L's Angels Ride to the Naki (Feb 9/10) 2013

**bosslady** · 12th February 2013, 17:36

There is now irrefutable proof that I AM in fact a RETARD

**nathanwhite** · 12th February 2013, 19:04

Originally Posted by Maha

I love that one of Anne and Boss...

All of the learner group this time?
Thought you took some night time pics?

Nope. Your not remembering Kawhia?

Originally Posted by haydes55

That's my favourite one haha should be her avatar I reckon.

What were they talking about? Rossi? Skids?

Describing the fearsome power of the GN I believe

Originally Posted by bosslady

There is now irrefutable proof that I AM in fact a RETARD

You are smiling there. I cut out all of the derp faces you pulled

**nerrrd** · 12th February 2013, 19:21

Originally Posted by bosslady

There is now irrefutable proof that I AM in fact a RETARD

Definitely got the coolest visor, though

.

And I'm definitely the yellowest...

**bosslady** · 12th February 2013, 19:32

Originally Posted by nerrrd

Definitely got the coolest visor, though

.

And I'm definitely the yellowest...

yea quite happy with my tinted visor... THE BOSS!!

**FJRider** · 12th February 2013, 19:32

Originally Posted by bluninja

Staggered formation on the straights allows the group to remain more compact whilst providing enough distance to react and stop. Through the bends I found I took quite different lines to a lot of other people both, because that's what I do, and to provide a better view then the rider in fronts butt

Only if the rider in front of you doesn't brake and swerve into your line. So then you either run into them ... or whatever it was THEY were trying to avoid.

The only thing safer than a two second gap ... is a three second gap.

**Boots** · 12th February 2013, 22:41

Cool Photos as usual!

**Boots** · 12th February 2013, 22:44

Originally Posted by bluninja

And what a nice overtake it was too

Thank you (the cheque's in the mail

)

**bluninja** · 13th February 2013, 06:56

Originally Posted by FJRider

Only if the rider in front of you doesn't brake and swerve into your line. So then you either run into them ... or whatever it was THEY were trying to avoid.

The only thing safer than a two second gap ... is a three second gap.

I appreciate where you are coming from...and, outside of group rides, give myself the gap I think is right.

However in a staggered formation you don't have to only see the road to the rider directly in front. I ride to have a view of the free space directly ahead to the bike in front, AND the space in front of the rider to my right or left in the zigzag. I then will see hazards, roadkill etc in their path and can plan what I do based on what I see of the whole road ahead.

I see this no differently than riding down an overtaking lane or 4 lane highway. Any vehicle can suddenly swerve (particulalry cars and trucks) around a hazard you can't see within your stopping zone. With bikes on normal width roads there is normally room for you to go past in "your" zigzag lane even if another bike swerves across.

Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule. In rain, snow and fog only an absolute fool breaks the 4 second rule.

Good easy to remember guidelines, and the rules should be adhered to within the zigzag imho.

**FJRider** · 13th February 2013, 07:09

Originally Posted by bluninja

I see this no differently than riding down an overtaking lane or 4 lane highway. Any vehicle can suddenly swerve (particulalry cars and trucks) around a hazard you can't see within your stopping zone. With bikes on normal width roads there is normally room for you to go past in "your" zigzag lane even if another bike swerves across.

Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule. In rain, snow and fog only an absolute fool breaks the 4 second rule.

Good easy to remember guidelines, and the rules should be adhered to within the zigzag imho.

Remember ... sheep don't stay in their own lane. Never expect to see all things on/in/on the side of the road in front of the rider AHEAD of you. Your eyesight is not that good.

**Grant`** · 13th February 2013, 07:14

Originally Posted by FJRider

Remember ... sheep don't stay in their own lane. Never expect to see all things on/in/on the side of the road in front of the rider AHEAD of you. Your eyesight is not that good.

Simple everybody on the road is a fucking muppet and treat them accordingly.. Bike, car, truck doesn't really matter...

