New and Returning riders rideout meet up/general chit-chat

[Pedro68]

Ok so I don't derail LP's thread for attendance and route ...

If anyone wants to meet up to ride down to the meeting place (M6 J19) then give me a shout.

My intention is to get to the meeting point by the quickest possible route (and save the twisties for the planned route), so I'll be heading down the M53, M56, M6. To get to the meeting point by 10am, I shall be leaving Wallasey at about 09:15am ... Chester Services seems a popular meeting point, and is en route for me ;-)

[Speedy Claire]

How do i get to chester services :D

[Luckypants]

M53 to M56, turn left onto M56 (signed Manchester) about 5 minutes down there. In fact it is the next junction.

[Pedro68]

Claire, you meet and then follow me ;-)

[stewie]

Claire, you meet and then follow me ;-)

And I can meet you two on the M6/M56 Split at Lymn if you like ?

[Luckypants]

Can't say I hold with riding bikes on motorways (:-dd), so I will go across via A54 from Chester. If anyone fancies that route rather than a bash down the motorway, meet at the point where the A54 crosses A55 (i.e straight down the M53 / A55 for the Wirral boys and girls)

EDIT: The A556 is full of roadworks, I just been told.

[Pedro68]

And I can meet you two on the M6/M56 Split at Lymn if you like ?
Yep, we can meet you at Lymm Services Stewie :thumright: what time?

[petevtwin650]

Looks like we now won't be joining all you lovely guys and gals





And Luckypants. :tongue:

However if the newbie run down here gets cancelled then rest assured I will get there to annoy you all. :smt031

[Luckypants]

Looks like we now won't be joining all you lovely guys and gals





And Luckypants. :tongue:

However if the newbie run down here gets cancelled then rest assured I will get there to annoy you all. :smt031

Always a pleasure Pete................ :smt097

[stewie]

Yep, we can meet you at Lymm Services Stewie :thumright: what time?

Dunno 9.30 - 9.45 ? whatever suits you mate

[Pedro68]

Dunno 9.30 - 9.45 ? whatever suits you mate
The later the better ;-) so say 09:45 - it's only a 5 - 10 minute run down the motorway then to Knutsford services :)

[stewie]

The later the better ;-) so say 09:45 - it's only a 5 - 10 minute run down the motorway then to Knutsford services :)

Yep, see you there then :smt031

[stewie]

Mike, do we have a tail end charlie in place yet ? I would quite like to have a go at that if no one has yet volunteered, maybe share it with someone else so I can help out on the the bigger rideouts in future ? :D

[Luckypants]

Thanks for the offer Stewie, that is great. No TEC yet, but we can sort that on the day, so everyone knows who is who. Leader / TEC need to be pointed out to all.

[5hort5]

First rider out for me over three bikes and with brand new tyres as well, should be inetrsting and i'm looking forward to it.

What do I need to bring? Will there be food at Ladybower? I've not been there before. I was thinking, drink, camara and smokes

[stewie]

First rider out for me over three bikes and with brand new tyres as well, should be inetrsting and i'm looking forward to it

If you want to meet up and ride over together on sun morn, drop me a pm, Im just off to work in like 6 mins so prolly wont reply till fri afters
stew

[Luckypants]

What do I need to bring? Will there be food at Ladybower? I've not been there before. I was thinking, drink, camara and smokes There is food at Ladybower. Camera good idea, smokes not. ;)

[glsuk1970]

Weather looks pretty good for Sunday - metcheck (http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=Buxton&day=2)

A bit chilly but dry and sunny :p

[Speedy Claire]

my thermals are washed and ready :D

[5hort5]

lol chilly is an understatement with -4 or lower predicted at 6am, that's v cold on an M-way, I'm torn between my ride to work gear with jeans and a fleece underneath for the warmth or leathers and thin thermals ...... mmmm so many choices.

