TCWNR - Wellington 2006/2007

[Terminated]

Buck, you bloody Aussies are at it again. Now yer trying to steal our Cruisey Wednesday Night Ride! I've only attended the last two but have been impressed at the care and consideration given to the different experience of riders in the group.

I think it's great that there is a ride already and it would just seem destructive to compete with it and in effect mess up both. Why not just turn up and take part in it and help it be even better? If you must have a seperate event, how about not trying to start it on the same night?

Brett

Is there any reason why we all have to ride together? It was a great night to ride the takas, but if there are enough people that would rather go somewhere else, why not split into two groups and go separate ways? We don't have to be sheep.

TCWNR is a newbie/cruisy ride and newbies will be looked after and there will be a slow group - right guys?! That doesn't stop faster riders coming along and, if they desire, going at their own pace - some seem to like just cruising for a change.

Excellent point. I was attracted to the rides because they were "cruisey" and therefore I could encourage Nasty to come along too (damn it was hard to stop her grinning last night!).

The atmosphere is terrific with both KB groups there, even if it is just to all have a gathering at the duck pond but split. It seems that the meeting up is as important as the ride because there's something for everyone. It's good to have the option of cruising or hooning and if nobody is pressured into someting outside of their comfort zone, then we have a perfect harmony.

I would be dissappointed to see one group or the other discouraged from turining up at the duck pond on a Wednesday night.

Brett

I am not discouraging turning up at the duck pond on a Wednesday night, however for those who may want to have a cruisie ride, I see no harm at all in firming up a route destination by the Tuesday evening and have this in the site calendar. Or when at the destination for the cruisie group to decide the route destination for the next week and have it posted in the calendar.

Group Leader and Tail End Charlie can step forward on the Wednesday evening if not already arranged.

I have been on a couple of TCWNR over to the Tin Hut and also out to Raumati, as well as recent around the harbour and bays, and a few observations of my own and comments passed to me suggest that we can still improve:

1. Leader maintains below speed limit for first 1km or so in order for whole group to form up in staggered formation. [At times we have got away from the duck pond and the group is not all set and ready.]

2. At stop/rest points when group is set to leave there is no co-ordinated departure. Eg Tail End Charlie TEC can move off and cover road then leader can move off and group proceeds down the line from leader.

3. Is a trained 'first aid' rider in the group - ride with TEC.

I trust that my comments are constructive and that indeed we do get a good show up on a Wednesday night at the duck pond.

I am happy to step forward and post to the calendar each week the route destination if I have consensus from the group.

Eg: In the Meeting and Events Wellington - TCWNR Wednesday [Date] Ride Route To Be Confirmed, this could be posted on the Thursday and a 'confirmed' event posted on the Tuesday Evening.

For any newbie and non 'Full Licenced' rider, a degree of organisation and consensus about the ride - route and destination being advised ahead of time can at the very least prepare the rider psychologically.

The last thing is to have a rider fronting up not knowing the destination and then being tempted to do something he or she may not be ready for. I put my hand up and say my GN250 and I were not ready to tackle the wind over the Haywards the other week, and I would not like to think that somebody may go on a ride under 'pressure' because he or she doesn't want to be seen a to be a wimp.

And again:
I trust that my comments are constructive and that indeed we do get a good show up on a Wednesday night at the duck pond.


Heads Up and Enjoy

[rwh]

I am not discouraging turning up at the duck pond on a Wednesday night, however for those who may want to have a cruisie ride, I see no harm at all in firming up a route destination by the Tuesday evening and have this in the site calendar. Or when at the destination for the cruisie group to decide the route destination for the next week and have it posted in the calendar.

...


The last thing is to have a rider fronting up not knowing the destination and then being tempted to do something he or she may not be ready for. I put my hand up and say my GN250 and I were not ready to tackle the wind over the Haywards the other week, and I would not like to think that somebody may go on a ride under 'pressure' because he or she doesn't want to be seen a to be a wimp.

There is a good reason I can think of for not deciding the route in advance - weather. If it's blowing a gale, the Rimutakas is probably not the best choice. Of course, you get blown about a bit over Haywards and round the inlet too (which is where I first really suffered it); we're a bit stuck for totally calm places ... a Naenae-Woburn-Petone loop perhaps

Richard

[Trudes]

On the same note as rwh, I know route began to not be discussed on-line due to the amount of cops 'turning up' along the discussed route, although, in saying that, this shouldn't really be a problem, as this is meant to be a cruisey type of ride and there isn't meant to be any speeding or silly behaviour, also means though that L platers (even those who have 'lost' their plates) should be doing 70kph.

[bull]

Quick note: you've got to make sure your head doesn't cross any centre lines and not just the tyres. Think about what it means as your cornering speeds start to increase and you have more and more lean....

