MAD Ride feedback

[browncow]

What Ben said..

Marshals aren't just in charge of leading they're in charge of the safety of heaps of riders on a variety of bikes with unknown skill levels...

The risks you'd take on the tamest lnr aren't even considered here..

Overall I enjoyed my MAD ride. I just hope most of you did too.

Sent from my mobile.

[Kiwi]

Well done! Another very well organised event.
No complaints here, we rode 250km's on Sat, so we could do the ride on Sun.

[darkfibre]

From an organizing perspective, the mad ride was perfect.
I turned up at the place stated in the advertising and was charged the fee that was advertised. Followed the instructions and parked accordingly. Perfectly organised from one end to the other. A great time meeting others at both ends of the ride.

As for the speed and road conditions, the ride (in my mind) was more of a procession than an exciting ride. (as expected for this undertaking).

A huge thankyou to those that made the effort to make this event such a success.

Without criticism, I must say I do like large fundraising rides to have and endless procession of bikes, not separated groups of 30-40 or so bikes.

and again
A huge thankyou to those that made the effort to make this event such a success.

[browncow]

I know what you're saying cliff, I too want to see 500 bikes in front and behind me in the Graham Farmer tunnel with only the roar of thousands of horsepowers in my ears, but unless we copy the toy run and go up the freeway or another two plus, no traffic lit road, the logistics can't happen.

It's not htat we don't want 1000 bikes in a row, it's that we just can't have 1000 bikes in a row...

[darkfibre]

Understood, and as I said Its not a criticism more wishful thinking

edit; and please don't discount the praise to all the volunteers that was intended in my post

[Barfridge]

In 2007 we had about 2500 bikes, and went as one big group. Then many people compained that the ride was crawling along, bikes were overheating, and traffic was stuck in sidestreets for well over an hour. So as brownclown said, unless we do a freeway run, it just isn't feasible. Also without a marshall in sight to follow, it's too easy to get lost.

[chance]

Not to write a novel but here are my views of the day.

Recieved a txt from Nik asking for assistance as some volunteers were unable to help at last minute (Friday i think). So with a reply and a smile I was in. Met Nik as the sun rose at about 6am on the day, shook hands with others and then the setup began. The weather was looking dismal but with constant I-phone surfing the weather new its place and avoided us.

From reading all the posts week prior to the event it was slightly dishearting to see only a handful of people on the morning there to help. Nik with her supervisors cap on gave us tasks and away we went, even if it was like army drill sergant

Im not normally a people person at first meet and greet, I tend to stand off to the side. When it came time to ask who would do the registrations, take cash and inform people as they arrive I bit the bullet and up went the hand. Fully enjoyed this much to my surprise.

Everything seemed to flow well and lots of smile were seen. Being up close to a Duke with its rattling idle still gives me goosebumps.

A comment I can make is with a few more early risers like those on the day (names elude me at present) more hands will make light work. Even if you not on the committee your assistance will be welcomed with open arms. Jobs like sign placement, marquee setup, emu bobbing were the bikes intend to park up, placement of bins, tables, chairs doesnt take long and you can still chat to friends as they arrive.

Nik, Ghetto and co you have all done an awesome job and pats on the back all round. I will be offering my assistance again on the day and others should do the same. You might think an hour or two of your time might not be much but its the total opposite.

Dan

[potato]

Not to write a novel but here are my views of the day.

Recieved a txt from Nik asking for assistance as some volunteers were unable to help at last minute (Friday i think). So with a reply and a smile I was in. Met Nik as the sun rose at about 6am on the day, shook hands with others and then the setup began. The weather was looking dismal but with constant I-phone surfing the weather new its place and avoided us.

From reading all the posts week prior to the event it was slightly dishearting to see only a handful of people on the morning there to help. Nik with her supervisors cap on gave us tasks and away we went, even if it was like army drill sergant

Im not normally a people person at first meet and greet, I tend to stand off to the side. When it came time to ask who would do the registrations, take cash and inform people as they arrive I bit the bullet and up went the hand. Fully enjoyed this much to my surprise.

Everything seemed to flow well and lots of smile were seen. Being up close to a Duke with its rattling idle still gives me goosebumps.

