KB rides, the ride or the rider?

[myvice]

The last KB ride I was on I binned my bike.
I probably go on average about two group rides a month, very really is it a KB one, and am always pushing every last drop out of my bike.
It was my own fault I crashed where and when I did, its not the first crash I've had because I was pushing too hard, and I cant hold, nor do I want to hold anyone or thing responsible for it. Least of all the organiser of the ride or the club!
I am very grateful for the assistance of the others in the group and it has made me realise just how much of a benefit, and a safety net a group ride can be.
So I've cut back on the solo rides, keeps my wife happier too!
As for the newby debate, we all started somewhere, I learnt on a dirt track about 20 years ago chasing mates around on a 80cc farm bike then raced a RM125 against them. And now I chase others on bigger better bikes and try and keep them honest, As we can see that’s not how it always pans out!
Some of us started on the road 20-30-40+ yeas ago and have a lot of experience that can be passed on to the newer riders amongst us.
To anyone reading this and thinking, "Well, he had it coming" your right, I did, I had been warned I was pushing my bike well past what it had been built for. Shopping for a new one now, its about 6 months away yet tho...
Its not all ways the newer ones who crash ether, and when they do it’s usually at a slower speed than the ones with a few more miles beneath them.
Stupider accidents tho… “Imustnothitthatrockthatisheadingformyfrontwheel…… …………BANG!
Fuckin mastered that one!
The reasons that it is becoming more common (the crash report) is that Kiwi Biker is now a rather large entity, and its now summer so the groups are larger, the roads still suck, 22 is getting worse! Things come in waves. It will all be over in a little while, people will be back at work, etc.
Ride safe, there out to get us you know!

[boomer]

i've met some wicked people from the site and just as in life you know who you want to ride with and dont.

KB rides are awesome, a great place for noobs like me to learn and get out to see parts of teh country i've never seen or would see;

i've seen people get a slap if they do something crazy and would expect the same if i were to endanger any one else; The onus is on teh rider.. no one else.

what fight club Dave??

[Karma]

If we're worried about the state of newer riders then why not doing something about it?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...970#post468970

[marty]

i've been on only one kb ride, but i've ridden with a few kbers, and a few other mates. sure i have a fast bike, but i'm not that fast a rider - i like my bike shiny and scratch free, so if the cbrs and gxxers are getting away on me, then good on em, i'll catch them up at the next stop/pub/cafe. it's nice sometimes to be out in front - open roads, no-one about, til a yellow bumble bee or two fly past........let 'em go, get over it. why suddenly add 30-40 km/h to your speed (that you're obviously happy with) just to keep up?

[Yokai]

I do think if we start enforcing more rules & procedures on KB rides the liberty we currently enjoy to 'do our own thing' will be diminished. Part of why i enjoy KB rides is because they are not too regimented, and most I have ridden with agree!

I agree. I totally agree - it is the rider's responsibility to ride within their limits. But it is also the rider's responsibility to not place others in a situation that might be damaging to them.

I like the "do your own thing". I think it is cool that we are like that. I do think that a map on the site of the route that we are doing would be good - especially if we know of some issues (SH22 gravel thing that binned one rider for example)...

I'm known for doing my own pace and my own thing:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...2&postcount=46

I just thought that if we did some of these "organised" rides then we might have a group that would get better and would feel safer... it's useful.

Dude, I do agree with the first part of your post about the people who you would ride with. I'd bet that those riders show courtesy towards you, even though they're most likley a lot faster than you?

Yeah - that's part of it - I'm just a weekend warrior and I don't feel like I have to show off my chicken strips. I love my bike. I think it's great and I love riding it. I know that's the same for those here that have bikes or have had bikes, and will be the same for those who are trying to get bikes...

Oh sod it.. Just RIDE RIDE RIDE

[magnum]

too many fullas on here think they have something to prove.if you dont grow up fast you will end up in a ditch or worse,nuf said.

[Kornholio]

til a yellow bumble bee or two fly past........

Lol hows that new tyre going??

[marty]

still parked up - haven't had time to take the bike in to boyds for fitting - it needs trailering! i've been sneaking out on the TL instead (if it's possible to sneak on the TL.....)