Thanks for the offer Stewie, I'll either meet you at Lymm Services but if I'm not there assume I am on my way to knutsford services, it all depends on what time I haul my sorry backside out of bed :-)

[stewie]

Is everyone ready for the mornin then ? Ive been out and filled up the bike and getting me gear together now, lookin forward to it, see you all in the mornin :D

[Speedy Claire]

I went out today on bike and it was sunny but freezing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! gonna be the same tomor so don`t forget your thermals or if you don`t have any i`ve been reliably informed a pair of ladies tights will suffice. I expect to see lots of men in womens tights tomor :D

[5hort5]

I expect to see lots of men in womens tights tomor :D


Although the idea is appealing in some strange way I think that tights are best suited to slender shaved womens legs rather than my hairy trees, ooooooo bad mental image for all there :pale:

Anyway:

Camera charged - Check, Tyres - Check, Fuel - check, GPS charged - Check, phone numbers - check. Pre flight ride to manchester to see how cold it is in my leathers - Check, Checking any bits haven't fallen off in the cold - check!

Well guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. :-)

See you tomorrow

[Luckypants]

Ahh Stewie, the Men in Tights rideout!

[Speedy Claire]

I like that.. has a ring to it!!

"The Men In Tights Rideout" :smt046

[Lissa]

I like that.. has a ring to it!!

"The Men In Tights Rideout" :smt046

I think you should be in charge of checking to make sure they are just wearing tights, and no-one kinky has got stockings on. Might need to warm your hands up first though:D

Hope you all have a good day tomorrow!

[Luckypants]

, and no-one kinky has got stockings on.

Busted! :geek:

[Speedy Claire]

I think you should be in charge of checking to make sure they are just wearing tights, and no-one kinky has got stockings on. Might need to warm your hands up first though:D

Hope you all have a good day tomorrow!


Thanks Lissa, hope you do too, good luck with the rideout.

I think someone mentioned bringing a camera, i`ll make sure i get pics of anybody wearing tights :D

erm.. on second thoughts, maybe not!!! :smt042

[Speedy Claire]

Busted! :geek:


So don`t i need to bother bringing the suspender belt you asked for tomor?????

[Luckypants]

So don`t i need to bother bringing the suspender belt you asked for tomor?????

I prefer stay-ups on the bike, the buckles tend to pinch under leathers :jocolor:

[Speedy Claire]

:-#

[petevtwin650]

Have a good day out all you perverts.:)

Hard frost here and just below freezing, so be extra cautious and vigilant please.

Don't forget to post pics later. Underwear shots are optional.:D

[Speedy Claire]

Hard frost here too... i`m thinking of lost my marbles :(

Suns trying to come out so can only hope it warms up a bit later on. Right, back to my porridge :D

[5hort5]

-5 in my back garden currently

[Tomcat]

very beautiful morning ... but really really cold! :D

[5hort5]

very beautiful morning ... but really really cold! :D

Tell me about it, mind you look at the Buxton am weather station it's -6.5c there.

[dissuade]

can't go now, have majorly nasty cold, have fun peeps and will catch you later!

boo hiss i am jealous!

xx

[5hort5]

we'll post some pics - hope you feel better soon

[stewie]

Sorry guys unable to attend today, not too well myself this mornin, hope you have a good day.

[Durbs]

Bike wont turn over this morning, cold has done for my battery which has been on its way out anyway. Got it on Optimate at the mo to try and get it in a state where it'll fire so will hopefully catch up with youse somewhere between Knutsford & Macc. If not, have a good ride.

[Quiff Wichard]

looks like no one !!

i texted mike to say I may caTCH UP AT LADY BOWER- i JUST DONT FANCY THE ICE HERE THIS MORNING

and I live right near knutsford/Macc.. Mike wudd a been up well early her 90 mins away from the start.

if I go I will take me camera. !

[Durbs]

Pretty miffed, battery stil toast, Optimate just aint the tool for a quick fix. Used the bike on Thurs to get to work and was fine. Was looking forward to that too, never done a rideout before and the weather out there is beautifully clear. P1ssed off!!!