Not that I was on the ride, and not that I saw you riding, but it's an important distinction.

Dave

Very good point, pretty sure no part of my body crossed the centre just to clarify that.

[Nasty]

On the same note as rwh, I know route began to not be discussed on-line due to the amount of cops 'turning up' along the discussed route, although, in saying that, this shouldn't really be a problem, as this is meant to be a cruisey type of ride and there isn't meant to be any speeding or silly behaviour, also means though that L platers (even those who have 'lost' their plates) should be doing 70kph.

I know the 70 kph rule .. but really think that on the motorway that cops seem to take it at descretion ... myself riding into Wellington from Whitby lots of days with an l plate I went with the speed of the traffic and saw cops most days .. did not get pulled over ... my reasoning was that I did not want to die ... going 70 on the motorway is just asking for someone to run you over ... I agree go slower if you ability dictates ... but that is one law that just sucks the big orange.

[Trudes]

I know the 70 kph rule .. but really think that on the motorway that cops seem to take it at descretion ... myself riding into Wellington from Whitby lots of days with an l plate I went with the speed of the traffic and saw cops most days .. did not get pulled over ... my reasoning was that I did not want to die ... going 70 on the motorway is just asking for someone to run you over ... I agree go slower if you ability dictates ... but that is one law that just sucks the big orange.

Yep, agreed, and this discussion has been done to death.

[Paul in NZ]

Oh heck...

Can I have my own group please? I have an old bike that likes 100kph on the motorway and faster in the twisty bits

[Dafe]

Last night TCWNR was a real success.

There are many considerate senior members who attend these rides. Senior members that will ensure that TCWNR remains a ride for newbie riders.

It was quickly identified that the ride consisted of many faster paced bikers and it was quickly and efficiently decided that the ride would split into two groups to cater for all.

The newbie group ride was the best I'd seen to date. The pace was spot on and the group staggered very nicely. Well done to HSVBoy for controlling the group pace spot on and to Hitcher/Sels1 for maintaining the tail end charlie position.

Thank you to the fast group for waiting at the top of the hill for the slow group to arrive.

I personally have no problem with the faster bikers turning up on Wednesday night rides. We're not seeing hooligan like carrying ons and thats all that is asked. In future if the groups need to be split in two, they will be. Just as they were last night.

I don't think anybody would have had any kind of problem with last nights ride. To me, it was the most perfectly newbie-considerate ride I've seen.
The slow group rode as a group, unlike many previous weeks where the pace has been abit too high.

Prior to the commencement of TCWNR's there were no local KB rides catering for the newbies.
Uncle B and myself created this ride with a purpose - For Newbies & anybody else that wants to ride the relaxed pace.

So any Newbies out there - Take a look at Nasty's comments posted here. First time newbie to our ride and she was very happy with it.

[Terminated]

There is a good reason I can think of for not deciding the route in advance - weather. If it's blowing a gale, the Rimutakas is probably not the best choice. Of course, you get blown about a bit over Haywards and round the inlet too (which is where I first really suffered it); we're a bit stuck for totally calm places ... a Naenae-Woburn-Petone loop perhaps

Richard

Point taken. So an alternative could be decided on that evening of the ride, and those who chose not to arrive at the duck pond because of the weather have made their own decision not to ride.

Any proposed ride of course is subject to the weather conditions prevailing on the evening of the ride.

Weather of itself is not sufficient reason not to have a promulgated calendar event.

Heads Up

[Terminated]

The slow group rode as a group, unlike many previous weeks where the pace has been abit too high.

Acknowledged Dafe.

I am pleased last night's ride went smoothly in two groups, and that the slow group rode as a group.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Hawkeye]

I can see a problem from a newbie viewpoint with changing the route from a cruisy over Haywards and around the suburbs of Welly into a ride over the Taka's.
There may be newbies that have never tackled the Taka's yet and do not feel that they are ready. They turn up expecting the more sedate Haywards only to find the route changed and can end up going over the Taka's. Mainly because they feel intimidated to go over there so as not to appear to be a wimp.
My first time over there was a major achievement. Only due to the way the Taka's are held in such a high regard on this site.
By changing the route to a more challenging event, it may discourage the newbies from turning out in the first place.
I'm not saying don't change the route on the night, just be simpathetic to the newbies that do turn out to ensure that they are not overly challenged.
(not everyone is prepared to open their mouths and argue their viewpoint).

Had I made it to the duck pond on time on Wed, I would probably not have joined the ride, as the clutch slips at high revs on my bike and the Taka's would have been too much for it.

[sels1]

I see no reason to alter the TCWNR format - it worked bloody well last night for those who turned up at the right place and right time.

