VD Easter tour...

Organise meet-ups, ride-outs and trips to events with other RiderSite members.

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RiceBurner
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Re: VD Easter tour...

#16 Post by RiceBurner » Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:08 am

oma wrote:
Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:37 am
BikerGran wrote:
Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:10 pm
:smt012 I posted that more as a joke than anything but maybe there aren't any old RSers that remember it........
How did the Easter tour work, then?
Big organisation or just a loose meet up for a few days?
Did it attract large numbers or just a few hardy souls?

Could it work again?

😊
One person took the responsibility for herding pumas and the rest is easy. ;)


All you have to do is:
  • Post the details of the B&B where YOU'LL be staying for Friday and Saturday night, everyone else can find their own accommodation.
  • (Deal with comments/messages/threats/complaints/whinging)
  • Notify that you'll be at XXX location on Friday morning at XX:XX time, to leave an hour later.
  • (Deal with more comments/whinging/complaints/threats)
  • Plan routes for the 3 days (Getting there on Friday/Rideout Saturday/Returning Sunday).
  • If sensible, keep routes to self.
  • (Deal with threats/comments/whinging about lack of information concerning routes, deal with suggestions/cajoling/threats concerning possible alternative routes).
  • Fold and post routes.
  • (Deal with threats/cajoling/whinging about routes).
  • Arrive at determined meeting location an hour early.
  • Talk to other single reprobate who arrived before you did for 2 hours.
  • Get ready to leave just as 30 nutters arrive all demanding time for coffee/piss/shit/smoke/vape/chat/complaint about weather/route/B&B/restaurants/forum etc etc.
  • Leave for ride to Borders 3 hours later than planned.
  • Lose 20 riders on first junction.
  • Lose another 3 on third junction.
  • Carry on regardless as you've had enough by now, and everyone (supposedly) knows the destination
  • Regain entire rideout group 50 miles further north apart from 4 who have gone home when it started drizzling.
  • Arrive at lunch spot to find place is boarded up.
  • Adjourn to motorway service station, lose another 5 riders en route mysteriously.
  • Receive call from someone who's just arrived at the original departure point wondering where everyone is.
  • Arrive at B&B town's one and only petrol station and watch as group disperses completely to find their accommodation.
  • Get to B&B, check in and collapse on bed.
  • Field 30 text messages about when/where dinner is booked.
  • Remember that you forgot to book dinner and frantically call the nearest curry house to book a table for 30.
  • Curry house proprietor laughs at you and hangs up.
  • As does local Chinese proprietor.
  • 3rd Curry house, on the other side of town accepts booking.
  • Take 30 second shower and hurry to nearest pub for liquid refereshment, fielding yet more texts about pub,
  • Watch in amazement as rider who you'd thought was accounted for arrives at your B&B with no booking.
  • Drink, eat, chat, have a superb evening :D
  • Remind everyone to FILL UP before arriving at the meet point on next morning.
  • Sleep the sleep of the damned and convicted.
  • Awake Saturday morning to 50 texts thanking you for last night and yesterdays ride, 30 texts asking where the meet point is and 1 text from wife/partner complaining you didn't get in touch last night.
  • ...
  • ...
  • etc.
We all know the rest.
:D

(tbc if I can be arsed.

oma
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Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:16 pm
Location: indeed

Re: VD Easter tour...

#17 Post by oma » Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:30 pm

RiceBurner wrote:
Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:08 am
oma wrote:
Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:37 am
BikerGran wrote:
Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:10 pm
:smt012 I posted that more as a joke than anything but maybe there aren't any old RSers that remember it........
How did the Easter tour work, then?
Big organisation or just a loose meet up for a few days?
Did it attract large numbers or just a few hardy souls?

Could it work again?

