South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

billinom8s wrote:we are in the process of trying to come up with a simple set of guide lines for group rideouts.

roles and requirements for TEC, roles and requirements for JM etc.

nothing major, just some helpful pointers for future large number rideouts

it's just a case of making a few tweaks to make the system run even better.

Tweaks rather than changes

My vote would be for the 'no bike rides alone' tweak, that does not include pillions, minimum two bikes, rather than two people.

A quick chat at the beginning of each ride and if any changes take place. (That's not a dig as Nom8s did this)

Could it maybe to split it into 2 pack's, i.e slower and faster riders grouped and having a mid position rider acting as divider and only the JM's can pass? This may ease the pressure on theTEC to keep pace and play constant catch up with the main lead. I know sometimes I felt like I held up the more experienced riders.

on rideouts such as the friendly it's not about pace, it's about going out and having a no pressure day.

i know it's easy to say but don't ewver think that you are holding faster riders up, if they want to pass then they will, if they are sat behind you it is because they chioose to be. just ride along at your own pace and use the junction markers for what they are there for.

it has be made a suggestion that we should do away with the junction markers and use a drop off system that involves EVERYONE marking a junction if they end up at the front of the line.

i think there is going to be more of a structured 'chat' before larger rideouts so that everyone taking part knows whats what.

keep putting up suggestions, it will help us in working out what direction we take thinkgs to see whats best.

albieplums wrote:Could it maybe to split it into 2 pack's, i.e slower and faster riders grouped and having a mid position rider acting as divider and only the JM's can pass? This may ease the pressure on theTEC to keep pace and play constant catch up with the main lead. I know sometimes I felt like I held up the more experienced riders.

my view as a nrwbie the max speed limit is 70mph surly most bikes can get to that speed at some time .my bike is a intruder cruiser not a 0 TO 60 IN 4 SECONDS MORE LIKE 0 TO 60 IN 15 SECONDS..have i joined the right club for ride outs..or is it all 250 mph bikes oh dear

you are in safe hands steve, there are rides for all paces on here.

if you can't find one to suit perfectly then post up your own, then it's at your pace - spot on

Could use double markers if it has been some distance since the previous junction, allows one rider to go off and investigate anyone missing without leaving the junction unmarked. Obviously requires more JMs though.

billinom8s wrote:you are in safe hands steve, there are rides for all paces on here.

if you can't find one to suit perfectly then post up your own, then it's at your pace - spot on

What he said....

Also I'd ride with you and I know many others who would too.

OK, There is a discussion thread in the staff section at present, which will be brought into the members area soon, regarding roles, responsibilities, and "ettiquette" on larger group rides to explain how the system should work, and how we ensure no-one is left behind.

There will be a short period for discussion or suggestion by all, and then this will become a "Sticky" at the top of the Rideout section.


I won't be-labour the point, but re-iterate that what happened on Sunday was not a failure of any single individual, but a break-down of the system as a whole. These roles/responsibilities will not necessarily prevent accidents, but if followed should prevent people being left behind or getting lost.

I Personally thought it was a well organised and brilliant ride,everything was going perfectly and we all arrived at the various locations intact. It was just unfortunate that the TEC had an off that resulted the way it did.

My 2 cents would be that possibly have 2 TECs or a companion rider for the TEC who will either ride with them or wait at junction markers with them for the rear TEC to arrive and if he doesn't within a couple of minutes head back.

On that note get well soon TAZ, hopefully you'll be back on the bike in no time.

Cheers. Serlant (I was on the black VTR.)

dan90210 wrote:

billinom8s wrote:you are in safe hands steve, there are rides for all paces on here.

if you can't find one to suit perfectly then post up your own, then it's at your pace - spot on

What he said....

Also I'd ride with you and I know many others who would too.

Ditto, I just enjoy riding be it to my own limit or just pottering, If I can make anything between my shifts and you have a cruise out I'd come!

