KB kms.. for da nubeeess

**surfchick** · 15th May 2005, 15:41

was thinkin bout how the new riders/group rides could strees less people out as i like dem.

may-be KB could have a kind of Km's thing going on- like go out on group rides simply with the idea of getting more and more open road km's under your belt- keep the speed pretty mellow. teach the group dynamics of passing/ or as the case my be letting traffic through behind you when you cause a que. (cuase it's not just other motorbikes that tear up behind you..) keep track of your KB km's kind of thing till you hit 3 or 4 or 10 thousand. you faster riders just gotta remember dat the 250cc dudes in your groups- some of them have less than 1000 kms experience. that means the no. of open road 60-100 kph turns these people have done might be UNDER 100!! i done about 4000km in just under 2 months- it's a scary amount of inexperience..but only way to get better is to go for km's not kph. i took a run up to wellsfod today by myself - was pretty much having to concentrate on every turn the way there, then on the way back something just clicked and the whole return run flowed nice and easy. LOVELY... i got a crick in my neck from nodding hello to all the other bikers going the other way...LOVELY. cept for da coppers. not lovely. anyway just a tossin it out there. i'm a fan of the idea of time in ze saddle...how old school of me...

**FEINT** · 15th May 2005, 15:48

There were 1 newbie ride organised for the newbies. That was last week, in my opinion it went well. Wouldn't mind doing another one.

I think newbies just have to go out and ride by yourselves to get more experience. Then when you come on the newbie ride, ask questions and that should help even more.

Newbies, you know that you can organise a ride for yourselves right?

**Sheep Dags** · 15th May 2005, 15:50

Originally Posted by surfchick

i took a run up to wellsfod today by myself - was pretty much having to concentrate on every turn the way there, then on the way back something just clicked and the whole return run flowed nice and easy. LOVELY

yea that's part of the fun of riding bikes, every now and then, you feel as though you've learnt something new, and it's a real buzz - as you say it's all about the KM's not the KPH. without knowing it, you're gradually getting more experienced without having to do anything silly

**surfchick** · 15th May 2005, 15:57

yeah missed dat one-sounded like ti was a funski. i got so much work on i got to sneak out when i can in the weekends, but can't wait till 10 to go... i just reckon the group rides are cool. nu riders should be sweet if dey just chill out a bit & put more and more kms up in between them. hopefully get to meet you in person... KMs KMs KMs corners corners straights straights....candy

**Hitcher** · 15th May 2005, 15:58

I don't like the use of the word "newbies". The context implies slower riders are somehow inferior citizens who should be mollycoddled until they see the light and feel like they can ride at a gazillion-km-an-hour like "real" riders. However, unlike the "Joe Squid" and his ilk, they will probably get to wherever they want to go alive, and have really enjoyed the sights, smells and sounds along the way.

Riding a motorbike isn't about going somewhere. It's about enjoying the ride.

**ManDownUnder** · 15th May 2005, 16:01

Originally Posted by FEINT

There were 1 newbie ride organised for the newbies. That was last week, in my opinion it went well. Wouldn't mind doing another one.

I think newbies just have to go out and ride by yourselves to get more experience. Then when you come on the newbie ride, ask questions and that should help even more.

Newbies, you know that you can organise a ride for yourselves right?

I'm lucky enough to have experienced two discreet sets of training... an apprenticeship and a degree and I can tell you that for practical skills... nothing, but NOTHING beats time on the bike. I can understand why pilots log hours - they're important.

Newbies getting together are going to learn lots for sure - but the old hands need to be there to pass on some of the secrets of the ages... ride, tyre, suspensions, handling when you're two up, cornering, etc... how many of you (us?) long timers worked all that out for ourselves?

I worked out a bit, I found out some the hard way (gravel rash and a broken foot thrown into the package) and I learned from some pointers of others I was sensible enough to keep my ears open to.

I met a guy years ago who, to be blunt, impressed to hell out of me. A really (REALLY) intelligent guy, hard core programmers and he and I get on quite well. He had a problem and, assuming nothing, asked me if I knew anything about it.

I'm JUNIOR in terms of coding ability alongside this guy... but he taught me there and then not to assume you know it all - ALWAYS be on the lookout, always learning...

I've kept doing that and it's getting me places. Biking included...

So all you newbies out there - bring it on - tell us what you know... chances are we'll all learn something.
MDU rave over...