😊
One person took the responsibility for herding pumas and the rest is easy. ;)


All you have to do is:
  • Post the details of the B&B where YOU'LL be staying for Friday and Saturday night, everyone else can find their own accommodation.
  • (Deal with comments/messages/threats/complaints/whinging)
  • Notify that you'll be at XXX location on Friday morning at XX:XX time, to leave an hour later.
  • (Deal with more comments/whinging/complaints/threats)
  • Plan routes for the 3 days (Getting there on Friday/Rideout Saturday/Returning Sunday).
  • If sensible, keep routes to self.
  • (Deal with threats/comments/whinging about lack of information concerning routes, deal with suggestions/cajoling/threats concerning possible alternative routes).
  • Fold and post routes.
  • (Deal with threats/cajoling/whinging about routes).
  • Arrive at determined meeting location an hour early.
  • Talk to other single reprobate who arrived before you did for 2 hours.
  • Get ready to leave just as 30 nutters arrive all demanding time for coffee/piss/shit/smoke/vape/chat/complaint about weather/route/B&B/restaurants/forum etc etc.
  • Leave for ride to Borders 3 hours later than planned.
  • Lose 20 riders on first junction.
  • Lose another 3 on third junction.
  • Carry on regardless as you've had enough by now, and everyone (supposedly) knows the destination
  • Regain entire rideout group 50 miles further north apart from 4 who have gone home when it started drizzling.
  • Arrive at lunch spot to find place is boarded up.
  • Adjourn to motorway service station, lose another 5 riders en route mysteriously.
  • Receive call from someone who's just arrived at the original departure point wondering where everyone is.
  • Arrive at B&B town's one and only petrol station and watch as group disperses completely to find their accommodation.
  • Get to B&B, check in and collapse on bed.
  • Field 30 text messages about when/where dinner is booked.
  • Remember that you forgot to book dinner and frantically call the nearest curry house to book a table for 30.
  • Curry house proprietor laughs at you and hangs up.
  • As does local Chinese proprietor.
  • 3rd Curry house, on the other side of town accepts booking.
  • Take 30 second shower and hurry to nearest pub for liquid refereshment, fielding yet more texts about pub,
  • Watch in amazement as rider who you'd thought was accounted for arrives at your B&B with no booking.
  • Drink, eat, chat, have a superb evening :D
  • Remind everyone to FILL UP before arriving at the meet point on next morning.
  • Sleep the sleep of the damned and convicted.
  • Awake Saturday morning to 50 texts thanking you for last night and yesterdays ride, 30 texts asking where the meet point is and 1 text from wife/partner complaining you didn't get in touch last night.
  • ...
  • ...
  • etc.
We all know the rest.
:D

(tbc if I can be arsed.
Seems reasonable.
What could possibly go wrong?

:smt021
All day long I think of things but nothing seems to satisfy.

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mangocrazy
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Re: VD Easter tour...

#18 Post by mangocrazy » Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:52 am

That definitely has the mark pf authenticity... :smt003

The only organised rideouts I've been on (as opposed to a bunch of mates deciding on a destination and miraculously all getting there) was with the Bikers Oracle VFR forum. A couple of the guys did an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, planning routes around North Yorks, Northumberland and Cumbria during the bleak midwinter so that around 20 of us could enjoy 3 days of hoonng around some truly excellent roads. We chose a base in Northallerton and pretty much took over the Golden Lion Hotel, where we also booked our evening meals in advance.

Fuel stops and comfort breaks wre also planned and sat-nav routes were handed out for those so equipped. The rest of us kept in touch (and stayed together as a group) using the 'drop-off' system. I was skeptical about this until I used it, but it really does work. Two positions are fixed and don't change; the leader (i.e. someone who knows and has planned the route) and Tail End Charlie. TEC is always the last in the group and acts as sweeper. Every time you come to a junction or change of direction, the rider behind the leader drops off at a suitable point to signal to all following riders the route to take. He/she stays in position until he/she sees TEC, and then rejoins immediately in front of him/her.

It's basically a case of rinse and repeat after that. You'd need a minimum of around 6-8 riders to make it work, and I'd say a practical maximum would be around 20. This arrangement also caters for a mix of riding abilities, as those who want to 'press on' simply overtake slower riders and leave them to ride at their own pace. The more you overtake, of course, the more often you do drop-off duties. Having used that system I wouldn't use any other when riding with a good sized group.

RiceBurner
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Posts: 114
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:29 pm

Re: VD Easter tour...

#19 Post by RiceBurner » Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:23 pm

mangocrazy wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:52 am
That definitely has the mark pf authenticity... :smt003

The only organised rideouts I've been on (as opposed to a bunch of mates deciding on a destination and miraculously all getting there) was with the Bikers Oracle VFR forum. A couple of the guys did an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, planning routes around North Yorks, Northumberland and Cumbria during the bleak midwinter so that around 20 of us could enjoy 3 days of hoonng around some truly excellent roads. We chose a base in Northallerton and pretty much took over the Golden Lion Hotel, where we also booked our evening meals in advance.

