A newbie wants to join in and have some fun in rideouts

yantheman · 07-05-2008, 05:59 PM

Hi all,

Being a newbie I don't really know what to do in a group ride out. I have my monster for about 5 months now and have been riding alone and would like to join the others. I passed my DAS last October and still learning to ride my bike properly and worried that i would be left behind/slowing people down in a groupie... or am I just being paranoid?

Anyway hope to meet some of you on the board. Here's the picture of the bike

Pedro · 07-05-2008, 08:18 PM

Look out in the area section of the forum, slob and Headhunter look after London so I'm sure they'll be along in a minute.

For a big day out, The Monster Weekender is in a few weeks!

yantheman · 07-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Thanks Pedro. I think my concern is how to behave in a group rideout? since I 've never been to one before and really haven't got a clue...

Is there some sort of group etiquette I need to be aware of?

thanks in advance

Pedro · 07-05-2008, 08:31 PM

All will be explained at the Weekender about the national rideout.

Most of it is common sense, staggered road positioning, leaving space etc, you'll get the hang of it in no time

Ped

Albie · 07-05-2008, 08:33 PM

Most groups behave very well as far as those I have been on. The newbies or slower are best up the front and the faster ones tail behind as they can catch up if traffic splits groups up. In our kent group not often more than 10 most times so is quite good. You can come out with us anytime.

JP joined us a year ago with limited experience and he now leads us at times. Even I do and Im not fast rider.

Its all about enjoyment not racing and trying to get killed. We have rules and those who disregard them usually get a public roasting on this forum sometimes.

Welcome anyway.

CK & AK · 07-05-2008, 08:38 PM

If you can get to Box Hill (close to junction 9 of M25) this Sat, pop along & come for a natter & meet some people. No pressure to ride out - the ride there & back will prob suit to start with (thats what I did the first couple of times). You'll be suprised at how quickly you'll get to know strange people you meet from the internet when you are standing in a car park full of bikes...

yantheman · 07-05-2008, 08:38 PM

thanks Pedro and Albie... that scares me to death already

and CK & AK... two people in this profile I believe?

CK & AK · 07-05-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yantheman

and CK & AK... two people in this profile I believe?

CK = Charlotte K
AK = Alan K

Albie · 07-05-2008, 08:42 PM

No No No dont be scared. Its great fun.Lucky you dont have to ride 2 up like me all the time. Come to Arrow Mill. Its going to be a gentle bimble up there. Get a tent and bag and have some fun with us.

Stafford · 07-05-2008, 08:44 PM

No hard and fast rules more common sense, but I like this one.
Gives you time to see what's going on in front.

The two second rule: The leader starts out in the lane's left track. The second bike is in the right track of the same lane and is only one second behind the leader. Then the third rider will be in the left track of the lane, two seconds behind the leader. The fourth rider is in the right track of the lane, two seconds behind the second bike, and so on down the line. Maintaining this formation, and these distances will discourage other vehicle from cutting into the group. However, if a vehicle does try to cut in between riders in the group, back off and let them in. Safety of the group, is the first concern.

Also
Don't centre your focus on the bike in front of you. Scan ahead instead, just like you do when riding alone.
And if they're going to fast DON'T try to keep up let them get on with it you'll see them later.

07-05-2008, 08:44 PM

Where abouts are you in London? There's a few of us meeting up at High Beach in a few weeks time. Check out the Essex forum. Steve

yantheman · 07-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks for all the reply

CK & AK - Thanks Charlotte & Alan, I will try to make it to Box Hill this Sat no doubt!

Albie - Is there a rideout in Arrow Mill soon? Sorry I might be mistaken, is that the The Monster Weekender that Pedro mentioned?

Stafford - Thanks, that sounds a simple enough rule to follow, I will bear this in mind

LoughtonLion - I am in South Tottenham, about 10 mins from M11. The picture of the bike was taken in Epping Forest 2 days ago

Headhunter · 07-05-2008, 09:11 PM

Hi Yantheman,

Hopefully I'll be arranging a few ride-outs for June or organising a London contingent to meet up and ride down to one of the Surrey/Sussex, or Kent meets.

At the moment my weekends are spent back in Oxford doing some mods to the bike but once they're out of the way (should be by Sunday) I'll be able to sort a few events out.

There's a group meeting up tomorrow night at the Ace Cafe, if you fancy it - http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...&highlight=ace

07-05-2008, 09:19 PM

CK, think it might be a good idea if you mention what time youll be at Box Hill.
Wouldnt mind coming along myself as Ive never been there for a meet and only live in Epsom...

G

CK & AK · 07-05-2008, 09:31 PM

Gimley - here you go mate: http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=27650

all the info there sir

and also in this thread too: http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=27525

look forwards to seeing you there

07-05-2008, 08:18 PM	#2
Pedro Ciao, come stai? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 4,157	Look out in the area section of the forum, slob and Headhunter look after London so I'm sure they'll be along in a minute. For a big day out, The Monster Weekender is in a few weeks! __________________ M900 - 1993! Monster 1200R!

