highway
Well-known member
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Last Minute NOOB RIDE
- Thread starter Dayao12
- Start date
SeaBreez
Well-known member
I agree with Sabex and highway - get back on the horse...
I also agree with frugalman that the route was somewhat intimidating, but the noobs handled the city traffic well.
Where they failed was their lack of judgment and inexperience in the sharp turns taken at "experienced rider speeds".
We as leaders and participants (noobs included) must watch out for each other while on group rides.
The goal is to have fun with all riders returning home safely. (Bikes included).
Get to know the leader before committing to a ride.
What is his/her riding style? Does it suit my skill level or taste?
Has he/she led group rides before?
Were they successful rides?
Riders should ask...
Where will the route take me? - City streets or out in the country?
What is the maximum speed during the ride? (i.e. 10 over etc.).
How heavy will the traffic be?
Will there be street car tracks, busy city traffic, lots of red lights and shifting?
Can I keep up...or do I still stall or can’t always find the right gear?
Can I scan the road conditions without worrying about stalling or missing a gear?
From a safety point of view; have some level of experience before you join a group ride and feel free to bail if the ride does not fit your skill level or taste.
Don’t put your life and the lives of others you are riding with at risk.
Ride to stay alive - ride safe
End rant.
SeaBreez
I also agree with frugalman that the route was somewhat intimidating, but the noobs handled the city traffic well.
Where they failed was their lack of judgment and inexperience in the sharp turns taken at "experienced rider speeds".
We as leaders and participants (noobs included) must watch out for each other while on group rides.
The goal is to have fun with all riders returning home safely. (Bikes included).
Get to know the leader before committing to a ride.
What is his/her riding style? Does it suit my skill level or taste?
Has he/she led group rides before?
Were they successful rides?
Riders should ask...
Where will the route take me? - City streets or out in the country?
What is the maximum speed during the ride? (i.e. 10 over etc.).
How heavy will the traffic be?
Will there be street car tracks, busy city traffic, lots of red lights and shifting?
Can I keep up...or do I still stall or can’t always find the right gear?
Can I scan the road conditions without worrying about stalling or missing a gear?
From a safety point of view; have some level of experience before you join a group ride and feel free to bail if the ride does not fit your skill level or taste.
Don’t put your life and the lives of others you are riding with at risk.
Ride to stay alive - ride safe
End rant.
SeaBreez
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+1 to what Seabreez said. Its really unfortunate to hear two riders went down on a newb friendly ride. Tells me it wasn't very newb friendly at all.
Also, riding in these temps people should be taking it easy due to cold tires and reduced traction on the road.
Not saying it's the leaders fault two went down either. People need to understand that when you go on a ride with others you may not be at the same level of skill at them. Just because others are taking off in corners at a certain speed doesnt mean you can do that too. Ride your own ride.
Also, really suprised at the attitude in this thread and people finding it funny that two went down and wanting to join because it looks like a fun ride...
Also, riding in these temps people should be taking it easy due to cold tires and reduced traction on the road.
Not saying it's the leaders fault two went down either. People need to understand that when you go on a ride with others you may not be at the same level of skill at them. Just because others are taking off in corners at a certain speed doesnt mean you can do that too. Ride your own ride.
Also, really suprised at the attitude in this thread and people finding it funny that two went down and wanting to join because it looks like a fun ride...
kekekekyle
Active member
I was the first one to go down. It was in a sharp left turn. I did not notice the yellow signs.
Here's what I thought happened:
As I was leaned over, my rear tire started losing traction (there was a lot of dirt/dust in the right tire track). I straightened up and grabbed both brakes. Once I hit the grass, I lost all traction and went down.
Here's what actually happened (SeaBreez, feel free to comment):
I entered the turn way too fast, panicked and hit the rear brake (even though I know not to do this), started losing traction, released the rear brake, straightened up, grabbed both brakes. I did not brake in time, hit the grass, lost all traction, and went down.
I was incredibly lucky because the guard rail was to my right, and a hydro pole was to my left. My mistakes were: foolishly trying to keep up with the riders ahead of me, not knowing how fast I was going, not being aware of my surroundings (road signs), and not being aware of the road conditions (dirt/dust on the road). These all contributed to my crash. Do not make my mistakes. I hope I never repeat them.
That being said, read what SeaBreez posted. Those are all questions I did not know to ask before going on this ride. Just because a ride is M1 friendly does not necessarily mean it is newb friendly. Just be aware of your own skill level, because in the end I have no one to blame but myself.
Here's what I thought happened:
As I was leaned over, my rear tire started losing traction (there was a lot of dirt/dust in the right tire track). I straightened up and grabbed both brakes. Once I hit the grass, I lost all traction and went down.
Here's what actually happened (SeaBreez, feel free to comment):
I entered the turn way too fast, panicked and hit the rear brake (even though I know not to do this), started losing traction, released the rear brake, straightened up, grabbed both brakes. I did not brake in time, hit the grass, lost all traction, and went down.
I was incredibly lucky because the guard rail was to my right, and a hydro pole was to my left. My mistakes were: foolishly trying to keep up with the riders ahead of me, not knowing how fast I was going, not being aware of my surroundings (road signs), and not being aware of the road conditions (dirt/dust on the road). These all contributed to my crash. Do not make my mistakes. I hope I never repeat them.
That being said, read what SeaBreez posted. Those are all questions I did not know to ask before going on this ride. Just because a ride is M1 friendly does not necessarily mean it is newb friendly. Just be aware of your own skill level, because in the end I have no one to blame but myself.
how long would this ride take?
