Wednesday Night Ride

[Flip]

Got my vote for whats that worth.

[Aryaeil]

I second that. The same ride could be done going up and over Dyers Pass. You just end up a bit further along the bays. Both good alternatives I think.

[McWild]

He then continued on to harrass a green Ninja before blasting off into the distance. I hope there was a good reason for it all (and I can't think of one), and that the rider was not just late for dinner...

Yeah, he overtook me. Was riding like a tool, probably trying to impress everyone with his ability to overtake other bikes in 50k areas. Most impressive

Thanks as always Pete for taking photos, they're fantastic! Keep taking lots more of me ahem.

And yeah it was a great ride, really enjoyable, cheers for the warning of the cops too. Wasn't actually doing anything wrong, but the sentiment is appreciated as I most likely will be in about a month or so.

Great turnout, great weather, great company. Didn't bother with the wheatie as Dyer's is more fun when you can see what you're doing. See you all next week, the route sounds mint.

[SpeedMonger]

Was an interesting ride last night, especially following Mr Plod round the summit rd. He crossed the white line many times on corners, not a great look for the establishment.

The frequent stops are disruptive with such a large group. I reckon that there should only be one stop per ride, otherwise is is just too slow and messy. The riders are strung out enough that everyone should be able to see someone up ahead.

And as GP suggested on the night perhaps split the ride into two groups, one for those who know where they are going and like to go at a good pace, and a second cruisier group to follow with a leader and tec. This should cause a little less friction in the pack.

[Gibbo89]

I understand why there are stops, as some do not know the ins and outs of the route. two groups may solve the problem, but when do you know when to have two groups? when there is 30 bikes or more? food for thought i guess...

at least we have a headache over this, and not battling for popularity.

great ride though, as said above, the summit road was not the best (first time i have done it that way on a bike). But the proposed alternative routes look good, if i ever have a light bulb go off in my head over a another good route then i will voice it here.

cheers for a good ride.

p.s i never noticed the cop thing, or the fella undertaking (i didn't think i was that far behind)!

[Flip]

It's always impossible to get a big bunch of bikes through town without them becoming fragmented. I kind of like the idea of a regroup outside town then another about 2/3rd the way through the run. On the last Hog run in Auckland I (and the other road captains) took 1200 bikes through the city on the "Thunder Run". I found that a little nerve racking.

With regards to the newer riders, keep in mind that we oldies are on good quality bikes, we know where we are going, we know the not only the rules but how to behave, we know how to ride fast safely but also how to ride in a group and we also have a level of confidence in the riding skills of the other oldies around us. I for one would not be riding with this group if I did not have a level of respect in all your collective ability.

Have you ever noticed how quickly we sort out folk who do not treat us with the same respect we treat them with. (Hi Gordie you still out there!)

It must be bloody nerve racking for a beginner coming with us for the first time. Take RetroQueen I have never been able to keep up with her, no sir not ever. Or Glowplug, he potters along on the easy roads but the moment he gets on the summit road he opens a can of woop ass and passes everybody, well thats what he does with me. I wish this group was around 30+ years ago when I was learning to ride, I would have learned a lot riding with us as a beginner, not just how to ride but how to act around bikers, but like all beginners at the time I did not know what I had to learn. These days I expect a "boot up the ass" when I do some thing wrong but I also expect to be given the chance to learn from the experience.

[helenoftroy]

It's always impossible to get a big bunch of bikes through town without them becoming fragmented. I kind of like the idea of a regroup outside town then another about 2/3rd the way through the run. On the last Hog run in Auckland I (and the other road captains) took 1200 bikes through the city on the "Thunder Run". I found that a little nerve racking.

With regards to the newer riders, keep in mind that we oldies are on good quality bikes, we know where we are going, we know the not only the rules but how to behave, we know how to ride fast safely but also how to ride in a group and we also have a level of confidence in the riding skills of the other oldies around us. I for one would not be riding with this group if I did not have a level of respect in all your collective ability.

Have you ever noticed how quickly we sort out folk who do not treat us with the same respect we treat them with. (Hi Gordie you still out there!)

It must be bloody nerve racking for a beginner coming with us for the first time. Take RetroQueen I have never been able to keep up with her, no sir not ever. Or Glowplug, he potters along on the easy roads but the moment he gets on the summit road he opens a can of woop ass and passes everybody, well thats what he does with me. I wish this group was around 30+ years ago when I was learning to ride, I would have learned a lot riding with us as a beginner, not just how to ride but how to act around bikers, but like all beginners at the time I did not know what I had to learn. These days I expect a "boot up the ass" when I do some thing wrong but I also expect to be given the chance to learn from the experience.

Flip! we love ya! you say it the way it is....

Its truly awesome the turnout only the second week of the season and we are having a real mix of abilities and bikes turning up,I think its an awesome thing for the newbies and if they stick with it they will learn heaps!