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th May 2005, 16:12

I agree with Hitcher. Perhaps the rides need to be pace indicitive again..
Slow,midpaced and fast.
A slow ride needs to be a slow ride and stay that way.
I think less experienced riders can gain a lot by watching more experienced riders at slow pace and by being watched/advised by them.

**Hitcher** · 15th May 2005, 16:23

I make no claim to being a "fast" rider. In fact I really enjoy riding slowly at times. It allows me to think about that perfect entry to the corner, cresting the apex at exactly the right time and taking the perfect line out. When slow riding through twisties I mentally score myself out of 10 on each corner or series of corners. I've done many thousands of km now at a comparatively sedate pace. I've learned a lot about me and, more importantly, my bike. What I've learned means that if I need to hustle, I can, with a high degree of confidence.

I agree wholeheartedly with other comments about there being no substitute for km ridden. In all conditions. Mrs H and I do a lot of km on bikes each year -- about 30,000km on average, and we don't commute to work on bikes. An average outing is generally about 200km. I'm certain that this has given us the confidence to tackle long touring holidays and such things as the Grand Challenge.

**FEINT** · 15th May 2005, 16:31

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I don't like the use of the word "newbies". The context implies slower riders are somehow inferior citizens who should be mollycoddled until they see the light and feel like they can ride at a gazillion-km-an-hour like "real" riders. However, unlike the "Joe Squid" and his ilk, they will probably get to wherever they want to go alive, and have really enjoyed the sights, smells and sounds along the way.

Riding a motorbike isn't about going somewhere. It's about enjoying the ride.

wow, I didn't know what I required a perfect command of english to post on this forum.

I formally apologise to all those that I have offended when I used the word "Newbie".

I will now also change my ways and rename "newbie rides" to "slow paced rides". I hope that it will now cause no more offence. For you all that don't know what a ****bie ride is, here

I don't know why I bother, just organising a ride to give "slow paced riders" a chance to ride is so difficult isn't it? However, I am sure they enjoyed the ride.

Originally Posted by Frosty

I agree with Hitcher. Perhaps the rides need to be pace indicitive again..
Slow,midpaced and fast.
A slow ride needs to be a slow ride and stay that way.
I think less experienced riders can gain a lot by watching more experienced riders at slow pace and by being watched/advised by them.

????? newbie ride

**aff-man** · 15th May 2005, 16:44

true but then again if there is just 1 newby then i would say make the pace a facor. I mean i am starting to keep up (somewhat) with the faster boys but if for some reason a newby wanted to learn what meager knowledge i could pass on all they would have to do is ask. I've done it before just take a nice relaxing ride trying to perfect my lines and stuff like that...

The think i found when i started is ask and ye shall recieve. It does seem a bit intimidating asking guys/gals on 600's or 1000's to you know slow down a bit and show you the ropes but i am sure that there are others like me out there who don't mind. Also it can be like a tag team so you follow a variety of "more skilled" riders. That way you can see different riding styles and see what works for you and the faster guys can have a bit of a go as well.

**Hitcher** · 15th May 2005, 16:54

Originally Posted by FEINT

wow, I didn't know what I required a perfect command of english to post on this forum.

I formally apologise to all those that I have offended when I used the word "Newbie".

I will now also change my ways and rename "newbie rides" to "slow paced rides". I hope that it will now cause no more offence. For you all that don't know what a ****bie ride is, here

I don't know why I bother, just organising a ride to give "slow paced riders" a chance to ride is so difficult isn't it? However, I am sure they enjoyed the ride.

Don't be so tucking fouchy!

It wasn't the use of language I was having a go at, it was the patronising nature of some "experienced" riders to those less experienced.

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th May 2005, 17:15

Is there summat in the air??
Feight -ya organised a ride and all was good on it -fantastic.
My somment is simply that rather than having a focus on experience level the emphasis of the ride invite be the sort of speed we'd be doing.

**Will** · 15th May 2005, 17:25

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Is there summat in the air??
Feight -ya organised a ride and all was good on it -fantastic.
My somment is simply that rather than having a focus on experience level the emphasis of the ride invite be the sort of speed we'd be doing.

This is sounding more and more like Ulysses every day.

In other words experience counts!

**Jeremy** · 15th May 2005, 19:05

How about when starting a ride thread, that you post the minimum number of kms you expect someone to have covered before they attempt the ride?

Because as I'm sure you all know it's nearly impossible to work out what your current level of riding skill. Am I really inexperienced, moderately experienced or experienced? Who knows? Certainly not me and that's for sure. However I can say for certain that I've done 4000km.