Wellington Wednesday Night Cruisy Summer Rides -- 2008/09

**captain_andrey** · 25th December 2008, 13:24

Not so merry when you dont have a bike

**sinned** · 25th December 2008, 16:41

Merry Christmas
The earliest I will be back on the ride is 21 January 2009.

**GrayWolf** · 26th December 2008, 17:39

Originally Posted by James Deuce

I've put a lot of energy into helping out people with roadcraft over the years, but people don't want to learn roadcraft, they just want to ride over the Rimutakas as fast as possible,
There's no equivalent to RoSPA in NZ, because Transit/LTSA have deemed rider and driver training unsafe and don't want the Police to put time into rider or driver training as it promotes over-confident drivers/riders.

Hi James,
more of a question than response to your post. Understand fully about the roadcraft comment.
However, I know of BRoNZ, are there other groups that are lobby active in NZ? UK has MAG, or FEM for Europe. I am just pontificating a bit as with the current crop of adverts on TV extolling the virtue of buying a cage with electronic stability control. Maybe its time the old adage of training overconfident drivers/riders was challenged. Surely those new ads are simply going to produce a crop of drivers who are overconfident because the car will 'do it for me' I dont need to be skillful anymore.
I went through the time in the UK when Peter Bottomly attempted to legislate compulsary leg protectors on all Motorcycles. This was successfuly challenged and stopped. Are the Lobby groups here strong enough to issue a similar challenge?

**James Deuce** · 26th December 2008, 17:49

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

Hi James,
more of a question than response to your post. Understand fully about the roadcraft comment.
However, I know of BRoNZ, are there other groups that are lobby active in NZ? UK has MAG, or FEM for Europe. I am just pontificating a bit as with the current crop of adverts on TV extolling the virtue of buying a cage with electronic stability control. Maybe its time the old adage of training overconfident drivers/riders was challenged. Surely those new ads are simply going to produce a crop of drivers who are overconfident because the car will 'do it for me' I dont need to be skillful anymore.
I went through the time in the UK when Peter Bottomly attempted to legislate compulsary leg protectors on all Motorcycles. This was successfuly challenged and stopped. Are the Lobby groups here strong enough to issue a similar challenge?

Ixion is the man to talk to in regard to BRONZ activities. He's been writing some very challenging stuff for BRONZ that is being published in Kiwi Rider in BRONZ's monthly column. NZ has two challenges when it comes to attempting to challenge any Government edict:

1. Small population base overall and in regard to the "motorcycling public".
2. The "she'll be right" attitude that pervades our culture.

I think you're right, but I think we need to focus on attitude ahead of mechanical and physical skills. Developing a "sixth sense" is paramount to riding on the road and enjoying a long career at it.

**henry** · 26th December 2008, 18:14

Originally Posted by captain_andrey

Not so merry when you dont have a bike

OK, I'll bite. Where's your bike?

**captain_andrey** · 26th December 2008, 21:59

Originally Posted by henry

OK, I'll bite. Where's your bike?

Last I saw it, on the back of a tow truck. Lots of missing bits on it

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=88886

**Drogen Omen** · 30th December 2008, 16:27

Originally Posted by captain_andrey

Last I saw it, on the back of a tow truck. Lots of missing bits on it

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=88886

That sux mate... hope you get it sorted... how bad was the damage...?

I guess there is no ride planned for the rest of us tomorrow either...

**Filter_nz** · 30th December 2008, 19:19

Is this ride going to happen tomorrow being new years eve and all?

**rodimus** · 31st December 2008, 07:18

How about an earlier ride today? Perhaps Midday.

Surely most people will be doing other stuff by 6pm.

**Drogen Omen** · 31st December 2008, 08:39

Seems to be realy windy but its still sunny.

not sure about a big ride today though. its a bit late to plan for now.

**Bullitt** · 31st December 2008, 09:53

Im still down south. I see you all next week.

**_STAIN_** · 31st December 2008, 20:15

Good ride, Good company. Cheers

Wed. Ride 31-12-2008.....carnage Nil

**ZZR1100** · 1st January 2009, 22:04

Originally Posted by Hitcher

For the summer daylight saving period (from 28 September).

Rendezvous point: The Duck/Elephant Pond in Avalon Park, off Fairway Drive, Lower Hutt (map attached)

Arrive with a full tank of gas.

Assemble from 6:00pm

Depart at 6:30pm

These are informal easy-paced rides, ideal for learners and people new to Wellington to meet up and go riding.

The default ride is often over the Rimutakas to either the Tin Hut at Tauherenikau or the Red Pub in Featherston. But a final decision about destination is generally left to a group consensus prior to departure. Weather and road conditions on the Hill, combined with a Group Vibe, mean other destinations and routes are sometimes chosen.

There may be a couple of "practice" rides required prior to 28 September...

Well thanks I had my first wednesday ride and loved it even though only 3 of us were there it was alot of fun. Thanks guys made it worth while

**Drogen Omen** · 5th January 2009, 08:35

Well I'm back at work now and am keen for a ride this wednesday so hope to see you all there and i will try and drag along a friend for his first ride with the group.