Wellington Wednesday Night Cruisy Summer Rides (TCWNR) -- 2009/10

**Gareth51** · 10th February 2010, 21:05

Originally Posted by Toaster

It was a good ride. No rain, no bins.

Although I did hit a rabbit 50m from home. What is it with me and animals on the blimmin roads??!!

Took me ages to catch it and put it out of its misery. People driving past must have thought I was nuts, jumping about in the long grass in the Busa's headlight beam.

Sels ran over a possum coming back over the hill one night and I nearly ran over a Tiger.....shouldn't try and race each other

**Leviticus** · 10th February 2010, 21:14

Originally Posted by Toaster

Only crushed its back right leg with the front wheel. I couldn't leave it to suffer.

Free chips were a plus! Best ride I have had over the hill yet.

So you saying you had trouble catching a LIMPING rabbit?

**Toaster** · 10th February 2010, 21:19

Originally Posted by Leviticus

So you saying you had trouble catching a LIMPING rabbit?

Nice.... very nice. I walked straight into that one!

**Toaster** · 10th February 2010, 21:22

Originally Posted by Gareth51

Sels ran over a possum coming back over the hill one night and I nearly ran over a Tiger.....shouldn't try and race each other

"We weren't racing officer, it was close formation flying practice!"

**BuckBuck#1** · 11th February 2010, 09:45

At last night’s TCWNR there was a small gathering and generally all were experienced riders with one novice Learner. Though the ride was up Paekakariki Hill and to Gordies Bar in Paraparaumu, I was content to ride TEC over the Haywards Hill to Pauahatanui from there I lead to Battle Hill, where I had announced before leaving the Duckpond that was my turnaround point. Approaching Battle Hill I indicated left and slowed down to let the group pass, and was very pleased to see on my way back that the novice rider was being followed by a TEC experienced rider – cheers Sels1.

Now to move on:

Read with extreme interest.

Attending last night’s ride, 10 February, someone at the Duckpond drew my attention to Rant and Rave thread started on 27 January by Str8 Jacket - Helen well done, and well said. I have just found it this morning.

That particular evening when you stopped at the top of the Rimutaka Hill and I met you there, I most certainly could empathise with you, your feelings and views.

With the utmost of respect reflecting upon the legacy that was left by Uncle B, and with thanks to Trudes and many others, by having a bench seat placed at the Duckpond carpark, I have agonised over these past few weeks about the future of The Wednesday Night Cruisie Ride TWNCR and the legacy attached to this event.

Some may say that society changes and so TWNCR has changed too. Well I don’t think it is the bikes that have changed, nor so much the riders, that have been attending for years, nor the new faces of ‘experienced’ and novice riders that attend (ah hum haven’t seen too many 250cc bikes or novice riders…wonder why) – but rather what has changed are the various attitudes. Sadly some may think that the original intent of TCWNR has been lost and that Wednesday Night is for the more experienced riders on larger bikes wanting to do their own thing. Well there is nothing much more I can say about that…but I have agonised about what I could do and to maintain the legacy of why we have a mid week ride that was established to assist newer riders and to provide a social environment.

I was reminded last night of the recent years when I attempted to establish a slower paced group ride leaving the Duckpond on Wednesday evenings fifteen minutes before TCWNR. Back then there were strong opinions basically ‘take your ride meeting point somewhere else attitude’. And last night it was reiterated that TCWNR has changed. Perhaps another way of looking at it is that TCWNR has a reputation and riding behaviour now that unfortunately does not openly encourage slower riders.

Well this past weekend I thought the time was right to setup a Tuesday evening ride program through to the end of the current daylight saving season geared very much toward those that want slower paced rides. Destination, routes, and optional turnaround points.

After the first ride Tuesday this week, I was encouraged by the enthusiasm displayed by the five novice riders that attended and one other experienced rider -thank you Toaster for your assistance much appreciated.

I will attend both the Tuesday and Wednesday rides, and one thing will not change at either ride and that is my riding attitude.

On a Wednesday I will be happy to lead any TCWNR on one or more occasions between now and the end of daylight saving. The decision by consensus of the group on the evening and that the group is tolerant enough to ride behind a 250cc bike and remain behind the lead rider, but I think that is most unlikely to occur…but please prove me wrong.