[stewie]

Me too, took the bike out yesterday, filled her up, packed a rucksack and woke up at 05.30 am with yet another skull splitting headache, totally fed up sat at home now :(

[Quiff Wichard]

me just got my gear on..

but sometimes you need to be "in the mood" .. you know?.. to ride the bike and I not sure my head is on it today .

may pop over and take some pics.. think I left it too late even with the riding god that I am I wouldnt catch them up.

probably just mike and claire at moment .. that many have dropped out

[5hort5]

We'll it was a lovely day once the sun got up and a great ride, you were all missed. Some pics and notes to follow - like how good the burger was! mmmmmmm cheese burger!

[glsuk1970]

We'll it was a lovely day once the sun got up and a great ride, you were all missed. Some pics and notes to follow - like how good the burger was! mmmmmmm cheese burger!
Not to mention the pie, peas and gravy Mmmmmmmmmmm

Glad you got home safely, 5hort5. It was certainly a bit chilly first thing (-2, I think Luckypants said) but I'm pretty certain it got 2 maybe even 3 degrees above freezing by lunchtime! Warm, it wasn't. Still had a good ride out though.

A big thanks to Luckypants for leading the way safely, hopefully see you all again soon! :D

[5hort5]

Here's some pics from the day:

The start of the day at knutsford services and mike trying to suck it in :smt016

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5305/pict0002ap6.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0002ap6.jpg)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9375/pict0001gk8.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0001gk8.jpg)



Pedro fixing his gear leave after it nearly feel off. Mike had the tools for the job though.


http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9722/pict0006amj0.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0006amj0.jpg)

At ladybower having a spot of lunch

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4590/pict0011rp1.jpg (http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0011rp1.jpg)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8206/pict0012pw8.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0012pw8.jpg)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3164/pict0013mk4.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0013mk4.jpg)

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2589/pict0014ss2.jpg (http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0014ss2.jpg)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6272/pict0016os4.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0016os4.jpg)

Speedy (Slow to dodge the picture) Claire trying to hide from the camera

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5112/pict0018ra8.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0018ra8.jpg)

That's better now hiding :smt039

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7933/pict0019da0.jpg (http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0019da0.jpg)

Great day and it was great to meet you all. I learned some good stuff about peoples riding styles as well! The burger was excellent and the only scary point was the ice sheet going into ladybower, me not like lol. Look forward to doing this again but maybe not on the coldest day of the year please lol :p :thumleft:

ps - Claire is now going to kill me for posting those pics if I ever go to a ride out again lol - soz xx

[5hort5]

Glad you got home safely, 5hort5. It was certainly a bit chilly first thing (-2, I think Luckypants said) but I'm pretty certain it got 2 maybe even 3 degrees above freezing by lunchtime! Warm, it wasn't. Still had a good ride out though.

A big thanks to Luckypants for leading the way safely, hopefully see you all again soon! :D

Deffo thanks to Luckypants for sorting this out and likewise gald you're back safely. Soz I peeled off at the M6 with steve but my toes had lost the will to live and started to fall off lol. Now having a beer and dreaming of next time. Great job at the back btw, putting up with my slow speed and all, thanks for that. Towns and traffic is fine but and open road with corners, well that's new to me

[Speedy Claire]

http://uploads.bikechat.net/Speedy Claire/cold.bmp



I swear i`ve just wee`d icicles!!!!

Was so cold this morning my lock was frozen!!!! had Pedro en route and Mike on phone and between us all it was soon sorted. Despite the cold it was a fantastic day, once we stopped you soon warmed up. Was great to get out and meet everyone i hadn`t so far met and say hi to those i already knew. Thanks everyone for a really great day and i`ll get my revenge for the bad pics... just wait!!!!!! :D

[Luckypants]

Not to mention the pie, peas and gravy Mmmmmmmmmmm

Glad you got home safely, 5hort5. It was certainly a bit chilly first thing (-2, I think Luckypants said)

Back home about an hour ago, dogs walked and about to cook dinner.

-2?????!!!! It was -7 in places on my ride over!! Having a temp. gauge on the bike is not good for morale!

