Learner - Newbie Friendly Ride

[Stoneville]

the bloke that lives on the road that went around before maccas last night, came up to me this morning and started telling me about all the noise that he had to put up with last night, planes going overhead then bikes, he said he looked out the window just as the last one went past, then another plane went overhead. I laughed and told him it was us then apologised for the noise he said seeing it was us it was okay


On a not so light note, I have had a couple of peeps talk to me about last night, being up in front I rely on you guys to "sort" yourselves out

We had 3 learners last night, I'm counting both RE & R as they are all new to the bike they are riding, along with a few new riders, now this is the group we are catering for, so what can you do to help yourselves.

There is a sticky in the "Loop" section that has the basics for our rides. We are all going to the same place why do we need to beat anyone? Leave a couple of seconds gap, you should be able to move to wherever you want, I don't want the new riders to have to worry about sticking their legs out to say they are moving in the lane, you might do this on other rides but not on these rides. If you have the correct gap you should not have to worry about the people behind you, only the one in front, they slow down, you slow down, simple isn't it

We have a good group and average 24 riders, it is only the last couple of rides that seem to be getting a little out of shape.

Next weeks ride (west and north) will take in some of the roads we rode after Borat, so that means a few roundabouts peeps, so the gap will be even more important.

c u tomorrow

[Ajax]

Its all about the position and angle of the leg.

Bent Right Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the right = moving over to the right side of the lane
Bent Left Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the left = moving over to the left side of the lane

Leg Straight Down - Toe skywards = Obstacle on the road

Standing up on the pegs - swinging your leg from front to back = Dog on the road get ready to kick it

Knee out - Tap side of the leg = Pull up along side the rider

Hand out to the side - up/down movement = Slow down nasty corner coming up

Index finger pointing skywards, hand swirling motion, - 5 fingers spread out - Close fist pull down = ** cue Arnie voice ** Get to the chopper 5 minutes GO!!

Note: i just make this shit up dont listen to me.

[tigerleo]

Its all about the position and angle of the leg.

Bent Right Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the right = moving over to the right side of the lane
Bent Left Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the left = moving over to the left side of the lane

Leg Straight Down - Toe skywards = Obstacle on the road

Standing up on the pegs - swinging your leg from front to back = Dog on the road get ready to kick it

Knee out - Tap side of the leg = Pull up along side the rider

Hand out to the side - up/down movement = Slow down nasty corner coming up

Index finger pointing skywards, hand swirling motion, - 5 fingers spread out - Close fist pull down = ** cue Arnie voice ** Get to the chopper 5 minutes GO!!

Note: i just make this shit up dont listen to me.
[/b]

Exactly as to how confusing it becomes - use your indicators if you wish to change lanes/position. When learning to ride, is anyone taught to throw the leg out to change lanes to pass their test? No. Don't confuse people - especially on a Newbie ride - that is just confusing shit sticking you leg out especially when people view it as a warning there is crap on the road...

As Sandra stated, remember: Learner rides are not a race! So, no need to try to overtake, double up on corners or bunch up - if you want to 'race' then try another posted run (or non posted run) - DO NOT SPOIL IT FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING AT GOING ON AN ORGANISED SPEED RESTRICTED RIDE!

Remember - DO NOT BUNCH UP - this is when accidents can happen to YOU and EVERYONE around you. Leave a gap so you do not 'target fixate' on the person in front and practice SAFE riding principles - more so in twilight conditions. If you do not want to ride like this then do not join in on group rides - especially Learner/Newbie rides.

I have not participated on these rides but read every thread about them - it is evident from each post that there are riders who do not obey basic group ride principles and therefore spoil it for the others.. LISTEN, LEARN and stop fucking it up for the other riders around you if you want to ride like a selfish, thoughtless git.

[Teenie]

I always love coming on these rides but I had to say that this was the most dangerous ride I have expeirenced to date.

I had Bad Kitty cut me off so many times I then spent the first half of the ride trying to get away from her before she hit my bike. Then I had the problem that she was SOOOO far up my arse that when I tried to change my lane position from the left hand to the right to avoid a cyclist I could not move and then no matter how obvious I made it she would not let me in.

I should not have this problem - you should be able to move from the left to the right if required - say cyclist, something on the road, or having to avoid car parked on the side of road. You do not have to indicate to change lane position on your test or in everyday riding other than when the lane is wider than 1.5m - so why should you in these rides - indicating confuses people. The problem would have been solved if people left enough distance from the person in front.

I am a learner - I am not experienced enough - you want to ride up my bum then you are the idiot!

These are learner rides - you want to ride crazy then please do that on your own and please respect those who would like to learn how to ride and give them some room!!!!


Thank you Stoneville for a fanastic Route - To HIHO for shadowing us and to Goose - hope your bike got home okay. Thanks To Ajax for making me laugh and to Kilma for being a bully to me as always!!!

