Attending the New Rider's Day Out 2?? Please Vote...

[Quasievil]

So long as the 70kph groups have an experienced person riding tail, in right wheel track, and the groups pull over regularly to let traffic through, I see no reason for concern. The 100kph group are just as likely to have problems at 100kph.

Okay you decide sounds like an organised traffic menace to me but have fun with it

[Karma]

So long as the 70kph groups have an experienced person riding tail, in right wheel track, and the groups pull over regularly to let traffic through, I see no reason for concern. The 100kph group are just as likely to have problems at 100kph.

Yeh, was the way we did it last time.

I'd run back marker giving the cars a bit of , but we were running slow enough that in places where they could overtake we didn't hinder them.

End of the day it's only like 1 day every couple of months, so I ain't that bothered if we keep a few cars a little while longer.

[duckaddict]

...snipped...

Not so much racing line, nor knee down, that is not for this day. It is aimed at getting newbies out, practising basic skills that perhaps otherwise they may be too scared to try, or possibly crash when trying. A lot of newbies used to comment they were worried about being out on open roads alone, and these rides are to try to get them out, and learning, while receiving potentially life saving advice on their riding.

Short of closing and sweeping roads, we try to make this as learner friendly and safe as possible, while keeping it real (rocks on road, oncoming cars etc).

Sheesh... this has to be the most informative and helpful post yet by me... yikes

Judging from the number of "Learner, 100kph Group" from this poll, I'm sure a lot of these ppl would be interested in racing line and knee down stuff

Just a thought

[Back Fire]

I hate reading shiotloads of posts so can you send me the details for what is actually happening... Don't have much cash so i may just come to meet people and have a chat.

And if rayza is there maybe i'll be a marker

I have a groupie

HaHa ... Yeah, I'll be there

[aff-man]

I have a groupie

HaHa ... Yeah, I'll be there

You've got it wrong buddy...

You're my groupie if i remember correctly.

Ps is there a route map somewhere... just wanna see what sort of roads we riding. If it's only like SH16 then hmmmmmmmm might pull out

[SwanTiger]

That only problem I foresee with SH16 is that Transit advise traffic to use it as an alternative route north when a crash occurs between Orewa and Wellsford on SH1. In such an event the flow of traffic would multiply rapidly and there are bound to be frustrated Aucklander drivers racing up the highway.

Whoever raised the 'slow' factor has a good point, whoever goes tail would need to visably be an 'instructor' with a vest or similar atire. Or else you'll get the wankers in 4X4's doing dangerous overtaking thinking its a bunch of nana's having a doodle in the country side.

On another note, who would be interested in turning off SH16 at Waitoki and heading back up SH1 to Puhoi Pub or maybe down SH17 to the Albany Pub? Would be a nice way to finish up a great day of riding.

As for my riding capability, it has improved greatly, to the point I need knee pads. So i'll just play around. Gremlin, if you need me to help anywhere let me know, I have a good camera so might be able to help out with the photographing.

[Quasievil]

Whoever raised the 'slow' factor has a good point, whoever goes tail would need to visably be an 'instructor' with a vest or similar atire. Or else you'll get the wankers in 4X4's doing dangerous overtaking thinking its a bunch of nana's having a doodle in the country side.

this whole thing you guys are organising is a concern to me, as above has mentioned also.
1/ youve organised people to go into groups and planning on doing up to 30 kmph less than the speed limit on a busy road
2/ you are not instructors, you are just young and very inexperienced every day riders
3/ you are going to appear as a pack of nana's holding up traffic
4/ Cars WILL get pissed off with you and they WILL pass you most likey with attitude

If your going to go ahead with this dont say I didnt warn you.

I advise you strongly to take this event to a road less populated.

I personally smell issues for someone in your group.

[Ixion]

I usually appear as a Nana holding up traffic, but people are not usually so kind as to call me a young one! You've made my day.

[SwanTiger]

1/ youve organised people to go into groups and planning on doing up to 30 kmph less than the speed limit on a busy road
2/ you are not instructors, you are just young and very inexperienced every day riders
3/ you are going to appear as a pack of nana's holding up traffic
4/ Cars WILL get pissed off with you and they WILL pass you most likey with attitude

It is not a bad thing considering that Gremlin and Weasels motives are of the right nature. A lot of things can change on the day and it pays to consider all of the possibilities and I think a healthy discussion of them is wise.

From my experience, there are only half a dozen hazards that need to be thought through carefully, and I suspect Gremlin and Weasel may of already done so.

Potential Hazards

1. Auckland Central Drivers
2. Trucks and Campervans
3. Farm Vehicles / Tractors
4. Loose gravel on corners
5. Cyclist

Several of the above hazards are the primary reason why a lot of new riders prefer to keep away from open roads. One thing I learnt very early on when I started out riding is hazard observation and management. Cornering, speed, riding technique and so on are a matter of time and 'self learning'.

