slower paced rides

[mikey]

in the light of sam's death i have had a few thoughts.

1 - go back to hospital, this worlds a bitch
2 - maybe us people who ride smaller cc bikes should not go out riding with guys on bigger bikes. its accidents waiting to happen.

i am very guilty of riding out of my skill range trying to keep up with guys on bigger bikes, going way faster than i should, overtaking on blind corners, ending up in wrong lane beacuase i go to hot into corners an so on all to try an keep up. i think the worlds a bitch but i would rather choose when i go,


i feel after poor sams death - RIP bro - that there are only going to be more accidents as less experienced riders try keep up with the big boys

just my feelings

i wont be riding with the big boys for a few months, as i know i will do stup[id shit to try keep up.

[bear]

No disrespect to anyone, but why try and keep up? Esp. if you know it's out of your league.
I think it's good for people of different abilities to hook up, but there should be an understanding (for example, if there's a corner then the group waits for tail end charlie). By getting groups together with differing abilities good learning can occur.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I have said this before. Ride at your own pace. In a time of grief we all feel vulnerable and what you say is correct. However I was out on a ride yesterday ( before I read about Sam) and it was a great day with top class road surface and I caned it hard. It was a good day for me but I realise the risk but I ride because it keeps me sane. My bike is my form of exorcism and it chases out the demons. People need to have self control and RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE I ride at 100kmh sometimes but I go a bit faster at other. I need to.
Yep we need to be aware of others on the rides but the rules have always been the same RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE. I have never heard anyone give a slower rider a hard time. I have had my daughters boy friend on rides with me and I have had to slow down because he has chased me to the point I felt it was unsafe so take each ride, and how you ride, one trip at a time.
Sorry if this upsets some but this is how I see it.
Take responsibility for your own safety.

[surfchick]

I think it's good for people of different abilities to hook up, but there should be an understanding (for example, if there's a corner then the group waits for tail end charlie). By getting groups together with differing abilities good learning can occur.

I agree it's awesome to be close to other better riders so you can observe how they take corners- but as a new rider- the first few group rides i went on I totally get what he's saying about trying to catch up- the worst compulsion is where you use the straights to make up ground, but end up coming into the corners too fast as a result. I did it a few times not thinking- and now have to totally concentrate on NOT doing it. Just to sit at comfortable speeds takes alot of concentration as people whistle past on the outside. I'm a bit more in my style now and feel less pressure this way- as i frieked myself out on enough corners to really stick to my own pace.

[bugjuice]

with Bear on this one. Most rides in groups (I say most, cos I can't be sure) will wait up for the slower riders. It's not a bad thing that you aren't as fast as the bike out in front. It's not a race, something to aim for, or a challenge. YOU are the one in control and YOU know your limits. It's grounds to improve on over time, not in a few corners.

Take things at your pace and gradually build up and learn. Most fair-sized rides split into 3 or 4 groups anyway, and that's suited to the pace. Most people will find a happy paced group and stick with them. Don't try catching up, cos it rarely works and only ends in tears.. Don't stop going on rides, if anything, that's the worst thing to do. Just conciously bear in mind not to race around. Take your time, learn the road and your bike, breathe, and chill out. Enjoy the bike, enjoy the company, enjoy the ride. Take it at your pace and take it easy dude.. They will wait for you, and that isn't a bad thing.
If anything, I'm sure everyone would rather wait for the slowest rider over waiting for the ambo. I always wait on the rides I join/arrange. Wouldn't have it any other way, and never had a bad thing to think about doing it. It's part of biking and the KB way.

[Paul in NZ]

Hey I KNOW what you are saying but all you need to do is ask where the next turn off or regrouping spot is....

There is no shame in regrouping.... Christ, people wait for me and the Guzzi all the time...

If we all had identical bikes then some (like me) would still have to do dumb shit to keep up with the blessed. If you are riding a bike because you like kicking other peoples arses or showing off then there is a bed / box with your name on it waiting. Just think back to the first ride you ever had... I'll be it was alone and the feeling was indescribable... Thats why you ride.... Not to be an idiot.

Keep riding but be stronger and ride your own ride and take responsibilty for yourself...

Cheers

[Gixxer 4 ever]

(for example, if there's a corner then the group waits for tail end charlie). .

This is rule number 2
If you know they will wait and you will not get lost then you have no reason to ride to fast

Take care all. I better get back to work.

[mikey]

I actually think people will be pleased to finally be rid of me but hey them the breaks of being a nut.

[MSTRS:Me]

We all have to ride with variously skilled peeps to be able to find the level that YOU are comfortable at. The thing is to not push beyond your abilities, no-one is laughing at you if you can't keep up. The responsible rider will know when to back off before it is too late (no disrespect meant in Flyin's case as I do not know the circumstances there).
short note to Gixxer4eva - if I'd known you were 'caning it' I wouldn't have held back so much

[Skunk]

Self control.

I've ridden with WT, Deano, Jimbo etc.
But it's not with them. It's after them. Without chase, more like, follow.

I'll ride with almost anyone. But at MY pace.

PS: Good on ya Mikey.

[Motu]

I don't go riding with the big boys - I know my place in the world of motorcycles,learnt it many years ago.

[Sniper]

Good luck guys

[Mr Skid]

I think mikey and surfchick have both made some good points here.

I've been on rides where everybody has shot off into the distance, and I've push too hard to keep up.

We all know it's procedure that the ride will stop to regroup at turnoffs, but I think we are being unrealistic to suggest that people won't try to keep up the pace.

I think part of the problem is the metric that is used to measure ability - the length of time it takes to get from point a to point b. I keep reading in ride reports comments about how well someone was doing based upon their pace.

When you're learning to ride you want to have the respect of the more experienced riders. I've pushed too hard trying to achieve this, and have the x-rays to show for it.

I think we need to reevaluate the metrics we use in discussing riders ability- for instance the ability to pick a good safe line through a corner, rather than how quick they can clear it.

As riders we have to take responsibility for new riders on our rides. I don't believe that just stopping for them to catch up is adequate.

A new rider will be getting more tired than an experienced rider, and will need more rest at each stop to recover. I don't think we can rely on new riders to ask for a few minutes rest at a stop. When there are a dozen other riders who are ready to get going just as you've pulled in, you don't want to feel like you're holding anyone up.

I think we each have to be aware of this, and encourage new riders to take a break if they need it.

To reduce the tendency to try to catch up, we need to be prepared to take turns staying with beginner riders. It makes them feel like they belong on the ride, gives them the chance to pick up on good riding technique, and an opportunity for you to observe their riding and give them feedback.

Advertising the intended pace of rides is also of benefit. i.e. "suitable for faster riders" vs "cruise" gives new riders the chance to choose rides suitable for their ability.

I'd say the people going on rides have got more diverse in their paces since I've been involved here, which does mean there's likely to be someone riding at a similar pace to you. However I still think these are points to consider.

[MSTRS:Me]

Well said, MrSkid

[Maximus]

I don't go riding with the big boys - I know my place in the world of motorcycles,learnt it many years ago.

Know whatcha mean, im only in my early 30's and I no longer go on group rides for fear of pushing myself too far. I'm aware that my ego wont let me slow down if being pushed (no offence meant) I will only ride with a group of 2 or 3 mates at the most to avoid any accidents . . .