Manawatu Friday Night Ride. (Be there or be in the square).

**Flynn** · 20th November 2009, 21:42

Well, what I thought was going to be an excellent maiden voyage on the midnight special, as above had a cruel twist with sparkles coming off his bike tonight 30 metres from my driveway!! I can only guess he had been out to chase my tag and was on his way round to show me the tag and to look at the Buell, came round the corner into my street gave his bike a handful of throttle, hit loose chip on the side of the road, got into snakeys, bike gripped as it bit into the seal and threw him off, sliding down the road 20-30 metres. Sparkles was falling in and out of lala land trying to sit up etc, etc, he did come round and was with it for a while, but turns out he doesn't remember most of it. he will now, I'm sure vouch for having decent gear, now he has had a slide, because the track pants he had on the bottom half of his body, let me say didn't work!!!

Any way enough as I wanna say onwards and upwards!!

Fri nite ride was great once we got going, took it easy on the new beast as you do, with run in and rider inexperience on a newbie, thanks to all tonight enjoyed company!!

Now to get my mind off Sparkles.

**Owl** · 20th November 2009, 21:44

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

Very good ride tonight EXCEPT for Sparkles bin! Before the ride even started. Very sorry to hear the tale unfold as we met at the meet point. Some nasty road rash and a bit of a knock by the sounds of it. Hope you're alright Sparkles, you'll be sore for awhile but we're just glad you'll be able to tell the tale in person soon!

Bloody hell! I think Sparkles needs a suit of armour and a name change to "Sparks"?

Hope you're not too sore dude and heal soon!

Take it easy!

**bogan** · 20th November 2009, 22:06

shit, sparkles is having a bad run of it. Keep us posted with how hes doing, hope its a speedy recovery with not too many scars and shit.

**ynot slow** · 21st November 2009, 06:55

Any signs advising loose chips?If not remind the council of their contractors duty to inform road users of hazards.There has been a bit of resealing out of Dannevirke,and mostly swept and on straight roads,but signs and speed limit signs warn,and with a visor full of bugs I managed to grab the gas and for a second(half)rear slid and was fun.Was showered with small chip from the car in front of me as they thought be fun to hit the gas at end of new seal,luckily I was 10mts behind,passed them then my turn to repay them at next reseal area hehe.

**Flynn** · 21st November 2009, 06:59

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Any signs advising loose chips?If not remind the council of their contractors duty to inform road users of hazards.There has been a bit of resealing out of Dannevirke,and mostly swept and on straight roads,but signs and speed limit signs warn,and with a visor full of bugs I managed to grab the gas and for a second(half)rear slid and was fun.Was showered with small chip from the car in front of me as they thought be fun to hit the gas at end of new seal,luckily I was 10mts behind,passed them then my turn to repay them at next reseal area hehe.

Coming to think of it, it was resealed when the street was done up about a year ago, the loose chip was about a foot wide against the gutter! Bad luck and to much throttle the problem I say. I've ridden in and out twice daily for 365 odd days and no worries

**ynot slow** · 21st November 2009, 07:01

Originally Posted by bogan

shit, sparkles is having a bad run of it. Keep us posted with how hes doing, hope its a speedy recovery with not too many scars and shit.

Had a work mate fall off his excessively powerfull CT110 when I worked on a MAF research station years ago,he had overalls on,boots(luckilly not his redbands)managed to crash on a race(after another guy had graded it)was pulling out gravel for a while,and he reckoned he was going 30-40km max,luckilly he also had work gloves on,usually hardly ever used them,saved his hands.

**NZsarge** · 21st November 2009, 09:10

Keep the updates on Sparkles coming.
I dunno, perhaps we need to get a bit more structure back into FNR's...
ie:
Head count before we leave so we are all aware of how many riders are on the ride.

Reiterate that at the beginning of each FNR that rider should ride their own pace and not be drawn into riding at an uncomfortable level.

TEC and make sure everyone is aware of the route before we head off and should NOT be concerned if they are riding at a slower pace and worry about holding things up, short social ride, not need to rush.

