I am hurt and disappointed.

It has been brought to my attention that several folk were not happy with my attendance at NW3. I understand that folk felt that I slowed down proceedings,held the group up and did not 'join in'.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that with these rides, everyone is encouraged to ride at their own pace and that no one is ever left behind? I feel that this is exactly how I rode, so I am very surprised that such sentiments have been expressed. . I can accept folk's disapproval at my poor skills in handling the bike, but how does this affect anyone else's riding and enjoyment? If anyone was held back by me, it would be the TECs, and as far as I'm aware they were quite happy to sit at the back with me.

This has really knocked me for six. We all have different riding abilities and circumstances. Some people are better than others. Some have more confidence than others. Some like myself are slowly regaining their confidence following an off. I doubt I'll ever be the riding god that most of you are, but how about making allowances for those not as skilled as yourselves? I guess that for me, NW3 was one allowance too many.

In the same vein, we all have different personalities. Some of us are loud,some of us are quiet, some of us are are bold and extroverted, where others are shy and more reserved, but we all have one common denominator. We are bikers. And we are members of the .org. Is that not enough? Is it asking too much to expect that we accept each other just the way we are and revel in the variety of personalities that make up the mighty .org?

I am truly, truly hurt and disappointed by this.

[G]

Oh dear I always worry about meeting up with big groups for fear of feeling exactly as you do right now.

I'm a quite and shy individual in person around new people, and the worry that my riding may **** people off is always in the back of my mind.

Dont know what to say really!! Its a real shame some people feel that way.

[Viney]

Mel

Dont be too disheartened by this. I dont agree with whats happened to you, but sadly, this happens too often on rideouts. Everyone thinks its a race or a blat.

In my mind a rideout is a gathering of like minded bikers that just enjoy riding together and your ability should never come into it.

If the ride was going to be fast paced, then that expectation should have been made clear.

If you where closer, then you should come on a SELKent rideout. We breakdwon, fall off, loose alram fobs, get lost, all manner of things, but we all have fun. If the faster riders want to bugger off then they do.

I would put it down to experience and please dont dwell on it. Its just sad that these things happen and the people who have said these thing should be ashamed of themselves! Just let me and Jester at em

Originally Posted by Viney

Mel

Dont be too disheartened by this. I dont agree with whats happened to you, but sadly, this happens too often on rideouts. Everyone thinks its a race or a blat.

In my mind a rideout is a gathering of like minded bikers that just enjoy riding together and your ability should never come into it.

If the ride was going to be fast paced, then that expectation should have been made clear.

If you where closer, then you should come on a SELKent rideout. We breakdwon, fall off, loose alram fobs, get lost, all manner of things, but we all have fun. If the faster riders want to bugger off then they do.

I would put it down to experience and please dont dwell on it. Its just sad that these things happen and the people who have said these thing should be ashamed of themselves! Just let me and Jester at em

I agree with Viney

this is disapointing......... but dont let it put you off, there will always be faster and slower riders but the idea on rideouts is to have fun, and be safe, just ride to your own caperbilitys (?) i guess there will always people who want to go fast.

ps i think i found your keys, but they have a ford keyring on them, so they might be somone elses

[mister c]

Don't know the ins & outs of it, but in my eyes a rideout is exactly that, a group of bikers go for a ride out.
Not everybody is a riding god that can scrape thier knees at the earliest opportunity. Some are fast, some are slow, which is nothing to be sorry about as long as you enjoy your bike that's all that counts.
My son didn't want to come out with me when he 1st bought his 125 because, in his words "you will sod off & leave me behind". I sat behind him & let him do the ride & I really enjoyed it. We have been into Wales, down to Stafford, Birmingham etc etc. If I want to have a good thrash, then I go off on my own.
The point I am getting at is that, whoever is moaning about somebody elses riding wants to keep thier thoughts to themselves & if they don't like it, then stay at home.

That sounds like a rough deal, biking is an individual affair and no one should pushed out of their box. We do it to get away from crap, not get more of it I'm sure I'd be at the back of any rideout, looking at views and avoiding cowpats etc, I don't care how anyone else would feel, it's my life and licence, they can do what they want.

Mucho 'balls' for posting Melody, I'd rather ride with a polite considerate biker than a bad hooner anyday.

+1
I get the feeling that some go out on these rideouts to show off their lack of chicken strips and shower the road with sparks off their sliders.

Aren't rideouts supposed to be social occasions? Track days are for showing off.

[G]

I note and am suprised no one who was on the rideout has posted yet.

Originally Posted by Viney

In my mind a rideout is a gathering of like minded bikers that just enjoy riding together and your ability should never come into it.

+1.

Please don't give up.