Glad folks enjoyed the ride, never mind all the 'sorry for being slow / tired / cold / scared' stuff, you came out on a group ride and enjoyed yourselves - that is what counts. All rode round safely, sensibly and happily, so it's all good.

Will post some photos of the most excellent sunset seen on my way home, if they come out.

BTW Good pics 5hort5

[Lissa]

http://uploads.bikechat.net/Speedy Claire/cold.bmp



I swear i`ve just wee`d icicles!!!!

Was so cold this morning my lock was frozen!!!! had Pedro en route and Mike on phone and between us all it was soon sorted. Despite the cold it was a fantastic day, once we stopped you soon warmed up. Was great to get out and meet everyone i hadn`t so far met and say hi to those i already knew. Thanks everyone for a really great day and i`ll get my revenge for the bad pics... just wait!!!!!! :D

Bet that warmed him up:p

Sounds and looks like you had a good day.

One thing I think Mike needs to add to the Rideout tips.................check gear lever:D

[Speedy Claire]

Bet that warmed him up:p



Well i had to do something to warm up!! :D

[Bluepete]

Looks like you all had a good day out! I went up to Rivvy which was packed solid with bikes of all sorts. Not including mine, I had an 8 and 4 year old in tow!

Who is the drunk looking lad in the second pic?

[markmoto]

YOUR ALL VERY MAD!!:cool:

[Girth]

Looks like you all had a good day out! I went up to Rivvy which was packed solid with bikes of all sorts. Not including mine, I had an 8 and 4 year old in tow!

Who is the drunk looking lad in the second pic?

Aye sure was packed up there today seem to be some kind of fun day on by the looks of it.

[markmoto]

Wasnt far off rivvy barn but went for a bimble through appley bridge etc and back home to warm up :cool:

[Girth]

Ah it wasn't that cold today.

Tried to do a route pete took us on but it didnt go well so just did my own thing.

[glsuk1970]

Who is the drunk looking lad in the second pic?

:smt039

That'll be me, then!

[Speedy Claire]

did you sneak some whisky into your coffee at the services??? :D

only kidding.... am not gonna let him be our official photographer again, he`s sacked!!!! :D

[Luckypants]

Who is the drunk looking lad in the second pic?

PMSL!!!

[Luckypants]

This is the sight that greeted me as I came over the Clwyd Gate this evening as I came home (typing is hard as a bottle of wine has passed my lips...............)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/luckypants_photos/2008_0217random0001.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/luckypants_photos/2008_0217random0003.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/luckypants_photos/2008_0217random0004.jpg

[Luckypants]

@Hmmmm not abd for a druink dude

[Quiff Wichard]

yea Mike just work on yer spelling now.. lmao..

glad you all safe and home and thawed out
apologies for me not being there.

[Luckypants]

apologies for me not being there.

bloody lightweight! Tomcat turned out - shame she went to the Ladybower pub and we were at the nature reserve (where Staffs guys took me)

Hope to see you soon buddy

[Pedro68]

Just want to add my thanks to Mike for organising and leading us all around the peak district.
Oh and a huge thanks to Mike for carrying around a set of hex keys ;-) that Suzuki-supplied tool kit is a waste of space :(
Without which I'd have been hand-tightening the nut and then checking every 15 minutes ;-)

Great day - thoroughly enjoyed it ... oh and I'm late posting cos when I got home I had to get all my stuff ready for my jaunt down to Coventry first thing in the morning :rolleyes:

Can't wait for NW3 now :D Bring it on!

Oh, and that ice at Derwent/Ladybower was baaaaaad ... don't wanna do that again ;-)

Cheers everyone - nice to see most of you again, and good to see Si (5hort5)!

[Luckypants]

Can you make out the windmills in the last photo? I live 2 miles towards the camera from there (yes am stioll pisjed!) lol

[Luckypants]

Oh, and that ice at Derwent/Ladybower was baaaaaad ... don't wanna do that again ;-)

Cheers everyone - nice to see most of you again, and good to see Si (5hort5)!

