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

**dogsnbikes** · 28th January 2009, 19:26

Originally Posted by Meanie

You dirty dirt bikers

Well we have too be there's only room for one dirty dog

Oh I must concede defeat I was past twice this arvo by a lil women on a certain 225 yamaha

**Bonez** · 28th January 2009, 19:31

Originally Posted by cowboyz

The problem with second in line stopping is at the start of the ride the faster riders get out in front, where they should be keeping out of the way. If one stops to give directions that puts a fast rider at the back of the field. They then have to decide to ride at a pace they might not be comfortable riding or pass everyone. Problem..

Obvoiusly time for them to pull their heads in and realise it is a group ride. With no prizes for being first.

In saying that personnally I don't think many of us (those slow to moderate riders like myself) that do the ride mind being passed, if it's done in a safe manner.

**Meanie** · 28th January 2009, 19:49

Originally Posted by cowboyz

The problem with second in line stopping is at the start of the ride the faster riders get out in front, where they should be keeping out of the way. If one stops to give directions that puts a fast rider at the back of the field. They then have to decide to ride at a pace they might not be comfortable riding or pass everyone. Problem.

If you dont want to stop to give directions dont be no 2

The friday night rides are short enough and the routes are seldom complicated. Maybe we can put a bit more emphasis on where we are actually going. If a little attention is paid to ride speech then it shouldnt be hard to not get lost.(bearing in mind one has to know their left from their right).

You said it the other day no one listens to the speeches and clear instructions are not always given

From what I can see there are 2 problems.

1. riders are getting too disorgainised at stops and fast riders are heading away too late. If you are late on the bike then it goes that your ride is going to be slower than if you are right out front. Sure you can pass your way through the slower riders but are just going to have to concede that it is going to take a long time to get to the front. One thing I would like to see stopped all together is multipule bike passing manovouers. Especially at high speed.

2. Riders getting red mist and *having* to be at the front. The whole spirit of the fri night ride was to be a cruisy ride.

You had enough pies.

If the ride is a short ride and explained properly, no problems but these are Ashhurst rides where nothing goes to plan

**Bonez** · 28th January 2009, 20:08

Originally Posted by Meanie

If the ride is a short ride and explained properly, no problems but these are Ashhurst rides where nothing goes to plan

It would be nice too if the riders that have stopped to give directions take note when riders do come into veiw and direct

. It's not hard.

**yod** · 28th January 2009, 20:17

Originally Posted by cowboyz

One thing I would like to see stopped all together is multipule bike passing manovouers. Especially at high speed.

agreed, i don't have a problem being passed as long as i'm not getting my wing mirror shaved and it isn't on top of a corner

i don't have a problem with multiple bikes passing but if you're not the front bike you need to be DAMN sure there's enough room for it to be completed safely

Originally Posted by cowboyz

You had enough pies.

I'LL decide when I've had enough pies, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by Bonez

In saying that personnally I don't think many of us (those slow to moderate riders like myself) that do the ride mind being passed, if it's done in a safe manner.

exactly, there's a time and place, etc....

I'm not particularly interested in putting 'rules' out there as I'm sure most people aren't interested in being told where, when and how they should or shouldn't ride, especially when there's an open invitation for anyone and everyone to come along and we are all adults. I'd rather people took it on themselves to consider the consequences of decisions they make when they ride.

I have a perfect example from our trip down south; Meanie and I were heading up the hill out of Nelson on the last day. This is a sizeable hill and the section we were on was essentially nonstop twisties, mostly 35km and 45km corners with the odd short straight in between.
There was a reasonable amount of traffic. Meanie and I were passing where we could. After passing a few cars I came upon a Commodore who was stuck in a line of cars from arsehole to breakfast so was therefore going nowhere fast. As I nipped past between corners he decided that he was prepared to risk my life by accelerating in a childish attempt to prevent me from getting by.

This is what I'm talking about: think about it first, it doesn't take long, if it's a little bit risky then just don't bother. It just isn't worth it.

**Meanie** · 28th January 2009, 20:33

Clear route planning before the ride may solve a lot of problems
Put on this thread clear instructions and maybe a map with route shown for anything a little complicated
Then its up to the individual to ensure they know where to go

**86GSXR** · 28th January 2009, 20:39

Yes, I don't think that things should get too organised, it just creates confusion. One good ride speech at the beginning by whoever's idea that night's ride it is should be sufficient. Then it's up to the individual to know where they're going. I don't think any one has ever got lost yet have they?

Went to see Helen tonight. She's OK and said I could quote her. A dislocated hip which had just redislocated itself and a few bruises. She reckons she'll be walking with a limp in 3 weeks and back to relative normality in a few months.

She did indeed hit gravel which had apparantly bounced off the back of a road works truck. That really pisses me off as these clowns of 'roading' contracters just don't seem to give a shit about bikes. Whatever happened to sweeping and rolling down the loose stuff, as happened in the old days! She may be able to take it up with whoever is responsible for resurfacing the roads over there.

The bike apparantly has about 8K damage.

**Bonez** · 28th January 2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

Yes, I don't think that things should get too organised, it just creates confusion.

**yod** · 28th January 2009, 20:49

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

She did indeed hit gravel which had apparantly bounced off the back of a road works truck. That really pisses me off as these clowns of 'roading' contracters just don't seem to give a shit about bikes. Whatever happened to sweeping and rolling down the loose stuff, as happened in the old days! She may be able to take it up with whoever is responsible for the resurfacing the roads over there.

The bike apparantly has about 8K damage.

any idea where it happened?

**86GSXR** · 28th January 2009, 20:52

East of Pahiatua apparently, quite some way in on the Alfredton road.

**cowboyz** · 28th January 2009, 21:00

Originally Posted by yod

I'm not particularly interested in putting 'rules' out there as I'm sure most people aren't interested in being told where, when and how they should or shouldn't ride, especially when there's an open invitation for anyone and everyone to come along and we are all adults.

well mostly adults anyhow. Agreed, making rules and plans and the such takes away a bit from the ride. The Ashhurst rides have always been a bit haphazzard and no one really gets lost - much. Thats the charm. There is enough police around without making too many rules to stick by.

Originally Posted by Meanie

Clear route planning before the ride may solve a lot of problems
Put on this thread clear instructions and maybe a map with route shown for anything a little complicated
Then its up to the individual to ensure they know where to go

I am leaning towards the idea that come up several months ago and changing the ride to the friday night smart peoples ride. If you arent smart enough to listen and follow a few basic instructions then your probably not smart enough to be on the ride.

The original point was about considering others riding around you and if one of you consider a move safe and the other consider it dodgey then its dodgey.

**86GSXR** · 28th January 2009, 21:03

Yep, the onus is on the overtaking party. They need to consider the overtakee, and need to be several stages ahead of the game at all times during the manouevre.