07-05-2008, 08:31 PM	#4
Pedro Ciao, come stai? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 4,157	All will be explained at the Weekender about the national rideout. Most of it is common sense, staggered road positioning, leaving space etc, you'll get the hang of it in no time Ped __________________ M900 - 1993! Monster 1200R!

07-05-2008, 08:33 PM	#5
Albie Fanactical volunteer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent Bike: M900 Posts: 9,033	Most groups behave very well as far as those I have been on. The newbies or slower are best up the front and the faster ones tail behind as they can catch up if traffic splits groups up. In our kent group not often more than 10 most times so is quite good. You can come out with us anytime. JP joined us a year ago with limited experience and he now leads us at times. Even I do and Im not fast rider. Its all about enjoyment not racing and trying to get killed. We have rules and those who disregard them usually get a public roasting on this forum sometimes. Welcome anyway. __________________ http://albies93m900.blogspot.co.uk/

07-05-2008, 08:42 PM	#9
Albie Fanactical volunteer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent Bike: M900 Posts: 9,033	No No No dont be scared. Its great fun.Lucky you dont have to ride 2 up like me all the time. Come to Arrow Mill. Its going to be a gentle bimble up there. Get a tent and bag and have some fun with us. __________________ http://albies93m900.blogspot.co.uk/

07-05-2008, 08:44 PM	#10
Stafford P3, nice. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calne Bike: S2r 1000 Posts: 2,145	No hard and fast rules more common sense, but I like this one. Gives you time to see what's going on in front. The two second rule: The leader starts out in the lane's left track. The second bike is in the right track of the same lane and is only one second behind the leader. Then the third rider will be in the left track of the lane, two seconds behind the leader. The fourth rider is in the right track of the lane, two seconds behind the second bike, and so on down the line. Maintaining this formation, and these distances will discourage other vehicle from cutting into the group. However, if a vehicle does try to cut in between riders in the group, back off and let them in. Safety of the group, is the first concern. Also Don't centre your focus on the bike in front of you. Scan ahead instead, just like you do when riding alone. And if they're going to fast DON'T try to keep up let them get on with it you'll see them later. __________________ celeres-racing.blogspot.co.uk/ The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival. Last edited by Stafford; 08-05-2008 at 06:36 AM..

07-05-2008, 08:25 PM	#3
yantheman Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Bike: M620sie Posts: 348	Thanks Pedro. I think my concern is how to behave in a group rideout? since I 've never been to one before and really haven't got a clue... Is there some sort of group etiquette I need to be aware of? thanks in advance

07-05-2008, 08:38 PM	#6
CK & AK flob-a-lob-a-lob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NW Surrey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 3,306	If you can get to Box Hill (close to junction 9 of M25) this Sat, pop along & come for a natter & meet some people. No pressure to ride out - the ride there & back will prob suit to start with (thats what I did the first couple of times). You'll be suprised at how quickly you'll get to know strange people you meet from the internet when you are standing in a car park full of bikes...

07-05-2008, 08:44 PM	#11
LoughtonLion Guest Posts: n/a	Where abouts are you in London? There's a few of us meeting up at High Beach in a few weeks time. Check out the Essex forum. Steve

07-05-2008, 08:57 PM	#12
yantheman Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Bike: M620sie Posts: 348	Thanks for all the reply CK & AK - Thanks Charlotte & Alan, I will try to make it to Box Hill this Sat no doubt! Albie - Is there a rideout in Arrow Mill soon? Sorry I might be mistaken, is that the The Monster Weekender that Pedro mentioned? Stafford - Thanks, that sounds a simple enough rule to follow, I will bear this in mind LoughtonLion - I am in South Tottenham, about 10 mins from M11. The picture of the bike was taken in Epping Forest 2 days ago

07-05-2008, 09:11 PM	#13
Headhunter THFC Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Bike: M620ie Posts: 829	Hi Yantheman, Hopefully I'll be arranging a few ride-outs for June or organising a London contingent to meet up and ride down to one of the Surrey/Sussex, or Kent meets. At the moment my weekends are spent back in Oxford doing some mods to the bike but once they're out of the way (should be by Sunday) I'll be able to sort a few events out. There's a group meeting up tomorrow night at the Ace Cafe, if you fancy it - http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...&highlight=ace __________________ Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. Sir Winston Churchill Last edited by Headhunter; 07-05-2008 at 09:31 PM..

07-05-2008, 09:19 PM	#14
Gimley Guest Posts: n/a	What time at Box Hill CK, think it might be a good idea if you mention what time youll be at Box Hill. Wouldnt mind coming along myself as Ive never been there for a meet and only live in Epsom... G

07-05-2008, 09:31 PM	#15
CK & AK flob-a-lob-a-lob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NW Surrey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 3,306	Gimley - here you go mate: http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=27650 all the info there sir and also in this thread too: http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...ad.php?t=27525 look forwards to seeing you there