Balanced reporting?

**caspernz** · 20th December 2013, 11:16

Nothing much wrong with that article. As both a trucker and a biker, having spent five years on the hill hauling fuel across for Shell...the behaviour described could be seen several weeknights and routinely on Sunday mornings.

Always used to crack me up how I could keep 20 metres of truck and trailer on my side of the centreline, both ways, and a fast bike needed almost the whole road...

Shame to hear a fellow biker has died, but heck, group rides on certain nights of the week are known for certain behaviour. Simple as that.

Truckers on the hill are by no means perfect, but bikers break far more of the rules of the road going across that entertaining stretch of tarmac.

Katman made a smart comment, yet it's on the mark.

My thoughts are with the family of the fella who passed away.

MD · 20th December 2013, 11:30

I don't who died but how sad for their family and friends at this time of year. So many families must dread Christmas as a time someone loved died, instead of looking forward to Christmas as we should do.

I wasn't there but I suspect from above posts it was someone known and no doubt dear to many of us Wellington riders. R.I.P.

No matter where the fault lied and where the blame goes, it all goes down badly for motorcycling and that article doesn't help our cause. I don't think we are in any position to criticise the Media or the Truckie for stating what he observed. The comment about a Rider getting aggressive towards the bystander just makes us look even worse. I guess the public has such a low opinion of motorcyclists it can't sink much lower. Apart from spilling fuel and crap on the road (all to often!) I have not encountered bad truck behaviour in many years of riding that hill.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 20th December 2013, 11:44

I have just read on the Wellington Riders Facebook page that the aggression displayed was coming from motorists who had stopped, this is what the guy said whilst writing to the journalist who wrote the article....

The motorcyclists at the scene were not aggressive towards anyone, especially as they were shocked at what had just happened, they were however receiving abuse from some drivers who were saying "fucking motorcyclists" until they were informed he had died at which point they fell silent.

like anything I guess, remembering an event is a case of perspective.

**Katman** · 20th December 2013, 11:54

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

....like anything I guess, remembering an event is a case of perspective.

Either way, it ain't going to bring a shine to a turd.

**nzmikey** · 20th December 2013, 11:55

Yes what has happened is shit but to be honest ... unless you were there Shut the Fuck up as you prob dont know what happened ... other than the outcome .

**Katman** · 20th December 2013, 12:05

Originally Posted by nzmikey

Yes what has happened is shit but to be honest ... unless you were there Shut the Fuck up as you prob dont know what happened ... other than the outcome .

Plenty of us know the manner in which the Wellington Riders crew conduct their 'rides' over the Rimutakas though.

**MSTRS:Me** · 20th December 2013, 12:06

Originally Posted by nzmikey

Yes what has happened is shit but to be honest ... unless you were there Shut the Fuck up as you prob dont know what happened ... other than the outcome .

What this man said.

**MSTRS:Me** · 20th December 2013, 12:13

Originally Posted by Katman

Plenty of us know the manner in which the Wellington Riders crew conduct their 'rides' over the Rimutakas though.

Perhaps, but do you know for a fact that this particular rider was part of the 'crew'? Or was he just out for a ride and not misbehaving at all?
Witness reports say some 60-odd riders ... how the fuck would that guy know how many and if all were riding like cocks. And said witness came upon the scene after having had 'a lot' of bikes go by him in the other direction. Meaning the rider who crashed was well behind them. So witness knows said rider was being an idiot, does he?
Just saying...I wasn't there.
The other thing is - as riders, we do things that motorists PERCEIVE as dangerous, when in fact said things can be quite safe. Or not.
Again, just saying...

**Fatjim** · 20th December 2013, 12:14

Originally Posted by Katman

Plenty of us know the manner in which the Wellington Riders crew conduct their 'rides' over the Rimutakas though.

And that sir, is why you are considered the biggest arsehole on this site by many.

**Katman** · 20th December 2013, 12:18

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Perhaps, but do you know for a fact that this particular rider was part of the 'crew'? Or was he just out for a ride and not misbehaving at all?

If you read the article carefully John you'll see that it says very little about the conduct of the rider who died - but plenty about the conduct of the large group of riders.

My comments are directed at the actions of the group rather than the individual.