A comment I can make is with a few more early risers like those on the day (names elude me at present) more hands will make light work. Even if you not on the committee your assistance will be welcomed with open arms. Jobs like sign placement, marquee setup, emu bobbing were the bikes intend to park up, placement of bins, tables, chairs doesnt take long and you can still chat to friends as they arrive.

Nik, Ghetto and co you have all done an awesome job and pats on the back all round. I will be offering my assistance again on the day and others should do the same. You might think an hour or two of your time might not be much but its the total opposite.

Dan

nice read and well said!

[Fastgirl]

Charities are a funny thing. No matter how much effort any one person puts in, there is always a group of naysayers very quick off the mark with a ''shoulda,woulda,coulda'' For every person with a suggestion, why not step up and add to the team?

And as for every years bike raffle, they have all been successes. Every one so far. They made $$$ for the charity, and thats the aim, nothing more nothing less. Every year, the next one is always improved upon. Each bike is a collective of individuals ideas, that are managed to be bought together. Its hard to do. Not everyone can be pleased, and that shouldnt be the aim. The bottom line is $$$ made for Shents.

[Buzz_80]

I had a blast. Was my first MAD ride. Was leading a group, that got stuck behind several cars, who proceeded to go slow, and then had to consider the other riders in my group before overtaking, so no overtaking for us. My only gripe, was the ignorant riders who passed me, the marshall, as they were not happy to ride in the pack. It was not safe for the whole group to overtake. The riders briefing is for a reason, if they don't want to listen, they should f@#k off.

Other than that, see you at next years event.

[Smiffy]

The ride went really well... I was a Marshall and had no troubles with my little group of riders... granted it was hard to keep to the speed limit but that would just be my twist happy throttle wrist

The ride was cruisy and very enjoyable we didn't have any problems on the ride down and everyone got there in good time and safely.

I much prefer the whole taking off in smaller groups idea it is easier to maintain a constant speed and is in the end safer and more convenient for other people on the roads! But every different way of doing this ride has its pros and cons.

On the ride morning I was first one there to lend a hand with the setting up... I hadn't been asked by anyone but figured with events like this, help is always needed. I feel there could have been a few more people offering a hand. Donating money is one way of helping out MAD but its all the people behind the scenes that make this charity work... so giving them some of your time as well as donations makes their lives easier and you feel like you have given more than just some shrapnel!

That is pretty much all I have to say on the day. It was a fantastic effort by everyone involved and I'm looking forward to next years!

[goof]

Marshal was a tad slow... I understand the whole police presence and the safety stuff, but it's OK to go 5 under instead of 10-20.

I was at the back of my group and for maybe a 1/4 of the open road parts my speedo was reading over the speed limit just to keep up. It was made all the more fun as I had a police bike behind me. Luckily he hung back a fair bit, or maybe we just left him behind?



(Will have to tape my mobile to something and go for a ride so I can mentally calibrate my speedo.)

[Thunderbird]

Charities are a funny thing. No matter how much effort any one person puts in, there is always a group of naysayers very quick off the mark with a ''shoulda,woulda,coulda'' For every person with a suggestion, why not step up and add to the team?

And as for every years bike raffle, they have all been successes. Every one so far. They made $$$ for the charity, and thats the aim, nothing more nothing less. Every year, the next one is always improved upon. Each bike is a collective of individuals ideas, that are managed to be bought together. Its hard to do. Not everyone can be pleased, and that shouldnt be the aim. The bottom line is $$$ made for Shents.

People are not nay saying, the thread asked for feedback. People are giving their opinions whether you agree with them or not. Im sure more people would like to help but a lot of people on this forum work away and cant commit. Maybe next time for people who cant join the committee or make the meetings a thread can be posted with tasks that need doing and people can nominate themselves to do that task. As for the MAD bike a lot has been said about the work done to it and it is a nice bike, but one thing I think needs to be considered is to not make it so customized that it only appeals to PSB members if you want the general public to buy tickets. Just my 2c.

Scott

[shan]

Im sure more people would like to help but a lot of people on this forum work away and cant commit

My problem, the first date i read was a goer, then that changed. OH well.
two years running, or is that 3. last one I went to was scarbs.
I will be there when I can.
Do what is asked, its all for a good cause that I hopefull never fully apriciate.

[GHETTO]

Thanks Guys, Discussions have already started behind the scenes for next year which will be a Metro event. Your feedback helps stay tuned for an announce with details of next years ride in 2011.