How to keep up on a small bike

[Bald Eagle]

3, Not ONE person on ride asked me if I had passed anyone, and this is down a no exit road for 15+ KM. so the senior riders are really concerned about safety???

One slice of humble pie for me thanks Howie as Ride Lead I should have asked the question

[oneofsix]

Fuck me, I've just figured out your post.

I was talking about the handbag throwing tantrum meltdown.

I don't know which is worse - that you didn't figure that out or that you thought I was looking forward to laughing at a motorcycle accident.

Never thought you would laugh at a bike accident but I did miss the handbag bit and thought you meant the general meltdown that appeared to be occurring. Only drink involved this side of the keyboard was caffeine or lack of.

[FJRider]

One slice of humble pie for me thanks Howie as Ride Lead I should have asked the question

I'm sure he would have mentioned anything of dire importance ... that needed reporting. Had there been anything that needed reporting ... to the group leader.

I'm just wondering why he didn't mention the two riders stopped that gave him the thumbs up ... to anybody.

[Howie]

One slice of humble pie for me thanks Howie as Ride Lead I should have asked the question

My comments weren't aimed at anyone in particular, Just my observations from outside the group.

I'm sure he would have mentioned anything of dire importance ... that needed reporting. Had there been anything that needed reporting ... to the group leader.

I'm just wondering why he didn't mention the two riders stopped that gave him the thumbs up ... to anybody.

Interesting point the first one as yes I probably would of mentioned a bike crash if I saw one. Although to the group leader? probably not as i had no idea who that was.

Why would I? The 2 bikes I mentioned were stopped just before leaving the built up area of Wainui. I wasn't part of the ride, didn't know how long the group had been parked before I got there, and didn't know they were missing anyone!

[sugilite:Me]

Why would I? The 2 bikes I mentioned were stopped just before leaving the built up area of Wainui. I wasn't part of the ride, didn't know how long the group had been parked before I got there, and didn't know they were missing anyone!

Absolutely fair enough there!

I think I might know you. You rode a blue and white GSXR750G over the takas a lot in about 1987?

[FJRider]

My comments weren't aimed at anyone in particular, Just my observations from outside the group.

And some bold opinions of what you thought of the group ...

Why would I? The 2 bikes I mentioned were stopped just before leaving the built up area of Wainui. I wasn't part of the ride, didn't know how long the group had been parked before I got there, and didn't know they were missing anyone!

Why ... ??? they used to call it common courtesy ... and you were talking to a member on the ride you knew from another ride.

But really it was not your ride ... and not your problem.

Perhaps the group leader didn't realize you weren't on his ride.

[GrayWolf]

Let me guess. That rider would be one of the 250cc riders on here that is complaining the loudest?

DUH just realised what you were saying,,, yes it was a 250 rider who was a novice, but they are not doing the complaining

[GrayWolf]

I believe the rider was DDM.....

I wasnt going to mention any names!!!

[GDOBSSOR]

Let me guess. That rider would be one of the 250cc riders on here that is complaining the loudest?

Nope. It was me, and I am pretty embarrassed about it actually.

[sugilite:Me]

Nope. It was me, and I am pretty embarrassed about it actually.

At least you acknowledging that, good on ya. Plenty on here could learn from that.

[GrayWolf]

Wasn't going to comment in here but some of the comments by Senior riders, and mature people are getting to me.

A few points I see from a different perspective as I was not on "the ride" but happened to ride down to the Wainuiomata Coast at approximately the same time, and park in the same parking area.


a few observations from the outside of this group by someone with over 30 years riding experience, which includes being a Road ride organiser for a popular bike club in the 1980's, being a clerk of course at race meetings, and MNZ club steward at various times. (Currently none of the above)

---

I would consider myself an 'outsider' to the group, and a friend of mine on her ER would be an 'outsider' I am not picking a 'fight' but to say 30yrs experience, track clerk etc etc, is trying to give an impression your opinion carries 'weight'... I've ridden all my adult life (39 yrs) and have done training etc,,,, so does my opinion carry as much, or more? In MY opinion, I am NOT a Qualified Instructor, Mentor, or any type of formal training to impart knowledge, so My opinion has no more weight than any other person's.

1, I rode past 2 riders stopped on the side of the road, slowed a bit and got a thumbs up that all was ok.

2, I parked in the same park as the group on this ride.

3, Not ONE person on ride asked me if I had passed anyone, and this is down a no exit road for 15+ KM. so the senior riders are really concerned about safety??? Agreed, I was chatting to other riders also, and as a non organiser did not see any high level of concern on the lead riders countenance, (cell phone could have been used to contact?) So did not feel any major concern.

4, I spoke to one rider who I had met recently on another ride.

5, When the 2 bikes that I'd past earlier arrived. The person who I would have to assume was the TEC launches into what I would describe as a highly offensive and abusive tirade about who ever didn't stop when they lost sight of the bike behind and basically demanded to know who it was.


6, I was actually embarrassed to be there! And that doesn't happen easily
I was actually the rider who spoke up that the delivery of the message was somewhat 'off' and there was no need to talk to the group in that manner


7, I had observed the Tuesday night thread occasionally, and thought that these rides sounded like a good idea and that I might get involved with them at some stage, but what I saw Tuesday put me right off that idea.


Maybe some of the "senior Riders" need to look at the reasons they are involved?

I spoke with the TEC after, He DID apologise to the whole group for his irate manner, and it seems this was NOT the first instance of this happening

[GrayWolf]

Nope. It was me, and I am pretty embarrassed about it actually.

You have nothing to be embarrassed about,,, you needed to take the time you needed to get to the destination, if you had to stop? why feel you did wrong? That is putting yourself under 'pressure' for no reason!

[GDOBSSOR]

You have nothing to be embarrassed about,,, you needed to take the time you needed to get to the destination, if you had to stop? why feel you did wrong? That is putting yourself under 'pressure' for no reason!

I was very stressed as I did not know the route, and I didn't think to look back in my mirrors at the TEC. I got even more stressed and my riding suffered as a result, so he pulled me over to calm down before he let me ride again.

[Mushu]

The op seemed to be hinting at the learners that split up the pack because they are not comfortable enough to keep an acceptable speed on the rd, we've all seen them. I won't ride with them but am happy to offer my dr650 and a paddock until you feel confident before getting back on the rd.

DDM, you need to pull your head in, you went on a group ride with people you don't know, you didn't do what was asked of you (and it seems you discussed this at length on that thread before the ride) and you copped some abuse for it, so what, deal with it.

As far as learners taking advice from experienced riders, what defines an experienced rider, 50 years experience doesn't mean much if they only ride sunny weekends on motorways - if you display an L plate expect everyone who doesn't display an L to claim they have advice. My advice is research, ask more people, check forums and YouTube, read a book. (funny how often you come across conflicting advice, there's plenty of experienced riders out there that aren't even aware of techniques as basic as counter steering.)

Actually, start with the book.
Keith Code's A twist of the wrist 2
Still by far the best single reference source I have found on the subject.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[Jantar]

DUH just realised what you were saying,,, yes it was a 250 rider who was a novice, but they are not doing the complaining

I wasn't meaning the slow rider that the TEC stayed with that was the cause of the problem, but rather the one that didn't slow down when he could no longer see the next rider in his mirror.

Nope. It was me, and I am pretty embarrassed about it actually.

There is absolutely no reason for you to feel embarrassed. Riding at a pace that you are most comfortable with is the SAFEST way to ride. The more skillfull riders should be able to slow their pace to match yours. The fact that at least two others are complaining that you couldn't keep up is merely showing their lack of ability to ride slower.