Rideout : Hampshire to Dorset coast and back - 21st Sept 2008

[SPL]

Adam,

This was my first experience of a GSer rideout, and I found the pace perfectly OK - certainly not a "high-speed burn up".

I'd never be pressured into riding faster than I want to anyhow (gave that silly game up a good few years ago!), and no-one else should need to do so either, given the drop-off system we used.

I actually commented to my Mrs that it was nice to be moving along at a reasonable pace but without feeling that we were anywhere near pushing it.

When I was directly behind you, I dropped back a little once or twice due to traffic (not wanting to give it full throttle overtakes 2 up without the reassurance of the top box). Can't say my ego felt too bruised as a result though.

I reckon you rode at a good progressive rate, and I didn't see you do anything that would lead me to think you were pushing too hard or trying to big-up your speed.

Thanks for organising stuff and planning the route - I'd ride with you again anytime

 

[ninja man]

Sorry I couldn't be with you - got press ganged into taking my youngest son camping at short notice.

I would say though that when leading a rideout I would pace myself such that I could always/mostly see the next rider behind in my mirrors. It would seem a bit pointless if, as the leader, I just vanished into the distance and had to wait at every junction for the next marker to catch up.

For me, part of the fun of the group rideout is the fact that you're part of a group, and all riding together. If I want to go out for a high speed burnup, then I would do that alone, and not tempt any other rider into perhaps riding beyond their limits in order to keep me in sight, regardless of whatever riding etiquette may have been posted in advance.

Just my 2p

Well said that man...If todays "ride out" was an example of a freindly get to gether with fellow members then we might as well go out solo .Riding through the New forest for over 20 mins wondering where the hell every one has gone doesn't make for a pleasant trip.If I'd wanted to go high speed scratching(which I often do) thru the New forest aint the place to do it. Obviously I misunderstood and thought today was aride out and not a point to point. have a nice day

 

[AdamA]

Bless.
I would have held your hand if you had only asked.


Thanks to all for giving it a go.

Like I said, those that didn't get what they bargained for will find other rides that suit them.
Those that enjoyed it I will stick the next one up shortly. Hope anyone that wants to make it can.

 

[Toaster193]

What an excellant day's riding. I havent done that sort of distance on a bike for many years and also as the day progressed I found myself learning the handling of the bike in an enjoyable way.

Ive never done the "marking" system before and I have to say what an excellant system it is... (once I actually undertstood it)

I thought it was superbly laid out route , great roads, fast in parts, slow in others, always I felt challanged and yet safe as someone was in front leading the charge !.

If Im invited to the next one. I'll be there.

Lovely views, nice people, Super Day.

Just wish I could get my sodding blackberry to copy pictures at the moment.

Thanks Adam

Adrian

 

[Powerful Pierre]

Well done Adam on a great ride out . 304 miles door to door for me and all of them enjoyable . Spectacular scenery in the Lulworth area , I'll have to go back there if we ever have any more sunny days .

I'm not the fastest rider in the world but I had no problems keeping with the pace when I wanted to and never felt pressured into exceeding my capabilities and I collect my bus pass in 3 months time ! I have to admit that some of the roads on the way back probably wouldn't have suited 50 mph bimblers but they were a blast !

I can't really see that everybody consciously sticking together at the pace of the slowest rider in a big slow moving blockage on ride outs like this really has too much to offer as riding is , to a great extent , a solo experience as Adam has said . I'm just pleased that people like Adam are prepared to spend time and effort in organising trips like this one which allow me to enhance my riding pleasure .

Roll on the next one !

 

[Cooky]

I'm saddened and suprised Adam's getting grief for what was another great rideout. I've been on 3 of Adam's rideouts using the marker system and there's only ever been problems when people haven't read the link explaining the system that Adam posts beforehand or where they don't listen to Adam's pre-rideout reminder.

Thank you Adam. I had a great day and look forward to the next one.

Andrew (KTM)

 

[Gedge]

Hi everyone..My first post.

I joined up just to say that this was my second rideout with Adam and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. The marker system works well and as long as slower riders know someone will be waiting there is no reason for anyone to feel pressured into keeping up.

Any complaints aside, the route itself was amazing, the weather was fantastic and despite ending up on the smallest bike there ( after the KLE500 left) I had no trouble keeping up /staying in touch ...( I should also say that Iam also quite before Adam and Funners do it for me)

Nice to meet you all. See you at the next one hopefully.... I may even buy a GS for the occassion although Iwould advise against anyone holding their breath for that ....

