cuppa Pete and Vanessa and thanks to TC and Lovejoy leading the way. Nect cruiser ride planned for 1 May - Waipu Loop.

[bluebird]

I will be putting that one in my calendar. Sons racing is getting first call on all the weekends, but that one is clear! Looking forward to seeing the beast scottie.

[MasterBry]

If we keep going to these lovely eateries, I can feel some weight gain coming. Thank god we bought a bigger bike :-)

[lovejoy]

was a great weekend folks, hopefully not the last of the good weather and MOONLIGHT was that you i saw heading north on highway 16 ??cheers L J

[bluebird]

Might of been LJ, I went for a ride up that way last friday, but I haven't been out in a group since Easter Saturday when I went up to Rawene and over on the ferry with Nonie, Nick, one of his mates on a BMW and Shadow, looking forward to catching up with you guys on the 1st of May.