Wellington Wednesday Night Cruisy Summer Rides -- 2008/09

[Hawkeye]

Just out of interest, what would the general ratio of L platers to experienced mentor type riders on TCWNR be? Does there need to be some more "seniors" turning up? Or are there generally not that many newer riders coming?
I would hate to see this ride disappear completely because of some moaning and wingeing on here about a few minor accidents, that we all know that even the carefullest of us can still have.
It's been a while since I've been able to come along to a TCWNR, so can't comment on people's riding on the ride or anyone's attitude or the organisation etc, but like all things, it seems to have progressed and changed by the sounds of things.
Maybe some of the people that are concerned about this ride should turn up to a few Wednesdays and offer some words of wisdom, offer to be TEC etc and get this ride back on track if you think it's fallen off, before more people do.

I have to agree with you there Trudes. There seems to be a number of folks that state 'I used come along but don't anymore because.....'.
Maybe the format has changed due to lack of 'mentors'. I use the word mentors loosely here because it's more about the more experienced giving guidance to those of us who are less experienced.
The mentoring system on here has been revamped lately because there was the general feeling that there were too many acting as mentors who did not have the necessary skill set. Yet here we are trying to change that. The Wednesday night ride is not a 'mentor' session. It is a group of like minded people who want to enjoy doing what they enjoy doing.

I may end up not bothering with the Wednesday night ride. Why? Not because of the 'perceived' dangers. More because I am getting sick of all of the whinging going on about it (generally from those that do not come along).
I do not expect anyone else to look after me on these rides. I go at my own pace and look after number one. I do not race, feel the need to race, or feel the need to get there faster than the other guy. I RIDE MY OWN RIDE.

I have been lucky to have made some good friends who I am happy and comfortable to ride with AND WILL CONTINUE TO RIDE WITH.

[Ocean1]

Just out of interest, what would the general ratio of L platers to experienced mentor type riders on TCWNR be? Does there need to be some more "seniors" turning up? Or are there generally not that many newer riders coming?
I would hate to see this ride disappear completely because of some moaning and wingeing on here about a few minor accidents, that we all know that even the carefullest of us can still have.
It's been a while since I've been able to come along to a TCWNR, so can't comment on people's riding on the ride or anyone's attitude or the organisation etc, but like all things, it seems to have progressed and changed by the sounds of things.
Maybe some of the people that are concerned about this ride should turn up to a few Wednesdays and offer some words of wisdom, offer to be TEC etc and get this ride back on track if you think it's fallen off, before more people do.

Damn fine post m’dear.

Numbers vary a lot, largest variable being the weather. I’ve attended irregularly for the last couple of years, and in passing I’d say there’s been little change in how the ride is managed. I do, however, see a trend towards more L platers, a consistent cadre of intermediates and progressively less and less seniors.

That is a problem, it’s already been noted that the few bins there’s been have been novices, predominantly at speeds that can only be seen as almost pedestrian. I have been on a couple of Wed rides where the speeds were inappropriate for L platers, but that was ‘cause there wasn’t any there.

I don’t consider myself a senior. My contributions, such as they are, have been limited to simple advice to whatever novices wish to chat about the ride at the pub. I think I’ve scored a few hits there, but I simply don’t have the depth of road experience to be advising any but the most inexperienced. We need more seniors, particularly those with some ability or experience in teaching/training, (another skill I lack).

Never met Bruce, so I’ve no idea what his ambitions for the ride were. I know several who benefited from his methods, and I’d like to know more about how he structured the learning aspect of the ride. Lets hear a bit more about how the ride should be structured and less about how it shouldn’t eh? I believe I’d rather hear that from those who’re prepared to help implement any eventual consensus, though.

It may very well be that there’s a need to split the event into separate functions, (it’s worked OK recently, and before), particularly if there’s seen to be a need for actual “organised” mentoring in smaller groups, although I’d personally prefer the same destination to be retained. To those who care enough to post here: Piss, or get off the pot. Sels is one of the only genuine senior to regularly turn up, and I believe his contribution and those of the few others that do turn up when they can is both valuable and worthy of recognition.

Lets hear some simple, constructive suggestions, eh?

