Cruisy Night Rides

[phoenixgtr]

Ok

1. Deviant, Donald Trump called. He said you're fired!!

2. Most important thing is that we have a "briefing" before we leave the carpark. It will just be "this is where we're going", "this is where we'll regroup", "fast guys go first if you want, the rest of us will meet you there". This will mean me actually talking and not being the "mysterious quiet guy" in the corner that I play so well, but I can manage that.

3. There seems to be a fair bit of support for the Princess Margaret Hospital carpark. There are obvious cons to this. The main reason for my hesitation to change is the importance of "same time same place" for these rides. We can't keep changing meeting points and confusing everyone. We need to pick a place and stick with it. Imdying - McD's Lincoln Rd doesn't have a very big carpark. I know, thats where dinner came from last night. PMH would be better, apart from the obvious lack of McDonalds.

So, if you are against shifting the meeting point to the Princess Margaret Hospital carpark post up why and we'll have a little "poll". If the majority want to shift then we'll shift.

[imdying]

Imdying - McD's Lincoln Rd doesn't have a very big carpark. I know, thats where dinner came from last night. PMH would be better, apart from the obvious lack of McDonalds.

Ja, very true... How about Hornby BK? Not central, but has fuel, air, car parking and food

[phoenixgtr]

Haha. I admire you're determination

[imdying]

THINK OF THE STOMACHS!Mine especially

[Mikkel]

Sounds like you guys had a nice ride - all things considered. Awesome turn-out! But yeah, it's a bit hard to keep things together in the city with all the traffic lights. Biggest problem is when people very keen on going fast overtakes the ride leader and splits the group up in that way.

And yes, for large groups I reckon you need to appoint a ride leader and everyone follows the fella, and he needs to be observant of whether people are keeping up or not and slow down accordingly - pass the leader and you've indicated that your desire is to leave the ride group and it's all good, however nobody are obliged to wait for you if you take a wrong turn.

Two weeks ago the group got really diffused going through the city - but at least most had understood that we were going to meet at BP at Halswell so we regrouped there and things went nicely from there. Personally I wasn't impressed with people lanesplitting at speed on Brougham Street breaking the group apart - but don't let me tell you how to ride I'm just a n00b anyway.

THINK OF THE STOMACHS!Mine especially

Growth is good!

Unfortunately my wednesday nights have become locked down with other activities - if anyone are keen on doing something on another week night as well feel free to PM me and I'll see what I can sort out.

[Transalper]

Does Friday count as a week night?

[Mikkel]

Does Friday count as a week night?

That would be a negative. Friday night is out of the question for planned rides for me.

[Oakie]

I'm a bit dubious about using Princess Margaret as a meeting point. Wonderful big car park in a reasonable location for sure, but it is a hospital with the obligatory sick people and perhaps a bunch of bikers doing their thing in the hospital car park may be a bit inconsiderate towards the sickies. 'Tis a big car park though and perhaps the very eastern-most part of it may be sufficiently far away so as not to cause a problem? Someone needs to check it out if you are seriously looking at changing.

[cruza]

Suggestion------

*We leave meeting place at BK moorhouse, for next few rides anyway.

*put ride ideas here before each wed, Quick group Yak before we leave AT 630pm

* one regroup edge of city where ever ride is going, and from there ride will sort itself out , find a sub group thats going your speed , or stay with your "buddy" for the nite( if you want a buddy post it before the ride ,sure someone will step up )

* a bit of give and take , some go fast,some go slow ,some want to leave and get back before dark etc , it is a cruisy/social nite, for a ride and Yak. To much bitching each week will kill numbers/fun/ride. Keep it simple, keep it fun.

[JMemonic]

Ok massive post and a lot of quotes from me here.

Last week I saw someone nearly get wiped out doing a lane change just down the road from BK. It seemed like a pretty arrogant action at the time and if the car had of done almost anything but slow down I think they would have been toast. It looked pretty close from where I was (at the back of the group).

NO, I mean someone is going to be wiped out, and yes to the reason why.

I missed that so I misunderstood the concern you both had, this is not a good thing, and we certainly do not want to have a cage vs bike incident anywhere in the ride but at the start well....

Damn sounds like I missed a good ride tonight. Unfortunatly work called and that was that really.

Good news is that I get my stator fixed on the 4/12, just in time for the next ride. Im looking forward to being able to go on random rides in the middle of a clear night and seeing all the stars so clearly and having an empty road all to myself.

Unfortunately you did miss a good ride but there will be many more hopefully once you get that stator fixed, as to having an empty road to yourself look out, some of us might turn up

Perhaps a few of us think that we are invincible when riding through town in a group that size.

Perhaps you could be right, it could also be the fact that we don't want to miss the right route.

