Sunday 13th July

[Robbo87]

Well THAT was a fun but not exactly incident free rideout. Brian precis'd a certain incident succinctly enough but I'll report on the day in a bit more detail when I've spoken to the injured-but-nothing-serious (we think) party later. 'till then, thanks to the SWB stalwarts and Facebook members who turned out.

[billinom8s]

Unfortunately one of the non-SWB riders had an off. Completely inept riding. My impression was he has learning difficulties. Low speed, about 35mph and he clipped a kerb. Ambulance took him to hospital, suspect minor injuries.

I didn't think red5 was out with you today????

[Jug]

That's was still a good day out and good ride.
Thanks to Robbo for organizing and leading and to Brian for TEC duties.. and trust me when I say that can't have been easy to do TEC for this ride. Was probably entertaining and frustrating in equal measures.

The weather was superb, a tad hot at the lunch stop but fine when moving.
Saw some pretty rare bikes at Greedys.

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Really sorry to see a fellow biker have a slight 'off', fingers crossed he was just shook up.

[Artty]

That's not good, hopefully he will be OK.

[Robbo87]

That's not good, hopefully he will be OK.

I'll phone him later today and find out.

[Robbo87]

Just a quick note and update on the Sunday shenanigans: Set off at 09.30 hrs as planned heading for Moretonhampstead and it became fairly obvious fairly soon to me up at the pointy end that the day's ride might be less than the usual 'everyone making good smooth progress' that it usually is. I had to stop for regrouping more than usual and then had to modify the pace to suit. Eventually Arrived at a very busy Greedy's where a couple of us had a quiet word with one of our number (not an SWB member I'm pleased to say) about roadcraft and general bike control etc.
Set off from Greedy's and was a mile or so from Whiddon Down when problem biker clipped the kerb on a slow right hander and binned it. Three or four miles previously I had waved aforementioned biker in front of me to evaluate his problems, intending to have another chat at our next coffee stop.
Long-ish story short - local farmer and wife, Chris and Alice, stopped with us to help, another local farmer, John, offered bike storage, Devon Air Ambulance attended, then a land ambulance, then the police and Mr biker was whisked away to hospital. I've since spoken to him and was informed that he has broken ribs, broken left collarbone and 'damaged left elbow'. He was very vague about these injuries and I suspect that Brian's previous comment about 'learning difficulties' might be very near the mark.
Once again, thanks to all who were on the ride, especially those of you that helped at the crash scene.

[ptolemyx]

Glad his injuries were as slight as we suspected. I really hope this makes him give up motorcycling before he has a more serious incident. Failing that he might do as I gently suggested to him and get some serious training under his belt - if he does that my thoughts will be with the trainer...

[Doddy]

I’m still a newbie at riding myself but i like to think i know my limits, it’s probably why I’ve not tagged along to any ride outs so I don’t feel to pressured to keep up with the group

[Ming]

Being inexperienced shouldn't put you off joining any ride outs. It's the only way you're going to improve, by following other, more experienced riders and if the pace is more than you're comfortable with, just mention it at one of the coffee/toilet/arthritis stops. I think we'd all like to see people improve their riding and get more enjoyment out of their bikes, so don't be afraid to join one of the posted rides.

[Doddy]

[ptolemyx]

You will be very welcome Steve (Doddy) on the vast majority of our ride outs. I can't imagine you being as awful as this chap was. It was as if he'd just got on a bike without any training and without any basic road sense. Any gentle advice went over his head.

....."very welcome on the vast majority of our ride outs." However my ride posted for this Friday is one of the rare occasions when I do not want to heve to hang back at all. Any other time I'm more than happy to accommodate people who are comfortable with a more moderate ride. The drop off system is great for faster and slower riders to all ride at their own pace - within reason. It is definitely stressed that there is no pressure to keep up; you ride your ride and do not fixate on the rider in front of you. If there's a gap do not worry - we'll all get back together as a group sooner or later. We also do the occasional ride designated "friendly" which is specifically aimed at smaller capacity bikes and new riders.

[billinom8s]

And to be a social day rather than a Throttle jockey day.