In praise of slow riding

[iYRe]

I consider being more constant to be the better description rather than using the word slow.
Even the writer concedes that he (at times) will ''drop the hammer and have some fun, and I enjoy a high speed blast as much as the next adrenaline junkie''

On our learner rides, the more 'constant speed' group arrives anywhere between 5-10 minutes behind the quicker group/s. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things. Even the quicker riders will attest to that.
Fun can be had at any speed. The best result is seeing the massive grins on everyone's faces at the end of the day.

Yes, I concur. As I said, I ride faster than some, slower than others, I'm usually not that far behind the really fast guys and not that much ahead of the slow guys.

On our MCROD rides, there are 5-15 people, usually 2-3 are ahead of me, then there is usually about 5 or so with me, a minute or so behind, then a few mins behind us is the slower guys (generally people on cruisers or who dont ride so often and take a while to get into the swing of it).
Each person has their own style and comfort level, and the people in front stop and wait for everyone else.

I had this discussion in regards to bicycling the other day. I am used to riding my motorbike, and dealing with traffic at high speeds on a heavy bike. I do a reasonably good job of it. When I hop on my bicycle, I am doing 30-45kmh, on a 7kg machine. I feel VERY safe and like everything is happening at slow speed.. I do things that other cyclists (and car drivers) think are crazy, but for me they happen so slowly and I am prepared so far in advance for everything I never feel like its an issue.
I think its the same for motorcyclists. Some people just deal with speed better, and dont feel "unsafe" - and as the author said, they are probably still nowhere near 100% of their bikes capacity - or their own..
And some people just want to plod on.. as long as they are happy to do that, I am happy to wait for them, as long as the faster guys are happy to wait for me, we'll all live long and prosper.

[Edbear]

I consider being more constant to be the better description rather than using the word slow.
Even the writer concedes that he (at times) will ''drop the hammer and have some fun, and I enjoy a high speed blast as much as the next adrenaline junkie''

On our learner rides, the more 'constant speed' group arrives anywhere between 5-10 minutes behind the quicker group/s. Not a lot in the grand scheme of things. Even the quicker riders will attest to that.
Fun can be had at any speed. The best result is seeing the massive grins on everyone's faces at the end of the day.

Isn't that the sole reason for riding a bike?

[EJK]

I'll chip in.

Well, I do ride a bike that's far-too-much-way-GREATER-than capable of doing just about anything on the road. While riding around town, even on the first gear doing 3.5k-4k rpm (where power just starts to come in) I'm already doing 50-60kph. So practically speaking, there's no place to ride the bike except on a track. But I do like to know the fact that I have all the power when I need it (if... maybe?). I don't use all 160+ ponies all the time but I like to have the peace of mind that it's there when I need it. I'd say it's like owning a supercharged pumped up 800hp Shelby Mustang. It's got all the power but that doesn't mean I have to use all of em everytime.

I know the bike's purely designed for track and superbike racing but I'm satisfied how it's got me around half the south island.

What I really do like about this track/race developed superbike is the handling. Oh God, the handling...

Speaking of which I'm going for a ride to Akaroa. Bye.

[caspernz]

Good article, that approach certainly works for me

[Drew]

So it's agreed. Ride slow, unless you feel like going fast.

Glad that's straightened out.

[scumdog]

So it's agreed. Ride slow, unless you feel like going fast.

Yup - better than riding fast 'cos you feel ya GOT to...

[skippa1]

Yeah .. but for me the number one point is to have fun ... and as I said above I do have fun at a cruisey speed - I also have fun watching pathed 1%ers disappear in my mirrors because they wouldn't go passed 180 klicks .. (NOT in a built up area - only on the open road ...) ... passing Harley's at 180 klicks and change up a gear when I'm in front so they can hear the change in exhaust noise ... and no, I don't ride a sprots bike ... (my wife won't let me have one unles I sell a currently owned bike ...)

(I used to go passed 200 klicks every day I rode ... I am slowing down ... partly, and I'll admit it, because katman made me think ...)

I do believe a dick is waving

[scumdog]

I do believe a dick is waving

HEY, how about a KB wave???

[Drew]

Yup - better than riding fast 'cos you feel ya GOT to...

Who ever feels they have to, is in need of a Darwin award anyway.

[skippa1]

HEY, how about a KB wave???

Yeah but they get a mind of their own, next thing the wave is a wobble and its out of control. Not safe in my opinion

[iYRe]

Who ever feels they have to, is in need of a Darwin award anyway.

people have been known to do drugs, get in fights, commit crimes and even suicide because of peer pressure.. riding too fast for ones skills doesnt seem too much of a stretch.

[Road kill]

I like to go my version of fast "which is not that quick" on twisty roads by myself but if I ride with a group I usually ride last in line and I never try to keep up with faster riders.

I get to see more and don't have to worry about anybody behind me getting lost breaking down or tailgating.

[Drew]

people have been known to do drugs, get in fights, commit crimes and even suicide because of peer pressure.. riding too fast for ones skills doesnt seem too much of a stretch.

Have you ever, even once, heard a biker pressuring another biker into trying to keep up?

I never have. People pressure themselves for whatever reason, it's no bodies fault but the trying to keep up...per.

I hear people being told all the time, to ride their own ride. It's about the only thing on this fuckin place that doesn't get any argument...Cue the arguments...

[unstuck]

I wont ride with my brother very often for this reason, and if I do I keep my speed down because he is not a very good rider and does some really stupid shit.He only rides on dirt now anyway so all good.

[Katman]

Have you ever, even once, heard a biker pressuring another biker into trying to keep up?

I never have. People pressure themselves for whatever reason, it's no bodies fault but the trying to keep up...per.

I hear people being told all the time, to ride their own ride. It's about the only thing on this fuckin place that doesn't get any argument...Cue the arguments...

There used to be plenty of smack talking on here that, whether it were in jest or not, certainly set the tone of a ride in that if you didn't keep up then there was something wrong with you.

The mere fact that it doesn't appear in words on here much any more doesn't mean that it doesn't still happen.

That Wellington Rider's Facebook group still appear retarded enough to encourage a group public road racing mentality.