slower paced rides

[Biff]

There's a certain individual on here that rides a 250 - and he's an accident waiting to happen. He screws the guts out of his bike in an attempt to keep up with bigger bikes and more experienced riders and rides way outside of his capabilities, causing danger to other riders as well as infuriating cage drivers with his antics He's also short on group riding etiquette, and to be honest I don't like being anywhere near him when he's with around. Although he is a really nice guy.

I pulled him once and had a polite yet firm word in his ear about his dangerous manoeuvres and death wish. He replied, " I admit I was racing you, I wanted to see if I could beat a Blackbird." Well mate you wont if it's ridden by someone that wants to race. I don't, so I wont. My penis is large enough thank you.

You know who you are.

[bear]

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen there Biff Baff.

Looks like this is going around in circles, and it all sounds like parliament, where people can't take responsibility for their own actions, and so those around them need to control the situation.

So what is the best thing to do regarding less experienced riders on group rides?
Don't bother with them, have clear instructions where to wait or the destination, put them at the front, or leave them to it.

[Wolf]

It's really difficult: We are all responsible for our own actions and if we're stupid enough to ride outside our capabilities we've got no one to blame but ourselves if it all turns pear-shaped - BUT failing to acknowledge that, trying to "keep up with the big boys", riding outside our abilities etc is all part and parcel of being young and inexperienced.

On the one hand, it really is up to the newer riders to ensure they keep to a safe pace and not exceed their capabilities; on the other hand, we know that if we ride fast, the newer riders are going to say "hey, I wanna do that" and try to keep pace. We might not be "applying pressure" or "making them" try to go faster, but we do know that they that they will attempt to match whatever speed is set.

[crashe]

Pressure being put on... here is an example of what happened to me.

One time going down 22 the faster riders were following me throu the windys.... and they were real close to me... I felt the pressure on me to go faster than I could. I kept signalling for them to pass me.... but they didnt pass me, so I really felt the pressure to go around the corners faster... now I wasn't comfortable at all.... and I really didnt like how I was feeling.

So when we came to a stop to rest etc..... I spoke to the lads about how I felt.... they didnt realise that I was feeling pressured... they said that they enjoyed actually riding slow that day... and they apologised.

After we took off again they followed me... BUT they backed right away from me to give me breathing space..... Thanks guys for listening to how I felt that day.

I am pleased that I spoke up on that day.

[surfchick]

i have to note that my bike can go 100kph sweet, but it's naked and it's a fight to be comfortable at faster speeds. (never mind the L restrictions...) so my only way to stay with the group for short periods through some of the early corners. you can really sense the bigger bikes are really comfortable, stable etc resting at 120kph or more- where us smaller bikes are ringing it out- which it can do, but the bike itself is nearing the end of its is comfy zone. watching pyro fang it on his, and feeling the vibration develop over 100 on mine you can see how much more strained the technology is. i'd like to tag along on the rides- but just work quietly at the back on me cornering. me wee pet cornering. loverly.

it might work to have one good rider to occasionally take a super cruise/kind of take charge with any relative learners and just work on one aspect of riding- like cornering, or group riding formation, or passing... or some other particular thing on each leg- and let the good riders manage themselves. that way there'd never be any expectation of speed for beginers, just technique.

but even as it stands now- with a sort of amorphous self organising KB riding system- with a follow the crasy arse leader- it's still super fun 'cept for my li'll tire curse

[pommie girl]

it might work to have one good rider to occasionally take a super cruise/kind of take charge with any relative learners and just work on one aspect of riding- like cornering, or group riding formation, or passing... or some other particular thing on each leg- and let the good riders manage themselves. that way there'd never be any expectation of speed for beginers, just technique.

but even as it stands now- with a sort of amorphous self organising KB riding system- with a follow the crasy arse leader- it's still super fun 'cept for my li'll tire curse

Hey, Surfchick, looks like I might have gotten a day pass for Saturday from the boy - so if you're keen on getting together for a ride somewhere that'd be fab! Have to do the mother-in-law thing in the morning/lunchtime Sunday, but would also be free afterwards if Sunday works better for you...

[Wolf]

Pressure being put on... here is an example of what happened to me.

One time going down 22 the faster riders were following me throu the windys.... and they were real close to me... I felt the pressure on me to go faster than I could. I kept signalling for them to pass me.... but they didnt pass me, so I really felt the pressure to go around the corners faster... now I wasn't comfortable at all.... and I really didnt like how I was feeling.

So when we came to a stop to rest etc..... I spoke to the lads about how I felt.... they didnt realise that I was feeling pressured... they said that they enjoyed actually riding slow that day... and they apologised.

After we took off again they followed me... BUT they backed right away from me to give me breathing space..... Thanks guys for listening to how I felt that day.

I am pleased that I spoke up on that day.