I look forward to the next ride and hopefully we can sort some of these issues out and have some awsome rides.

Love always!!!!

[Uncle Ho]

I could not move and then no matter how obvious I made it she would not let me in.

[/b]

Boot to the side of the bike always works...

No seriously though there should be a 2 second gap to the bike in front, even if they are on the opposite track in the same lane. There is absolutely no need to ride up next to someone unless it is a safety issue and you need to get their attention and have them pull over...

Doesn't matter if this is Stoneville's ride or Warpies.... someone will get seriously hurt if the practice keeps up .... unfortunately just a matter of time...

[BadKitty]

I had Bad Kitty cut me off so many times I then spent the first half of the ride trying to get away from her before she hit my bike. Then I had the problem that she was SOOOO far up my arse that when I tried to change my lane position from the left hand to the right to avoid a cyclist I could not move and then no matter how obvious I made it she would not let me in.
[/b]

Wow im actually surprised by that considering how many times i let you and ben in.My bad. it was kinda hard to tell if you want to change lane position because you and ben spent the entire night hand signalling stuff i wasnt sure what the fuck was going on. Just a simple indicator for a second will do. As for cutting you off Im confused as to how I can do that if Im behind you the whole time? Maybe we all just got a little too excited on that run. Ill be more attentive to your needs in future then. And honey, i was no where near you to hit you....even im not that stupid. I was trying to keep staggered but like I said that was difficult with people continuously moving from one side of the lane to the other. Guess that explains you ignoring brendan and I when we said goodbye though! LOL

[sabre1]

Its all about the position and angle of the leg.

Bent Right Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the right = moving over to the right side of the lane
Bent Left Leg, behind your body - Toe pointing to the left = moving over to the left side of the lane

Leg Straight Down - Toe skywards = Obstacle on the road

Standing up on the pegs - swinging your leg from front to back = Dog on the road get ready to kick it

[/b]

Simply using your indicaters is easier even if you are just changing position in the lane your in.

Standing up on pegs not a good idea seeing we are catering for NEW riders and secondly it is seen in the eyes of our esteemed people in blue to be illegal as you do not have full control of the bike.

KISS ever heard of it Keep It Simple Stupid.

And Justine before you start to bag someone else look in the mirror your riding wasnt any better either.

Me thinks a walkthru of things before we set off might be in order and then perhaps at the end of the ride a small talk on the abilities of some people.

There is a thing called group ride ettiquette which I think it is time YOU ALL started to learn.

Sorry I hate getting up and going off at people but when they point at others and rant when they stuff up themselves I cant help myself.

If you are unsure of what you are supposed to do there is usually a few of us seasoned riders you can ask , We cant see everything that is going on.

If you would like tyhe benefit of an experienced person to watch you and inform you of what you can do to better yourself as a rider feel free to ask.

so in basic form there is a minority of you on these rides that have the common sense needed to become experienced riders while the rest get the label "temporary Australian".

Running red lights cutting in front of cars with no indication cutting of other bike riders trying to prove you can go faster on a 250 than a litre bike isnt using common sense.

Stonneville does these rides to help you people to learn the shadows that attend do so the same they are there for you inexperienced people to ask questions of and get advice from sooo when advice is given to you try and digest it and learn from it and if you have a problem with another persons riding talk to them then and there to sort out the problem IF any.

If you people learn from this it will make other rides you attend better due to the knowledge you might learn

[Madkat]

I should not have this problem - you should be able to move from the left to the right if required - say cyclist, something on the road, or having to avoid car parked on the side of road. You do not have to indicate to change lane position on your test or in everyday riding other than when the lane is wider than 1.5m - [/b]

Wow, Thats bad... BAD Kitty, Just kidding...

I was not there i missed out.. but it's hard riding in a group sometimes.. however if you read your Drivers Hand book better it does say that in a single lane road you are required to indercate your intentions including moving from one side of the lane to the other...

and the Law states that you MUST intercate your intentions when deviating your path more than 1 meter.. that means any movement even merging lanes..

Most bikes are around 2 meters long nose to tail..

[flyingsquirrel]

agreed with murdoch.

I was behind BK the whole ride and dont remember any time Jstine or ben were behind us. So i dont think it would have been possible for us to cut you off. although i do remember justine overtaking a car in the right lane on its left. braking in font of it. then trying to cut back into the group who was sitting in the right hand turning lanes leaving leach onto tudor ave for the river run. Didnt really want to mention it but thought it was quite dangerous. Maybe you should concentrate on your own riding more instead of everyone around you all the time. Having said that it is a learner/newbie ride and I hope we all learnt something from thursdays ride.

[Teenie]

This all happened at the start of the right - right before I got away and in front of Bad Kitty. Before the point where everone was swearing at the cager.

