Protest Ride-Cautionary Note

[buellbabe]

Im going but fucked if Im riding there in a big group, aint that dum, will meet up for the protest action down there, thats is it

Imagine the chaos , variable speeds, dickheads but more importantly imagine the crazy delays at Petrol stations and COFFEE stops , screw that

My thoughts exactly! Thats why I'm not doing my own thing with a couple of mates...one of them is an ex traffic cop LOL.

I plan on meeting up in Welly with the group at the duck pond. Those of you who ARE doing the group 'bikoi' PLEASE keep your wits about ya and be patient. My wish is for us ALL to arrive in one piece, cos afterall thats what the whole thing is all about isn't it?

Oh and I'm sure the organisers are totally onto it and when its closer to the time will post the relevant info about where/what/how we are all gonna merge together ... As already said earlier in this thread its pretty much covered by the police and the marshals...all we gotta do is pay attention and watch our following distance!

Big thanks to the volunteers who are gonna be directing us all!

[StoneY]

Green bling all the way Waspy

This has been mentioned a number of times and I have recruited Ulysses members (grey bearded and scary scowled all of them) to assist with rider Briefings
Chanceyy has a great ride brief sorted and she had a great run from Palmy to Welly with (admitedly) mostly KBers, BUT a lot of non KB public joined in, and followed the rules

Great post, well done

[Vern]

I am glad to see a positive approach to this post as I myself am not experienced in group riding of any size and we cannot afford any accidents, no matter how minor they are. With what I see as good posts on here you risk getting yourself torn apart from others and that puts you off posting good sensible advice. Vern

[chanceyy]

Green bling all the way Waspy

This has been mentioned a number of times and I have recruited Ulysses members (grey bearded and scary scowled all of them) to assist with rider Briefings
Chanceyy has a great ride brief sorted and she had a great run from Palmy to Welly with (admitedly) mostly KBers, BUT a lot of non KB public joined in, and followed the rules

Great post, well done

thanks Stoney & great post Wasp,

pretty much everything you stated was in my riders brief, granted it was on a much smaller scale, however the feedback was fantastic fr both experienced, slow & back markers. We had the newbie/slow riders behind the lead rider with TEC seperating the rest of the experienced riders and no one was allowed to pass those TEC .. worked extremely well as the front pace was slow and even slower on the passing lanes to give the cars the opportunity to get past.

the Co ordinators in levin are having a meeting on wed, where we will discuss several contigencies (number dependant) and also the police will be engaged as they will be assisting to getting everyone out on the main road with minimal disruption. It very well maybe that several groups of riders will depart at earlier times ..

[Trudes]

Great post, very wise words. Hopefully the people who NEED to read them will and will take note!!

[James Deuce]

thanks Stoney & great post Wasp,

pretty much everything you stated was in my riders brief, granted it was on a much smaller scale, however the feedback was fantastic fr both experienced, slow & back markers. We had the newbie/slow riders behind the lead rider with TEC seperating the rest of the experienced riders and no one was allowed to pass those TEC .. worked extremely well as the front pace was slow and even slower on the passing lanes to give the cars the opportunity to get past.

Nice one! That is key to the whole thing working. n00bs at the back doesn't work and I hope the Policepeoples stay around 70km/hr for the Wellington congestion experience, err, protest ride, because the riders at the back will be travelling 20-30km/hr quicker to stay in touch.

[chasio]

If for any reason you stop or slow down... immediately Clutch in with your Left hand... DO NOT BRAKE... Raise your Right (Throttle) Hand as high as you can to signal the bikes behind you that you have slowed down (practice this before you go on this ride.... preferably on a no exit street in a quiet location... much safer) Glance in your mirrors to see they have reacted to your signal.

- snip -

Once you have completely stopped (still in gear) release your clutch lever and raise your left hand high in the air as well.

This is a great thread and I'm reading with interest as I can't make the 17th but am doing the Auckland ride on Saturday, which will be my first bigger ride.

Query: If we do the above as described, wouldn't we stall (and likely drop it) when the left hand comes off the clutch, motor running and in gear, right hand in the air already?

It is possible I am just misunderstanding the point. It wouldn't be the first time.

[Waxxa]

some good points...granted. But how are you going to get thousands of riders to comply with a myriad of rules?

There is one rule to put across when riding in big groups...once on the road in formation , what ever the pace being set by the leader/s...DONT OVERTAKE... UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. Just kick back and enjoy the ride.

This protest ride will be the first time in a long time that I have ridden in a large group (hundreds) because of the behaviour of some riders. Riders get unnerved of riders pulling out to overtake and then cut back in on top of another rider.

