awful riding

I was sitting at some lights today and to my amazement, two blokes on 04 sv's pulled up both sides of me. ( I say blokes, they looked all of 20 to me). I dont know why but I just got this feeling they were really new riders but they looked very keen to race off down the road. To be honest if your going to do that kind of thing, this was a brilliant place for it.

I must be getting old (23!) but I thought, nah not today. Anyway lights went orange and they sped off and I just followed behind them. Ive never seen such a poor performance from one of these blokes! To say he was unsmooth off the line was an understatement, then he didnt brake anywhere near enough for a roundabout and went horribly wide on the exit, narrowly avoiding the curb! But still hes giving it handfuls of throttle.

The next set of roundabouts happen to be some of my favourite corners, they are kneedown racetrack material, perfectly flat, perfect camber. Anyway I wont go on about myself but basically I gave them both a good ass kickin through this section and pulled away so I could just see them in my mirrors.

I slowed back down to 35 because there was now 2 way traffic and one of the muppets decided to go through the gap in the 2 way traffic and FAST, it was so tight! Im not sure what happened on his way through but he lost traction and had a horrible wobble which looked like it needed some serious hanging onto. Thankfully he made it unscaved but obviously **** himself as he pulled over straight away. He was very close to a serious accident.

Now I really do sound old but I felt like I encouraged him a bit and if I see someone who looks like a newbie, im leaving them to it in future! I wont finish on a patronising note and maybe im too inexperienced myself to give advise but if you are a brand new SV'er - respect it!

[ophic]

lol thought this might have been about me - i couldn't keep the back end in line this morning.

A good point - I'm new and easily influenced, but some riders are best off left to their own devices!

I'm wary abnout riding with some mates as they're nutters.. but if you know someone its easier..

one concern of mine is on the big ride out is being tempted to "keep up"

i'm still learning how to ride my bike and don't have a huge amount of confidence on the thing.

been riding since november but i've never ridding with anyone else

not been the weather to get a feel for the bike

Originally Posted by shutdown

one concern of mine is on the big ride out is being tempted to "keep up"

i'm still learning how to ride my bike and don't have a huge amount of confidence on the thing.

I'm in the same boat, only got my bike at the end of Jan and with the weather have hardly ridden it. We'll stay at the back and if we lose everybody, we'll just find a pub and get **** faced instead

i like your thinking

Originally Posted by nickj

I'm in the same boat, only got my bike at the end of Jan and with the weather have hardly ridden it. We'll stay at the back and if we lose everybody, we'll just find a pub and get sh*t faced instead

i know the feeling i have only had my bike since oct and i sometimes feel very inscure at times but i did the snowball to birmingham from south east london with 9 other very experinced riders 35-40 i am 20 but they were aware of my needs and two of the nine were always by my side they took it in turns to stick with me while the other seven blasted of for a while.

[ophic]

i did the ride-out last year 2 up. Keeping up wasn't too much of a problem. I'll be there probably 2 up again this year, so if i get left behind i don't actually care too much

On most 'big' rideouts, there will tend to be different factions, who will do things slightly differently, be it going fast, or following a slightly different route, or even getting lost

There is a saying that the only rider enjoying themselves in a group is the guy at the front . . . with the poor sod at the rear sweating like a fat man at a disco trying to keep up

The only advice I can give is to ride at a pace that you feel comfortable with, and if that means arriving 10 mins or half an hour after everyone else, then so be it. No one is going to laugh at your supposed 'lack of ability' as these things aren't a race. Sit back & enjoy the ride - save the racing for the track days.