Learner Ride to Taupo (Saturday 11 Feb 2012)

[Maha]

Ok I found the tent/towel owner...clearly seen on Braedens bike in pic 1...
Its here at our house.
...and a Lordi shot.

[scorpio girl]

Poor Carmel, what a day!... dad reckons he even remembers you saying "I must remember to take my keys"

[Rehab]

Ok I found the tent/towel owner...clearly seen on Braedens bike in pic 1...
Its here at our house.

Ah, that would explain it. Thought it had gone the same way as that can of drink that went bouncing down the m'way. The towel's not mine though.

(Anyone else "accidently" leave stuff places so you've got an excuse to visit people? Although now I think about, it I have lost an awful lot of socks, undies and toothbrushes trying that - next visit lasts long enough to hear 'nah I threw it in the bin so fuck off')

And this one's for Dick - maybe look here...??

[newhere]

Ah, that would explain it. Thought it had gone the same way as that can of drink that went bouncing down the m'way. The towel's not mine though.

(Anyone else "accidently" leave stuff places so you've got an excuse to visit people? Although now I think about, it I have lost an awful lot of socks, undies and toothbrushes trying that - next visit lasts long enough to hear 'nah I threw it in the bin so fuck off')

And this one's for Dick - maybe look here...??

......if only I could blame it on the dog!!!

[Phreak]

I think the towel is chefs, you might wanna burn it if I know him at all!

[nzspokes]

Guess what just turned up at my place....

[Ntoxcated]

......if only I could blame it on the dog!!!

We have a cat named Skunk that I always blame it on

[Maha]

I think the towel is chefs, you might wanna burn it if I know him at all!

I could origami it into a chef like figure and we could burn it on the next ride.

Guess what just turned up at my place....

A bike?..A set of keys?...Braedens can of drink?

[Phreak]

Guess what just turned up at my place....

Lol did I get the delivery address for my new fairings wrong?

[OCD Legend]

(Anyone else "accidently" leave stuff places so you've got an excuse to visit people?)

The name CHEF springs to mind

[The Singing Chef]

I could origami it into a chef like figure and we could burn it on the next ride.



A bike?..A set of keys?...Braedens can of drink?

ha i think it is mine actually ... lol. will plan on coming up sometime soon

[Timmeh:P]

Thanks to Maha and Mom! Getting the new toy out for a play was a blast. Thanks Grant for leading the gang to Taupo and letting me ride your pride and joy!

Just a couple of observations I made during the trip.

Be more careful overtaking other vehicles!! Grant and I were a little shocked while following one of the groups back to Auckland - the whole group overtook on a blind crest!!! . There were other moments I spotted people overtaking in silly spots to make sure they were not left behind. Always plan your overtaking manoeuvres, don't rely on others to asses it for you.

The larger group format doesn't work well. I think it's better to keep groups of no more than 6 - 8. However if it is a large group riding together, would be best if less experienced riders were closer to the front of the group with experienced riders at the back.

I am not trying to single anyone out here, everyone should ride at there own pace and not feel pressured to ride past their limits.

I really enjoyed it! Thanks again for organising it, looking forward to the next one.

[MSTRS:Me]

Be more careful overtaking other vehicles!! Grant and I were a little shocked while following one of the groups back to Auckland - the whole group overtook on a blind crest!!! . There were other moments I spotted people overtaking in silly spots to make sure they were not left behind. Always plan your overtaking manoeuvres, don't rely on others to asses it for you.

The larger group format doesn't work well. I think it's better to keep groups of no more than 6 - 8. However if it is a large group riding together, would be best if less experienced riders were closer to the front of the group with experienced riders at the back.

*mentor hat on* as I am surprised to hear this of a trip that was designed for learners...and I know that Maha's rides of this nature are well run.

Yep. Learner riders should not be expected to keep up. The lead rider needs to set the pace based on the likely speed of the slowest rider. It is easiest to do that if the inexperienced are near the front where the leader can follow them in his/her mirrors. If the front of the group 'jumps' then the tail-enders should not feel forced to do so too, but rather wait for a better opportunity. After all, are they going to lose the leading group, who will either slow down a little to allow the catch-up, or will wait at a turnoff?

Pack riding is what you have described, and is best done on one's own.

[Maha]

I take those comments onboard...
I will lead the next ride (thats me and my group of pace setters)
I personally made a wrong call in letting someone lead a group that had never done that before...my fail on that.
And thats no judgement on the lead rider..theres more to leading a group ride than leading a group ride.
I will also limit the next ride to 21 so that each group will have 7 riders.
Each group will have a mix of rider ability/pace to consider.

I learned stuff on this ride for sure.

All power to Gremlin for leading the ride from Oko to Mercer...
For him to stay behind a truck tralier uniton the motorway sitting on 95kph, must have been difficult..
Morrinsville to Ohinewai was a real pleasure.

[yungatart]

It was great catching up with friends, old and new, on Saturday night.
Thanks for your hospitality people.