Dayao12
Well-known member
I led this ride. I chose a route that usually wasn't too heavy with traffic and had plenty of open road( atleast for city riding). Unfortunately therr were a lot of road closures and events that caused bottlenecks. I kept it at a safe speed, keeping in mind the "accordian effect", and communicated with the riders to the best of my ability.
Those who joined in, feel free to critique my leadership. I'm always open to improvement and would love to lead more rides.
I hope the newb riders had fun and it challenged them to train their skills for future rides.
I figured the way to go about minor accidents was to educate and laugh about it in the end =p we all learned from it and as long as the riders knew where the errors were, they can fix it.
P.S. thanks Seabreez for offering words of wisdom to the guys
Those who joined in, feel free to critique my leadership. I'm always open to improvement and would love to lead more rides.
I hope the newb riders had fun and it challenged them to train their skills for future rides.
I figured the way to go about minor accidents was to educate and laugh about it in the end =p we all learned from it and as long as the riders knew where the errors were, they can fix it.
P.S. thanks Seabreez for offering words of wisdom to the guys
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SeaBreez
Well-known member
Google maps says 2 hours and 39 minutes (less pastry break).
Our ride was in it's fourth hour when I bailed.
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highway
Well-known member
Sabex
Well-known member
That was sarcasm~
In all seriousness now: any crash where you can stand up and walk away from is better than a crash where you don't stand up. Bikes can be repaired quicker, and a lot cheaper then a human body.
kekekekyle
Active member
SeaBreez
Well-known member
Those are must reads for all riders, thanks for posting, highway. All sarcasm aside, two riders unfortunately went down - and lived to talk about it. (This time).
I would like to offer some basic suggestions before venturing out on a group ride: know how to operate your bike, gears, brakes, traffic and learn how to read the road conditions and adjust your riding acordingly. Obey the posted speed limits and heed all warning signs. Go over some simple hand signals...slow down, danger ahead etc., before hitting the road as a group. Give all riders space during the ride - especially when turning.
I realize there were some flaws in this ride, and invite others to share their wisdom so others can benefit with a long and safe riding career.
SeaBreez
Well-known member
Agreed, having had walked away from a bad bike wreck myself. The point that I would like to focus on is how we can make our group rides safer.
SeaBreez
Well-known member
Knowing the weight of my cruiser and the sharp turn ahead, (I saw the sign - for the 90 drgree left) I started gearing down well before the turn. I couldn't believe what was unfolding in front of me when you started skidding. You barely leaned and then jammed on the brakes... I'm so glad your bike was light and you missed the hydro pole. This was clearly riding beyond your ability.
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If you are riding a sport bike, move your butt off to the side of the seat in the direction you want to go (if you have time), stick out your knee on the same side and lean for all you got. Even the ninja 250's can handle the hard leans and more often than not, it will save you from crashing. If it doesn't at least you low side.
SeaBreez
Well-known member
Sure this works, that's what the leader was doing. But how does a noob make a 90 drgree corner going way too fast with grit on the road and no ability/skill to lean it over hard?
This type of riding requires practice in good contitions to improve in. Not a good idea to suggest this to someone that is new to riding, learning their bike and in cold temps. Like Seabreez said follow the posted speed and just asume there is going to be crap on the road and you should be fine.
I'm just saying, that is something I learned in my MSF course. "If you think you are going to crash, lean for all you've got. You just might save yourself." I don't mean expert technique or anything, but just give it all you got and you may not crash. A 50/50 chance to crash is better than the 100% chance you started with if you are already in a bad situation and can't do anything else to fix it. I'm still an M1 rider and it is a bit intimadating, but better than nothing.
I'm not telling them this to belittle them, I'm saying it for next time, just trust the bike, when you have no other option.
I'm not telling them this to belittle them, I'm saying it for next time, just trust the bike, when you have no other option.
TiburonJA
Well-known member
I think it boils down to peer pressure, if someone isn't good when faced with peer pressure don't go on group rides.
When I was a complete noob earlier this season and went on my first "M1 friendly rides" I was baffled at how fast people were going, on two occasions I just dipped from the group (probably made me look like a pansy) but I was already riding beyond my limit and I'm sure people know that "feeling" you get when you're riding above your abilities, it's just not "fun" and when riding isn't fun anymore there is a big problem.
From my own personal experience, I would recommend that noobs stay away from group rides. Obviously, there are more gifted riders who could probably start group rides no problem. Personally, when I went on group rides as a noob, on top of looking out for regular stuff such as road conditions, other cars, pedestrians etc... I was now also worried about pace, the other riders, group riding etiquette, etc... All that extra stuff to process just made the ride unpleasant.
Just my 2 cents, safe riding to everyone.
When I was a complete noob earlier this season and went on my first "M1 friendly rides" I was baffled at how fast people were going, on two occasions I just dipped from the group (probably made me look like a pansy) but I was already riding beyond my limit and I'm sure people know that "feeling" you get when you're riding above your abilities, it's just not "fun" and when riding isn't fun anymore there is a big problem.
From my own personal experience, I would recommend that noobs stay away from group rides. Obviously, there are more gifted riders who could probably start group rides no problem. Personally, when I went on group rides as a noob, on top of looking out for regular stuff such as road conditions, other cars, pedestrians etc... I was now also worried about pace, the other riders, group riding etiquette, etc... All that extra stuff to process just made the ride unpleasant.
Just my 2 cents, safe riding to everyone.
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