Reclaim North Wales - protest ride

Hi All

I don't know how many of you are aware of the protest ride taking place this weekend (Sunday 13th September) in North Wales? I have only just heard of this and as it is on my back doorstep intend to take part.

If you have never ridden the roads of North Wales, you should try them, for those of you who have and do, the purpose of the ride (being organised by the usual posse BMF, MAG and MCN) is to remind the Welsh Police who's roads they are, (here is a link to a Welsh Newspaper http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk...1352-24572974/ and a Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=%2...d=248667495133 and MCN page http://www.motorcyclenews.com/reclaimwales)

If anybody is interested in coming along, locate the Ponderosa Cafe, Llangollen and be there at 12:30 Sunday. Or, if you're nearby, I'm joining the Manchester Honda Owners Club (very few of whom actually have Hondas!) at the Poplar 2000 service station on the M56/M6 intersection at 10:00am.

I hope to see some of you on the ride. Please spread the word.

Thanks and keep the shiny side up.

[Red Herring]

I think this has been discussed once on here already, the balance of views was nobody seemed to have a problem with Welsh roads or the policing of them....

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I think this has been discussed once on here already, the balance of views was nobody seemed to have a problem with Welsh roads or the policing of them....

I beg to differ...

the discussion was here http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=137681

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I beg to differ...

the discussion was here http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=137681

Thought you might so just had a quick read of it. There were some 16 posts that could be interpreted as expressing a view one way or the other, 12 seemed to suggest no problem in Wales, 2 sort of sat on the fence and two (one of which was yours) said there was a problem there with the police....

Like I said the balance was there wasn't a problem, unless of course all those that have a problem with the Welsh Police were locked up that week and missed the thread.....

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Thought you might so just had a quick read of it. There were some 16 posts that could be interpreted as expressing a view one way or the other, 12 seemed to suggest no problem in Wales, 2 sort of sat on the fence and two (one of which was yours) said there was a problem there with the police....

Like I said the balance was there wasn't a problem, unless of course all those that have a problem with the Welsh Police were locked up that week and missed the thread.....

Touche! Wouldn't be surprised if they were all locked up though

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I think this has been discussed once on here already, the balance of views was nobody seemed to have a problem with Welsh roads or the policing of them....

I dont have a problem with Welsh roads but reckon this'll be a good rideout and a bit of a giggle so i'm going.

Its just like a big p1ss up, you dont need a reason to have one.

Please stay away from Bala and Porthmadog, which is where I will be with the 675 mob. I don't want any hassle.

The main problem I have with it is that it isn't really a protest ride - that would be more processional, to highlight the numbers who want to ride in the area. This is a bit more antagonistic, and will probably only generate headlines when 25% get points for riding offences

[Viney]

Originally Posted by dazzerj

Hi All

I don't know how many of you are aware of the protest ride taking place this weekend (Sunday 13th September) in North Wales? I have only just heard of this and as it is on my back doorstep intend to take part.

If you have never ridden the roads of North Wales, you should try them, for those of you who have and do, the purpose of the ride (being organised by the usual posse BMF, MAG and MCN) is to remind the Welsh Police who's roads they are, (here is a link to a Welsh Newspaper http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk...1352-24572974/ and a Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=%2...d=248667495133 and MCN page http://www.motorcyclenews.com/reclaimwales)

If anybody is interested in coming along, locate the Ponderosa Cafe, Llangollen and be there at 12:30 Sunday. Or, if you're nearby, I'm joining the Manchester Honda Owners Club (very few of whom actually have Hondas!) at the Poplar 2000 service station on the M56/M6 intersection at 10:00am.

I hope to see some of you on the ride. Please spread the word.

Thanks and keep the shiny side up.

Erm, the roads belong to the government, therefore the police being the government division that uphold the law, then theya re right. If you are breaking the law in some way, if that be plates, 'zorts etc, then its the chance you take by having these things. You cant 'Reclaim' something that isnt yours! What a complete load of tosh.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Durbs

I dont have a problem with Welsh roads but reckon this'll be a good rideout and a bit of a giggle so i'm going.

Its just like a big p1ss up, you dont need a reason to have one.

And I don't need a reason to ride around Wales, or to have a social with a bunch of mates, but it does seem that this is exactly what MCN are trying to provide. I just think you need to keep track of the priorities here. At the moment there is a small element of coppers who like to target bikers, either to tick a particular box on their policing plan or because a minority of bikers do deserve it. The public don't really get involved and bikers are generally very popular where ever you go in Wales. Organizing a big protest that will cause disruption, congestion and generally inconvenience to the public has the risk of alienating them, which ought to be considered. If the police react by organizing further road checks these to will involve the general public (it's normally locals that are the first to get zapped in any speed check) and the diversion of police resources could have further potential impact.
Knowing what I do about policing I know this planned activity won't deter the police in any way from their objective, if anything it will provide them with added incentive, and the necessary public support, to raise the profile further.