Group rides

[Ixion]

Now that's what I'm talking about.

When's the next lecture series?

Is there one about the Flemish influence on mediaeval English ecclesiasticl stained glass ?

[Mr Skid]

Now that's what I'm talking about.

When's the next lecture series?

Um.. pass.

That was on a ride up SH16 then out to the Leigh Sawmill Cafe, with MikeL, Yokai, and other intermilectauls.

I think rides are a bit like finding a party on Saturday night. You find out who is going where, and whether it'll be a pissup, barbeque or a seated dinner. You choose which party to attend based on your preferences.

[Zed]

Given that one of the main reasons for going on a group ride is the commaraderie of being part of the group, lagging behind sort of defeats the point of being on the ride at all.

Ah ha, so that's why you were so teed off on that KB ride I met you on! Not enuf commaraderieieree ship?

[Waylander]

Given that one of the main reasons for going on a group ride is the commaraderie of being part of the group, lagging behind sort of defeats the point of being on the ride at all.

Should come down here sometime and join Hondacmx450, LiasTZ, Wolf (when he get's his bike fixed, and me. Last one I was on with cmx and Lias was just the sort of thing you're talking about. It was certainly fun riding down Victoria street and having all the club crawlers looking at us in shock and such.

Need to go on another one soon so that I can actually show off a bit since my bike is running much better now.

[Zed]

...For all practcial purposes I'm riding alone anyway. The only time I see the others is as they disappear. It's not really a group ride as far as I'm concerned.

Come on, you know you love being the Nana at the rear!

And in the end I often get there quicker than the sports bikes.

Um I don't like to disappoint you there wise Ixion but I think you'll find that rather than arriving *before* the sportsbikes, they have actually been home and back by the time you turn up, in effect lapping you!

[Zed]

What a load of balooney.........

What's a load of balooney? The previous 18 posts to yours??

...has been argued so much I hope this thread gets shifted to the pointless drivel section.

That's quite amusing coming from one of the *princes* of 'pointless drivel' on KB. Besides, there have been so many good points raised so far on this thread it would be a travesty to label it as PD! So there.

I mean come on!!! How many of you went to the gym and in the first week tried to lift heavier weights than those 200kg 7 ft Islanders, or joined a martial arts class and challenged the toughest most experienced guy in the class to a fight?? Or started a new job and expected to break performance records in the first day??Or planned to loose all the weight you expected to loose in the first week???
Huh??? If the comments above seem kinda obvious then how do you seem to suddenly develop this "racer mentality"??????

Whoa boy! I feel a whole lot of emotion coming thru from you Guy...you lost me in there somewhere?

So are you for or against "Group rides" JSG?

[NhuanH]

What a load of balooney.....

I do believe a "balooney" is either:
*one of them plasticky/rubbery things bad mime type performers make into animals, filled with hot air or surplus gasses OR:
*A complete nutter, into sheep

What's a load of balooney? The previous 18 posts to yours??

That's quite amusing coming from one of the *princes* of 'pointless drivel' on KB. Besides, there have been so many good points raised so far on this thread it would be a travesty to label it as PD! So there.

Whoa boy! I feel a whole lot of emotion coming thru from you Guy...you lost me in there somewhere?

So are you for or against "Group rides" JSG?

What did a wise man once say to me about rabbit hole depths and Wonderland there Chief?

[justsomeguy]

Oh No - Laurel and little Hardy are after me again................

By the way since I'm obvouisly not obsurvent or very intilligent like you great people I have must been not abel to pick out points their in this thread that were not expolred in earlyer threads.

So I gues I should asking for forgivnes from you great people. So that I safe stay from yor rabit hole, yes.

Though I canna remember ever giving a damn for you dumbducks.......

[Zed]

The issue here is not that riders (inexperienced or otherwise) are riding at too fast a pace and consequently having crashes, but that they are riding at their own pace but due to lack of skill and experience, or error in judgement, people have had crashes.

At any rate this seems to have been the case on the rides I've been on when others have come off.

I'm glad you qualified your first paragraph by stating in your second one that "it seems to have been the case on the rides you've been on", which is true! Bins don't always occur because someone is riding outside of their skill level - good point!

It still amazes me that with all the endless discussion in a variety of threads over the last few months, both from those that have been on controversial group rides and those that haven't, that people are still convinced it's all about "Ride at your own pace".

Motorcyclists bin when riding at their own pace and when riding outside of their own pace. There are many different variables involved in each and every accident.

The general consensus concerning group rides though is that people tend to ride 'faster than they normally do when riding alone' or 'not at their own pace'. That's why I think the best advice to give riders before departing off on a group ride is to "ride at your own pace". What would you tell them if you were given the opportunity SW?

[2_SL0]

Ride your own Ride.

[Zed]

Ride your own Ride.

So would that then mean switching bikes is outlawed?

Quite often on KB rides I've been on guys will ride eachothers bikes for a bit of a change and new experience.

[mstriumph]

.. The only point or reason for a slower "nana" type of rider to tag along with a faster group would be to socialise at longer stops like a lunch break really, which to me personally is the whole idea about group rides, which is to meet people.

No. Not only.

Also to learn from the guys/gals who can do it better than you can .....
I've been riding a longish while but only about 4 times tops in a group - every time i've actually managed to ride with a group though, i have learnt something from good riders and my own riding has improved.

For the first time, in the last month, i have been consistently riding something relatively quick; the riding style is different and i'm [nearly] as much of a novice again as i was when i got on my very first bike. So improving my riding is as crucial to me as it is to n00bies - and following better riders, seeing how they address corners, etc. is a great way to do it IMHO.

BUT to do that you have to try and keep up.

So, you good, quick, experienced riders --- if you see someone hammering along, out of their comfort zone, trying desperately to stay in touch with the bunch........ please don't write it off just to peer-pressure or them trying to prove something .....

......mebbe once in a while slow down a few minutes, lead them thru a bend or two, let them learn from you before you zoom off into the distance and have to wait for them to catch you up down the road?

Inexperienced riders who want to learn will appreciate your help & guidance ....and even those who don't will appreciate your momentary companionship ------ you'll be teaching them SOMETHING either way. It's what it's about, innit?

[SlowHand]

well that sums it up Ms.triumph, is that IS your real name.
i learned stacks from the last/first ride, I was out of my comfort zone, but no more than when driving a car fast. Yeah I had my moments, but most were pretty helpful, and I'd definately do one again when I get my stamina up.