Rides for Auckland L-platers?

**Donor** · 22nd January 2007, 18:51

Howdy all you L plate sporting 2 wheelers!

Would there be any interest in a 250 ride for just us newbies, with perhaps 1 or 2 more experienced riders along to hold our hands?

More than happy to jack this up if there is interest, I know I get a bit intimidated by the "big" boys and girls sometimes...

**xwhatsit** · 22nd January 2007, 23:12

What about Mav's rides? But yes, I would be, once my bike is glued and sticky-taped back together. I do, I do, I do want to hear that 2T twin of yours!

**hurricane_r** · 22nd January 2007, 23:15

il bring the beers

**zeocen** · 23rd January 2007, 00:25

Name the date and I am *so* there.

There can never be enough group rides in my opinion!

**Lucy** · 23rd January 2007, 01:10

Originally Posted by Donor

More than happy to jack this up if there is interest, I know I get a bit intimidated by the "big" boys and girls sometimes...

Oooh errr, is it the big girls or the big bikes you are intimidated by? Mind you, I think I qualify for both, as seeing as I reached such 'fast as a speeding bullet' speeds on the mighty GN that my L plate actually did fall off! Honest!
But I hear your pain, the last '250' ride, whilst still fun, seemed to have more big bikes than 250's on it. And seeing as legally we are only allowed to go 70kph, being in the 'slow' group and averaging 90k seems a bit weird. I've had my bike a couple of months now, and the KB 250 'learner friendly ride' was the first time I ever twisted the throttle as far as it would go!

Not knocking the rides McJim and Mav, please dont think that, I really have enjoyed the two I've been on, loved meeting folks, and being in such a big group at Kaiaua was a blast. I will keep going on those as long as you run them. But I do think that a true newbie 'L' plate ride, will benefit lots of people too.

**Lucy** · 23rd January 2007, 01:13

Oh, and by the way, I rode down to see Quasi and now have some pants that are waterproof.....

**justsomeguy** · 23rd January 2007, 01:51

No offence - but you L-Platers need to ride with the big bikes to learn.

No, not from known hoons - but from people here who know a few things about bikes.

Mandownunder, Ixion, Frosty, M1CRO, Quasi, Beyond, Warr, Digsaw, Terbang and many others - people who've been riding for ages and have good personalities too.

In my opinion anyone who's been riding less than 5 years -even racing doesn't count. There's no replacement for experience, even though they may think they know it all..... (I've been riding 2 years by the way and know enough to convince me that I need to learn a lot.....)

Find one of these people - go on the Wed night Auckland mentor rides, etc.

Don't be scared of going on big rides, just watch yourself and don't try and race other's. I used to literally turn up 15 minutes after the faster guys - and guess what - they still welcome you as warmly as the guy who reaches there 15 seconds later.

What can you learn from L-plate riders? Think back to being in junior school - was your teacher another 3 year old - or someone with life and topical experience?

**McJim** · 23rd January 2007, 08:15

To be fair I think they're talking about a social run more than a learning run where they can feel more at ease than they would with some big sportsbike riders - I can understand where they're coming from. I know the big bike riders aren't trying to intimidate - s'just the way it is I'm afraid.

And I know for a fact that Donor will be bringing along a very experienced rider to keep a weather eye on the flock.

Mav can't make it this week and I've got other commitments so unless someone else wants to do some organising the loosely termed '250 ride' ain't happening this weekend.

**Donor** · 23rd January 2007, 08:20

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

What can you learn from L-plate riders? Think back to being in junior school - was your teacher another 3 year old - or someone with life and topical experience?

Good point, however I believe I addressed this with:

Originally Posted by Donor

...with perhaps 1 or 2 more experienced riders along to hold our hands?

Way I see it, is a group of nervous and developing newbies would benefit more from 1 or 2 select experienced riders, such as the fine names you mentioned above, instead of being intermingled with the hard nuts and high flyers that we often are left in awe of after displays of exceptional acceleration and handling skill.

How I expect the L rides would operate, would be that once the L's lose their shiny plastics, they would be required to attend the normal Mav 250 rides. Having said that, there is nothing stopping them attending both, this of course is down to personal choice.

**Donor** · 23rd January 2007, 08:24

Originally Posted by Lucy

Not knocking the rides McJim and Mav, please dont think that, I really have enjoyed the two I've been on, loved meeting folks, and being in such a big group at Kaiaua was a blast. I will keep going on those as long as you run them. But I do think that a true newbie 'L' plate ride, will benefit lots of people too.

Yes yes yes!

This is not to find a replacement ride for the L platers, rather it is to supplement them.

250 rides for watching the big boys, and the L rides to just lax out, have a bit of fun and trial at an easy pace, and without 20 pairs of experienced eyes having to see us all topple over during trouser changes... oops...

**zeocen** · 23rd January 2007, 09:26

I'd love to go on both rides, I think they would both have their good qualities.. the more riding the better I say! If there's an experienced rider on hand and everyone is mature about it I don't see a problem in a few L platers giving it a go for a little social ride.

yay for all the organisers everywhere!

**disenfranchised** · 23rd January 2007, 09:38

I'd love to go on the big bike rides, but they always start really early on saturdays on the complete opposite side of town.

Where would this one be starting?
Given everyone would be on a slower 250, how about starting a bit later to give us more time to get there.

**Donor** · 23rd January 2007, 09:43

Given that I am a fat arsed lazy sod, that suits me to a T personally...

I envisage that the rides would probably be shorter than the "bigger" 250 rides, as such, we can possibly have a slightly later start time to accommodate traveling, though it must be remembered that some riders may be family types with rugrats and responsibilities to get back to...

Going to be a bit hit and miss, I'm not a natural born organiser, and only have the fine examples of Messrs Mav and McJim to loosely base myself on, so apologies in advance for those I will inevitably upset.

*inhale/exhale*

Right, I'm over it...

**gijoe1313** · 23rd January 2007, 10:01

Sounds like a fine idea Donor, are you going to be doing just a basic road ride or also practicing other skills like figure eights and point to point riding?

I would be in like Flynn, but as usual commitments (aka Family) have me bundled up like a boar by a pack of hunting dogs

I'm usually the flying tail-end charlie, but there's no prob with me helping you out Donor and anyone else (when I have a bit of freedom where I can get it!)

On ya all for committing to excellence and learning to master your ride!

**justsomeguy** · 23rd January 2007, 10:37

Originally Posted by Donor

Good point, however I believe I addressed this with:

Way I see it, is a group of nervous and developing newbies would benefit more from 1 or 2 select experienced riders, such as the fine names you mentioned above, instead of being intermingled with the hard nuts and high flyers that we often are left in awe of after displays of exceptional acceleration and handling skill.

How I expect the L rides would operate, would be that once the L's lose their shiny plastics, they would be required to attend the normal Mav 250 rides. Having said that, there is nothing stopping them attending both, this of course is down to personal choice.

Ah, I stand corrected then.

Excellent effort mate - it's always, ALWAYS, nice to see someone put thier hand up and organise something. This is what KB is about.