I Just Wanted To Say... Ya Can't Hijack This!! :-))

[Marcus]

Didn't know where to post and I needed to vent, so here it is:

A friend of mine who lives about an hour away just got his learners permit about 3 months ago, he loves it etc etc, anyway a while ago he was asking if I was a member of netriders.net.au, I said to him when I first got my licence I joined up, but ended up having a falling out with a couple of their moderators and and walked away from it back in 2011.

So he said he was going to do one of their Sunday (learner/newrider) group rides along the Great Ocean Road, and asked if I'd like to come along. I said have fun, but no.

Then a few hours later I told him I'd come along, because in my mind he is just a learner of 3 months and the Ocean Road/mountain road into Forrest can be hairy at the best of times.

Anyway, after we meet the group in Geelong, mixture of bikes in the group and also skill levels we hit the Great Ocean Road.

It start raining, and continued to rain until mid afternoon. So the Great Ocean Road, wet slippery and windy and speed limited to 80km and these guys start overtaking on solid lines, blind corners and doing the stuff I'd expect to get them killed.

At the pitstop at Apollo Bay for Fuel. (Not me I still have a full tank) I was expecting the guy running to show to say something about safety of them and other around you, considering this ride is for new rides and learners. But no....

This is me at Apollo Bay on looking for an exit strategy. Deciding when to leave the group.


I choose to stay with them to forrest, because A) I was hungry and B) I wanted my learner buddy to tackle the road to Forrest. I told my friend, we're riding at the back and take your time. Let these Di*#heads kill themselves.

So after Forrest I told the group leader, we're going and thanks for the ride....

I hope, never to do that again.

I guess my point is

THANK GOD FOR OZSTOC.
You guys are a dream to ride with, All of you.

Phew

/rant

[Kev Murphy]

I signed up with netriders about 4 years ago, and being a 'newbie' the sledging that I got from other members was so vicious that I never ever signed in again. Thanks to Alan, I found OZSTOC.

[alans1100]

Just after Kev's incident I pulled out as well. More to do with so called virus threats that supposedly could come from linking to other sites etc. in the signature section. Bit childish I thought; told one of the moderators that and I closed the account. No loss on my part.

[Sabie]

Which one was you again????   

Didn't know where to post and I needed to vent, so here it is:

A friend of mine who lives about an hour away just got his learners permit about 3 months ago, he loves it etc etc, anyway a while ago he was asking if I was a member of netriders.net.au, I said to him when I first got my licence I joined up, but ended up having a falling out with a couple of their moderators and and walked away from it back in 2011.

So he said he was going to do one of their Sunday (learner/newrider) group rides along the Great Ocean Road, and asked if I'd like to come along. I said have fun, but no.

Then a few hours later I told him I'd come along, because in my mind he is just a learner of 3 months and the Ocean Road/mountain road into Forrest can be hairy at the best of times.

Anyway, after we meet the group in Geelong, mixture of bikes in the group and also skill levels we hit the Great Ocean Road.

It start raining, and continued to rain until mid afternoon. So the Great Ocean Road, wet slippery and windy and speed limited to 80km and these guys start overtaking on solid lines, blind corners and doing the stuff I'd expect to get them killed.

At the pitstop at Apollo Bay for Fuel. (Not me I still have a full tank) I was expecting the guy running to show to say something about safety of them and other around you, considering this ride is for new rides and learners. But no....

This is me at Apollo Bay on looking for an exit strategy. Deciding when to leave the group.


I choose to stay with them to forrest, because A) I was hungry and B) I wanted my learner buddy to tackle the road to Forrest. I told my friend, we're riding at the back and take your time. Let these Di*#heads kill themselves.

So after Forrest I told the group leader, we're going and thanks for the ride....

I hope, never to do that again.

I guess my point is

THANK GOD FOR OZSTOC.
You guys are a dream to ride with, All of you.

