Meets and Ride Outs Pointers and Observations

Most of us meet up at the Oakdene Cafe mate on a Wednesday eve, it's on the A20 at Wrotham Heath, not too far from Brands.

It'll be dead down there this time of year but role on spring and it'll be getting busy!!

 

You get a spring effect too, the same as in heavy traffic on the dual carriageway, or with people marching/running in a column. If every person lags a little bit (waiting to overtake a car, or lagging a little on a march) then the guy at the back has that tiny bit, multiplied by the number of people, to catch up. The bigger the group the bigger the spring. being at the back of a larger group ride, the few at the back tend to be flat out the whole way.

 

Thanks mate.
It'll give me a bit more time to tame her

 

I have been out once this year was quite a large group, ironic we did get split up, although we knew were you were going to end up so met there. it was a shame but still a good day out.

Sniper675, not sure where you live in Kent, but so far have ridden every weekend since I have had my bike now, I live in east Sussex but often go over to Kent, you are more than welcome to tag along with us, I not fast although there are a few who are, I just tell them you go, and I will catch up, we use the drop off system, keeps it fun for all

 

I'm off on Saturday. If the weather is dry, I shall be available for a ride.

 

Have ridden various systems for groups and led smallish (less than 10 riders) groups across Europe. At the front you set the pace to the person behind you. If everyone makes sure the person behind them follows the route then its pretty painless. Works for days at a time and nobody got lost. Always had the best rider with a route at the back and the slowest rider in 2nd place.

If you have more than 6 bikes in a group then I honestly think it has to be a slower ride otherwise the tail end charlie is going to doing mega speeds to keep up with the group even if the front man is staying legal.

If you get to a bit where there are no turn off's (e.g. Lydd road?) then its OK to then blast on and go for it and wait at the end.

Been out in groups using the drop off system (IAM group - the pursue, pass and piss off brigade) the system works if everyone sticks to it, but I do find it a lot of bother. If I am leading I can see 2 or 3 bikes behind me and if they can see the ones behind them it should all stay together.

Next time we have a big group we could divide into smaller groups, ERS could lead a fast group and I'll be happy to lead a slow group, meet at the rendezvous, after all its about enjoying the day out.

 

Couple of bits I want to add....

Going through towns and villages dont be a cock and keep the speed reasonable as too many times ive seen giant bellends trying to thrash about showing off infront of people.

Dont bitch ... if you have a problem with the way someones riding i find it easier to just talk to them as apposed to moaning to everyone else on the ride out... dont forget the person doing wheelies and having a general hooligan about still enjoys riding as much as you do so respect peoples differences....


One thing about the large group thing numbers only come into affect when the group is of mixed ability, i regularly go out with around groups of 8-12 using no drop off systems or anything but we all ride at a rather fast pace and know where our destination is. Therefore i think the best plan is always to think of a system when you meet for a ride out.... and this can change whilst your out, if everyone is at the same sort of comfortable speed and no one is split up id just take it as a normal ride so no one has to sit about

they are my opinions anyway

 

Be good to get out with you at some point Nick, I'd like to see the R1 for one thing! Doing exams next week so not out much at the moment, but I might pinch a day off work when suns shining in the next few weeks and see if you are free.

One other quick observation, and it's the same with snowboarding, sometimes the leaders have been sat about a bit once the last people turn up for the rest stop. They're keen to get on again, so the slower riders get much less time to rest, and they're often the ones who need to chill the most!

 

That's a good point Mike as a snowboarder myself I totally agree. Happy to ride out anytime dude