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

[bogan]

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so got a Concussion so cant remember how i crash ,how what or why and lots of scrapes

going to take it very easy for the next 5 days!!!!!!!

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good to hear you're ok man. I had a concussion a few years ago, never got the memory of what happened back, taking it easy for next few days def a good idea. If you need any help fixing the rg or anything just let us know.

[ynot slow]

FNR rides are good,as said catering for all levels,and sometimes following experienced guys /girls helps each one of us,hell on Friday I didn't know I could lean so far,wasn't a fast corner,but standard 65km(usually take them at 80km or so 2 up)this time decided 100km and no problems,basically the saying more miles equals more fun/experience imho anyway.The main problem is shingle or unpredictable happenings.

My first big ride was when the Manawatu crowd did the Palmy-Whanga-Palmy loop a couple of years ago,and being relatively knew to riding again,was passed by all,didn't worry me,as we all caught up at stops for photos etc,and eventually the pub.End of the day just cause someone passes you,you don't need to try to keep up if you feel unsafe for whatever reason,sure is good to watch the lines until they dissapear.

[manwithav8]

Sounds like a good idea. I was thinking about setting up a learner ride next weekend. weather dependant. You want to team up? A more frequent ride during the week could be a good idea.

To ride as good as you cowboyz, do we all need to have a green bike? I have a spare $500 so might be able to pick one up the same.

Will you teach me?

[mowgli]

I don't think its necessarily being passed and trying to keep up. Over confidence is more insideous than that.

As you become confident you take corners a little faster, lean a little further and because it works you get suckered into believing you're better than you are. Trouble is that while your experience of riding "when its working" grows quickly, the experience needed to deal with the unexpected omes much slower.

I learnt a painful lesson on the VTR when everything seemed to be working mint, confidence was brimming over. All it took was a simple distraction (imagined as it turned out) at a critical moment and then by the time I looked back I didn't have the experience to deal with what I saw. I failed to take the corner because I froze, panic braked and failed to corner at all.

It makes complete sense to me now. I wish I'd had that insight before I'd set out that day

[mowgli]

To ride as good as you cowboyz, do we all need to have a green bike? I have a spare $500 so might be able to pick one up the same.

Crikey $500!! Are you buying two?

[manwithav8]

FNR rides are good,as said catering for all levels,and sometimes following experienced guys /girls helps each one of us,hell on Friday I didn't know I could lean so far,wasn't a fast corner,but standard 65km(usually take them at 80km or so 2 up)this time decided 100km and no problems,basically the saying more miles equals more fun/experience imho anyway.The main problem is shingle or unpredictable happenings.

My first big ride was when the Manawatu crowd did the Palmy-Whanga-Palmy loop a couple of years ago,and being relatively knew to riding again,was passed by all,didn't worry me,as we all caught up at stops for photos etc,and eventually the pub.End of the day just cause someone passes you,you don't need to try to keep up if you feel unsafe for whatever reason,sure is good to watch the lines until they dissapear.

I remember that ride Tony, that was my longest ride not long after I got the Monster. I remember the Tar being melted that bad I was sliping and sliding all over the show. Very hto day that was, had to drop my pants to the ankles to allow air flow to the important parts whilst downing a bbq sausage or two. great day that was.

[manwithav8]

Crikey $500!! Are you buying two?

The thought did cross my mind. That way the Mrs could have a learner bike to gain valuable knowledge and skills on. Being green and 900cc is perfect for the learner. Can't have them learning on something to powerful now can we.

The other option was a honda but they come in gay colours like "two tone sapphire"

[ynot slow]

I remember that ride Tony, that was my longest ride not long after I got the Monster. I remember the Tar being melted that bad I was sliping and sliding all over the show. Very hto day that was, had to drop my pants to the ankles to allow air flow to the important parts whilst downing a bbq sausage or two. great day that was.

Must do it again,thinking go reverse way and stay at pub or Tahora,that way after a few beers it's a relatively easy ride home if hungover.

