ARTNW Rideout Discussion Thread

[TamSV]

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

try me

I'll arrange the T-shirts.

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

Jesus H christ. Poor lad ed. Sounded like some folk had a good time. Others didnt.

Really?

Having read the two threads concerning this rideout it appears that everyone had a bloody good time and they've all thanked Ed profusely for organising it.
Somewhere there was a communication breakdown, which has been brought to attention - someone has had a hissy-fit, taken his ball and gone home. All of it is uncalled for, because everyone, including those he's directly accused of slating him have thanked him time and time again for an excellent weekend.

To those who are saying they won't attend AR11 because of what they've seen here... grow a sack and stop being a drama queen ffs. You don't have to go on the rideout if you're that worried about it, but if you're willing to forgo a bloody good weekend's fun and drinking in the company of some of the best people you're likely to meet on the basis of one person getting the hump over some constructive criticism, then you really do deserve to be sitting watching X-Factor instead.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

It's damned obvious what the problems were, if there ever were any problems... It's all because Bear didn't do the pre ride-out briefing.

+1

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Now see, thats not particularly nice.
After all his hard work to give people a nice weekend too, it always ends up in bun fighting, either before or after. Funny how its always the organiser that gets hit in the balls and feels they have to take a retreat...

Also +1

Originally Posted by timwilky

I feel slightly annoyed that post ride out mutterings have escalated to such a point that Ed has taken things personally. He did a sterling job in organising a superb venue and some brilliant roads.

Those unhappy with pace should try to lead a group, keep them all on the right route and communicate. For instance I was totally unaware we had a new lead after the detour down the wrong road.

It is all very well the front having a hoon If they then fail to ensure that the rest of the group remains in contact. When we did get split, surely an alarm bell should have gone off. Although nothing had happened, it was conceivable that a serious incident could have occurred yet there appeared to be no attempt to find out what had happened to the rear section of the group.

Riding with a group, is literally that. I was not happy with the pace of the only AR I have ever ridden. Did I moan, yes I did. but went with it, had longer rests, knew the route so sometimes I was in front of the lead and having an ice cream as they passed, sometimes I was at the back, but I was not part of the group. Group riding is slower than a blast with the lads, end of. Just accept things, put toys back in pram and lets be friends again.

At the end of the day, we all had a ride on some lovely roads and all came back to beer, curry and a fire

+1 blimey I've agreed with Tim

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Well all I can add, is that I was thinking about coming to this rideout, but couldn't. I was thinking about the AR but I'm not so sure now. I haven't been on so many "rideouts" yet and the ones I have been have been on were small groups and the pace swift where conditions allowed.

From limited experience I see that it can be an almost impossible job to keep large numbers of riders together and keeping everybody happy with every aspect of the weekend absolutely impossible. To me if you want to go fast and frantic, go on a trackday or with small groups of mates and on routes that you know.

Expecting to get a fast riding fix on a long large rideout that aims to stick together is going to be a big ask, surely it's as much about the banter, the booze (if that's your thing), the experience of all riding bikes together, getting to know new people and having a crack. If it ain't that then what's the point?

Do large rideouts ever split into paced groups like track days, equivalent of "fast, middle and casual"?

Well from my experience of the last 2 AR rideouts, I've enjoyed both, I ride at my pace and let the loons go at theirs.

I thought last years was particularly good with the number of bikes involved.

So I'm looking forward to this years rideout.

Its always difficult planing and leading a rideout, and we've had a few memorable ones in the EAR, but when its gone slighty wrong, we've shrugged our shoulders and said Cest La Vie

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Well all I can add, is that I was thinking about coming to this rideout, but couldn't. I was thinking about the AR but I'm not so sure now. I haven't been on so many "rideouts" yet and the ones I have been have been on were small groups and the pace swift where conditions allowed.

From limited experience I see that it can be an almost impossible job to keep large numbers of riders together and keeping everybody happy with every aspect of the weekend absolutely impossible. To me if you want to go fast and frantic, go on a trackday or with small groups of mates and on routes that you know.

Expecting to get a fast riding fix on a long large rideout that aims to stick together is going to be a big ask, surely it's as much about the banter, the booze (if that's your thing), the experience of all riding bikes together, getting to know new people and having a crack. If it ain't that then what's the point?

Do large rideouts ever split into paced groups like track days, equivalent of "fast, middle and casual"?

Oh please, don't let this put you off coming to the AR...because if this 'yearly arguement' puts folks off, then I can tell you now, I will most certainly be f*cked off to say the least

You've pretty much got the idea of what it should entail, all in one post. The only thing that you can never really do on a rideout so large is split into groups of 'skill level' etc. It takes a whole day to ride with 100 or so bikes, pencilling in fuel stops, eating, picture bits etc, so doing different groups not only takes longer, but it requires a hell of a lot more people on board to get it to run smoothly.

ON THE AR, we shall be doing it the way the organisers deem the best, and we ain't taking any notice of bickering a*holes that seem to think their opinion matter.
IF you wanna do it your way, come back next year and organise one yourself, then and only then, will you know what its all about.

FFS, this thing has blown way out of proportion, the majority of people if asked would say, weekend was great, rideout couldve gone smoother, never mind, whens the next one?

Its making it sound like were all bitching about it and we didnt enjoy ourselves, it simply isnt true, the weekend was ace and i would 100% go on another if Ed done another.

Ive PM'd Ed and said the same, it wasnt the first rideout to go a bit pear shaped and it wont be the last, but it doesnt detract from the fact that the weekend was brilliant fun.

This has turned into something so stupid and pathetic I really cant blame Ed for not wanting to be part of the org any more. Facts are stated, YES it was a slower ride than what some people wanted/expected. I`ve been on much quicker, Christopher and myself were in agreement that the AR10 ride was slow, didn`t hear any complaining there. We missed a turn and ended up stopped for a few minutes.....SO. If moaning about it makes you feel better, well done. Sort your own rideout and make sure its perfect as someone else will take your shoes and have a moan. I feel gutted for Ed and pretty pi55ed off that this post ride crap has come about. Shut it and do ur own weekend, see if its as good an event as Eds weekend was. If it is, well done, you will probably expect something for being special. Ed deserves something and thats a medal for putting in the time and effort. A bit of respect please, doesnt cost anything and if all u want to do is ride as fast as possible, go join a fast bike forum with a fast bike under you and see how they do rides too.

Sorry my fault, poor literary skills on my part. I'm so laid back on these type of things I'm almost horizontal. I am planning to come, in any case I'm want to show Lozzo my sack

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Sorry my fault, poor literary skills on my part. I'm so laid back on these type of things I'm almost horizontal. I am planning to come, in any case I'm want to show Lozzo my sack

Lozzo, no problem, but don't offer to show Bear your sack, it could lead you down a path you've never wanted to go down

Phil i think we posted similar sentiments at the same time, but agree fully.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Lozzo, no problem, but don't offer to show Bear your sack, it could lead you down a path you've never wanted to go down

I still need to wash my eyes out from seeing that, and its been two years!