Changes to how the friendly rides are run.

[scorcher]

Couldn't the lead rider just have a ball of string attached to their bike, and as it unrolls, everyone else could just follow it? Or something like a scottoiler filled with paint dripping onto the road? Or someone could go around the route the night before spraying arrows on the road or tying ribbons to lamp posts or something? Or lead rider has a flashing orange light on a really long extending pole?

[billinom8s]

I tried leaving a trail of Suzuki's in hedges but it was such a common sight that people didn't know they were corner markers.

[menzies3032]

I tried leaving a trail of Suzuki's in hedges but it was such a common sight that people didn't know they were corner markers.

Oh ha ha

[jock]

In the past and on other forum rides the "drop off system" has always worked and all riders were made aware of this before setting off and we never had any problems as long as we knew what the intended pace was to be traffic jams permitting.

For friendlies, all riders should treat it as such regardless of their bikes potential and just ride in line within reason. If this is not for them then it is easy to arrange a fast ride making it clear as "not suitable for slower riders or smaller bikes" keeping everyone happy! A friendly ride should be what it says; a friendly; to encourage new riders and the lesser experienced to enjoy the fellowship of other bikers ! I ride a fairly rapid bike in every way but am just as happy to poddle along behind a 125 If that is what the ride is meant to be about !

There's a time and place for everyone and lets be honest, we all ride for the enjoyment and also fellowship with other riders we meet along the way, so let's encourage SWB to build on that!

[Kata]

I didn't go to the last one but the friendly rides I've been on have been precisely that, friendly.

I thought the drop-off system worked well. Perhaps the guys wearing the armbands need a bit of a prep before the ride but seems ok to me!

[Gimlet]

Personally, I think the drop off system works best, where there are no designated JMs and no arm bands and it is the second placed rider who marks the junction where indicated by the lead rider, with a clearly identifiable TEC so the marker knows when to leave his post and rejoin.

Here's an idea. On big group rides, rather than having designated arm-banded markers who may struggle to get back to the front of a widely spread field, why not use the drop off system and issue the arm bands to any novices who don't feel confidence to take their turn at marking. They can stay at the back and relax under the care of TEC and ride at their own pace without feeling harassed, pushed to make overtakes or having to worry about marking junctions. There is no stigma in being a novice. We all had to start there.
There will probably only ever be two or three absolute novices at most so the rest of the field do the marking in the normal manner under instruction from the leader and when they rejoin they overtake TEC and his arm-banded riders.

One good ride like this without pressure and the novices will see how it all works and get the hang of it for next time.
The only provisos are second placed riders must take up the marking position the leader points to and they must remain at their post until TEC comes past and gives them the thumbs-up, even if he seems to be taking an age.

[AndyW]

....seconded

[KawiKris600]

Personally, I think the drop off system works best, where there are no designated JMs and no arm bands and it is the second placed rider who marks the junction where indicated by the lead rider, with a clearly identifiable TEC so the marker knows when to leave his post and rejoin.

Here's an idea. On big group rides, rather than having designated arm-banded markers who may struggle to get back to the front of a widely spread field, why not use the drop off system and issue the arm bands to any novices who don't feel confidence to take their turn at marking. They can stay at the back and relax under the care of TEC and ride at their own pace without feeling harassed, pushed to make overtakes or having to worry about marking junctions. There is no stigma in being a novice. We all had to start there.
There will probably only ever be two or three absolute novices at most so the rest of the field do the marking in the normal manner under instruction from the leader and when they rejoin they overtake TEC and his arm-banded riders.

One good ride like this without pressure and the novices will see how it all works and get the hang of it for next time.
The only provisos are second placed riders must take up the marking position the leader points to and they must remain at their post until TEC comes past and gives them the thumbs-up, even if he seems to be taking an age.

100% Agree this should be the way forward ......

[AndyW]

....gets my vote also.

EDIT ....already said so......never mind.....bump!

[DaveH]

+1

Totally excellent idea by Gimlet - all the benefits of the standard Drop Off System but without the pressure of Junction Marking for those who don't want it

[skippy]

Personally, I think the drop off system works best, where there are no designated JMs and no arm bands and it is the second placed rider who marks the junction where indicated by the lead rider, with a clearly identifiable TEC so the marker knows when to leave his post and rejoin.

Here's an idea. On big group rides, rather than having designated arm-banded markers who may struggle to get back to the front of a widely spread field, why not use the drop off system and issue the arm bands to any novices who don't feel confidence to take their turn at marking. They can stay at the back and relax under the care of TEC and ride at their own pace without feeling harassed, pushed to make overtakes or having to worry about marking junctions. There is no stigma in being a novice. We all had to start there.
There will probably only ever be two or three absolute novices at most so the rest of the field do the marking in the normal manner under instruction from the leader and when they rejoin they overtake TEC and his arm-banded riders.

One good ride like this without pressure and the novices will see how it all works and get the hang of it for next time.
The only provisos are second placed riders must take up the marking position the leader points to and they must remain at their post until TEC comes past and gives them the thumbs-up, even if he seems to be taking an age.

100% Agree this should be the way forward ......

exactly how we did the jennycliff run on sunday and it worked perfectly..........especially with the added comm,s

[The Muppet]

The drop of system works really well one one suggestion would be that who ever is marking the Junction ,keeps a eye out for the sweeper, and moves forward before the sweeper, or the sweeper allows the marker to go 1st on him coming up on the marker, saves marker`s having to over take the sweeper .....

[billinom8s]

Sweeper? Do you mean the TEC

[Gimlet]

The drop of system works really well one one suggestion would be that who ever is marking the Junction ,keeps a eye out for the sweeper, and moves forward before the sweeper, or the sweeper allows the marker to go 1st on him coming up on the marker, saves marker`s having to over take the sweeper .....

Depends on the junction and how much vision you've got. On some you can jump in ahead of TEC, but sometimes its easier - and safer - to let him go by and overtake him. He'll always pull in to let you go by.

[The Muppet]

Sweeper? Do you mean the TEC

Yes