Scottish ride outs whats your say

[Uinneag]

New thread so not to Hi-jack yesterday's ride out or Skinnerscotch's threads

I've picked up on one of Garfud's quotes

I've decided I don't want to lead rides

I know exactly how you feel as there will always be at least one critic usualy one that doesn't organise one themselves and if anything goes wrong you feel an element of responsabilty.

You may have noticed that 99% of the SS feel the same Paul as not many will organise a ride out wether it be a lack of confidence or lazy


I must admit I hate the convoy ride outs I much prefer to meet at a destination have a bite to eat then part.
I find them more dangerous than any other riding I do inc off road and riding abroad.

The person at the front should be more or less ride the slowest on the ride out as in MPH. It's a hard job trying to keep track of up to 20 bikes behind you. The people towards the back are playing catch up. On some of the ride outs I've been on, the front lot have overtaken traffics then the rest have been stuck behind it for some time and then some feel the pressure to overtake at the earlist oppertunity, I've seen some feckin scarey ones as a result the ones at the back are riding much faster than the ones towards the front.

Anyone that complains the pace is too slow can always go on ahead there is not "set in stone" rule that when your on a ride out you need to stay with the group "it's not a club"

Same applies to the ones that think the pace is too fast let the rest bugger off over the horizon you'll catch up eventually as you should know where your going and if you get lost your old enough and ugly enough to find your way by now

I'm still up for organising ride outs as the majority enjoy them and there are so few willing to step up to the plate and organise one.

You may find Paul that everyone enjoyed yesterday and are perfectly willing to go on your next one

This not here to stir shit as all that organise these ride outs are amatuers and should be supported

 

[Deleted account rno]

What happened yesterday is something I've always dreaded on any run that I've organised and despite it being totally outwith Garfield's control, I bet he still feels shite. Worse than any of the others who attended (other than Skinnerscotch of course), simply because he organised it and was leading. The lunch meets are a good idea when folk are travelling fair distances but you'll still get wee pockets of guys travelling together just to get there. It doesnae seem near as bad when there's only half a dozen or less to worry about behind you though.

I stll ha'e nighmares aboot the first GOTC ride oot. Pishin' rain, folk forgettin to mark junctions, folk gettin lost, folk (well, one person) complaining aboot the fast pace (any slower and the back marker would have fallen off mind you) and despite that, someone did have an off on the wet, greasy roads. Thankfully, only the bike was injured. I still felt rotten though.

Personally, I don't really mind leading a ride out but I'm guilty of no' working a proper Drop Off System when it's just a a load of SS guys out for the day. I think that may now change when I next organise one.

 

[cunning fox]

just arranging a meeting point is probably the easiest way to go
takes away all the responsibility, an allows everyone to go their own way/ own speed.
the drop off system is great for larger groups as long as everyone knows how it works, an the back marker KNOWS the route

I think if anyone wants to go on a rideout they should at the very least be on time and have a map of the route if they're no sure

 

[DrFarkoff]

Saw this in the "Fish Dash" thread yesterday whilst yearning to get out and go on it!!

http://boreenrun.ie/dropoff.php

I will post it up on our local club as there's still a few twats that do what they feel like and cock it up for the rest of us

I haven't seen what happened yesterday up there yet hopefully no real damage

 

[Uinneag]

Saw this in the "Fish Dash" thread yesterday whilst yearning to get out and go on it!!

http://boreenrun.ie/dropoff.php

I will post it up on our local club as there's still a few twats that do what they feel like and cock it up for the rest of us

I haven't seen what happened yesterday up there yet hopefully no real damage

Tis great when it works but there's always one

 

[skyenet]

I have been on quite a few ride outs and have absolutely no complaints at all. Thoroughly enjoyed the GOTC ride that Ronno was referring to. (I just made sure I stuck behind him).

I will be organising a rideout to the Air Museum in Dumfries and then on over to the Raiders Road later in the year so will be watching this thread with interest.

By the way folks your record for runs is excellent compared to when I had an Lotus Elise and went on Scottish Elises runs. We ended up with an average of one car per run off the road. Over the years they have refined their guidlines for road runs and I hope they/you don't mind me publishing their summary points. I have reread their full guides and they are really good and in many ways are similar to issues that might arise with our ride outs.

Summary
Take care to plan a sensible route in terms of timing, quality of roads, etc.
Publish the route to all participants.
Make sure everyone has a map, and a "worst case" rendezvous point in case all else fails!
Drive in groups of 4-5 max, following only the car in front, and keeping a weather eye on only the car immediately behind you.
Take great care when overtaking - the car in front may be fazed by yet another Elise popping into line in front!
Signal in line with the Highway Code unless clearly agreed with the whole group beforehand.
Always signal the turns in towns, and hang back at awkward or easily missed junctions out in the country to ensure the following car doesn't sail straight on.
Keep your distance on Motorways and don't swap places too often, this can be construed as "racing" by the local constabulary.
Agree meeting points on or just at the end of a Motorway section, to allow everyone to drive at their own pace if preferred.
Always have regard for the other (often gobsmacked/terrified/envious) motorists en route, and uphold our good reputation at all time

Iain

 

[garfield]

I'm happy to do it, just when someone bins the bike makes you feel a little bit sick....anyhoo Ewan's at home doing ok and that's all that matters to me....

All the other points I agree with, I suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.....

 

[Uinneag]

I'm happy to do it, just when someone bins the bike makes you feel a little bit sick....anyhoo Ewan's at home doing ok and that's all that matters to me....

Good man

 

[garfield]

Good man

I added a bit....when you do it for the first time (and yesterday was that) it's hard work, I suddenly have a hugely massive respect for the rides I have been on which others have led.....