[ynot slow]

The thought did cross my mind. That way the Mrs could have a learner bike to gain valuable knowledge and skills on. Being green and 900cc is perfect for the learner. Can't have them learning on something to powerful now can we.

The other option was a honda but they come in gay colours like "two tone sapphire"

Mind you kwakas are really well trained,they don't kick the walls or partitions in floats unlike other goods transported that way.Mind you 140000km speaks volumes,most others will be dead by then.

[cowboyz]

To ride as good as you cowboyz, do we all need to have a green bike? I have a spare $500 so might be able to pick one up the same.

Will you teach me?

justto be clear, all piss taking aside! Yes I am confident on my bike, but there are plenty of manawatu riders who will leave me in their wake any given chance. Ive seen Dogs, 86, Sarge etc disappear into the distance. It all comes down to the realisation that you are enjoying what your doing because your doing it your way. Not someone elses!

[fresh trax]

FNR is meant to be a cruisy chill out at the end of the week. Everyone taking it easy and riding within their comfort zone. That's great and the two FNR's I've done were mint.

What I'm talking about is something more structured around learners and low experience riders. I went on a few of these in Wellington and once I got over myself I gained a lot from listening and following the advice on offer. Each ride started with a rider brief covering specific rider skills appropriate to the route. There were regular stops where the riders were shuffled so that everyone got to follow the lines of the more experienced lead. It was never fast - not even a bit. There was a huge focus on technique in the approach to corners. Hazard identification was often discussed.

I'm not talking about singling out the noobs. Noobs should still do FNR. Rather I'm suggesting a separate ride where being a noob is expected and where the active focus is on learning rather than chilling out.

Ive been going out on a Tuesday night with a couple of riders who are helping me with my new bike to gain expereince and learn a few things and we are looking at doing that on a regular basis. Will post up if we are doing it on Tuesday

[Flynn]

good one Leonie, I was worried you weren't getting out on that beast of yours, glad to hear.

[Meanie]

Pleased to hear your ok sparkles. I think youll be the first to admit youve had a couple of unneccesary offs lately. Nobody means to fall off, it happens to the best of us but it is very important to learn by the mistakes made and not do the same again. A wise man once said "only a fool makes the same mistake twice".
The friday night rides are generaly non structured, which is a good way to have it IMO
However i think a little more informative would be good, especialy for newcomers
These are my suggestions

• Keep everyone informed of where the ride is going and where we are stopping for refreshments
• If you organise the ride before friday night. Post it and the details (no excuse for anyone not knowing then)
• If the ride is organised on the night, whoever suggests the route needs to make an informative speech, detailing the route and refreshment stop before the ride leaves
• If someone wants to go TEC then they need to inform the group before it leaves

Hopefully if we all are informed there will be no need for those who dont know where we are going to be compelled to try keep up when they are not capable

Lets keep it simple, enjoyable and safe

[Monamie]

Back on the positives. An awesome ride last night. Great company comfortable pace. Apiti tavern gave us a pretty good deal, juicy scallops. Any newer riders would have found it quick but then we usually always have a few slower riders at the rear with a TEC. With the exception of Monamie it was pretty much a Friday night boys ride. Kudos to Flynn for his good work. I like the idea of some weekend or weeknight slow rides, need to promote though.

Someone had to keep you guys honest!

Pleased you are ok Sparkles-take it easy boy!

Yep to Sarge and Meanie-FNR is for all levels and a good wind down from the week-basic group ride rules should be applied. (Respect your fellow riders, ride your own ride, know where you are going and have a TEC so no one is left behind to get lost.....the rest is up to the individual).

[Flynn]

Someone had to keep you guys honest!

Pleased you are ok Sparkles-take it easy boy!

Yep to Sarge and Meanie-FNR is for all levels and a good wind down from the week-basic group ride rules should be applied. (Respect your fellow riders, ride your own ride, know where you are going and have a TEC so no one is left behind to get lost.....the rest is up to the individual).

Exxaacckkery