ARTNW Rideout Discussion Thread

[yorkie_chris]

EDIT BY LUCKYPANTS: I have created this thread for the rideout discussion posts that have been going on in the ARTNW Photo Thread. This is a more appropriate forum for the discussion as this is related the running of group rideouts.

I ask that posts are kept to the point and not personal. Inappropriate comments will be moderated per site rules.

Here is the post I judged to be the start of the rideout discussion as opposed to discussion of the photos, there is no reflection on Y-C that I chose his post as a start point for this thread.
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Leading is a hard act to balance, need to go fast enough to keep people interested but not too fast that noone can catch up when you need markers!
Well worth reconnoitring a route too so you can still hold a decent pace without having to inspect the map at every crossroad.


Since I missed this is there any chance of a google map of the route? It sounds interesting and I'm heading down to South Wales again in couple of weeks. Possibly on the mighty XJ900, where better to take an ill handling antique with plastic tyres

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Ed

so we went back to the campsite along the horrible A458. I really don't like that road, the twists are just too much - 270 degrees in some cases, road usually streaming wet as it's under the trees next to a rockface, and bits of gravel and rock over the road

This actually sounds ace.

If you're tired after couple hundred miles then you bought the wrong bike! I really like the 675s but god I wouldn't have one, similar to other stuff in supersport they are the perfect weapons when everything is right and you are in banzai mode. But uncomfortable and confidence sapping when you're unsure and can't get to the point to start making the chassis work and give you some feedback, taut and firm is only good to push on. Get one of the baby tigers

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Leading is a hard act to balance, need to go fast enough to keep people interested but not too fast that noone can catch up when you need markers!

This is true YC, but we were using a second man drop off, and most of the folk were keeping close enough to the leader for it to be feasible for a bit more pace.

There was a big enough mix of riders in the group for it to be manageable. The lads two-up on the restricted bike managed to mark junctions (I think).

I'm sure Ed has a map of the route and he'll put up a link for you.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

This actually sounds ace.

If you're tired after couple hundred miles then you bought the wrong bike! I really like the 675s but god I wouldn't have one, similar to other stuff in supersport they are the perfect weapons when everything is right and you are in banzai mode. But uncomfortable and confidence sapping when you're unsure and can't get to the point to start making the chassis work and give you some feedback, taut and firm is only good to push on. Get one of the baby tigers

Chris wait until youre in your 40's and 50's and see if you arent tired after 200 miles
IMO it depends on road, conditions, what i had for brekkie, how much i drank the night before, pillion etc etc
Towards the end i was getting tired and making silly mistakes and wrong decisions through dwindling concentration.
That said i done a ride a few weeks ago which ended up being 270 miles and didnt feel half as tired.
Carrying a pillion tires me out for some reason as i am having to concentrate more, brake earlier, accelerate smoother, worry about her etc.
Ive also got a really bad shoulder i need to get sorted as im doing france in september and i cant carry enough pain killers for that.

BTW, i couldnt lead a ride atm i dont think, probably not quick enough for most riders, havent got the ability yet to process everything and worry about 30 odd bikers behind me, i dont mind doing TEC though, its nice playing catch up

[christopher]

Nice seeing you MYC, hope you've enjoyed your first week

For the ride I was going to suggest at the lunch stop that someone else take over for a stretch further north (if we'd have made it to Barmouth/Trawsfynydd/Bala/Llangollen I'd have been happy to as know the roads well) but with getting lost time disappeared and we didn't make it that far round.

Still it was a good weekend, good roads and even better company Will definitely go to the next one if Ed or anyone else organises something in the same area. Campsite at £4 a night was a bargain, just a shame about the breakfast situation but sure something could be done there.

Well I am in my 30's and knackered lol!

Have to agree Phil - Mistakes like following your Sat Nav when it sent you in the opposite way to Wem lol!

Those 2 lads on the restricted SV (Ryan & Sean) were perfectly able to keep up. When we all got lost they were with me and we followed my SATNAV back and went 20 miles without seeing anyone and then started passing junctions that were marked by riders. Twas a little confusing.

Ask Ryan about the bloke in the Passat that was doing silly speeds!

Also Phil has a point about Alcohol intake. First ever time I have been on one of these meets, but I learnt that burning the candle at both ends and trying to ride a bike is not a good mix!

Originally Posted by danf1234

Well I am in my 30's and knackered lol!

Have to agree Phil - Mistakes like following your Sat Nav when it sent you in the opposite way to Wem lol!

The mistake I made there Dan was not following my satnav, instead followed marked junctions and my satnav said go opposite way, 6.1 miles to campsite, then 9.4 miles to campsite, I lost my rag a bit then and thought feck this, so I followed my satnav and it got us back, albeit down about 4 miles of green lanes lol

Originally Posted by specialone

The mistake I made there Dan was not following my satnav, instead followed marked junctions and my satnav said go opposite way, 6.1 miles to campsite, then 9.4 miles to campsite, I lost my rag a bit then and thought feck this, so I followed my satnav and it got us back, albeit down about 4 miles of green lanes lol

I was in "got to get to the CO OP before it shuts" riding mode so I was riding a little quicker than normal. (Ask RyanSV)

I want Beer, which made me die the next day lol!

Originally Posted by specialone

BTW, i couldnt lead a ride atm i dont think, probably not quick enough for most riders, havent got the ability yet to process everything and worry about 30 odd bikers behind me, i dont mind doing TEC though, its nice playing catch up

Why do you need to worry about how many you have behind you ?, It's more worrying when they start coming past you

Looks like you all had a crackin' time

[MisterTommyH]

Originally Posted by Teejayexc

It's more worrying when they start coming past you

Ha ha, that'll be after about ten minutes then......eh Matt?