Weekend Warriors

[dpex]

It's a vexing issue.

I can't ever remember seeing a shiny thumper, complete with some ageing dude togged up in leathers, the style which I used to see during my child-hood TV watching cowboy movies, at any track day I have done; which is now quite a few. Why is that?

I guess the coupling question is; why do a track-day? Whooooo! Now there's a question.

But, for the moment, let's consider AMCC run, Advanced Rider Training days. These, in my opinion, are the best 'learning' track-days available.

I would add, and I believe the conveners would agree; such days could include a hell of a lot more, but track-cost and competing requirements for each day tend to restrict the time available to 'newbie and come-backers'.

Perhaps, if and when Hampton Downs comes on line, the pressure may ease on Puke and thus allow AMCC to run more thorough rider-training for those who really need it. And I include in this group the Week-End Warriors.

The ageing, come-backers who ride (maybe) once a week. And so, once a week (maybe) the warriors get togged up and flick a leg over 700-to-1600 CC's of serious equipment.

Some of them might be taxi or truck, or courier-drivers and thus have huge and continuous experience in spotting oncoming threats from other drivers, but they're still weekend warriors, now atop a machine with which they are only vaguely familiar.

Others will be the executive type who drive to and from the office, swaddled in silent, sophisticated automatics. Then they, also, climb aboard their two-wheeled Hercules for the weekend blow-out.

So this type, being short-distance drivers in any event, climb aboard 'The beast' with nowhere near the daily road skills of the afore-mentioned taxi/truck/courier drivers.

There is an aged adage regarding skill. It is, 'Use it or lose it.'

Driving a car is presumed to be the right of all who can pass a modest (at best) test. Passing the 'test' to ride a bike isn't that much more complex.

But, at least the cager is surrounded by stuff which, often, will save the cager in the event of a modest splat. But not so a biker. A modest splat on a bike mostly becomes a major event.

I guess the question is...after all this. How do we convince the average weekend warrior, dressed in flash, with the wind in his face, that without some remedial training, he's likely to end up as a statistic?

[Katman]

You're easily vexed, aren't you?

[PirateJafa]

You bitch about trivial rubbish nearly as much as Slofox.

[Virago]

...I guess the question is...after all this. How do we convince the average weekend warrior, dressed in flash, with the wind in his face, that without some remedial training, he's likely to end up as a statistic?

You can't.

Because, at the end of the day, it's none of your business.

[p.dath]

I suspect you'll find a lot of returning riders don't even know about things like ART days.

[FJRider]

I guess the question is...after all this. How do we convince the average weekend warrior, dressed in flash, with the wind in his face, that without some remedial training, he's likely to end up as a statistic?

Chat to them after their first off .... they will be more open to "suggestions" then ...

[Headbanger]

I guess the question is...after all this. How do we convince the average weekend warrior, dressed in flash, with the wind in his face, that without some remedial training, he's likely to end up as a statistic?

First,show me the stats to prove its the sterotype you have described that are killing themselves at a higher rate then others.

Second, I ride on the weekends, and not every weekend, and if you tried your judgemental holier-then-thou bullshit on me I'd tell you to fuck yourself.

[AllanB]

There is an aged adage regarding skill. It is, 'Use it or lose it.'

I keep telling Mrs B this .............

[Nagash]

You're concerned about people who ride every weekend?

These people can't be so thick as to forget how to not crash within a week surely..

Sure, they may or may not be as 'skilled' as your daily rider, but that doesn't mean they're destined to ride dangerously does it?

Just leave the bastards alone to do their own thing..

[AllanB]

Second, I ride on the weekends, and not every weekend, and if you tried your judgemental holier-then-thou bullshit on me I'd tell you to fuck yourself.

Yep - there is a presumption that to be a "real rider" you have to ride 24/7. It's utter crap.
Just about everyone I know rides weekends only and chuck in a few tours during summer. Nothing wrong with that.

[AD345]

Still wobbling on about other peoples business?

tell ya what:

How do we convince the average weekend warrior, dressed in flash, with the wind in his face, that without some remedial training, he's likely to end up as a statistic?

I will bring 15 "weekend warriors" to an RRRS course if you promise to never post on KB again along as you shall live - so help you god.

[dpex]

First,show me the stats to prove its the sterotype you have described that are killing themselves at a higher rate then others.

Second, I ride on the weekends, and not every weekend, and if you tried your judgemental holier-then-thou bullshit on me I'd tell you to fuck yourself.

Firstly, Head, JRandom is the one you need to ask for stats. He'll have them, for sure.

Secondly, I'd lay odds that the dearly departed comprise week-end warriors and newbies; mostly.

Thirdly, that you ride on week-ends, and not every weekend, puts you right slap-dab in the middle of the likely-to-become-the dearly departed, especially since your reply is so ill-considered and combative. The latter of course would transfer to your demeanor on the road....Probably.

[dpex]

Still wobbling on about other peoples business?

tell ya what:



I will bring 15 "weekend warriors" to an RRRS course if you promise to never post on KB again along as you shall live - so help you god.

Nup. Not an RRRS course, but an AMCC ART day. And then, during the last round, if any of your warriors can beat me around the track....on weekend warrior bikes, then yeah, I'd be prepared to pull in my head.

[Headbanger]

Firstly, Head, JRandom is the one you need to ask for stats. He'll have them, for sure.

Secondly, I'd lay odds that the dearly departed comprise week-end warriors and newbies; mostly.

Thirdly, that you ride on week-ends, and not every weekend, puts you right slap-dab in the middle of the likely-to-become-the dearly departed, especially since your reply is so ill-considered and combative. The latter of course would transfer to your demeanor on the road....Probably.

Awesome power of assumption, What's also awesome is how little credibility that power holds.

The key is to ride to your ability, That is all.No matter how many skills you think you have, if you ride over your head your increasing your chances of eating some road.

Daily commuting skills can suck on my arse.

[Headbanger]

Nup. Not an RRRS course, but an AMCC ART day. And then, during the last round, if any of your warriors can beat me around the track....on weekend warrior bikes, then yeah, I'd be prepared to pull in my head.

Your a nub aint ya.

How old are you?