Ha!!! no one mentioned the inch thick ice on the road! We are all hardocre bikers so thought nothing of it! lol. Thank christ for those guys on Trailies waving like mad men at us to warn us.


hmm typing still pished!

[Speedy Claire]

Ha!!! no one mentioned the inch thick ice on the road! We are all hardocre bikers so thought nothing of it! lol. Thank christ for those guys on Tailies waving like mad men at us to wearn us.


hmm typing still pished!


What ice??? :D

[melody]

When's the next one?

I need some fun time.

[Luckypants]

A la Pete and Lissa's ride for the south midlands, lets have a bit of feedback.

How was the ride for length?

How did the marker system work for you?

How did you feel about riding in a group?

Did you feel pressured to keep up and why? (no names, no pack drill)

Anything you did / didn't like?

All feedback welcome

[Luckypants]

When's the next one?

I need some fun time.

Rides will be more frequent as the weather improves.

[markmoto]

When's the next one?

I need some fun time.

Oh mel get rready for the smutty remarks :p

[Luckypants]

Here's some pics from the day:

The start of the day at knutsford services and mike trying to suck it in :smt016

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/5305/pict0002ap6.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0002ap6.jpg)

THAT IS SUCKED IN!!





http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6272/pict0016os4.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0016os4.jpg)

Good to see Ste (Slark) out again, hiding in the background there - we have missed you buddy!



.

[Baph]

Anything you did / didn't like?

I didn't like the fact that I had to drop out of the ride :(

Instead, I had a new toilet cistern to fit, both sheds to empty and re-pack to create more space, and family around for the day. :(

Sort that out for next time please Mike ;)

[stewie]

As the resident lightweight of the border patrol I just want to apologise for my non appearance on sunday, looks like I missed another good day day out and want to thank Mike for taking the time to organise it, I had me rucksack all packed on sat night and the bike fueled and cheked over and was really looking forward to it, anyway I hope to catch you all soon.

[Pedro68]

A la Pete and Lissa's ride for the south midlands, lets have a bit of feedback.

How was the ride for length?
Just right :)

How did the marker system work for you?
I was left feeling that sometimes I simply wasn't sure whether I should mark a junction or not - and I missed one :rolleyes: but in my defence, I was a bit pre-occupied with the fact that my gear-change lever was flapping about a bit :oops:

How did you feel about riding in a group?
It was great :) helps cagers see you :) sometimes felt like I could have pushed on a bit, but wasn't too sure of "overtaking" etiquette, so just did it anyway on a few occasions :-P

Did you feel pressured to keep up and why? (no names, no pack drill)
No not at all ... well perhaps just trying to keep up with you Mike. But ALWAYS made sure I didn't push myself beyond my own ability :D

Anything you did / didn't like?
Didn't like: the cold, the price of motorway services coffee, that ice.
Liked: the pace, the company, the route (esp. the A54 was it?!)

All feedback welcome
Perhaps next time we go out, and since some people like to take photos, we could stop at some of the more scenic locations? I just felt that there were some absolutely fantastic views, but it's difficult to REALLY appreciate them when you're concentrating on ya riding ;-)

Cheers,
Pete

[glsuk1970]

How was the ride for length?

Just about right with the weather being like it was and broken brain (me!) only having a tinted visor and needing to be home before sunset. I haven't ridden around the Peak district before - some great roads, shame about all the 50mph limits though :(

How did the marker system work for you?

No problem, being Tail-End-Charlie was fine, meant I had a valid excuse for riding slow.

How did you feel about riding in a group?

I don't have much experience of riding in a group but I quite enjoy it, gives me a chance to observe the rest of the group and pick up some riding/positioning tips.

Did you feel pressured to keep up and why? (no names, no pack drill)

No, not at all. Like I said, I don't have much experience of riding within a group but once or twice I have been out with a few riders who think they're constantly on a qualifying lap, regardless of what's happening around them. Yesterday though, nobody shot off into the distance to leave the rest of us feeling like an inadequate burden and despite our different ranges of ability we all stuck together. Which was nice.