I for one do not like routes posted in advance - proposals and suggestions are fine - but the final decision should be made at the duckpond and is based on the weather and traffic conditions, and most importantly what suits the riders that are in attendence. It is, after all, its our cruisy ride and does not need to be regimented like work/school/military. Spontaneity and motorcycling go together!

I suggest all continue to meet at the duckpond at six - its a good social meet if nothing else. Newbies will always be catered for. Faster riders can head off in their own group as per last night (and the previous weeks). If we go the same way - fine - if we dont - fine also. If the destination dosent suit you, you are always free to go your own way. We are all adults here, lets not get too hung up on the details.

PS - after reading the proposal (Good proposal too, Dafe, lets do it another night) to ride over Haywards - riding down I saw 3 patrol cars and a camera van between Pauatahanui and the duckpond......coincidence? maybe....but never forget this site is monitored by people with quotas to fill.

[Darkman]

(not everyone is prepared to open their mouths and argue their viewpoint).

Well they should, otherwise how are we suppose to know.

I turn up at TRCWN rides just as any other biker to have a cruisy ride. I turn up in my jeans and never ride hard out without my leathers on. Sure we might go a little faster than some of the noobies but we are not hooning it as everyone might think. I am more than happy to help anyone with their riding if they ask me, but if they don't ask, I can't help. I also know that alot of new riders don't like us to sit behind them so if the group has a leader and a tail end, then i suppose there is nothing wrong with the faster guys to go ahead.

Like Dafe said earlier, is that on the night the majority of the riders was experienced riders who wanted to go over the Takkas. If some of the newbies did not want to go I'm sure they would have stuck with the original plans and the faster crew would have done the Takas anyways. But again, they should speak up.

I will sit 50kms/h behind someone if they want my help, but if they don't, what is the point of everyone sitting at 70kms/h.

[Dafe]

I can see a problem from a newbie viewpoint with changing the route from a cruisy over Haywards and around the suburbs of Welly into a ride over the Taka's.
There may be newbies that have never tackled the Taka's yet and do not feel that they are ready. They turn up expecting the more sedate Haywards only to find the route changed and can end up going over the Taka's. Mainly because they feel intimidated to go over there so as not to appear to be a wimp.
My first time over there was a major achievement. Only due to the way the Taka's are held in such a high regard on this site.
By changing the route to a more challenging event, it may discourage the newbies from turning out in the first place.
I'm not saying don't change the route on the night, just be simpathetic to the newbies that do turn out to ensure that they are not overly challenged.
(not everyone is prepared to open their mouths and argue their viewpoint).

Had I made it to the duck pond on time on Wed, I would probably not have joined the ride, as the clutch slips at high revs on my bike and the Taka's would have been too much for it.

Just so you all know, The decision to change the ride to the Takas was decided upon after asking all newbie riders in attendance whether they were fine with doing so.

If any of them had of had an issue, then an alternate ride would have been taken.

I for one am a big fan of having the flexibility of being able to take into consideration all factors immediately prior to deciding a rides route. Weather, traffic, road conditions, tax collector presence, group interest etc.

I'll admit that the routes don't always head to where I'd prefer to go, but oh well, at the end of the day, I'm there to ride with the newbies and to enjoy a pub meal somewhere and we always get that.

Thats it from me on this topic. See you all next Wednesday night.

[Hawkeye]

Well they should, otherwise how are we suppose to know.

I turn up at TRCWN rides just as any other biker to have a cruisy ride. I turn up in my jeans and never ride hard out without my leathers on. Sure we might go a little faster than some of the noobies but we are not hooning it as everyone might think. I am more than happy to help anyone with their riding if they ask me, but if they don't ask, I can't help. I also know that alot of new riders don't like us to sit behind them so if the group has a leader and a tail end, then i suppose there is nothing wrong with the faster guys to go ahead.

Like Dafe said earlier, is that on the night the majority of the riders was experienced riders who wanted to go over the Takkas. If some of the newbies did not want to go I'm sure they would have stuck with the original plans and the faster crew would have done the Takas anyways. But again, they should speak up.

I will sit 50kms/h behind someone if they want my help, but if they don't, what is the point of everyone sitting at 70kms/h.

I never made it to the duck pond on time so obviously can't comment on the discussions that happened. It was the first time on a TRCWN for me and under normal curcumstances (had I made the start on time), I would be quite happy to ride anywhere. Yes I agree, if the newbies don't speak, how are you to know. But not all newbies are confidant enought to speak out to strangers. So what can happen is they just stop turning up rather than speaking out.

I'm not having a go at anyone and saying they were right or wrong. I'm an old bugger who rides my own ride no matter what. I just posted a different viewpoint that's all.

I hope to make the next one (if I can get the bike sorted in time).