Bit of a difference between that and the "racing to catch up" behaviour I was referring to. I had an impatient SoB in a cage up my freckle when I was somewhat less experienced and I was terrified to throttle off or touch brakes as he was so close - "lovely" bit of intimidation on that driver's part (did I have "Newbie, likely to shit himself" printed on my back?) There was no safe place for me to pull over, so I had a rather nerve-wracking time until he got bored/grew a brain/whatever and passed me.

[Teflon]

I ride at my own pace. I dont give shit what everyone else does, if i'm not in the mood to ride quick i wont.

It's not only new riders you have to worry about it's the experienced too. I know for a fact when i'm pushing it my chances of crashing is a lot higher than a new rider.

[White trash]

Bit of a difference between that and the "racing to catch up" behaviour I was referring to. I had an impatient SoB in a cage up my freckle when I was somewhat less experienced and I was terrified to throttle off or touch brakes as he was so close - "lovely" bit of intimidation on that driver's part (did I have "Newbie, likely to shit himself" printed on my back?) There was no safe place for me to pull over, so I had a rather nerve-wracking time until he got bored/grew a brain/whatever and passed me.

Now this is funny on SOoooo many levels.

Couple of months ago, we pulled up in Featherston for a re-group. Flyin pulls up, fuming about some wanker in ute sitting right up his date and not over taking him, just being an intimidating dick.

Then the ute screechs to a halt and the driver starts mouthing off at the group of about 15 bikers standing around.

Sam comes running towards the guy, giving him some of his own medicine. The dudes fires the ute in reverse and peels out back down the road, Sam chasing him down on foot still abusing him.

[surfchick]

Hey, Surfchick, looks like I might have gotten a day pass for Saturday from the boy - so if you're keen on getting together for a ride somewhere that'd be fab!...

let's go be rascals.

[BNZ]

Now this is funny on SOoooo many levels.

Couple of months ago, we pulled up in Featherston for a re-group. Flyin pulls up, fuming about some wanker in ute sitting right up his date and not over taking him, just being an intimidating dick.

Then the ute screechs to a halt and the driver starts mouthing off at the group of about 15 bikers standing around.

Sam comes running towards the guy, giving him some of his own medicine. The dudes fires the ute in reverse and peels out back down the road, Sam chasing him down on foot still abusing him.

Haha, was def a funny memory for all of us there at the time! Kinda saved my ass while he was at it!

[Sutage]

All this been said.. whos gonna organise a slow ride?

[cxy]

You asked: "So what is the best thing to do regarding less experienced riders on group rides?"

I've been riding in groups for years and must admit that riding with a group of 4 or 5 experienced riders has worked best for me. I have learned from watching them ride and find that other riders always look out for me and I never feel bad about being last cos they will always wait for me. Sometimes though I will set off first and tell them to pass me when they catch up with me, so they don't have to wait so long down the road. Have done this a few times going over the Rimutakas and if I've been lucky with the traffic have even got to Featherston before them!


I've also been involved in going out with lots of bigger groups, e.g. 40+ bikes. With bigger groups what has worked best with us is having a "tail end charlie" who will make sure that no-one gets into trouble. If anyone wants to go home early they can report to the tail ender so everyone is accounted for. The destination and route is advised at the beginning of the ride, however to make sure no-one has to race to keep up cos they don't know the road or are worried they may get lost or have been left behind, a rider sits on every turnoff. So before turning at an intersection, the lead rider will indicate to the 2nd rider to wait on that corner until the tail end charlie comes through. This means that the faster riders continually get moved to the back of the pack, allowing slower riders to move up. So far we haven't lost anyone (that we know of) or had anyone get seriously hurt (fingers crossed )

Sam's death has made us all think though if we can do more to accomodate the 250 riders and maybe what we have to do, is split the group up into 2 - those with 250's or less (learners) and those with bigger bikes.

[FEINT]

it might work to have one good rider to occasionally take a super cruise/kind of take charge with any relative learners and just work on one aspect of riding- like cornering, or group riding formation, or passing... or some other particular thing on each leg- and let the good riders manage themselves. that way there'd never be any expectation of speed for beginers, just technique.

Thats what NEWBIE rides are for. I haven't had the time to organise one. I am not the GOOD RIDER but will get one or two to come along.

Will try to organise something. 22 was a bit demanding, I think old north road is better.



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EDIT: Finally organised something. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...758#post229758

[Quasievil]

How about a "rate my riding" thing similair to the rep point style, only on a safety focus

for example we have choices

1/bloody lunatic dont ride with him
2/sometimes dangerous
3/fast but knows what he is doing
4/newbie needs help
5/safe as houses
and others ,have to think about it more

I dunno soething like that

And we all have a star rating out of 5.we have to earn a riding reputation as well as a general rep (which we have)
It wont stop anything but would at least show you what others think of you and your riding, you could attach a 3 star plus ride only , to organised events etc

I dunno Im to tired but you should figure what Im on about