Any other things? I'm sure there will be plenty of points i've missed.

This year FNR's have gotten off to a pretty soft start what with the weather and all, the number of riders have'nt as yet been what we were seeing last season but i'm picking once summer starts proper we'll see a few more turning up Friday's.
I know being a social ride we don't really want to get all bogged down in rules and such but I don't think a little planning and structure would go a miss.

**cowboyz** · 21st November 2009, 09:28

on ya sarge.

It is well known (or should be) how disapproving I am of feeling the need to babysit on rides. Every bike comes equip with its own throttle (hondas debateable) and rider.

More FMS!!!!!!!!!

Less FFS!!!!!!!!!

**specter** · 21st November 2009, 09:59

Originally Posted by cowboyz

It is well known (or should be) how disapproving I am of feeling the need to babysit on rides.

it shouldnt be a problem for u cowboyz koz you never riding

(riding to work doesnt count)

should be attending this fridays ride now tht im no longer bogged down with work and exams

**specter** · 21st November 2009, 10:05

will keep you posted when sparks gets dismissed frm hospital. going to visit him at 2

**Flynn** · 21st November 2009, 10:15

Originally Posted by NZsarge

Keep the updates on Sparkles coming.
I dunno, perhaps we need to get a bit more structure back into FNR's...
ie:
Head count before we leave so we are all aware of how many riders are on the ride.

Reiterate that at the beginning of each FNR that rider should ride their own pace and not be drawn into riding at an uncomfortable level.

TEC and make sure everyone is aware of the route before we head off and should NOT be concerned if they are riding at a slower pace and worry about holding things up, short social ride, not need to rush.

Any other things? I'm sure there will be plenty of points i've missed.

This year FNR's have gotten off to a pretty soft start what with the weather and all, the number of riders have'nt as yet been what we were seeing last season but i'm picking once summer starts proper we'll see a few more turning up Friday's.
I know being a social ride we don't really want to get all bogged down in rules and such but I don't think a little planning and structure would go a miss.

Originally Posted by cowboyz

on ya sarge.

It is well known (or should be) how disapproving I am of feeling the need to babysit on rides. Every bike comes equip with its own throttle (hondas debateable) and rider.

More FMS!!!!!!!!!

Less FFS!!!!!!!!!

Sadly I'm with you both on this one, I don't see the need to be a bit hero, cause as we all know there is no such thing as a dead hero.

I have no problem being passed or riding at the back, we'll all get there eventually if we ride to our skill level, but sadly I suppose, It will get to the stage were we'll say certain people should stay away till they get there head around how lethal there things can be if throttle is engaged and not brain.

Rant over and out! I know I'm in the trade, but no need so young

**bogan** · 21st November 2009, 10:20

Originally Posted by NZsarge

Keep the updates on Sparkles coming.
I dunno, perhaps we need to get a bit more structure back into FNR's...
ie:
Head count before we leave so we are all aware of how many riders are on the ride.

Reiterate that at the beginning of each FNR that rider should ride their own pace and not be drawn into riding at an uncomfortable level.

TEC and make sure everyone is aware of the route before we head off and should NOT be concerned if they are riding at a slower pace and worry about holding things up, short social ride, not need to rush.

Any other things? I'm sure there will be plenty of points i've missed.

This year FNR's have gotten off to a pretty soft start what with the weather and all, the number of riders have'nt as yet been what we were seeing last season but i'm picking once summer starts proper we'll see a few more turning up Friday's.
I know being a social ride we don't really want to get all bogged down in rules and such but I don't think a little planning and structure would go a miss.

yeh, tbh i was a bit surprised at the lack of structure on the first fnr i went to (only been to one so far cos ive been a bit busy with vannage since then), in saying that though, it always comes down to every rider should just ride their own ride; perhaps why I got left well behind on the vinegar hill run

**specter** · 21st November 2009, 10:50

i think fnr are just fine as they are....
its just stupid decisions on unfavourable road conditions letting us down, just need to keep vigilant and ride at your level (not cowboyz's)