I like Hornets idea of two groups if the numbers are getting up and less regroups while its still early season and getting dark early(Im not good in the dark!)

Words need to be said regarding the riding described by Transalper,totally not on

I love Petes shots - he captures the whole essence of this bike-riding thing that we do

[Gibbo89]

As one of the learners, I benefit from these rides even when we use the same stretch of road quite, like the Summit road. It may not be in the best condition, but I notice myself knowing where I can open her up a bit more then I used to, and still being extra cautious on a few hairier corners.

The first ride up the Summit road, Glowplug shot passed me and sat in front of me, which in turn helped me with my lines through the corners and has helped me no end. It is good to know that people like him are willing to help the new folk out, and if I did want a hand with the run we were planning on doing then I know I can go to him and ask for him to lead me through certain parts of the ride.

If the person who was undertaking transalper was a newbie, my guess is that they do not know the 'town formation' rules and that there is basically no passing and to stick to staggered formation as best you can.

I think that the only way I found out about the town etiquette was stumbling across it on here (maybe one phoenixgtr's post for the WNR last summer?).

It could be too late now Glowplug, but perhaps re editing your original post and mentioning the preferred way we travel through town may help? Just a suggestion, may not be too relevant now as many people probably do not go back and read it unless you are brand new to the WNR, maybe it would be beneficial... who knows?!

I am also of the opinion that a 'middle man' is handy when going through town as some may get lost if the lights separate the middle portion of the group and the person now 'leading' that group may not be too sure of where we are heading exactly. Obviously they can pull over and wave the next person on... but what if that person does not know either??

Just an idea anyway.

Anyway, so thanks for the ride on Wed, hoping there are many more warm evening ahead of us. And cheers to those that help the new fullas out.

[Flip]

There are two things the Hog boys do.

1 is you are the last person in broken up group but not the TEC and the ride turns off the road you are on you pull over and show the first person in the next group where the ride has gone.

2 If you are leading a broken up group and you don't know where you are going pull over, wave the group through and rejoin at the end and let the next person lead. Having said that some of the best rides I have ever been on we have been lost.

If you are a learner and you are riding with me or Mr Plug, we will take the lead in this case automatically. But be aware that Mr Plug does's not take hints well.

[Flip]

I'm on leave today. Building a extension on the Garage. I want to go for a ride but need to pick up a couple more lengths of 4x2, and I need it in 5m lengths so can't cut it in half and carry it in the chair. Ummmmmmmmm what to do what to do?

[neels]

All fine sentiments expressed above.

Given the numbers that are turning up, it might help to post up the planned route for the ride a day or two in advance (seeing as it's often decided in the pub after the ride anyway), and repost it a couple of times if it gets lost in the general banter (or drivel, if you prefer). Not everybody will see it but at least a reasonable number will know where they are going so the pulling over if you're lost theory should work, and I like the idea of the last of one bunch waiting for the first of the next, then the idea of one decent stop for everybody to catch up rather than a heap of short ones would work.

I agree that overtaking in town is unhelpful, and keeping a resonable formation makes it easier for everybody and the other traffic and looks awesome from the back. Once out of town however, if you know where you're going and want to go then go, I have no problem with people passing the leader and riding at their own pace, as long as they know where they're going and others don't end up looking for them.

We have to be careful this doesn't get to the point that we have to organise the fun out of it.

I think that might have been more than 2c, I blame inflation and increased GST.

[neels]

I'm on leave today. Building a extension on the Garage. I want to go for a ride but need to pick up a couple more lengths of 4x2, and I need it in 5m lengths so can't cut it in half and carry it in the chair. Ummmmmmmmm what to do what to do?

Go for a ride and finish the garage tomorrow

[Transalper]

Flip do u need a van?

[Flip]

Who me? No thanks I have a ute with a roof rack.

Thanks

[Transalper]

The people who want to go fast have always been invited to go ahead.

The undertake only really became an undertake when I braked to drop back out of the lane sharing situation which had developed behind a slow car when a rider appeared beside me on my left, dropped back a bit and then reappeared on my left half a minute latter so I assumed he was looking to pass.
Well that just gave us opportunity for a timely reminder for everyone that lane sharing and undertaking is not cool. I think that's done now.

One non riding advantage of splitting the group would be that the Pub or destination should be able to handle the service better if we are spread out instead of all at once although I don't think we all arrive at once now anyway.

The issue of people getting separated thus finding themselves in front of a smaller group without knowing the way is a good one. Several of the suggestions above should go a long way to solving it.
I usually ride in the back quarter of the group (partly because i like the view back there) but usually know the way pretty well. I have no problem stopping through the lights etc if I get through where others haven't but haven't generally bothered unless I know the next person is unsure of the way.