Safe Riding Everyone

**ajturbo** · 11th February 2010, 09:55

i do not care what the leader is riding..... the only.. (ONLY) reason i over take the leader (unless they indicate me to) is if i think they are a danger to him/herself and or me.....

if fact a lot of the time i welcome being lead around..... just lay off the whips!!!.... you know who i'm talking about

**BuckBuck#1** · 11th February 2010, 10:05

Originally Posted by ajturbo

i do not care what the leader is riding..... the only.. (ONLY) reason i over take the leader (unless they indicate me to) is if i think they are a danger to him/herself and or me.....

if fact a lot of the time i welcome being lead around..... just lay off the whips!!!.... you know who i'm talking about

Good point AJ, and though some of us may not feel it our place, but on a Wednesday Night if we see a rider that may appear to be a danger to him/herself, then whatever the rider's shortcomings are, a well placed 'please don't take any offense but would you welcome some feedback on your riding technique' comment could be useful. Two things can be achieved - one, that the observation was raised, and two, the rider hopefully accepts to listen and evaluate.

And who were you talking about?

**Toaster** · 11th February 2010, 15:19

Originally Posted by BuckBuck#1

.... Perhaps another way of looking at it is that TCWNR has a reputation and riding behaviour now that unfortunately does not openly encourage slower riders.

Well this past weekend I thought the time was right to setup a Tuesday evening ride program through to the end of the current daylight saving season geared very much toward those that want slower paced rides. Destination, routes, and optional turnaround points.

After the first ride Tuesday this week, I was encouraged by the enthusiasm displayed by the five novice riders that attended and one other experienced rider -thank you Toaster for your assistance much appreciated....

Tuesday's ride was well organised and executed BuckBuck. Glad to help out and enjoyed it and looking forward to next week. I am sure more 250/Learner/Novice riders will come along to what is a well suited ride program.

Wednesday was a nice relaxed pace and yes we ensured our 250 rider was looked after. Great to see him have a crack at the Paekakariki hill. I am enjoying that hill more and more and as often as I can.

**Neshi** · 13th February 2010, 14:41

I really loved the wednesday ride and didn't really cared that the bigger bikes were more experienced and faster than me. (When I crank open the throttle I just come over 120k's) My main reason to be there is to ride my bike and see some great NZ scenery as well, meeting other people is great as well, but thinking I can keep up is foolish thinking. The ride was great, the hill was awesome and a great learning road. The small group was fun as well, I liked meeting my bikes previous owners! I will turn up every wednesday if that is ok with everybody, and I hope more 250's will turn up and accompany me

**Gone Burger** · 13th February 2010, 20:42

Hey Neshi.

Great to hear you enjoyed the ride. I am dead keen on coming along too. But Since I live miles away I have to mkae sure I ride me bike into work that day. If its aweful weather in the morning I leave the bike at home. But if it is a good start then you will definately be seeing me and my 250 along as well. Keen to do both the Tueday and Wednesday night rides. I personally love riding with bigger bikes too. And there is so much experiece to gain to in a group like that. I feel very comfortable on my bike, and can't wait to meet more friends via the rides.

Fingers crossed for the weather next week, looking forward to another couple of good rides!

**StoneY** · 17th February 2010, 11:07

Overcast, still and muggy...see ya all at the Duckpond!
Its KTM time wooohooo!

**StoneY** · 17th February 2010, 11:17

Hmmmm. Just read some of the content from last 2 pages.....

Since when has the WNCR had a 'designated' ride leader? Not in the period I have attended anyway.... I have never seen anyone get miffed for being passed, Sells usually gets everyone on the hill and all those near the front just allow him to pass (boy the Bonny can corner!)

Thought we all do our own ride? Own pace, mind the slower guy as you pass him? Be carefull and always encourage safety...thats been the way I have experienced it anyway but I have only been on KB about 7 months or so

It usually just falls into two groups that naturally sort thier own order.......the slightly quicker riiders usually break away on River Road.
Never seen any indication of the cranage being described in the previous page, however i was not there that night so cant comment

Will be there tonigt, and expect the usual haggle over destination and the usual ride order sort to occur....see ya all there

**Str8 Jacket** · 17th February 2010, 15:19

Originally Posted by StoneY

Since when has the WNCR had a 'designated' ride leader? Not in the period I have attended anyway.... I have never seen anyone get miffed for being passed,

Not that I am saying that it *should* be run like this now however TCWNR was always set up to have a leader and a TEC. Those that wanted to go there own ride left first and then the rest followed. Trudes has already said but TCWNR was originally set up as a ride to encourage learners who wanted to stay riding in a group ride to 'follow the leader' and not worry as there was always someone waiting for them at the back should anything happen. Those that wanted to do their own thing went first. All was sweet but like apes TCWNR has evolved.
Although I won't personally attend them again I am not trying to put anyone down or point fingers at anyone, its just what has happened.

Originally Posted by StoneY

I have never seen anyone get miffed for being passed,

I have no problems being passed. Safely. What I experienced wasn't being passed it was being part of a wannabe 'Superbike Race' riding a 'Bucket'. If I had wanted to race I would've gone racing.