It Won't Happen To Me, I don't need to change.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hauraki...sad reflection of its former self.



How true. Tuned in a while back lasted 1 hour.

Maybe our tastes have changed as we get older?

Generally speaking, that isn't the case. People's music taste seems set in stone by their early 20's. So they then spend the rest of their lives going "this is shit" to anything new that they didnt like "back in the day". I've tried not to do it myself, and have my ears open to new things. I think too, that for every Led Zeppelin or Sex Pistols, there is 100 other bands (that are someone's favourite band) that are just awful. So for anything new, its sifting a lot of shit to get to the pearls. My favourite two new artist discoveries of 2017 have been St Vincent and Amanda Shires. Oh, and I have re-discovered Judas Priest after dismissing them in the 80's as "shit compared to Iron Maiden" which was a disservice to them.

[Banditbandit]

I understand to some extent but can't help to think such IDGAF attitude won't save you/ prevent from "what might happen" either.

You mistake what I am saying.

I have seen and been involved in "what might happen" ... Situational awareness goes a long way - awareness of what is happening on the road, what might happen, and whereabouts I am on the road .. . and I mean complete awareness
- not being distracted by I-pone sounds - drifting off into nevernever land ..
- knowing how to ride in a group (heaps don't)
- thinking every car may be the one that will kill you ... and a couple have tried - twice I've hit the car, other times avoided it .
- being aware of the grip level in the tyres (I can feel when the pressure is down by 5kph.)
- knowing exactly what the bike will and won't do (track experience is a good way to get this) - acceleration AND braking, weaving around sudden obstacles ..

But safety? I'm with Guy Martin - when he as asked if he would ride a motorcycle if there was no possibility of dying every time he got on one - he said "probably not".

It's the risk that adds to the adventure ..

[Moi]

... It's the risk that adds to the adventure ..

Is it the "risk"? Or is it "challenge of managing that risk" that adds to the adventure?

[EJK]

You mistake what I am saying.

I have seen and been involved in "what might happen" ... Situational awareness goes a long way - awareness of what is happening on the road, what might happen, and whereabouts I am on the road .. . and I mean complete awareness
- not being distracted by I-pone sounds - drifting off into nevernever land ..
- knowing how to ride in a group (heaps don't)
- thinking every car may be the one that will kill you ... and a couple have tried - twice I've hit the car, other times avoided it .
- being aware of the grip level in the tyres (I can feel when the pressure is down by 5kph.)
- knowing exactly what the bike will and won't do (track experience is a good way to get this) - acceleration AND braking, weaving around sudden obstacles ..

But safety? I'm with Guy Martin - when he as asked if he would ride a motorcycle if there was no possibility of dying every time he got on one - he said "probably not".

It's the risk that adds to the adventure ..

When I saw the image I thought of gang riders in leather vests, t shirt, tin can German hat on blacked out cruisers with screamin eagle pipes zig zaging through traffic at 70-80kph down Moorhouse Ave. Cause clearly they don't give a fuck.

Apologies for misunderstanding.

[Voltaire]

commercial radio sucks donkey balls. Radio New Zealand FTW (do yourself a favour and tune in this afternoon), and failing that, Pandora or Spotify, or one of the myriad internet radio stations. Its the same as TV: you only hear advertising and witless "bentah" because you want to - there is no need for you to in 2019.

I'm hearing ya, I liked rock but these days quite happy to listed to hours of Jazz and the Blues.
I don't really watch TV as can't stand the adds and talking heads.

[Voltaire]

Generally speaking, that isn't the case. People's music taste seems set in stone by their early 20's. So they then spend the rest of their lives going "this is shit" to anything new that they didnt like "back in the day". I've tried not to do it myself, and have my ears open to new things. I think too, that for every Led Zeppelin or Sex Pistols, there is 100 other bands (that are someone's favourite band) that are just awful. So for anything new, its sifting a lot of shit to get to the pearls. My favourite two new artist discoveries of 2017 have been St Vincent and Amanda Shires. Oh, and I have re-discovered Judas Priest after dismissing them in the 80's as "shit compared to Iron Maiden" which was a disservice to them.

I lasted into my 30's before saying " this is shit" a lot.
My two lads were camping over New Year and said they got sick of all the rap/hip hop shit their friends were playing and hung out with hippies playing 60's and 70's stuff., that 3 month Kombi trip of Europe in 2004 must have turned them.

[pritch]

I think the "It won't happen to me" thing is somewhat overrated. There are people like that, you see them on the big public group rides, overtaking in stupid places, putting themselves and everybody else at risk. They are the reason I don't do those rides any more. Thankfully they are the minority though. Having said that there is the famous quote, "Most people's risk assessment skills are so poor that it's not uncommon to meet smokers who worry about terrorism".

On crap radio: I totally agree. Apart from the news on the hour I mostly listen to podcasts now. The variety is mind boggling. It is a little difficult to find things you are interested in at the start, but it gets better with time.

