Akaroa GP rant

[Maha]

Have you never heard of the saying "Showing off For the Camera"? I never said it was the photographers fault if guys want to show off for him.

There was an avid photographer that would come on our group rides...he would go on ahead (unbeknown to most on the ride) and would get excellent candid shots. To be fair, we never had any posers on our rides, and without question, the photo's taken (cornering shots) showed good road/head position.

[EJK]

Have you never heard of the saying "Showing off For the Camera"? I never said it was the photographers fault if guys want to show off for him.

I think I know a thing or two about showing off for the camera...

The year was 2007, story goes there was a rider on a Yamaha Scorpio...

[Maha]

So their heads were not over the centre line when you say "good" then?

The so called 'racing line' has no place on the road, there's other shit coming the other way, as the photo EJ supplied on the 6th post #45.

[BrendonF]

Blaming the photographer for each and individual rider's "cool" riding habit is poor sportmanship

Exactly mate, the pics I've had by the great photographer have been awesome pics I can assure you I was not show boating, just riding normally as most do over the hill. It is only a small number of riders who think there Rossi, compared to the large number of normal riders who frequent Akaroa. If you want to avoid the racers, I suggest you go over in the afternoon as most of them have gone home by then.

[Laava]

I think I know a thing or two about showing off for the camera...

The year was 2007, story goes there was a rider on a Yamaha Scorpio...

Please tell us more Grandpapa? *sits on floor crosslegged*

[trufflebutter]

Exactly mate, the pics I've had by the great photographer have been awesome pics I can assure you I was not show boating, just riding normally as most do over the hill. It is only a small number of riders who think there Rossi, compared to the large number of normal riders who frequent Akaroa. If you want to avoid the racers, I suggest you go over in the afternoon as most of them have gone home by then.

Well that's it in a nutshell isn't it? a handful of photos is no real proof of common practice, but it certainly always seems to invokes a generalisation debate about the many.

[BrendonF]

While they are possibly the same riders as the Rossi wannabes I think those group riders doing multivehicle overtakes approaching bends are the most dangerous. They are all under pressure to keep up so they dont get rubbished by their mates at the Little River Cafe maybe.

yeah that happens and see it a few times. I personally just ignore them and ride they way I want to, not to fast and not to slow. Not sure if you have been there recently but some of the tight bends are getting extremely rutted and you cant go that quick around them without your wheels lifting up or going very wide.

[Tazz]

I have found the only way to handle ruts and pot holes on the road is to get an adventure bike and bought one in 2011 after the earthquakes as I knew the roads would be stuffed for many years and most likely for the rest of my lifetime. The road surface plays an important part in how safe your ride is and it would be gravel patches that would be my biggest worry and there are always contractors doing something on that road. I went over in the car about 8.30 mid week 2 weeks ago and once past Halswel I almost had the entire road to myself making it a good time to go over.

I have to say that is one of my favourite things about my WR, you see a hump in the road and you pin the throttle to try and get some air rather than hitting the brakes and bracing

[Katman]

Please tell us more Grandpapa? *sits on floor crosslegged*

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...Ladens-quot-it!

[rastuscat]

There is a guy on FB who takes candid shots of riders on the Akaroa road and maybe some are hoping to look cool if they get snapped.

I think that's actually one of the problems.

If someone thinks they are going to have their photo taken, they pose. Simple.

I actually love the pics that I see though, and the guys who take them. They are motorcycle enthusiasts.

It's the guys who think they'll make the cover of "Get Your Elbow Down Weekly" that cheese me off.

[Tazz]

I think that's actually one of the problems.

But that's 'their' problem, not the photographers. It's the same vein as the stories of guys trying to impress a bunch of girls or pub goers and having things go horribly wrong, or even that peer pressure shit.

[HenryDorsetCase]

But that's 'their' problem, not the photographers. It's the same vein as the stories of guys trying to impress a bunch of girls or pub goers and having things go horribly wrong, or even that peer pressure shit.

Pull up a chair and let me tell you about me and the DT400

[merv]

Lol, remember this story http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ll-Info-wanted

[T.W.R]

The days of riding the akers quickly have been gone for decades, most of the old school punters that know how to ride it fast & properly rarely venture there any more, and if so they're usually home before the johnny come latelys & wanna heros have even thought about heading out.
And its mainly due to the exact reasons this rant started....numpties riding beyond their capabilities putting themselves & their machines in positions that not only risk their own but others saftey....the road has a reputation and wannabes try to emulate stories they've heard or create new...not always with the results they expect. The akers bites fools with ease

[300weatherby]

There would be many who rode it fast who are now in the cemetery too.

According to the Akaroa cop, the average is one a year, which just happens to match the Isle of Man average, want to do the TT, but the wife is dead set against it. But the Akaroa GP is ok. Maybe we should rename it the Akaroa TT and have timing, Darwin would be proud of us.