Oh, and if I hear "there's no such thing as an accident" once more time this year I'm going to get pissed.

[Bullitt]

I get concerned when I see people on here saying they might stop coming just because of the complaining on this thread. Complaining that is 99% done by people who dont come on the ride.

Ive been on most of the rides this year and coincidentally Ive missed most of the weeks when someone has fallen off. But from what Ive seen the standard of riding hasnt been that dangerous.

There has been enough talk, if people want things to change come along and do something about it. Bitching on here about a ride you havnt been on this year can only reduce crashes if it reduces the number of people who come, which Im sure isnt anyones intention.

I missed last week and Im away for the next couple. See you all some time in January

[Number One]

That sums up perfectly why I don't go to the Wednesday rides any more.

I find the online drama over it all a bit of a turn off also - though I'm most happy riding by myself...well with the exception of a few special lovelies that is.

[STOLLI R1]

I went for my first ride with the group last week. I found that the pace was just fine. I find that some ride faster than me, and some ride slower. I think some pers need to realise that we all have limits in our head as to what causes the instinctive fear reaction. The more experienced riders have this boundary set somewhere near the peg scraping, knee sliding rear wheel steering moment. New riders tend to have it set alot earlier and its only by pushing things that wee bit further that the boundary grows.

This process makes the fundamental difference in pace on a ride. The experienced riders have already gone through the whole crashing thing in rides well before the Wednesday evening cruises. What we have is pers who are beginning that process. They see the good riders and try to do what they do but sometimes without the understanding of the subtle things going on in the riders head as he or she rushes off into the distance.

Remember this, what feels slow to one pers may be a new experience to another. Don't get worked up about being too fast or too slow, just get to the destination and be smiling when you get there.

Some people fall off MX bikes in nice grassy paddocks while they develop their fear reaction boundary we have road riders doing the same thing, just on tar seal.

Experience is exactly that, doing it at least once before. You need to fall down at some point or you'll never know when it can happen.

I've been riding since 1989 and figure I have a reasonable understanding of what it takes to get about on a bike but I still look at pers riding styles n stuff to see if there's more I can try to improve (there always is). I know we aren't there to baby sit but I have no problem with dropping a few pearls of wisdom if someone wants to pick them up. I'm sure most of you feel that way. If Slighty turned up for a ride you would be trying your best to see how he does it and then try do the same, thats what the new pers are doing on these rides.

I will try to be at as many rides as I can logistically manage. When I'm there I'll tend to use my ex MC mechanic eyes to critique each bike I see. In doing that I hope to spot things that might compound the possibilty of someone having an off.

Based on my wee ride the other night I am impressed with the group. Good on you all for making it regular.

[Trudes]

I would hope that if "Slighty" came on TCWNR he would ride at the pace set by the group.... which in this case would be "Cruisy", otherwise he should wait and ride on the TRTNR where the pace is whatever speed you want to do.
The point of TCWNR is to ride at a cruisy speed, not to show the "Noobs" how fast we can ride and what it looks like when sparks are coming off your pegs and or knee sliders.

[Number One]

More seniors you say Ocean1...you mean like this crowd?

[Ocean1]

God between us and evil. The medical support alone would be a major logistical event.

[Pedrostt500]

As long as the drama Queens, keep the Drama on here, and not on the ride all is well, in fact I have herd very little drama about the rides on the rides.
The Wednesday ride is a very good training tool for all types of riders regardless of their exsperience, firstly because it is about learning from first hand exsperience, then from the input of fellow riders, The route between the duck pond and Featherston is a very good peice of road to learn on as it give a good variation of different road conditions and types in a relativly short distance.
As stated else where in this thread Each Rider IS Responsible for Their Own Ride. It can't be said any more simply than that.
I attend these rides for the social side of the ride.

[Number One]

So you are saying there are actually NO bitch fights on the ride then I'm almost disappointed

[Howie]

As someone who has been along to only a few of these rides over the last to years, due to the timing being a bit tight for me normally. I believe the rides are a good idea, but what I see is that there is a group of riders of intermidiate experience who want to ride at a slightly faster pace than the newer riders, which is fine as long as everyone is made aware of the "ride your own ride" motto, and someone with reasonable riding abilities volunteers as tail end charlie, and that everyone is aware who it is.
As to Sam's crash, I am sure Sam and his friend(sorry forgotton your name) have been over it a few times and some lesson's have been learned.
I was behind Sam when he fell off, and the only thing I will say on here is that it was a combination of things that caused the fall. Sam you haven't posted anymore on here yet, I hope you are healing well, and hope to see you on a ride in the future.

