KB rides, the ride or the rider?

[SPman]

Ultimately, if you crash, it's your own fault!

I crashed on a KB ride - (feck - sounds like alcoholics anonymous)
Weren't the fact it was a KB ride - was riding the same as I normally do when riding by myself - cos thats the way I treat most KB rides - try and set my own pace regardless of who is around!
I could have crashed just as easily riding by myself - and lack of miles weren't a problem - 6000k in 7 weeks prior! Basically, I made an error of judgement - which, in this case proved slightly detrimental to my health!

Everyone has to look out for their own safety, on a KB ride just as on any other ride. If the presence of other riders goads you on, outside your own comfort zone, take a deep breath and just say "fuckit - Im riding my own ride, as fast/slow as I want." Don't ride to the speed, line, style of the bike in front. Dont fixate on the bike in front! Don't try and keep ahead of the bike behind at all costs, if it is clearly quicker than you. Use your brain. No one (who matters), will think any the less of you if you arrive slightly later, or are slower through the corners than someone else..... the main factor is to enjoy the ride.

I've noticed the woman riders are usually much better at this, than the men!

[bugjuice]

I mostly agree with you, however I'd probably go as far as to say that there's no need for the organiser to make it clear that everyone is to 'ride at their own pace'. Even when you're new, it should be obvious that you shouldn't ride at a pace that you are not comfortable with. No one had to tell me this and I never crashed because my balls were bigger than my brain.

The idea of a 'buddy system' is good but I still see the organisers getting some flack if someone does come off which I think is absolute bollocks.

I've seen people eye up other bikes and known riders while hangin around and chatting. For the organiser to then say 'knock it off' might remind them to snap out of it. But yeah, nothing should ever need to be said anyway. May be we should put postits on the bikes of riders who might forget, to remind them?

The 'buddy' programme was started towards the mid/late summer last year, but I don't know what became of it. I think Quasi was the president of that chapter. Since then, I think may be it flopped, or people got busy..

Either way, newbs should feel free to ask a more experienced rider, if they want some tips, or a buddy to ride with. It's just getting the right experienced rider to ask. When you're new to all this (the site, riding etc), how do you know?

[Beemer]

The old "monkey see, monkey do" theory - sorry, but if you can't ride safely in a group, don't blame anyone else but yourself. I've been on some really well organised rides where people still manage to crash, and I've been on some rides with people who couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery and no one crashes. Peer pressure may explain some of it, but it's time people started accepting their limitations and riding accordingly.

[justsomeguy]

When you're new to all this (the site, riding etc), how do you know?

You use your bloody common sense.

Even a "reputedly dumb" person like myself knows that.

Just because someone is new to the two wheeled world doesn't mean they were born yesterday.

[bugjuice]

no, numbnuts. What I mean is, you can't tell if someone is an experienced rider, just cos they have rep and a high post count.
So aside from that, how would you know if someone you've never met, is an experienced rider?

[Firefight]

Many of us are starting to be more choosy about who we ride with so a number of small 'clicks' within the membership have begun where group rides are organised through PM's.

Why "Fight Club " was formed ?


F/F

[KATWYN]

Been there done that on the big group rides. There was always
either a crash or a near miss on the group rides with other riders -
never on the 2 - 3 - 4 rider rides with riders I have chosen to trust.

There is always some excessive testosterone driven d*** on the big
group rides that ruin it for everyone else, so for that reason my
husband and I decided never again to ride on big group rides - including charity rides (unfortunately)

[mv.senna]

Why "Fight Club " was formed ?


F/F

what fight club Dave??

[Yokai]

I've pulled out of KB Rides because I felt out of my depth and uncomfortable... This was nothing to do with anyone else on the ride, but more looking at my bike and realising that I was gonna push myself far too hard to keep up... and that I would prolly Bin it.

That said it did take me 1/3 of the ride to realise it... And I'm completely at my own mercy... Ask me about Tractors.

[justsomeguy]

no, numbnuts. What I mean is, you can't tell if someone is an experienced rider, just cos they have rep and a high post count.
So aside from that, how would you know if someone you've never met, is an experienced rider?

Once again, use your common sense. Bullshit always stinks, no matter where it comes from.

[bugjuice]

ok, I'll give you a new forum site that you've never been on before, or met the people before. Then, within a few days (cos you're new and keen to get out for the coming weekend), you're gonna pick someone who can ride, and ask them to help you out.. You could do that? and not pick the site prick? Some people talk the talk, and can't ride for shit. Some of the best riders just talk shit to wind people up. Other good riders hardly post at all..

[Lucyloo]

Ask me about Tractors.

So tell me about Tractors then........

[Qkchk:Me]

The reason KBers crash on KB rides is simple, 98% of KBers can't actually ride a fucken motorcycle because they spend all their time on KB bitching about cagers/cops/speeding tickets/cagers/notwearingtherightprotectivegear/cops rather than actually practicing the art of riding a motorcycle.

In a nutshell, in a nutshell. Well summed up Trashy.......

[justsomeguy]

I've pulled out of KB Rides because I felt out of my depth and uncomfortable...

NOT REPLYING TO YOU YOKAI - to everyone in general.

Please do not stereotype KB rides as a general kind of ride. That's what's giving us our (fast growing) bad rep among the public and sadly turning more people away from joining our normal rides.

I've been on a ton of KB rides in the past year and can count on one hand the ones where people have crashed. There is definetly more good than bad to be had by attending KB rides.

[justsomeguy]

ok, I'll give you a new forum site that you've never been on before, or met the people before. Then, within a few days (cos you're new and keen to get out for the coming weekend), you're gonna pick someone who can ride, and ask them to help you out.. You could do that? and not pick the site prick? Some people talk the talk, and can't ride for shit. Some of the best riders just talk shit to wind people up. Other good riders hardly post at all..

You've pretty much exactly described my situation about 11 months ago. In time it all makes sense mate. One step at a time and we'll all get there. No need to believe, take for granted the first thing offered to you.