Anything you did / didn't like?

Liked: Meeting Speedy Claire and 5hort5 for the first time and catching up with the other usual suspects (Luckypants reminded me that the last ride-out I went on was May last year...May FFS!!), the roads and destination, the relaxed atmoshpere when riding and the pie, peas and gravy!

Disliked: The cold! I left the house just after 9am and headed straight up the A483 towards Chester. I'd been riding for about 20 minutes and thought "What the **** are you doing? Just turn around and go back to bed". After a few hand-warming stops and a few wrong turns I rolled into Knutsford about 10:15 for a much needed cup of over-priced, bland coffee.

All in all a great day, look forward to a good few more!

Cheers,

Gary (the drunk looking one!)

[Girth]

How many turned up in the end?

Thought about coming along with you guys but had to get a few things done.

Whens it happening again?

[Speedy Claire]

How was the ride for length?

It was just right for the weather conditions. Choice of route was fantastic and I think worked well considering the location of all the riders.


How did the marker system work for you?

Was great but on a couple of occasions wasn`t sure if I needed to stop or not cos tho i was second place and should`ve stopped I saw that everyone was behind me and had made the right turn so I just carried on. I know that Pedro has mentioned missing marking a junction but as far as i`m concerned we were mostly newcomers to group riding and it`ll improve with experience. Tho it was Me and Gary who carried on for a while and missed you all we maybe should`ve stopped earlier and checked our phones instead of me thinking that i`d see you all round the next bend but again.. its things like this that you learn thru experience and at least I had Gary with me as he was Tail End Charlie and because of the Tail End Charlie it meant that I wasn`t left alone in that situation.

How did you feel about riding in a group?

Was great for my first attempt at group riding. I liked the way it was all organised so well and we all knew the rules etc. I think once or twice I possibly rode a bit to close to whoever was in front of me but the good thing was i realised i was doing it and backed off and will know not to do it next time out.

Did you feel pressured to keep up and why? (no names, no pack drill)

Not at all. I know it was a novice rideout but the pace for me was just right. I know that not all rideouts will be like that and there`ll be some experienced riders who`ll take off and ride faster but i think the organisation and the fact that I know that at a junction somebody will be there to show the way gives reassurance that I don`t need to ride beyond my ability to avoid getting lost.

Anything you did / didn't like?

Liked: the social aspect, meeting everyone... some for the first time and others to just say hi again. The organisation and the constant reassurance of having you all with me and the fact that i didn`t feel under pressure to ride fast. I felt reassured that if something had gone wrong (god forbid) I was in safe hands and with a good bunch of people who I trusted. Having taken the plunge, i`m now looking forward to many more rideouts

Disliked: Nothing, well apart from the cold but that was predictable for the time of year.

[Speedy Claire]

How many turned up in the end?

Thought about coming along with you guys but had to get a few things done.

Whens it happening again?


There were 6 of us in the end, not sure bout the next one but look forward to it

[5hort5]

How was the ride for length?


A very good length for the day, slightly shorter than planned but I felt that was good with the cold weather and the fact a number of people had further to travel home. Perfect length tbh.

How did the marker system work for you?


Very well I thought, although I did pull out a bit sharpish after everyone had gone by once and scared a car a bit, no probs for me but really, to be considerate, I should have let them go past first and then taken them a little way down the road. A learning point for me.

How did you feel about riding in a group?


Very enjoyable and it is so much better than riding on your own. A great day and a great experience. I thought that it felt like a group of ducklings (5 pointy SV's) following a mother duck (VFR) at points though, which made me chuckle. This was between moments of dreaming of cheese burgers.

Did you feel pressured to keep up and why? (no names, no pack drill)


No not at all, I did let a few people past me as I knew they were faster, they always waited till I pulled in close to the left and/or slowed a touch to go by (not sure if this is the convention or not though). Really pleased with Gary being the TEC, he was great as I spent most of the ride just in front of him. I must admit I was scared (well not scared but cautious) of a number of things:

I ride towns with flat roads to get to work not steep hills with bends – this took getting used to so I took the corners slowly as I didn't know any of them and always aired on the side of caution

Ice! - Knowing the temperature I was even more cautious of the valley bits and the smaller roads that may or may not have had salt on. This did play on my mind.

