Bouquets and Brickbats
Righto, the day started well - I was at the BP and waited for the attendees to gather. Went over and discussed general biking things and found little things like oil on tyre (), fuel leaking from overflow...the usual things
The briefing was in my usual teacherese speak, just enjoying the ride, learning about your machine and putting into practice road skills in a real environment.
zeocen and I had already pre-scouted out the route a day or so beforehand to check it over. Nice conditions, few blind corners, and a few technical curves which bikers all love as they become more proficient.
Took our time getting to the ride by navigating through the back streets before heading off proper.
At this stage, everyone was behaving themselves, riding in proper formation and being responsible. On through at Tuakau, we had another stop and thats when I let a group go ahead and said we would meet them at the agreed location.
Concentrating on the smaller group at hand, we took our time and only really got up to 100kph on a nice long straight before resuming tootling speeds. It's not a race, the route isn't long ... just a nice way for newbies to stretch their skills and enjoy the experience safely.
Well, turned up, did some fishing, drank some ginger beers and nattered a while. I went around and checked people were okay, and dangled a line to feed some fishes.
A great day up to then!
Once again, focussing on the newbie noobs - just did the same thing. Got those who wanted to ride closer to the open road limit to go first and thats when things went pear-shaped
Our second group had barely started before I saw bikes parked on the side of the road and riders waving.
Anyhow, just as well I had did my usual teachery prep and studied all the things I needed to do on rides. Swung into Plan B.
Got people to park safely, organised Chickadee and others to make sure oncoming traffic were aware of situation. Big, big relief when breakaway was sitting up with Donor talking charge of him. We haul him up. Others down on bike to ensure hazard to themselves and environment minimised.
No POL leaks (Petrol, Oil, Lubricant). Cellphones produced, I got Jeaves to document on my digital camera and I was organising what needed to get done ... safely. End result - everyone got back home safely after that.
I'm not too sure what happened, but from what I gleaned - some overtaking was commented on by locals, a laddish factor in some riders and of course the usual ill prescribed factors (speed, riding outside of licence class).
After pulling up the bike, had the incongruous sight of another of the group trying to do a stoppie or the appearance of one.I'll take your excuse that the "brakes were twitchy" once.
By this stage, three of our number departed - they were the core that this ride was aimed at and I just gave them the basic advice that they were riding fine - just keep the speed down to what they were comfortable at and take their time!
End of the day, McJim does what he normally does and is a very committed person to the biker community, bairns in tow, he turns up with u-haulit trailer and gets breakaway back.
Well done those newbie riders who got what they were out of the ride, some people need to learn a lesson in pulling in their heads so ego does not exceed ability. Excellent response from local community and big-ups to two locals (one was a biker and of course, knew the score). A big fat not achieved goes to some of the daft advice and behaviour after bike was pulled up and on the way home.
"You can still ride this." NO!
Putting feet on motorway on ride back NO!
Aiming at a parked van in Pukekohe and "swerving" out to miss it closely. NO!
By your actions you shall be known. Overall a great day marred by some silliness, newbie learners ashened face - but at least they got to see what happens when it all goes wrong and that there is support and a plan in place. At least half the group got what the day was about - learning to ride safely in a supportive environment. Peace out.
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Originally Posted by maha man
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