**bosslady** · 13th February 2013, 07:21

Yup.

You gotta watch out for them there sheep.

**arcane12** · 13th February 2013, 08:01

Originally Posted by bosslady

Staggered is just for the straights. Around corners, everyone follows generally the same lines. My concern with you not being in a staggered formation was that it made it difficult for me who was behind you, if I had to stop suddenly I would go straight up your butt (and I'm pretty sure you don't like it up the butt!

) Staggered formation gives people, especially a newb like me, more time to stop/react. Not a criticism, guess it just made me feel safer, staggered.

Anyway if I'm wrong please correct me Maha or the like..

Yeah, I understand staggered - as I said I forgot! Just trying to say sorry. (I may have noticed one person who didn't do staggered 1/2 the time (not bosslady) but I digress) And I was trying to not to start the debate (which has been covered extensively before) up again.

Staggered formation is good for groups as it allows the group to ride closer, and not get split up. As Blueninja mentioned you can also see in front of the rider in front of you, and be better able to react to anything coming at them. If you have reduced the gap to one second (two seconds from the bike immediately in front of you) you have almost no reaction time to anything strange the rider one second away does, and you have also limited your options as you can't swerve in one direction as easily to avoid things.

There are pros and cons. I am in two minds over if it's a good thing. It was chosen for this ride and worked well. 'nuff said.

Cornering technique is something else hotly debated. I am always open to modifying my riding style to make it better and safer. It was pointed out to me that I was taking a bit much of an inside line (which is something I am aware I need to work on) however I think taking a wide outside line on a left corner is also unsafe. It leaves you in the head-on danger zone for too much of the corner. If a car cuts the corner you are doomed. I understand that taking a tight inside line is no good if the corner tightens on you as you don't have to room to maneuver. (we were going slow enough that that wasn't an issue, but if we were going faster it might have been) I started using the middle (between the car tracks) on the lefts, and felt that was the best of both worlds. I also began to take rights wider, which actually felt better (long sweeping rights have always been my bane).

**bluninja** · 13th February 2013, 08:14

Originally Posted by FJRider

Remember ... sheep don't stay in their own lane. Never expect to see all things on/in/on the side of the road in front of the rider AHEAD of you. Your eyesight is not that good.

Sheep? Bah! It's the Spanish inquisition I worry about

and for your information my eyesight is that good....I can see through truck and trailer units and round sharp bends

**bosslady** · 13th February 2013, 08:22

Originally Posted by arcane12

Cornering technique is something else hotly debated. I am always open to modifying my riding style to make it better and safer. It was pointed out to me that I was taking a bit much of an inside line (which is something I am aware I need to work on) however I think taking a wide outside line on a left corner is also unsafe. It leaves you in the head-on danger zone for too much of the corner. If a car cuts the corner you are doomed. I understand that taking a tight inside line is no good if the corner tightens on you as you don't have to room to maneuver. (we were going slow enough that that wasn't an issue, but if we were going faster it might have been) I started using the middle (between the car tracks) on the lefts, and felt that was the best of both worlds. I also began to take rights wider, which actually felt better (long sweeping rights have always been my bane).

What I've bolded - wtf does that mean? Clearly it wasn't me that said that, cause I don't know what that is

As for me, I am sure my lines, or whatever are prob f*cked, hard to know if they are or not though because how would I know if I am doing it wrong when I don't know what I'm doing in the first place, haha. I probably need to go out with my mentor and get that sorted a bit better.

The only thing I noticed apart from the staggered thing was when I was following directly behind you at some corners you probably braked a bit hard, because it was hard to see around the corner to know how sharp it was, I think. I was never going to hit you, because of my following distance, but I probably might have if I wasn't paying attention and noticed that was happening. But.. wth am I to say anything really, few months ago I didn't even know how to turn on a bike hahahhaha

Very pretty bike though arcane, was super jealous when we stopped wherever that was at Awakino Gorge, dunno about where you have to keep your feet at the front though, do you find that wierd?