Wellington's Weds night group ride RANT

**Str8 Jacket** · 28th January 2010, 12:57

Originally Posted by davebullet

Maybe we need to startup the Tuesday "too slow" rides. I like Hans idea of no group ride and you just make your way to a designated pub.

Ya see, I am not a slow rider, I only ride a slow bike. Don't get me wrong either, I am by no means complaining about the speed. I am complaining about the thoughtless and dangerous manner in which people are riding!

**Deano** · 28th January 2010, 13:32

Originally Posted by carbonhed

i did get stuffed like a Christmas turkey by that derelict old cunt on the black Harley while sitting in a queue of bikes waiting to pass a car... .

That'd be Russ. He was waiting for TRTNR a couple of weeks ago as well. Some of his overrtaking moves are a little questionable.

**centaurus** · 28th January 2010, 13:39

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

Yeah, that's what I should've done but I seriously thought that it was a 'Cruisy Weds Night Ride". What I found funny was that noone passed me on the motorway or going up toward the hill so I was practically in the front of the group when we hit the hill. Alot of people passed me nicely on the first passing lane or down the relatively straight bits but the antics I mentioned above all happened on the twisty bits going up the hill. ...

My first cruisy wednesday ride was soon after I bought my bike. I had never been over the taka's and from all the stories, I was actually scared of that road, so I made sure I was at the end of the pack, not to be in anybodys way (was the second from the back). But somehow, as soon as we hit the hills, multiple riders on big sports bikes caught up with us (they were just "late") and started passing me in the corners. I absolutely shat myself. I was barely holding the bike up through the corners, not knowing whether to concentrate on the road ahead or just to keep looking in the mirrors so I'd be ready when the idiot behind me was going to wizz past me almost touching handlebars midcorner.

Much later I went in another wednesday ride thinking that the previous experience was just a fluke. This time I has more experienced so it didn't freak me out but I wasn't impressed either. A couple of times, while struggling to overtake a car in a passing lane (I was on a 250 at the time), I got passed by other "bigger" bikes too impatient to wait for me.

Since then I avoid any big group ride if I can. It's no pleasure continually "dodging" other riders.

Originally Posted by WuZards-Eugene

Hay, thats not true Hels, I managed to pass everyone on the Motorway

As far as Eugene goes, him being so fearless and continually without tyres for his bikes, I think we should buy him a pair or rollerskates and one of us should tow him up the hill. This way he both gets his kicks and doesn't need to replace his tyres so often

. The bonus would be that if we wants to do offroad, we can push him downhill through the trees

**Toaster** · 28th January 2010, 15:19

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

Ya see, I am not a slow rider, I only ride a slow bike. Don't get me wrong either, I am by no means complaining about the speed. I am complaining about the thoughtless and dangerous manner in which people are riding!

It was my first Wednesday night ride with the group. I didnt see anyone do anything stupid, because I deliberately stayed behind the pack. I ride a very fast bike but I ride at a speed I can easily cope with. I prefer to ride the Takas slowly because of the poor road surface and I enjoyed the whole ride.

I am keen to see other riders who wish to cruise along to stay at the back with me if they like a very cruisy pace over the hill. I also attend the Thursday Kapiti ride and simply let everyone go first and then do the tricky bits at my own happy pace. No point binning my pride and joy or busting any more bones over an ego trip.

Cam.

**Trudes** · 28th January 2010, 16:32

I don't go any more because of several reasons, one of which is that I won't ride with people I don't know any more, BUT
I was wondering if anyone actually is taking charge these days? It used to be organised by a couple of very experienced and well respected riders who nobody fucked with because others respected them enough not to do stupid shit as they knew they'd be politely asked to piss off. They used to give a bit of a briefing about where we were heading etc and if there were any new riders, they would go towards the rear where an experienced rider could keep an eye on them. There used to be a designated lead rider that wasn't to be passed and a tail-end-charlie to try and keep the group in some sort of 'group'. Does this not happen any more? Just sounds like a 'hoon over the hill with a bunch of strangers' which sounds like disaster waiting to happen to me. Maybe it needs some more organisation.......? And if you don't like being told what to do, then maybe group rides aren't for you?
JMHO.

**Str8 Jacket** · 28th January 2010, 18:13

Yep Trudes, I hear you!!! Uncle B would be devestated.

**sinned** · 28th January 2010, 18:40

Originally Posted by Toaster

It was my first Wednesday night ride with the group. I didnt see anyone do anything stupid, because I deliberately stayed behind the pack. I ride a very fast bike but I ride at a speed I can easily cope with. I prefer to ride the Takas slowly because of the poor road surface and I enjoyed the whole ride.

I am keen to see other riders who wish to cruise along to stay at the back with me if they like a very cruisy pace over the hill. I also attend the Thursday Kapiti ride and simply let everyone go first and then do the tricky bits at my own happy pace. No point binning my pride and joy or busting any more bones over an ego trip.

Cam.

I followed you over and missed the action - two big bikes in convoy at the back. I was to ride the lake circuit with the group but they had gone so went by myself and didn't catch them. We must have been no more than 2 minutes behind - they could have waited? What am I thinking - this is a KB ride!

**Trudes** · 28th January 2010, 18:46

That's actually what upsets me the most about TCWNR turning into a potentially dangerous and unpleasant experience for especially newer riders. This regular group ride was started as a way for new riders to build confidence and for others to have a nice easy cruise. UncleB always made others feel comfortable and safe when on one of his rides and it sounds like this ride has become anything but that. Sad really.

**merv** · 28th January 2010, 19:17

Hels were they all wearing shirts like this last night?

**Number One** · 28th January 2010, 20:17

Originally Posted by yungatart

You made some excellent choices Hels, well done (me, I just gfo home and make a mental note to never ride with those people again...). If more people speak up maybe we'll have less of this kind of thing in the future. We can only hope so.

WTF??? Does this mean Hels is turning into Katman?

**Str8 Jacket** · 28th January 2010, 20:55

Originally Posted by merv

Hels were they all wearing shirts like this last night?

hehe, my man is there right now. Rocking out his mullet no doubt!!

Originally Posted by Number One

WTF??? Does this mean Hels is turning into Katman?

Katman is my hero, he passed my bike through scrutineering at TRRS...

**davebullet** · 28th January 2010, 21:09

Originally Posted by ukiwi

Mister Bullet, its been a while

Yes, it has hasn't it. I'd like to catchup with you and Lilly2w and check out your new bikes! The wed. rides have been a little bit hard lately - been traveling to Auckland a bit. Plus I'm getting soft and don't like the 'takas in the gusts (too dangerous). I don't enjoy the 'takas unless it is dry and calm. So it takes many a wednesday before the planets align. I've done a few longer trips on the SV and finally getting used to the bike.

It would be good for the 4 of us (incl. Mrs. B) to go out for a ride sometime.

**merv** · 28th January 2010, 21:11

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

hehe, my man is there right now. Rocking out his mullet no doubt!!

Haha, you did see that shirt was AD HD not AC DC? Snapped the pic a couple of weeks ago at Universal Studios Florida - think it reminded me of someone lol.

As for your man I thought he was a young fellah, but he's off with the old guys at the concert. My mates at work said today "did you see all the old bald guys on the street in their black T-shirts?