[Banditbandit]

When I saw the image I thought of gang riders in leather vests, t shirt, tin can German hat on blacked out cruisers with screamin eagle pipes zig zaging through traffic at 70-80kph down Moorhouse Ave. Cause clearly they don't give a fuck.

Apologies for misunderstanding.

Close ... I've managed 80+ (probably mph) on Bealey Avenue - on a Triumph (Meridan) with long hair, denim cuts over the leathers .. ape hangers ... (Never had a Nazi helmet - didn't like the look) and very loud pipes ... back in the 1970s

I was also stopped by a cop on Cranford Street at over 100mph ... 4.30 on a Friday afternoon .. going home from work. I wasn't zigzagging - just sitting on the white line ..

Yeah - I have the remnants of a 1%er attitude (never had a patch - the clubs have rules - I mean what kind of rebel bikers have rules? Ask yourself ... and remnants of the attitude because I'm passed 60 now - and a long way from those days) with a speed freak riding style ... so I don't ride harleys ...

And no, I haven't lived in Chch since 1979.

[Banditbandit]

Is it the "risk"? Or is it "challenge of managing that risk" that adds to the adventure?

Whatever - I just like playing in the traffic ..

[T.W.R]

FFS All this fucking tripe about group fucking rides How many here damn well commute on a daily basis? group rides aren't any bloody different apart from the fact there's a damn sight more doing the same damn thing expecting the same outcome, commuting there's individuals with different agendas & roughly the same direction of travel with god knows what else distracting them. The volatile & unruly standout far more easily on a group ride than the wolves hiding amongst the sheep on a daily commute.
There's always going to be a spanner in the works somewhere along the line but get over it, awareness of the possibility of it happening & alertness to reading the signs...remember it's a discipline that's continually teaching.
Riding schools & institutes are just tools, education facilities to grow from, just the same as any educational facility they're designed to promote growth and betterment to the individual; It's what the individual does with that knowledge is the important thing and everyone's perception & projection is unique otherwise we'd all be fucking clones. If you think you're beyond further education or expanding & refining what you think you already know you're a closed mind and a closed mind is a dangerous mind.
Respect what you're doing, understand the consequences of your actions, & as for ATGATT remember flesh looks like a candle has been smeared on tar seal and everyone loves disfigurement

[Old Steve]

Other motorists could be made aware of motorcycles, it's just a case of throwing enough money and time at it.

Remember the "Girls can do anything" advertising campaign? I think Kiwis are much more open to gender equality than some other nations, Australia immediately springs to mind. Didn't Helen Clark say NZ chose the best man available for the job of PM, even if he was a woman?

And how many years ago did smokers puff away in offices. If I told you in 1980 that one day smokers would leave their office and go stand out in the street to indulge their habit, you would have asked me to share the drugs I was taking. Just consider the social engineering both those changes in attitude and habit represent.

So a "Hey! Don't drive and use your mobile!" and "Look over your shoulder!" campaign would work, just needs enough advertising time bought, careful construction of the social change wanted, and the Police to concentrate on mobile use while driving and dangerous driving instead of speed.

[Blackbird]

Riding schools & institutes are just tools, education facilities to grow from, just the same as any educational facility they're designed to promote growth and betterment to the individual; It's what the individual does with that knowledge is the important thing and everyone's perception & projection is unique otherwise we'd all be fucking clones. If you think you're beyond further education or expanding & refining what you think you already know you're a closed mind and a closed mind is a dangerous mind.
Respect what you're doing, understand the consequences of your actions, & as for ATGATT remember flesh looks like a candle has been smeared on tar seal and everyone loves disfigurement

I don't know whether I'm mistaken, but it seems to me that attitudes about re-skilling/upskilling are changing. At one time, wanting to upskill seemed a bit of a rarity and there was a whole load of macho posturing that went with it. Nowadays, (even on KB, excepting the occasional fuckwit ), riders seem far more open to lifelong learning.

[RDJ]

FFS All this fucking tripe about group fucking rides How many here damn well commute on a daily basis? group rides aren't any bloody different

Yeah. Everyday commute is a group ride where I'm on the smallest Road Platform. It breeds a Wary Eye, Covering the Brake Lever, and looking ahead for Shit About To Happen.

[Akzle]

Other motorists could be made aware of motorcycles, it's just a case of throwing enough money and time *hand grenades at it.
.

fixed that for you

[eldog]

don't ride staggered unless it's dead slow, preferably with disco escort at both ends.
that's the whole "don't let anyone else dictate your road position" thing

While in general, staggered on a straight section is the norm. It can give yourself more vision ahead and braking distance is slightly increased (you never know you may need that 10 ft). With my skill level I prefer not riding directly side by side, it gives you no room.


BUT, Always access the situation for yourself, position self irrespective of how others have done.

You can always use those ahead of you, as a guide. If they suddenly brake or serve, you know something is up and can change your plan if think its necessary.


Sounds like that "don't let anyone else dictate your road position"