I went last night on the ride and have a couple of thoughts for this

Personally I thought it was good to see you and all the other ladies there, would be nice to see a few more often and perhaps we could encourage some of the beginner ladies to join in.

Being one of the ones left behind last night it was frustrating, my understanding of the rides on Wednesdays was to just cruise and also a chance for some new riders to get some experience and learn from some of the 'better' riders. Being that I still have a lot to learn and am still fairly slow I like to be able to relax and practise and I’m sure some of the newer riders would appreciate the help as well. It’s no fun being slower than the rest of the group and feel like you are left behind and not part fun, this can also make you feel like not joining the ride! How are we meant to encourage new riders if we won’t help them learn???!!!!!!

We also need clear discussion on where we are all heading and the stop points.....just in case we do lose someone on the way, I thought the reason we all meet up is to ride together, what’s the point if no-one waits?????

That I think are the key points, we need to have a better route plan and discussion at the start, if we cant get these short rides planned right a day ride would turn into a mess.

All you need to do is 'ask'... but remember someone whom you think is good may be teaching you bad habits.
IMHO what some one like ya self needs is not only to follow some one that 'thinks' they know what they are doing (*includes me) but some book and leture work, questions ansered sort a thing, another words people need an expernation as to why you do or dont take a certin line, also being a live and good rider is about survile another words 'expect the unexpected'

*my back ground is: 25yrs non stop on road riding estamated 200,000kms and 3yrs racing around NZ's tracks including street races, but most importently the love of riding... and I still dont know it all and never will.

Sounds to me like you would be an ideal coach, you have the right attitude, and I did see you chatting to some of the folks giving out tips based on what you saw. BTW any tips you have for me feel free. I admit having had far to many years off bikes my skill level is not that flash.

[fireliv]

All you need to do is 'ask'... but remember someone whom you think is good may be teaching you bad habits.
IMHO what some one like ya self needs is not only to follow some one that 'thinks' they know what they are doing (*includes me) but some book and leture work, questions ansered sort a thing, another words people need an expernation as to why you do or dont take a certin line, also being a live and good rider is about survile another words 'expect the unexpected'

*my back ground is: 25yrs non stop on road riding estamated 200,000kms and 3yrs racing around NZ's tracks including street races, but most importently the love of riding... and I still dont know it all and never will.

Yes I see your point, but I can also tell you that I learned a lot following Transalper around. But by all means share your knowledge! I just dont know what questions to ask. For me at this stage its about feeling comfortable on my bike, and trusting it. Learning to not believe the car voice in my head. Once I get through that I'm sure I'll have questions!!
But I also learned alot from what you said last week Dangerous, and it helped me think about cornering a bit more.

[fireliv]

I'm a bit dubious about using Princess Margaret as a meeting point. Wonderful big car park in a reasonable location for sure, but it is a hospital with the obligatory sick people and perhaps a bunch of bikers doing their thing in the hospital car park may be a bit inconsiderate towards the sickies. 'Tis a big car park though and perhaps the very eastern-most part of it may be sufficiently far away so as not to cause a problem? Someone needs to check it out if you are seriously looking at changing.

I agree. Its a hospital not a vey suitable place to meet. Dont wanna get in any sick or ambos way

[Transalper]

Plains Club Chomy Childerens Run meets and departs from there every year, there's a heap of room out near the road at the Colombo St end of the car park or even across the road.

Personally I'd really like to get away from that left on to street, right at lights thing, we were way backed up last night. Had to wait for the lights to turn to clear enough of the lane to even get out of BK, then they were red again.

Somewhere with fuel and food would be nice too.
I don't think i have much more to contribute to this line of conversation. Feel like I've been here before.

[dangerous]

Ok.. the way I see it the Wed night rides will never be the best way for a newbee to learn.
1st of all thers those that arnt interested in learning
you cant learn anything if there is a fast group
whos to say those offering help know shit anyway, bad habbits are only passed on.
Now the way I see it the rides are good for newbees to get comfortable with ther bikes and other riders, however once happy with them selves and bikes its time to do and I reckon in all honestly its the only way to learn corectly... and thats to do a organised MCC trainging day.
This does reflect on the road as decent riders are giving advice and yoyu get to pratice the same corner till you get it right. You learn how to launch, stop and corner eg: doing a circute with out using brakes then front and or back only.
What I would like to do if there is enough interest is work in with one of these days and extend the training out onto the road, ie: we use the top racers that road ride aswell and we have a wee road trip.
This idea needs some serious thinking but IMHO the Wed night rides will only get newbees so far, then bad habbits will take over.

[Transalper]

I'd be interested.
Rather do the kind of advanced training MyGSXF is hooked on up North, but that kind of thing seems all too rear down here.