From what I understand, this ride is meant to teach newbies how to identify and deal with these hazards. Take for example the gravel on the 45's a few kilometers out of the Wellsford township.

To slide off you don't need much of a lean, a little bit of acceleration will help get your back end out should it make contact with a stone or two.

These stones are easily noticed by an experienced rider and instead of locking up will navigate the hazard safely and if need be, reduce their speed accordingly, safely.

Just an example.

Maybe i'm missing the point here, but from my perspective in a round about way SH16 is a good road to learn 'open road riding' on. However I hope the emphasis is on this, rather than 'building confidence' and all that bullshit.

And I hope this is what the 'instructors' will be educating the newbies on - Hazards.

[loosebruce]

Potential Hazards

1. Auckland Central Drivers
2. Trucks and Campervans
3. Farm Vehicles / Tractors
4. Loose gravel on corners
5. Cyclist

6. Loosebruce and Death INC

[Quasievil]

It is not a bad thing considering that Gremlin and Weasels motives are of the right nature. A lot of things can change on the day and it pays to consider all of the possibilities and I think a healthy discussion of them is wise.

From my experience, there are only half a dozen hazards that need to be thought through carefully, and I suspect Gremlin and Weasel may of already done so.

Potential Hazards

1. Auckland Central Drivers
2. Trucks and Campervans
3. Farm Vehicles / Tractors
4. Loose gravel on corners
5. Cyclist

Several of the above hazards are the primary reason why a lot of new riders prefer to keep away from open roads. One thing I learnt very early on when I started out riding is hazard observation and management. Cornering, speed, riding technique and so on are a matter of time and 'self learning'.

From what I understand, this ride is meant to teach newbies how to identify and deal with these hazards. Take for example the gravel on the 45's a few kilometers out of the Wellsford township.

To slide off you don't need much of a lean, a little bit of acceleration will help get your back end out should it make contact with a stone or two.

These stones are easily noticed by an experienced rider and instead of locking up will navigate the hazard safely and if need be, reduce their speed accordingly, safely.

Just an example.

Maybe i'm missing the point here, but from my perspective in a round about way SH16 is a good road to learn 'open road riding' on. However I hope the emphasis is on this, rather than 'building confidence' and all that bullshit.

And I hope this is what the 'instructors' will be educating the newbies on - Hazards.

Point being group ride + 70kmph + open road = issues
besides if you think newbies can learn from newbies then go for it.
Im merely stating that there is valid reason for my concern, and as a events moderator and a rider of some 25 years I will certainly vioce my concerns.

I think what Weasel and Gremlin are doing is fantastic dont get me wrong on that point.

[Karma]

I never claimed to be an instructor...

I've taken on board your points about SH16 Quasi, and may be looking at a more back roads route, perhaps taking a spin up Old North Road? dunno yet, will have to check it out.

The ride isn't designed for experienced riders to teach clutch control or cornering... it is merely designed so that those with little experience, or who are worried about open road riding to get out there and ride within a safe group environment.

I'm sure you'll agree it's safer for new riders to ride in a group of bikes than on their own, and this is what it's all about.

There are rest stops at which time they can talk to other bikers about the road, if they thought they took a corner too sharp, or just to generally discuss biking itself.

One thing I found from KB rides is that they are generally of a pretty fast pace, and therefore the guys on the site that have just taken up riding, and only run 250s are left out of a lot of the rides we do.

[Ixion]

Cars pass me all the time, if they are going faster than me I pull over and wave them past. It's no biggie. SH16 at least has plenty of "easy passing" bits, and also plenty of space in most places to easily pull over to the left. So in some respects it's better than a twisty technical road like SH22. Much less chance of someone belting along and coming round a corner and unexpectedly finding me tootling along in front of him, on 16 they shoulld be able to see the bikes well before they get to them.

70kph (actually, they will probably do 80, which is still legal) is legal, and the learner has the same rights as any other road user.

[SwanTiger]

Point being group ride + 70kmph + open road = issues
besides if you think newbies can learn from newbies then go for it.
Im merely stating that there is valid reason for my concern, and as a events moderator and a rider of some 25 years I will certainly vioce my concerns.

I think what Weasel and Gremlin are doing is fantastic dont get me wrong on that point.

70kmph is a bit unrealistic in terms of riding ability, I don't think there would be a person confident enough to ride on the open road yet not confident enough to ride over 70kmph.

And thinking about it for a minute, isn't it illegal to go that slow on the open road holding up traffic and so on?

It will be the start of the month and Mr. will be ticket happy with a fresh quota and all.

[Karma]

And thinking about it for a minute, isn't it illegal to go that slow on the open road holding up traffic and so on?

Well maybe someone should tell the LTNZ... my personal feeling is that the 70kph limit for learners is a joke, it just creates problems.

But safety in numbers, it's safter to have a group of 6/7 people doing 70kph than one on their own.