Wednesday Evening Cruises 2008-09

[dangerous]

At the carpark we’ll ask that riders who would like some one on one help will be asked to put their hands up and we’ll ask some of the more experienced riders to provide that help. Please don’t be shy. This is an excellent opportunity.

All good shit man.. expect for the above quoted, whos to say who is 'more experienced' or more so can actually give correct advice?
I can think of only 2 regulars that I would put my trust in as far as decent riding advice goes.

[phoenixgtr]

Yep, I know your point D. The help I have in mind is simply just watching the rider and letting them know how they're getting on. I think alot of us can recognise where a new rider is going wrong. We've all been there. Obviously advanced riding skills or whatever aren't really going to work.

[Flip]

All fine with me. I will just putter along at the back. Don't often give out any advice not unless it is really called for and then its not re-printable. I'm just happy to have the wind in my wiskers and give the cobwebs a blow out. I actually have quite enjoyed riding with this group, its a pitty it breaks up simply cause a few riders need to get a lot more miles under their belts. Its a lesson we have all had to learn the hard way that the road is a harsh mistress.
Is there a run planed for the next 2 weeks. My wife has to work the night of the 24th and I'm relatively free?

[_Shrek_]

Right, last week a lot of the “regulars” gathered to discuss what’s been happening on these rides and the direction we want them to go. We’re not quite ready to give up yet!! Anyway, collectively we’ve decided to make some changes to make the rides more enjoyable and safer for everyone.

1. The Duvauchelles Crew
IF YOU STAY AT THE CARPARK PAST 6.20 THEN BE PREPARED TO MEET THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, THEN LEAVE.

2. Rider Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each and every rider to ride safely and within their abilities. If any rider acts in a dangerous manner then they will be asked to leave. Remember, you not only put yourself at danger but also the other riders and the general public. If you do not understand this then do not come.

3. Rider Assistance

4. Leader
The cruisy group will have a lead rider appointed each week.
5. Tail End Charlie
A TEC will also be determined as a safety measure.

: phoenixgtr & others who put this together

[Dave-]

I think I worked it out.

I just had an epiphany

no I just did a big circle....so here's what I think is right.

I'm starting to see what D is getting at, it takes years of experience or study to teach primary school kids (doesn't it wet?) and as such only a few are experienced enough to pick up on the subtleties of someones riding style, see the error and answer properly.

For example I had a problem with my rear wheel bouncing on corrugations on the inside of corners, and got 3 answers from a variety of riders.

1, try applying the rear brake (very very very very very very lightly)

2, try suspension setup

3, slow down, try riding around them.

only I was able to work out which one worked (it was number 3) and in doing so I also learnt to not use the road as a race track and allow for a margin should I come around the corner and find carrots or handles of carpentry files.

I dunno if 1on1 will work because of what D said, would someone who isn't a trained instructor notice that the rider they're watching is riding on the corrugations?

I'm confused, how did I survive? if every new learner is such a dumb ass that they immediately try and replicate everything they see am I not dead? I don't copy everything I see, am I special? my head hurts, I've spent about an hour now trying to work this out.

where are we going this week (I believe pre defined routes were agreed upon?)

[karla]

I think I worked it out.

I just had an epiphany

/me thinks Dave is clever

I was thinking last night also, that it is up to the newcomer to be discerning - to take what he likes and to leave the rest. All anyone has to do is ask how long someone has been riding and they will be able to work out if that person has more experience than them (or maybe how many miles on the clock they have).

We don't interact in isolation here, and no one person is responsible - however we are all responsible for ourselves, newcomer or not.

I haven't been riding for long, but even with my few miles up, I was able to suggest to someone the other day that if they don't stay in formation and ride in harmony with the group, a fairly inexperienced person like me could put them in danger, as I am expecting more (he was flitting around like a sparrow in the middle of the pack).

It is like a Christmas present - it is our job to give the gift, but it is not our job to receive it. If he listens, all and well - if not, and he chooses to continue using all the road without thinking about others around him, then he will eventually learn the hard way, either because others won't ride with him or he will have an accident.

As Dave says, I listen and I use what suggestions I get until I find what works for me. We all have our own riding styles.

/me stands down again ...

