Le Carnage weekend to Normandy

Originally Posted by specialone

So I assume nobody wants tee shirts then ? I can cross it off my to do list then ?

As far as I'm concerned you can, but please leave the name of the breakdown cover underwriter on your to do list!

Originally Posted by F4LL3N

Just for the record I've never done a group ride before so I'm pretty novice and I'm definitely not a fast rider!

Your speed won't be a problem.

Keep your distance from other riders, or offset your road position so if they hit the brakes your not going to run into the back of them (eh Phil! ). Also helps with forward visibility if you offset slightly from the rider in front (but don't compromise safety for visibility).

Make your own decisions, don't be a lemming and jump off a cliff just because the guy in front of you did.

Don't ride faster than you normally would trying to keep up. We don't care how fast you are, nor are we trying to be faster than you. You have NOTHING to prove to anybody. We are not going to leave you behind or let you get lost, if you loose sight of us we'll be waiting at the next junction for you, and the smokers amongst us probably quite grateful for the fag break, so just take your time. The last thing we need on holiday is to be picking you up off the road and worrying what to do with your crashed bike. Anyway, what's the worst that could happen if you did get lost? You'd have to find your way back to the campsite, follow signs to Bayeux or Caen, then follow signs to Creully = no big deal.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Make your own decisions, don't be a lemming and jump off a cliff just because the guy in front of you did..

Exactly, infact I remember the first time I met and followed Ralph it was a fantastic morning, I remember getting really into the spirit of things, great fun but then ralph decided to dismount his bike mid corner and I decided to be the bigger man and not follow like a sheep so kept riding

I don't know why I'm being so cheeky, think I'm most likely to come a cropper out of anyone (don't read that phil!) not had a working bike in too long.



Bang on what you said about worrying about speed, no one is judging anyone at all - probably the worst and most common mistake playing catchup.

That's fair play. Not worried bout getting lost, I have the routes now so should be fine. I've ridden in Europe 3 times previously just on my own. All will be ok =). Besides don't have to worry about it til we all meet up prior to the departing ferry lol =)

[Dave20046]

Oh and that's another reason I perhaps should be apprehensive I've never driven or ridden on the right hand side of the road (for primary use)

[MisterTommyH]

Must remember to go the 'wrong' way at roundabouts. And give way to cars pulling out on you.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Tommy H

And give way to cars pulling out on you.

Please tell me that's a joke!

Originally Posted by Dave20046

but then ralph decided to dismount his bike mid corner and I decided to be the bigger man and not follow like a sheep so kept riding

Was that this one? (linky)

I didn't dismount the bike mid corner at all! I dismounted when 'til it stopped, errrm, sliding along the ground. It didn't even really fall over. The bike just decided it was tired and it should have a lie down. Or maybe it was having an identity crisis and decided it was a surfboard

Gaz, we will have a rideout before Normandy, main thing is mate, relax, don't worry too much, I used to get up tight and worry I'd be too slow and it made my riding worse tbh.

As ralph said, NOBODY will get lost or left anywhere.

We will use the 2nd man drop off system so the designated ride leader will point to the junction he wants marked, then that rider directly behind will stop and mark that junction ( so take the turn or exit they instruct you to) until the TEC ( tail end Charlie) who is the designated 'last man', arrives.

As long as the person marking the junction doesn't ride off until the TEC has acknowledged him, nobody will get lost

[MisterTommyH]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Please tell me that's a joke!

You have to give priority to vehicles emerging from the right. Not sure of the exact rules, but it worrys me.

Originally Posted by specialone

Gaz, we will have a rideout before Normandy, main thing is mate, relax, don't worry too much, I used to get up tight and worry I'd be too slow and it made my riding worse tbh.

As ralph said, NOBODY will get lost or left anywhere.

We will use the 2nd man drop off system so the designated ride leader will point to the junction he wants marked, then that rider will stop and mark that junction ( so take the turn or exit they instruct you to) until the TEC ( tail end Charlie) who is the designated 'last man', arrives.

As long as the person marking the junction doesn't ride off until the TEC has acknowledged him, nobody will get lost

Not panicking really, just new to me. As for the right hand side it's actually not too bad. You get forced onto that side when you get off the ferry anyway.