Life in the Slow Lane

[GrahamA]

When the last of the little group I rode with at the time reached age 70 we discussed what we could do now to prolong riding for as long as possible and might get even more enjoyment from it. Over a typically two-hour cafe lunch during our weekly group ride, we came up with the following suggestions and agreed to try them and then hold a review a month or so later.

Ride slower. This would be a new experience. It would allow us to take in more of the scenery. It would eliminate the chance of being ticketed for speeding. It would place less demand on our much slower reactions, poorer eyesight and hearing.

Stop more often. On a day ride, stop for 'morning and afternoon tea', a leisurely lunch, and if something of special interest cropped up.

Stop at all intersections. That means for STOP signs, GIVE WAY signs and when there are no rule signs. It gives time to look around carefully and slowly and lessens the need to look back over a shoulder with stiff necks.

When the review was held we all agreed that our rides had become more enjoyable, less tiring and less stressful.

We had already been keeping pace with traffic flows but when alone on country roads now we often cruise along at 80 or 90 km/h and love it. Such a change of pace would've been un-imagineable a few years ago but somehow we all made it to old age by a combination of skill and luck.

Our group rides are typically for three to six and we have few rules: We don't overtake each other; we ride at least 70 or 80m apart but always keeping the light of the following rider in sight; when stopping at an intersection we stop abreast, not in line astern, and we don't leave the group without telling another member. It works.

[Pound]

Hey Graham, I like the way you think old timer. :cool:

Too many street Rossi's out there giving most of us a bad name.

I'm just a young whipper snapper compared to you, but if i'm ever down your way, i'd love to ride with you old geezers (I say that affectionately of course).

[caseye]

Funnily enough on the our weekly rides, we ride in staggered formation, ,resulting in a nicely bunched but ,well spread out group, we usually have a ride leader, who rides at 90 KPH and we've never lost a rider yet.
We meet once a week on a Thursday night and we ride off at 7pm, ride for approx 1 - 1.5 hrs and stop somewhere where we can all fit in and tell ever bigger and bigger lies. The emphasis is not on speed, but getting to our destination, seeing whats around us and taking the time to smell the roses.
It Works, we love it, thanks Graham for reinforcing our discovery and promoting it as an alternative to simply riding fast and hard.
Come again.

[Blackbird]

Hi and welcome Graham from someone who hit 70 last year! Still managing to get out and have fun though :niceone: All the best for the years to come!

[pete376403]

Not quite 70 yet (although it is in sight) and your "rules" make a lot of sense to me.

[Murray]

Funnily enough on the our weekly rides, we ride in staggered formation, ,resulting in a nicely bunched but ,well spread out group, we usually have a ride leader, who rides at 90 KPH and we've never lost a rider yet.
We meet once a week on a Thursday night and we ride off at 7pm, ride for approx 1 - 1.5 hrs and stop somewhere where we can all fit in and tell ever bigger and bigger lies. The emphasis is not on speed, but getting to our destination, seeing whats around us and taking the time to smell the roses.
It Works, we love it, thanks Graham for reinforcing our discovery and promoting it as an alternative to simply riding fast and hard.
Come again.

But aren't group rides dangerous? Isn't anyone trying to keep up the pace?

[Murray]

Stop more often. On a day ride, stop for 'morning and afternoon tea', a leisurely lunch, and if something of special interest cropped up.


Especially like this - I/We will generally stop every 80 odd km for a break as I/We generally start to go on auto=pilot around this time


Good post

[Berries]

Too many street Rossi's out there giving most of us a bad name.
I am sure that stopping at a give way sign when it is clear there is nothing coming will make things up.

[Black Knight]

I fall into your age group plus a bit and I found downsizing to be a good answer to my/our aging problems-I dropped from a 280KG, litre bike,with way to much power progressively down to a 150kg 400cc.Adopted semi sedate riding,the bike still does 130 comfortably,and have a great time smelling the roses.Yesterday I did the Ride Forever Silver Course,I was the oldest there by 15 years and still saw one guy drop his bike while stationary,fail to stop at a stop sign,hit 120 on straights and 80 at the corners and sped up when I tried to pass-jeeeezzzus.

[george formby]

I fall into your age group plus a bit and I found downsizing to be a good answer to my/our aging problems-I dropped from a 280KG, litre bike,with way to much power progressively down to a 150kg 400cc.Adopted semi sedate riding,the bike still does 130 comfortably,and have a great time smelling the roses.Yesterday I did the Ride Forever Silver Course,I was the oldest there by 15 years and still saw one guy drop his bike while stationary,fail to stop at a stop sign,hit 120 on straights and 80 at the corners and sped up when I tried to pass-jeeeezzzus.

Who did you do the Silver course with (instructor) BK? We are thinking of doing the Gold again in April, IIRC.

[Blackbird]

Who did you do the Silver course with (instructor) BK? We are thinking of doing the Gold again in April, IIRC.
I think that Lance Goulsbro (senior traffic sgt, Whangarei) still does them under the ProRider umbrella.

[george formby]

I think that Lance Goulsbro (senior traffic sgt, Whangarei) still does them under the ProRider umbrella.

Yup, Lance did the Gold course with us a few years ago in Whangarei. Steve Russell was doing it up here in the Bay of Islands but apparently no longer.

Lance is exceedingly good value! We had a great day with him.

Oh, thoroughly enjoyed our courses with Steve, too.

[caspernz]

I am sure that stopping at a give way sign when it is clear there is nothing coming will make things up.