With all that though I did feel I wanted to keep up and on the straights was happy to open up the throttle a touch.

Gary behind made all the difference and was really glad he was there although I did worry a touch he maybe bored with having to follow me slowly through what most would consider great bends.

Anything you did / didn't like?


Likes:

The PEOPLE – without doubt a great bunch and really pleased to meet you all. It's great to have a hobby, a passion for something but even better to share it with others.

The route – Great route and close to me so was really pleased to spot it on the forum and come along. Knew my GPS would come in handy for something lol

The planning – Well planned by people who know what they are doing, very very happy with that.

The food – mmmmmmmmmmmm Cheese Burger!

My Bike – possibly a bit strange to put here but it worked very well and flawlessly, didn't step out once and done what I wanted it to do – V happy with that lol

Dislikes:

Dislikes is a strong would, suggestions is better

I rode through some stunning country on a stunningly crisp sunny day, if I had been on my own I would have stopped at least 5 time to take pictures. I reckon one stop on top of the hills and I would have had some great pics of the bikes and riders so I would say plan to stop on one or maybe two really good view spots next time for some pics and a smoke.

All feedback welcome


When is the next one in the area, I will love to come along again please

:smt023

[Luckypants]

Thanks for the feedback guys, nice to see so many positive comments.

To answer some general queries:-

If you are not if you should mark a junction or not, then MARK IT. Better safe than sorry. If you are number two behind the leader, it is your responsibility to mark a junction / slip road / etc, especially if it is an unscheduled stop for any reason. You must wait for the TEC and either pul out in front of them if it is safe to do so or pull out behind and catch the group up. TEC should ride slower until you rejoin the group.
If you can see the TEC in your mirrors and they are signalling for the turn, then marking is not necessary. This only works in small groups like we had on Sunday. Larger groups will need all turns marking - see above.
If you find yourself riding on your own or in a mini-group of 2 or 3 and feel you might have got lost then pull over to wait for rest of group / TEC to catch up. Get your phone out to check for messages from ride leader / TEC as to what has happened. Don't panic we will find you all.
Ride within yourself. Everyone did on Sunday and that's good. Ride safely with extra awareness of those around you and the effect you have on them.Now the above points were made before the ride, but now you've all had the experience I hope you can see how these 'rules' make sense in practice.

For myself I think there are two things I need to learn.

More stops for photos / warm ups etc. When leading a ride I tend to just enjoy the ride, not allowing for others wanting to take photos, get a coffee etc.
Ride at gentler pace. I do tend to 'enjoy' a good bit of road, which can lead the group getting strung out.

[Pedro68]

Ride at gentler pace. I do tend to 'enjoy' a good bit of road, which can lead the group getting strung out.

I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing ;-) after all you should be able to enjoy those good stretches of road if you wish. If you got too far ahead of us, you always waited at the next junction. Plus if you hadn't been having a few spirited moments, then I wouldn't have felt like pushing on a bit myself ... and because I was doing that, I got much more enjoyment out of it rather than just "pottering" around the bends. I certainly wasn't full tilt, but it was enough for me to enjoy it immensely :)

[Speedy Claire]

I think if the groups large enough and the organisation/structure is in place there`s no reason why some people can`t go off and ride that bit faster... after all its everyone`s day out.

So long as there`s a few left in the "slower group" and we`re confident that somebody will be marking the next junction then go have fun :D

[gixersixerk2]

hi everyone,

just found this site and joined tonight and thought i'd ask if your doing anymore of these rideouts though can I come along please?

cant be till after easter though coz im away :)

[Luckypants]

gixersixerk2 you have PM.

[stewie]

Yeah, course you can, welcome aboard mate, whereabouts in Merseyside ?