Group scooter ride on the Coromandel Peninsula (rant)

**Blackbird** · 16th November 2013, 16:10

Anybody know of an organised ride for scooters on the Coromandel today? I was driving over the Coromandel Hill to Whangapoua from home and encountered a whole bunch of them coming up the hill from the east. The first one appeared round a blind bend completely on my side of the road and had to do a massive correction to get back on his side. Bloody good job I was just pootling along. Then a whole bunch appeared with fuck-all separation between them and safety gear seemed to be limited to helmets unless shorts, tee shirts and no gloves are deemed adequate safety gear by the gormless fuckers. No sooner had they gone by, a car with a trailer appeared. Fair chance that it was an organised recovery vehicle as there was already one scooter on the back. Hanging on to the rear offside corner of the trailer with one hand was a scooter rider getting a tow up the hill. He was right on the centre line too. Gotta wonder whether the car driver sanctioned this.

I think it's kinda cool for scooters to get out of town and enjoy the countryside but Christ Almighty, you've got to wonder at the standard of their roadcraft. The organisers need a good kicking too for not enforcing decent standards, both in terms of riding and protective gear. I don't particularly care whether they damage themselves - well, only in an abstract way in terms of affecting our ACC costs etc; but it does bother me if another motorist is involved in an accident because of their stupidity.

Not a good look at all for scooter riders

Rant over

**awa355** · 16th November 2013, 16:42

May well have been a Auckland dealership / student organised run. There are no group rides within the scooter section on this website and no known clubs in the Waikato / bop area.

This is one good reason I ride on my own, but then I'm going into my 45th year of riding and have learnt a few things about group mentality.

**Headbanger** · 16th November 2013, 17:49

Sounds like a great run.

Thumbs up for the scooter riders.

**nzspokes** · 16th November 2013, 18:00

I get them on the way to work, couple have a death wish and I consider myself a squid.

But theres one in a BMW scooter with a roof. I have to resist the urge to give it nudge on the way past it.

**Blackbird** · 16th November 2013, 18:01

Originally Posted by awa355

May well have been a Auckland dealership / student organised run. There are no group rides within the scooter section on this website and no known clubs in the Waikato / bop area.

This is one good reason I ride on my own, but then I'm going into my 45th year of riding and have learnt a few things about group mentality.

Thanks for the hint - the guy who cut the corner was an ummmm....... mature rider. Seemed to be quite a mix of ages. Will check further.

**Blackbird** · 16th November 2013, 18:04

Originally Posted by nzspokes

I get them on the way to work, couple have a death wish and I consider myself a squid.

But theres one in a BMW scooter with a roof. I have to resist the urge to give it nudge on the way past it.

Central Auckland is a nightmare on occasions - scooters whipping down the inside of you and going straight on when you're indicating a left turn. Bit like cyclists