[Maha]

some good points...granted. But how are you going to get thousands of riders to comply with a myriad of rules?

There is one rule to put across when riding in big groups...once on the road in formation , what ever the pace being set by the leader/s...DONT OVERTAKE... UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. Just kick back and enjoy the ride.

This protest ride will be the first time in a long time that I have ridden in a large group (hundreds) because of the behaviour of some riders. Riders get unnerved of riders pulling out to overtake and then cut back in on top of another rider.

This is what I will be stating on Saturday, choose a spot, get comfortable with it and stay there.

[Wasp27]

This is a great thread and I'm reading with interest as I can't make the 17th but am doing the Auckland ride on Saturday, which will be my first bigger ride.

Query: If we do the above as described, wouldn't we stall (and likely drop it) when the left hand comes off the clutch, motor running and in gear, right hand in the air already?

It is possible I am just misunderstanding the point. It wouldn't be the first time.

Hi Chasio, In answer to your query.... If you follow the whole procedure through step by step you will see that prior to releasing the clutch (motor running or not) you have applied your Foot Brake to slow you to an eventual stop. Once you have completed this manoeuvre you should be sitting on your bike with your Right Foot on the Brake Pedal and your Left Hand still holding the Clutch in. Your Left Foot will be on the ground supporting your bike and your remaining Right Hand should still be high in the air.... if your engine is still running and you wish to shut it down ( and I recommend you do) it's a very simple matter of just slowly releasing the clutch while still holding your foot on the brake pedal. This will simply stall the engine and cause not harm what so ever. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU DROP YOUR RAISED RIGHT HAND TO TURN YOUR IGNITION OFF or for that matter to do anything else.If you can quickly and safely reach the ignition switch with your Left hand then by all means do... CAUTION- make absolutely sure you don't accidentally turn the key too far and lock the Steering. Another reason to perform this procedure in the precise manner described is once you have stopped you should remain stationary until all the remaining following bikes/vehicles have passed and there is clear road behind you. Imagine if you will... your bike decides to quit on an incline or going downhill... you adopt the very same procedure and then when you reach the Clutch Out stage (in gear) you will remain stationary ( just like a handbrake) this will then allow you to release the brake pedal and place both feet firmly on the ground and raise that other hand as quick and as high as you can. You would no doubt be surprised to learn that under these very trying conditions its very easy for your foot to slip off the brake pedal and the bike take off from under you and fall over. Either that or in the excitement riders can momentarily lose their balance and have to quickly put their Right foot down to steady a toppling bike and guess what happens then.... If the bike remains locked in gear until the way behind you is clear enough that you can drop your hands..... then by all means put the bike in neutral and make your way to the curb as quickly as you can. Dont forget to keep glancing behind you for any other oncoming vehicles...... they will be on you in a heartbeat if your not careful....
If any of these procedures appear daunting at first glance.. I can assure that with just a little practice you will be amazed at how easy it really is. Ride Safe
Cheers... hope this helps ;-)

[Wasp27]

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their comments and kind words of encouragement. To tell you the truth I'm bloody overwhelmed by it all.... I've never seen so much bling.... maybe KBs not such a bad place to be after all. love and best wishes to everybody... lets make this a memorable campaign... for all the right reasons. Thanks again... cheers W
p.s a little bird told me that Heather (JDs wife is in hospital) our prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery ;-)

[Pedrostt500]

For those who feel the main ride ie Duck pond and Porirua to parliment may be a bit Scary or beyond them, Just rock in a bit earlier to the scooter meeting point, and join in with the Scooterists, Nobody will think any less of you for doing so.

[Quasi]

Thank You Wasp for this great peice of advise. I know that if we all follow the same procedures, its going to work and make the ride easier for us all. There you were thinking you were going to be dammed for this post, and instead its 100% positive (well deserved) praise. Heres to a great ride for us all on Tuesday that shows the country the extent of our feelings on this misguided plan by ACC.

[sunhuntin]

For those who feel the main ride ie Duck pond and Porirua to parliment may be a bit Scary or beyond them, Just rock in a bit earlier to the scooter meeting point, and join in with the Scooterists, Nobody will think any less of you for doing so.

thats not a bad idea. i would be happy to do that.

[chasio]

...hope this helps ;-)

I did remember the footbrake etc but thanks for a very patient explanation! I was wondering how to do it without dropping the whole shebang. I'm hoping I wasn't the only person who needed it spelled out in black and white, but if I was, thanks twicely.

Cheers - Chasio