I have never said I am a good rider and the reason I come on these rides is to learn.

I had not previously mentioned Bad Kitty and had kept my mouth shut until she pinger pointed at Ben. That is when I also needed to speak up because Sabre1 I agree - someone shouldnt start pointing fingers until they look at their own riding.

I am happy to look at my own riding and am open to comments suggestions and pointers from anyone - anyone who knows me on these rides knows I ask lots of questions and like to learn from anyone who is willing to teach. I did some stupid riding on that ride at one stage - which is why I was upset because I hated the situation I was put in at the time and the way I handled it.

What happened in the lead up to that doesnt really matter - those that need to know do know. And I tried to speak to those and did do a public apology to those I over took at that moment at HJ's. If I over took and you didnt hear that apology here is another one "I'M SORRY". But the thing is I was aware of what I did - and I learnt from it! Some others are cleary not aware of their own riding and what effect their actions had on others.

Bad Kitty - it just happened to be that on the night you were near me and these things happened. It is all a learning expeirence and I learnt from it. Hopefully everyone has learnt from this and we can all enjoy the next ride together.

[BadKitty]

justine i wasnt saying im a perfect rider either and i wasnt attacking ben...i was just pointing out that it was a concern of mine....He didnt seem to have an issue so why should you? ...anyways thats irrelevant..

next time you have an issue with my riding come say it to my face and i will do likewise to you...

[Stoneville]

What we will have to contend with in the next few months is DLS ( ) there will be more cyclists, cars and people in general out and about.

Leave the space, enjoy the ride, met new people, see new roads, but sorry








eat the same food

[Machast]

I am happy to look at my own riding and am open to comments[/b]

you riding sucks

suggestions
[/b]

why don't you ride less sucky?

pointers...
[/b]

try to think of ways you can make your riding suck less.


hope this helps













jokes as always

[Teenie]

Machast I love you too!!!!!

But "What have you done for me lately?"

[Madkat]

We need to pod cast this..

It's better than Days of Our Lives.. (IS that still Running) hahahaha

all kidding aside... This is ment to be a fun think to do... I've read all 3 pages of this thread and it's getting less and less like fun. We have ALL been bad rider's no matter how good you think you are there's allways someone better out there...

Just remember to Have fun.. If you don't want to be next to someone move...

And let's all have fun riding together before this small shit turns into big shit and Stoneville starts to get the shits with it all.

[FJ Steve]

We need to pod cast this..

It's better than Days of Our Lives.. (IS that still Running) hahahaha

all kidding aside... This is ment to be a fun think to do... I've read all 3 pages of this thread and it's getting less and less like fun. We have ALL been bad rider's no matter how good you think you are there's allways someone better out there...

Just remember to Have fun.. If you don't want to be next to someone move...

And let's all have fun riding together before this small shit turns into big shit and Stoneville starts to get the shits with it all.
[/b]

+1 ^^^WHS^^^

[Ajax]

Machast I love you too!!!!!

But "What have you done for me lately?"
[/b]

Ughhh Okay.

LOL!!! Perfect timing there Justine.

Oh and to all those that are considering taking my post serious. DONT. Its a joke.

From the people i have talked to about using signals on the learner rides. General consences was that it is best not to use signals when changing lane positions, foot signals or indicators. There should be enough room for you to move around in your lane once you do a head check. If you do plan to use foot signals or something you can, but dont expect people to adhere to them. Not everyone knows what they are and not everyone uses them.

[MuNch]

[Machast]

There should be enough room for you to move around in your lane once you do a head check.
[/b]

plus, can I add - unless its an emergency swerve, move across your lane SLOWLY so ppl can see what you're doing and adjust their speed to acommodate. If I must change position, I always take a few seconds to do it, rather than just plonking myself in front of someone, and no one's ever complained about me cutting them off.

[Madkat]

DONT. Its a joke.

From the people i have talked to about using signals on the learner rides. General consences was that it is best not to use signals when changing lane positions[/b]

I know you said it was a joke.. but can i just say...

I think it is BEST that signals get used AT ALL TIMES..

i'm sure i mentioned it in another Thread.. Indercators aren't there so you know where your going .. there so everyone esle around you know's where your going...

I ride everyday to worlk rain hail and HOT Sun.. and all to often riders just swap lanes without signaling.. i pulled upi next to a Squid once and mentioned that his indercators might have blown a fuse cause he fail to indercat for about 10 K's.. and got abused and told not to tell other's how to ride.. Fair call.

But for a Newbie ride saying don't use them is just breading more and more bad habbits in the newer generation of Riders..

it's like saying you only need to do the right thing till you get your licence then you can do what ever you want.. Wrong..

Anyways..

thats just my opinion and it's not for everyone