 

[freeloader]

I know exactly how you feel as there will always be at least one critic usualy one that doesn't organise one themselves and if anything goes wrong you feel an element of responsabilty.

You may have noticed that 99% of the SS feel the same Paul as not many will organise a ride out wether it be a lack of confidence or lazy

Never been asked, but a lack of confidence would make me refuse.

I must admit I hate the convoy ride outs I much prefer to meet at a destination have a bite to eat then part.

Agree, 100%. I thought it was just me who thought this, though.

I find them more dangerous than any other riding I do inc off road and riding abroad.

The person at the front should be more or less ride the slowest on the ride out as in MPH. It's a hard job trying to keep track of up to 20 bikes behind you. The people towards the back are playing catch up. On some of the ride outs I've been on, the front lot have overtaken traffics then the rest have been stuck behind it for some time and then some feel the pressure to overtake at the earlist oppertunity, I've seen some feckin scarey ones as a result the ones at the back are riding much faster than the ones towards the front.

Anyone that complains the pace is too slow can always go on ahead there is not "set in stone" rule that when your on a ride out you need to stay with the group "it's not a club"

Same applies to the ones that think the pace is too fast let the rest bugger off over the horizon you'll catch up eventually as you should know where your going and if you get lost your old enough and ugly enough to find your way by now

I'm still up for organising ride outs as the majority enjoy them and there are so few willing to step up to the plate and organise one.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

You may find Paul that everyone enjoyed yesterday and are perfectly willing to go on your next one

Had to work so don't know, but on the posted evidence, wish I'd been there.

This not here to stir shit as all that organise these ride outs are amatuers and should be supported

Yup.

 

[Kaybe]

I have not been on any of these SS runs.

However any runs that I have been on (mainly sports bikes) there are usually three disctinct groups within a group run.

Those at the front who can run at any pace but choose to be quicker on day, middle group who tend to have varied skills, and at the back someone who is very experienced and volunteers to be last to ensure, if there is any "catch up" required they are very capable.

Meantime as they do run last, it is less stressful for those immediately in front of him.

For that reason that last person position, should be shared out by the more experienced riders.

In terms of group run I prefer you know where the next stop is, and within reason everyone can make their own progress to said destination.

 

[DrFarkoff]

I suddenly felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.....

Ah Ya have bought yersen an over the shoulder belly supportin Girdle

 

[garfield]

Ah Ya have bought yersen an over the shoulder belly supportin Girdle

...... .....I wasn't expecting that from you.....

......

 

[Deleted account rno]

There's also a lot to be said for a bit o' "make it up as you go along" type o' run tae. Some o' the best runs I've been on have been like that.

I mind one o' the best bein' a Sunday late in 2005 when I met G.C. and Stumpy and we ended up on a magical mystery tour. There were only three o' us which was easy to keep tabs on each other.

Club type organised runs are fine but no a' the time. Some folk like to live on the edge

PS Guid to see some new "organisers" taking the reigns

 

[doyle]

Most folk have come up with good points that can maybe be used in the future.

The end meet point,so folk can make their own way

Either the person who's organising it or the mod to keep a list of folk going on the run /riding on their own to rendezvous point.I mean post it

The route marked up so folk can do their own thing.

A list of mob numbers to be held by organiser and mod if there.

I personally really enjoy riding with other folk if the pace gets too fast for me i just back off.But i enjoy following someone who's smooth taking good lines and feel i've learned a lot by watching and following.

Nobody should feel guilty if they want to stop for a photo,I certainly don't

 

[Voyager]

I totally agree with HRH's comments.

I have led runs for the BMW Club and it is hard work.

The last one had about a dozen 'Northern Section' members staying at Callander and I was asked to 'show them Scotland'.

I prepared maps with emergency telephone numbers and issued them at the start.
We had a briefing at the Hotel Car Park so that everyone knew the route and the rules.
I had a work colleague act as Back Marker - we had worked on the route together so he knew exactly where we were going.
We used the 'drop off' system (the BMW Club are very good at this and it makes a huge difference when there are a lot of bikes).
I always pulled over after a busy intersection to let everyone re-group.
I had contacted lunch venues and tea rooms in advance.
We all made it safely home.

Personally I feel that around eight bikes is my most comfortable maximum number and I really hate large groups (I was once on a John Clarke, Dundee event with 36 bikes - about which the least said the better). I really prefer to ride alone though.

I agreed to organise the run because I had been on a lot of Club runs around the North of England and knew what was expected.

From the sound of it, Garfield did a good job and has nothing to feel bad about, so don't be put off Paul.


Bob.

 

[Decster]

I really prefer to ride alone though.

+1

 

[garfield]

I mind one o' the best bein' a Sunday late in 2005 when I met G.C. and Stumpy and we ended up on a magical mystery tour. There were only three o' us which was easy to keep tabs on each other.

..... .....come to think of it, one of the best days was being out for a bimble with G.C. too..... .....I must head for the Lochy for lunch one day.....

that not to say the same for the rest of you.....

 

[robmack]

Some really guid points here, am glad that am no the only wan that does'nt really like the group rides.
Ah usually hang back to prevent gettin snagged up.
Bearing in mind that most ride out's for me are around 150 to 200 miles just to get there, ah dont really feel the need to do the group ride out's.
Personally prefer to ride either alone or in very small groups with everyone knowing where they are going, that way if some one stops for a pic or in trickdays case a pish there's no probs meeting up.

 

[flat oot dougal]

Ride out.

Having the first ride out under me belt with the gs, it was a good day. shame for the big fella and hope he gets fit soon. doyle and i had to contend with ah that buggering wind gain hame n wasnt sure wot side o the white line we were ment to be on. bra day tho, cheers paul.