Fuel stops and comfort breaks wre also planned and sat-nav routes were handed out for those so equipped. The rest of us kept in touch (and stayed together as a group) using the 'drop-off' system. I was skeptical about this until I used it, but it really does work. Two positions are fixed and don't change; the leader (i.e. someone who knows and has planned the route) and Tail End Charlie. TEC is always the last in the group and acts as sweeper. Every time you come to a junction or change of direction, the rider behind the leader drops off at a suitable point to signal to all following riders the route to take. He/she stays in position until he/she sees TEC, and then rejoins immediately in front of him/her.

It's basically a case of rinse and repeat after that. You'd need a minimum of around 6-8 riders to make it work, and I'd say a practical maximum would be around 20. This arrangement also caters for a mix of riding abilities, as those who want to 'press on' simply overtake slower riders and leave them to ride at their own pace. The more you overtake, of course, the more often you do drop-off duties. Having used that system I wouldn't use any other when riding with a good sized group.
It's a system that works as long as everyone thinks for 5 seconds. The other thing about it is that every rider has to accept that they're going to get overtaken, it's not only important for the overtakers to ride sensibly - the overtakee ALSO has to be aware and ride sensibly.
But in general - it's a very good system. I love being part of such a group with plenty of space between the riders - you can ride as gently or as fast as you like, with no pressure from anyone behind or in front, and totally not worrying about which road to take - just take the turnings as you're shown them by the markers. :D

I once took 50+ bikes from Woburn Sands to Donington Castle using that system. Didn't lose anyone. :D


However - if 2 rideouts using that system cross paths - you can get absolute chaos if either group aren't totally familiar with who is in their groups...... (don't ask me how I know....)

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mangocrazy
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Re: VD Easter tour...

#20 Post by mangocrazy » Fri Jan 24, 2020 6:24 pm

RiceBurner wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:23 pm
However - if 2 rideouts using that system cross paths - you can get absolute chaos if either group aren't totally familiar with who is in their groups...... (don't ask me how I know....)
That sounds like the stuff of nightmares... :smt005

wastegate
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Re: VD Easter tour...

#21 Post by wastegate » Mon Jan 27, 2020 9:05 pm

Aye from me but Reets is on duty at a cat rescue place over Easter. Which is slightly ironic given Reets went on a few and I never did.
GSXS1000, CB300R, Beta Evo and CBF1000F.

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Re: VD Easter tour...

#22 Post by Stig » Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:01 pm

It’s not the same without Adam. Mind, I never went in any of the tours as it meant socialising with greebos

Still it would be great to revive it as the worlds a sadder place without visordown

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Re: VD Easter tour...

#23 Post by Demonbiker » Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:19 pm

remembering some of the tours.... the laughs, the near misses, the crashes, the rain, the policeman standing in the middle of the road in Wales with a speed gun as 20 bikes ripped past all around him!!! Ah the good ol days!! :-)
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Re: VD Easter tour...

#24 Post by BikerGran » Sat May 30, 2020 10:51 pm

mangocrazy wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:52 am
The rest of us kept in touch (and stayed together as a group) using the 'drop-off' system. I was skeptical about this until I used it, but it really does work. Two positions are fixed and don't change; the leader (i.e. someone who knows and has planned the route) and Tail End Charlie. TEC is always the last in the group and acts as sweeper. Every time you come to a junction or change of direction, the rider behind the leader drops off at a suitable point to signal to all following riders the route to take. He/she stays in position until he/she sees TEC, and then rejoins immediately in front of him/her.

It's basically a case of rinse and repeat after that. You'd need a minimum of around 6-8 riders to make it work, and I'd say a practical maximum would be around 20. This arrangement also caters for a mix of riding abilities, as those who want to 'press on' simply overtake slower riders and leave them to ride at their own pace. The more you overtake, of course, the more often you do drop-off duties. Having used that system I wouldn't use any other when riding with a good sized group.
We used that system in the club I belonged to. I would add that the leader should indicate to the next rider when to drop off to mark junction etc. Otherwise you can get the scenario "Where the heck has everyone else gone?" and eventually when you ridden back and forth a finally found everyone the post mortem goes "Why didn't you mark that turning?" - "Well I thought it was obvious". :smt021
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