Cheers Paul

[Laxi]

Some dumb learner questions:
1. What time do you usually aim to finish?
2. What size group(s) do you travel in?
3. How much experience is needed to do the Rimutakas safely?
4. Do you travel at the slowest rider speed?

Cheerrs,
David.

I went along with a friend to check out a ride last week, had a great time, friendly, helpful bunch of guys. ive had my bike for 3 weeks and i didnt go expecting to keep up with zx6r's or anything, hill is as safe as you make it, just go your own speed, your out to enjoy the ride you'l find somone sticks with you, and you eventually catch up with the fast guys, and thanks to the guys for a great ride too, hopfully i can do more rides

[Laxi]

As someone who has been along to only a few of these rides over the last to years, due to the timing being a bit tight for me normally. I believe the rides are a good idea, but what I see is that there is a group of riders of intermidiate experience who want to ride at a slightly faster pace than the newer riders, which is fine as long as everyone is made aware of the "ride your own ride" motto, and someone with reasonable riding abilities volunteers as tail end charlie, and that everyone is aware who it is.
As to Sam's crash, I am sure Sam and his friend(sorry forgotton your name) have been over it a few times and some lesson's have been learned.
I was behind Sam when he fell off, and the only thing I will say on here is that it was a combination of things that caused the fall. Sam you haven't posted anymore on here yet, I hope you are healing well, and hope to see you on a ride in the future.

Cheers Paul

just wanted to say, hope hes ok & gets his bike fixed up! that accident helped me learn a little bit more, watch your own riding, dont follow the guy in front exactly cause you or your bike aint the same as him & his bike

[Hawkeye]

I went along with a friend to check out a ride last week, had a great time, friendly, helpful bunch of guys. ive had my bike for 3 weeks and i didnt go expecting to keep up with zx6r's or anything, hill is as safe as you make it, just go your own speed, your out to enjoy the ride you'l find somone sticks with you, and you eventually catch up with the fast guys, and thanks to the guys for a great ride too, hopfully i can do more rides

"And that is the case for the defence your honour"......

[sels1]

That there is entirely the problem.

Thank goodness you have identified the entire problem. I wish I was as clever as you.
I think its a given that anyone who buys a moyorcycle and gains a licence understands there is an element of risk to that form of transport. Its not rocket science that riding in a group can increase that element of risk. Despite that, the Meetings and Events forum is full of group rides all over the country. (not to mention RAT, HOG, Ulysess etc group rides)
READ POST No1 IN THIS THREAD. And Hitcher didnt add the word cruisy to the title until a few weeks ago. It does not mention mentoring. It does mention group consensus. Cant see any anarchy in that.

I think you'll remember then that this was a mentoring ride. We didn't make a point of riding in groups, we had a front and a rear. With the more experienced helping the noobs get to the top and back.

Some truth in that, but you cant have a mentoring ride if you dont have any mentors. It is disappointing that hardly any of UncleBs mates and peers have seen fit to try and carry on his legacy.

And for the information of those who dont come on Wednesdays, there is one of Bruces former pupils who turns up most weeks and does his best with mentoring new riders. He dosent post on KB any more because of some of the crap that goes on in this thread, but he gets off his butt and contributes in person.
Most weeks a couple of more experienced riders volunteer to lead the cruisy group (which includes new riders), and go tail-end-charlie. Not too dissimilar to how it was done in Bruces time. Those not inclined to a newbie pace (its a free country) are encouraged to go on ahead and everyone meets up at the destination, and enjoys the social interaction.

... Complaining that is 99% done by people who dont come on the ride.
There has been enough talk, if people want things to change come along and do something about it. Bitching on here about a ride you havnt been on this year can only reduce crashes if it reduces the number of people who come, which Im sure isnt anyones intention.

Exactly.