Risky way to check whether following traffic is alert...:shutup:

[Murray]

I am sure that stopping at a give way sign when it is clear there is nothing coming will make things up.

Like this

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11987677

[old slider]

Like this

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11987677

I use that intersection most days, there is a speed reduction to 70kmph just a few hundred metres further along, I have often thought that having the servo, and a busy café/restaurant and bar at that intersection that reducing the 100kmph limit to 70 maybe a good idea.

The other ridiculous bit of signage reduces a not suitable for 100kmph limit road down to 70kmph just as you arrive at a T junction, which happens to be right next to the Westmere school.

[Berries]

Like this
Erm, no. There was a car coming.

[caspernz]

Like this

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11987677


I use that intersection most days, there is a speed reduction to 70kmph just a few hundred metres further along, I have often thought that having the servo, and a busy café/restaurant and bar at that intersection that reducing the 100kmph limit to 70 maybe a good idea.

The other ridiculous bit of signage reduces a not suitable for 100kmph limit road down to 70kmph just as you arrive at a T junction, which happens to be right next to the Westmere school.

Looking at the footage, it looks like the servo north west end of Wanganui. Used to be a BP called Double S from memory, delivered my share of fuel there a decade or so ago. We used to get in and out of there in early hours of morning, just to avoid the dodgy situation of the roading. Oh and never mind that Ray was a grumpy prick :innocent:

Quite a different situation than the one Berries alluded to though.

[old slider]

Looking at the footage, it looks like the servo north west end of Wanganui. Used to be a BP called Double S from memory, delivered my share of fuel there a decade or so ago. We used to get in and out of there in early hours of morning, just to avoid the dodgy situation of the roading. Oh and never mind that Ray was a grumpy prick :innocent:

Quite a different situation than the one Berries alluded to though.


Yes, you are correct on both counts, double S and the grumpy bugger, lol, he has mellowed (just a tad) over the years. The place next door (pukekos nest) is very busy.

[Black Knight]

Who did you do the Silver course with (instructor) BK? We are thinking of doing the Gold again in April, IIRC.
Did it Saturday-Steve Rossell was instructor and a good fella-He now operates under Passmasters Training operation and is in Auckland this week getting his Gold Course Instructors qualification.
You can reach him on 021-0710518.

[GrahamA]

I did say that when we are with other traffic, we ride at the same speed as the general flow. To ride slower then invites being tailgated and overtaken, which is potentially hazardous when on a bike.

To stop and look about at all intersections is safer than not doing so despite some risk from following vehicles. Use your mirrors to keep an eye on them and if they get too close put the hazard lights on. Occasionally I've sounded my air horns to alert a following driver who appears not to be watching me. (Texting etc.) Yes, since 1973 all my bikes have been fitted with air horns.

[MD]

I admire your spirit still riding into your 70s. Hopefully I can do the same ..in the not too distant future.

One gem I liked in your opening post 'we don't overtake each other'

Some years ago I use to ride with a few where the pace was considerably 'up there' over the hills but we had just one rule - no overtaking each other when the pace gets up. Follow the leader, stay in order, no upsetting the other traffic. I would tell anyone else who may be tagging along, welcome but once the twisties start DO NOT OVERTAKE. That behaviour belongs on the track. When the front bike gets slowed by a car, WAIT. let him over take then the rest of us in the order we arrived. I can't stand how some riders take advantage of a slow vehicle to try and squeeze through a group and queue jump to the front. I find bikes overtaking other bikes quite a dangerous situation at any time. We have enough to concentrate on without worry about some clown hovering over our rear wheel.

[thehovel]

When the last of the little group I rode with at the time reached age 70 we discussed what we could do now to prolong riding for as long as possible and might get even more enjoyment from it. Over a typically two-hour cafe lunch during our weekly group ride, we came up with the following suggestions and agreed to try them and then hold a review a month or so later.

Ride slower. This would be a new experience. It would allow us to take in more of the scenery. It would eliminate the chance of being ticketed for speeding. It would place less demand on our much slower reactions, poorer eyesight and hearing.

Stop more often. On a day ride, stop for 'morning and afternoon tea', a leisurely lunch, and if something of special interest cropped up.

Stop at all intersections. That means for STOP signs, GIVE WAY signs and when there are no rule signs. It gives time to look around carefully and slowly and lessens the need to look back over a shoulder with stiff necks.

When the review was held we all agreed that our rides had become more enjoyable, less tiring and less stressful.

We had already been keeping pace with traffic flows but when alone on country roads now we often cruise along at 80 or 90 km/h and love it. Such a change of pace would've been un-imagineable a few years ago but somehow we all made it to old age by a combination of skill and luck.

Our group rides are typically for three to six and we have few rules: We don't overtake each other; we ride at least 70 or 80m apart but always keeping the light of the following rider in sight; when stopping at an intersection we stop abreast, not in line astern, and we don't leave the group without telling another member. It works.

Only one more idea ride on week days , there is a better class of traffic. Most are professional drivers and less idiots. I also lick the stop at all intersections. I run a Wednesday ride of which there is an 88year old rider and another is in his 80s.

[Swoop]

I also lick the stop at all intersections.
What the fuck? That is a new perversion.

As for professional drivers, some are far less "professional" than others. Taxi drivers especially.

[GazzaH]

I think he means he turns the corner so fast and so low he could lick the paint off the road.

[Madness]

What the fuck? That is a new perversion.


I think he means he turns the corner so fast and so low he could lick the paint off the road.

Don't be so sure, he's from Levin.