[Wet]

I Got my qualifications from the University of Petrol and Diamond Exploitation (Angola) majored in -child interrogation.

[JMemonic]

I think I worked it out.

I just had an epiphany

no I just did a big circle....so here's what I think is right.

Gee I hope that did not hurt, it sounds painful, well it would be for some.

I'm starting to see what D is getting at, it takes years of experience or study to teach primary school kids (doesn't it wet?) and as such only a few are experienced enough to pick up on the subtleties of someones riding style, see the error and answer properly.

Yes and no, take your flatmate for example, he has many Km's as under his belt, and thus is able to give valid examples and reasons why he is still upright and the methods he has learnt and used to survive, anyone can teach given the tools and knowledge hence why our teachers spend time in training (that and to ensure they are safe to be dealing with kiddies).

There is not always one right answer, but several that can be right eg.

For example I had a problem with my rear wheel bouncing on corrugations on the inside of corners, and got 3 answers from a variety of riders.

1, try applying the rear brake (very very very very very very lightly)

2, try suspension setup

3, slow down, try riding around them.

only I was able to work out which one worked (it was number 3) and in doing so I also learnt to not use the road as a race track and allow for a margin should I come around the corner and find carrots or handles of carpentry files.

All of these are valid answers to your question when applied in order if #2 is done first and you are still having issues and are in a position where having the problem then use #1 to get you out of the rough, essentially putting you into #3.

However if you don't go in hard as if the road is a race track and try taking smooth lines, using a completely different skill set to the track riders apex etc you will find you are quick around the bends and safe, which is your final point. Congrats guess what you are able to do, teach those points to someone with less riding experience than you, and that could be a returning biker who has more Km's under their belt but has been off a bike for years and forgotten the basics, seen the super GP and gotten all excited.

I dunno if 1on1 will work because of what D said, would someone who isn't a trained instructor notice that the rider they're watching is riding on the corrugations?

See above

I'm confused, how did I survive? if every new learner is such a dumb ass that they immediately try and replicate everything they see am I not dead? I don't copy everything I see, am I special? my head hurts, I've spent about an hour now trying to work this out.

Learners are not completely silly, they lack the confidence to do everything they see and the brain goes umm nope don't think we can do that, they learn (hopefully) what they can and cant do.

[JMemonic]

I Got my qualifications from the University of Petrol and Diamond Exploitation (Angola) majored in -child interrogation.

Gee that's the advanced degree right, certainly more than some who I have had the misfortune to encounter in the past had.

[alley cat]

Is it necessary to create rules for peoples spare time?
Why a road captain? What does this acheive?

[JMemonic]

Is it necessary to create rules for peoples spare time?
Why a road captain? What does this acheive?

Sorry to say this but don't like it don't come.

It is an effort to attempt to get these rides back to what they were intended to be, not the race that some folks believe them to be, but a social ride that is safe as being on the road can be.

I guess you can not imagine how disheartening it is to suggest to someone hey come along on Wednesday night meet some folks and come for a ride to either have then tell you from the stories they have heard the is no way they would consider coming along, or to have someone turn up and be intimidated by some of the silly riding that has taken place, but then I guess I feel a little more strongly about this.

[imdying]

Is it necessary to create rules for peoples spare time?
Why a road captain? What does this acheive?

Because without rules and organisation you can't have legal liability Or is that culpability?

[Ducky848]

I've just got back to the office after 3hrs of pure bliss at Ruapuna on an open track.

Fast as I can without the worry of trees, cars, cops or stray sheep and just two other bikes.

Would be farkn cool to see more KB'ers using this fantastic resource and venture out there on a Tuesday morning for a few hours. Get it outta the system prior to wednesday.....

[JMemonic]

I've just got back to the office after 3hrs of pure bliss at Ruapuna on an open track.

Fast as I can without the worry of trees, cars, cops or stray sheep and just two other bikes.

Would be farkn cool to see more KB'ers using this fantastic resource and venture out there on a Tuesday morning for a few hours. Get it outta the system prior to wednesday.....

Sweet idea, but some just don't get it, or they have jobs that wont allow it .

[alley cat]

Sorry to say this but don't like it don't come.

ten four rubber ducky.