 

[Matt Gibbs]

Adam,
Thanks for a really good day out. Nice scenery, brilliant roads and good company. Sorry your efforts have not been appreciated by all.
Regards
Matt

 

[AdamA]

Glad you enjoyed it chaps and chapesses. That's the idea.

I started running rideouts because my "thing" is finding fun roads and I like to share my knowledge by showing people the very best roads in an area (It always amazes me the amount of "locals" who tip up to a ride and don't even know these roads exist, or if they do had never dreamed of turning off the main road and trying them on a bike.). I like for people to ride them at whatever pace makes them happy, surrounded only by people they know and trust. If everyone had to ride in a big "group" that would be impossible. Hence the marker system allowing you to ride at the pace you like, with who you like.

Tbh I don't mind at all that some people don't enjoy the rides.
As has been said, you can't please all the people all the time.
We all want something different from a run, and the marker system is the best way I have found to allow most people to get what they want. It's never going to work 100% tho.

What I do mind is when people have the audacity to tell me it's my fault, when they clearly haven't read up what they are about.
They are not "group rides" where everyone sticks together, they are "rideouts" where if some of you choose to ride as a group, solo, with one close mate, slower than you normally would, faster than you normally would (still within your comfort zone) then that is fine.
If that doesn't appeal then simply reading the rideout etiquette thread will show a prospective rider these rides are not for them and they will simply not attend, unless of course they have a hidden agenda.

As for the comment's on my riding....
It is what it is.
It's safe, I have lots of certificates telling me so, and get my riding and driving (they don't like me driving ambulances if I am not safe) checked annually.
It's fairly swift. There are both faster and slower riders out there.

There was a lot of people I have never ridden with yesterday, so you will forgive me if, whilst my intention was not to show how fast or not I am, nor leave you all behind, it was to stay far enough ahead on the open road for your mistakes to not end up as my downfall. That's not to say I think you are all shit riders, just that not knowing you or how you ride the trust I must have to ride closely is not there yet so I must ride accordingly until it is.

Finally, a small quote from the recently amended etiquette:
The Marker System

The system is designed so anyone from a racer to a novice can follow a great route as worked out by the ride leader, possibly on unfamiliar roads, without the hassle of trying to navigate yourself as the route will be marked for you.
It is designed so all ride attendees can and positively should ride at a pace they are comfortable with, be that fast, slow or somewhere in between.
It is not designed to provide a "group" ride where all attendees stick together in one big gaggle riding to the pace of the slowest rider. If you choose to slow down to ride the route with a slower rider, or ride in a mini "gaggle" of similar paced riders that is fine, but the social part of the ride is primarily during the breaks for food, fuel and drink along the way.
The idea is not to keep up, but to follow the route at your own pace. Any pressure felt to keep up is purely self induced and quite frankly if you do not have the common sense and willpower to know when enough is enough for you then you really are not welcome on the ride. ALL riders are welcome, as long as they are safe. If you are riding out of your comfort zone to keep up you are not safe, hence not welcome.


Hopefully that will be the end of this nonsense.
See you on the next one.

 

[SPL]

I think Adam's post above pretty much sums it up.

If people take the time to read the drop off system etiquette, they would have understood that it's a ride-out method designed to cater for all styles and speeds.

The only time it's ever been a problem for me is in a large group containing a very broad range of speed preferences.
Under those circumstances, you can end up marking a junction for a very long time.

But if you want to ride progressively and are not prepared to wait for a while on a junction, you shouldn't ride in that type of group.
I've chosen not to join a particular group for subsequent rides after this happened to me.

I Wouldn't have dreamed of knocking the guy who organised it though.
The fact that the pace was too slow for my taste was my problem, not his...

 

[TheStig]

A piccy of the few people that stayed the course

Cheers

Steve

 

[AdamA]

Now you've done it, and gone and posted a pic of my bike.

I am gonna have to go out and ride it again now.

 

[TheStig]

With those tiny weeny little indicators !! which I want

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hello All
My first ride out with Adam and the rest, great day!!! Will be up for another one. Good selection of roads and great scenery (should be looking where I'm going.) Nice to ride with ppl who get on with it as well...
Also my 1st time with the marker system which I got the hang off real quick. So where and when is the next one?

P.s. Will wash the bike for the next meeting!

 

[AdamA]

So where and when is the next one?

I'm working on it. My calendar is a bit full the next few weekends tho.
Wales this weekend, mate staying over next weekend, big trailie green lane ride 10th, TRF AGM 16th...
Hopefully get one in 26th October but I need to check what is going on work wise before I commit. Will get something up start of next week.

 

[AdamA]

For those that do want to play again:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161285