Road not track people

**Lucy** · 9th January 2010, 23:15

Originally Posted by Ixion

I never had any problems with group rides.

Easy Tiger....

**Mrs Cowboyz** · 10th January 2010, 03:54

Dont know what the hell kind of group rides you have been on but in the four years I have been on the back of the bike I have been on group rides that have been held every friday night over summer and a few in between, we have only had two or three bins and they have been new people on the ride trying to prove themselves.
As someone said earlier any ride is fine as long as you know your limits and keep your ego at home!

**BiK3RChiK** · 10th January 2010, 06:44

I've been on group rides where I've only just met the people I'm riding with. And then I've been on group rides where I know the people I'm riding with....

Makes a difference, IMO. The psychology of the rides were completely different. With people I don't know, I felt like I have to keep up, but with my mates we all look out for each other. Very strange that...

Now I either ride by myself or with people I know.

**Nonbeliever** · 10th January 2010, 08:13

I only ride with a handfull of mates that are trustworthy and are of a similar pace to me.
the bike society is full of losers and tryhards that will get hurt if they run with us.

**boomer** · 10th January 2010, 08:17

Originally Posted by Nonbeliever

the bike society is full of losers and tryhards that will get hurt if they run with us.

Am i reading this correctly....!

fark some people know how to blow smoke up there own arses..

**scumdog** · 10th January 2010, 08:22

Originally Posted by boomer

Am i reading this correctly....!

fark some people know how to blow smoke up there own arses..

Learned from you I suspect!

**davebullet** · 10th January 2010, 08:23

I've only been on a few rides and had to fight the racing mentality. It's not about beating others, it's thinking "if he can ride that fast, so can I". What you find is you don't end up enjoying the ride as much, the more you push it.

I think newer riders need more than a TEC. They need some sort of pace setter. Get them riding slower than their comfortable pace and get them used to riding in a group first (learn that skill). It's not really a group ride if everyone is off blasting at their own pace anyway.

**YellowDog** · 10th January 2010, 08:37

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

group rides suck. its a wonder that none of the ones ive gone on have had an accident or worse.

i think it must be something to do with nz roads. when i was in canada, i met over 100 riders in the same club, and lived with one of the members. its been 4 years since ive seen any of them and in that time only 1 of their guys has died on his bike [and it was his own fault, either drunk or drugged. very dangerous guy who was credited with causing a couple of accidents. i wasnt sad to hear of his death.] 2 or 3 have died through suicide or just plain old age/ill health. the club is ontario based, and their roads are very similar to the south island, just wider and better quality/condition.
i wish i knew the answer.

I have been on group rides in Europe and also in the USA. Both have been very well organised and managed. There is an expected level of discipline and those who don't conform (within reason) are kicked off.

I have only been on one NZ group ride down to Piha almost 3 years ago. I was suprised that noone came off. Too many wanting to show off their bikes's capabilities and how great they thought they were. Watching idiots overtaking slow riders on tight bends and cutting in before sharp braking is not my of a group ride.

I would suggest the reason that organised events don't have so many accidents is because they are orgamised and managed with rules and regulations.

**oldguy** · 10th January 2010, 09:08

we all started out at one stage as newbies in a group ride, be it new to riding, or be it just riding with a new group its still the same.
normally the first few K's you get an idea of how the ride is going to go, this is where you have to make up your mined, if it is a fast pace, ( not talking ilegal speed )do you try keep up when your not comfortable, and if you are a fast rider do you show those that are at the front how fast and how good a rider you are.
Unfortunately its what some of us do to try fit in, as the ad. on tv goes ITs NOT OK to see someone ride out side there comfort zone and not say anything, don't wait and say ill flame them on KB tonight when I get home, because you maybe posting a different post
if that rider does not make it home.

**oldguy** · 10th January 2010, 09:27

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

For me the combination of offs, unfamiliar roads and atrocious sun strike meant there was no way I was going to outride my ability. The upshot of it was that although I enjoyed the company I will not be doing another one until my riding skills improve considerably.

You have got the skills, in that there sentence, hope to see you sometime.

**pritch** · 10th January 2010, 09:39

Originally Posted by davebullet

It's not really a group ride if everyone is off blasting at their own pace anyway.

Not sure about that, we used to have a few of those here and I enjoyed them. The fast guys go first so they don't have to pass anyone, and everybody goes ther own speed. There were usually nominated points where all and sundry regrouped.

Ulysses group rides have a simple set of rules. The speed may vary from branch to branch but generally the format is the same. To the best of my knowledge these have a good safety record. Certainly the local ones do.

Some of the local bike shops organise runs and these, while generally good, can get a bit loose. I haven't seen too many dramas, nor have I been hearing too many bad things. There was one ride that turned into something of a horror story though with maybe four bikes being written off or badly damaged? I wasn't there and, perhaps unsurprisingly, haven't been tempted since.

**2_SL0** · 10th January 2010, 09:58

Originally Posted by Marmoot

Just to clarify, that guy wasn't exactly part of the group.

Edit: Very good to see you today Bret. You do look like you-know-who.

Marmoot is correct,

The gentleman in question is not a KB member, he is an extremely experienced rider and was quite frankly caught out by the following:
Was trying to push out wide to see more clearly thru the corner, unfortunately he lost concentration for a moment got caught out on the loose gravel and went down. He is a new rider to NZ and most likely not use to the fact that the sides of the roads are covered in gravel. I know for a fact he wasnt going particularily fast as he was behind me and was easing off more than I was going into corners. (lol)
It is unfortunate but these sort of accidents do happen, he wasnt being a dick, just made a mistake, one I am sure everyone here has made, but may of got away with, he didn't. I blame the fact he was on a Honda as the reason ;-)