Doing the rideout?

Oh, well, nice to see I'm not alone.

It's not speed that worries me to be honest, I'm not talking about people crashing because they are not riding at their own pace, more what Fizz says about leaving room and space, and not ending up like a pack of dominoes if somebody gets into trouble, panics, or does something silly. Or people getting frustrated with the pace and riding down the wrong side of the road trying to get up front, before cutting back into a busy pack in at the last minute with oncoming cars flashing headlights, as I've seen a few times on the GM. Also once a car driver has waited for 100 bikes to pass at a give way, he is going to be pretty tempted to go for a silly gap and pull out on someone. Or simply someone marvelling that they can see see so many bikes in their mirrors, then looking back forwards just in time to avoid whoever they had been careering towards. Or car drivers marvelling at us and pointing us out to the kids, instead of looking where they are going. Etc, etc , etc. I just think we are all going to need to be all eyes!

100 bikes arriving in one place at the same time is just a situation on the road that nobody is expecting, nor is anybody particularly used to, and that's when **** happens.

[chris8886]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Riding with 200 others is no different from riding with 30 others

You'll only ever see up to 20 in front of you and maybe 5 behind unless you're on a really long straight

But it's more interesting when you can fill a small supermarket car park when you stop...

Just remember to wave and smile to the folks that stop and stare...




Now... Organising a 200 rider rideout... That's the challenge...

i agree here.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Oh, well, nice to see I'm not alone.

It's not speed that worries me to be honest, I'm not talking about people crashing because they are not riding at their own pace, more what Fizz says about leaving room and space, and not ending up like a pack of dominoes if somebody gets into trouble, panics, or does something silly. Or people getting frustrated with the pace and riding down the wrong side of the road trying to get up front, before cutting back into a busy pack in at the last minute with oncoming cars flashing headlights, as I've seen a few times on the GM. Also once a car driver has waited for 100 bikes to pass at a give way, he is going to be pretty tempted to go for a silly gap and pull out on someone. Or simply someone marvelling that they can see see so many bikes in their mirrors, then looking back forwards just in time to avoid whoever they had been careering towards. Or car drivers marvelling at us and pointing us out to the kids, instead of looking where they are going. Etc, etc , etc. I just think we are all going to need to be all eyes!

100 bikes arriving in one place at the same time is just a situation on the road that nobody is expecting, nor is anybody particularly used to, and that's when **** happens.

you raise some valid points, but the way i see it is that you can only control what you do! give yourself the best chance of anticipating and then reacting to a situation as you can. be confident and don't worry about what you can't control is my way of thinking. i've ridden in groups plenty of times, but none as big as this, other than the previous 2 AR's, but i'm not going to get myself worked up and worried about it (i don't mean this in a nasty way as there are plenty of other things that make me crap myself, lol).

[Drew Carey]

All we ask is that people really do pay attention during the pre-ride breifing and that people keep their distance. It doesn't matter at what point you get to each stop.

But yes, bit apprehensive about it. To be honest though, if people ride sensibly there shouldn't be any issues.

Originally Posted by metalangel

Just a question, is there a map of the route anyway? Hovis would always draw it up in Google maps so you'd see what you were getting yourself into.

In answer to this question, there is. But we won't be giving details of the route out until people arrive. This is the norm for the AR, plus, being a public forum, we don't want our whereabouts for the whole day known.

[phi-dan]

I'm not coming up to the AR, but I do occasionally get out on the Martin Jennings run (annual charity event - Martin died at the Manx 20-some years ago) which has a turnout of over 1000. In recent years it has had a police escort (6 bikes ish) and the bike paramedic turns out too.
tbh, the only trouble comes from people riding like twonks and trying to overtake the whole rideout in one go, then dropping back to do it all again. There was a bad accident a few years back (probably the reason the police now show up!), but that is the only time in the ride-outs history that anything like that has ever happened.
Now, I've not met any of you in person, but I'm sure you are all quite sane (regardless of what gets posted up here...) and so long as everyone sticks to their own limits / riding ability you will all have a blast.
Obligatory linky to video of lots of bikes on a rideout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x78ic1PkmE8

[phil24_7]

I'm really looking forward to it, the sight of over 100 bikes, and more importantly the sound.

The ride is very well organised, with loads of markers who know there stuff. The general public seem to enjoy the sight and sound as much as us, so generally give us the time and space we need, sept for maybe 1 or 2 wollies!

If you think you are slow and nervous, believe me, there will always be someone slower, or more nervous than you, and after the first leg, you will all feel much better about things. You'll also find the group naturally divides up into smaller groups, making it seem much less intense...until the stops!

Then you get all the sights and sounds of the ride, compacted into a small area, which is awesome...Queue car park kill switch, and who's horn,exhaust is louder!!!

Sorry if this sounds a bit noobish.

How does the rideout actually work?

I know we well have someone leading, and someone right at the end - but what are the jobs of the markers?

[dyzio]

When the group gets spread out, you might find that you can't see anyone. So you might not know where to turn etc.

The job of the marker is to mark a junction and tell you where to go so you don't get lost. The marker waits at a junction until another maker arrives or until everyone has passed (TEC)

Ah I see.

Thank you

[Drew Carey]

I agree with everything Phil has said, with the exception of the last part. Please can we not have backfiring, burnouts etc in the stop areas. As will likely cause a world of hassle. lol.

[phil24_7]

I said horns, exhaust and car park kill switch!!! Backfiring/burnouts are very much frowned upon!