My suggestion would be to use the "drop off" method, but perhaps have someone drop off every mile or two instead of just at junctions . There's then no pressure on the junction markers to get back near the front of the group either. The previous friendly got very spread out and I reckon I probably waited 10/15 mins or more at the approach to Lynmouth before the last couple of bikes and TEC came through, by which time I expect the front runners were nearly in Minehead.
The problem is the guys at the front have no idea whats happening at the back so they could be 20 miles or more ahead and have no idea that theres a problem.
You could incorporate more re-grouping/catch up points where everyone pulls in until everyone has regrouped. Not a stop for a fag/waz/chat,just a regroup before heading off again.

poacher wrote:my view as a nrwbie the max speed limit is 70mph surly most bikes can get to that speed at some time .my bike is a intruder cruiser not a 0 TO 60 IN 4 SECONDS MORE LIKE 0 TO 60 IN 15 SECONDS..have i joined the right club for ride outs..or is it all 250 mph bikes oh dear

As a 'newbie' myself (to here and to riding) i am not good at keeping up, so when i eventually join in on a ride out i know i'll be trying to stick with people at a similar pace to mine even if it is at the back! So i wouldn't worry too much, and as other people have replied looks like some people would stick with us

I've not met you yet but I wish you a speedy recovery Taz

you will have nothing to worry about, the aim of the game is to ride out, ride home, enjoy.

it doesn't matter what ride you do, be it, friendly, small bimble, evening trundle with mates, early morning run, trip to the shops, RTTB etc, etc, etc

you should always ride at your pace. the thing is this...


there will always be someone faster and there will always be someone slower - it doesn't matter. the only persons pace you need to concern yourself with is your own.

if you feel that you are holding someone up, mnove to the nearside a little, if they feel they want to pass then they will. who knows they may actually be riding behind you because they like your pace or your lines.

generally on here and other sites i think, there are no riding gods. we all started by getting on a bike and wobbling, stalling, locking up brakes etc. so don't feel that you are doing anything wrong - you aren't, i believe it's called learning the ropes.

ask questions on rideouts, talk to other riders and see if you can tag in, it's the way we learn. i learnt from following the likes of dynamight,very smooth rider indeed, doesn't like using brakes - increases observation and road awareness.

there are lots of little tricks and tips that riders can pick up from other riders on any rideout that you go on, never feel like you can't ask a question.

we are all bikers together, it's al about enjoying the hobby.





oh yeah, and tea/cake stops

scorcher wrote: ...... The problem is the guys at the front have no idea whats happening at the back so they could be 20 miles or more ahead and have no idea that theres a problem.
You could incorporate more re-grouping/catch up points where everyone pulls in until everyone has regrouped. Not a stop for a fag/waz/chat,just a regroup before heading off again.

Oddly enough, two of the key points I've discussed with Simon, and exactly the issue that arose on Sunday.

Sunday was an odd one for several reasons -
The group was notably smaller than usual for such a ride.
The general size of machine and spread of rider ability was not as great as normal - the smallest bikes were 600's.
There was a smaller percentage of "long standing" members with experience of these rides.
There seemed to be two distinct groups formed in speed of progress, rather than a less distinct mix which spread the group over a distance - there was group A with the leader, then Group B with the TEC, and only a couple in the intervening gap. This was very noticable when returning to the front from junction marking, and was probably the significant factor in the system breaking down at the weekend.
The leg where the incident happened was probably the longest couple of legs between Junction Markers - Torrington to Winkleigh (14-15miles) and Winkleigh - the A3072 via "BamBam rise" (6miles) on roads where it's often difficult to see riders far ahead or dropping off behind.

I would stress once again that it is very unusual for an event such as this to occur. The system in place has been used many, many, times to great effect and the enjoyment of all concerned - this is an unfortunate event which is causing us to consider tightening up procedures already in place rather than a complete re-think on how things are done. If the rules and protocols become to severe or rigid it will spoil the ejoyment for all and put people off. It must also be noted that this is about the big rides - the friendlies, the summer rides, etc., where the mix of abilities is greatest and the collective group largest. The smaller, more "ad-hoc" rides to not need to fall within this.

Once again, please wait til later in the week when we will post something for general discussion.

Oh, and what Simon said above