Phew

/rant

[Biggles]

Sounds like you may well have saved your mate a serious accident.
This is what happens when vanity/image takes over sensible riding. 
I guess the difference with OZSTOC is we don't have to prove a thing.  We've got the best bike, we've done the distances and we've got self-respect and the respect of others.
Those wannabees are still searching for all four.

[Biggles]

Which one was you again????   

The hirsuite one!     

[Kev Murphy]

Those wannabees are still searching for all four.

..If they live that long..

[StinkyPete]

THANK GOD FOR OZSTOC.
You guys are a dream to ride with, All of you.

Thanks Marcus.  That's a wonderful thing to be said about us.   I have no need to impress anyone when I ride, and the occasional "rush of blood" through some nice corners is for me, and  I'm not quick enough to impress anyone anyway.     In all honesty, my non-riding friends express their wonder at overcoming the challenges presented by riding around Australia, an IBA ride, a 1100km return rides for lunch somewhere, or in Chris riding pillion for 2,000km to Toowoomba for a weekend gathering.

There is more of "living the dream" and "cred" in touring Oz by motorcycle, than there ever will be in surviving an illegal and risky 10km fang through the hills, fueled by testosterone and stupidity.

[Streak]

I had a similar experience Kev, i went there looking for potential ST members, and got pounded on very quickly, i have not been back...

[Sabie]

I think its a number of things and not necessarily that we have nothing to prove or anything like that. I think its a combination of the following.

MATURITY
Most of OzSTOC members have a mature outlook (Nothing to do with age) and that's what drew us to the ST1100/1300 in the first place. It was a bike set up to tour and not to race around into corners etc.

EXPERIENCE
This one may have an age component to it.The majority (If not All) of OzSTOC Members are experienced riders, we either had our spills and/or close calls, the ST isn't our first bike and in lots of occasions not our second and third either.

SENSE OF MATESHIP
When we ride together its for the most a bunch of mates riding together, and if your a newbie, you won't be for long. Because of this "MATESHIP" and not just that we're a riding group we're able to talk to each other and if we see something a bit suss about your riding someone will speak up.

An experience I had earlier in the year was a fellow OzSTOC member was concerned about how much clearance I was giving on the duel carriageway when I came back in from the right. He thought I was cutting it a bit to close. I took on board what he said and gave a greater distance when I passed on the duel carriageway. To me watching my mirrors I thought I was giving enough room, however from a following perspective the other rider had a clearer view and talked to me. Since then as the mirrors don't give you a real clear view I've increased the distance when I turn back into the left lane after passing another vehicle.

We have the ability to do that and other groups don't as pride and ego get in the way.

So yes it's a combination of those things I've listed and much much more (in my humble opinion)


(Edited for spelling and Fat Fingers)

[Shiney]

Well put mate

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Sabie]

Thanks Shiney 

Well put mate

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Marcus]

Thanks Sabie. You summed up what was in my mind.
Looking back I probably should have said something at the time, but thinking it was not my place being a tag a long and as Tail end Charlie behind me would have also seen the incidents happen. I'd hate to think that if that's allowed to happen on learner rides without the experienced leader/tail end Charlie correcting it then they are not doing their part to encourage safe riding techniques.

Maybe I will say something. Reactive my account just to say it




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[ppopeye]

Tough day Marcus. In the end you just did the sensible thing and stayed out of trouble. And hopefully showed your mate that you dont have to go flat and impress your mates to have a good time. Goodonya.


Sent from my iPad

[Sabie]

No Problem Marcus.

I think we need to keep in mind that when we ride with a person who has just gained their Motorcycle licence (no matter which State or Territory) the skill level which has been recognized by the relevant State Authority is the bare minimum to get that motorcycle from one point to another. Experience will come from practice...that is every time they take that bike out they're practicing and honing their skills.

We can do one of two things;

1: We can try and impart our experience to them in the form of mentoring. They either accept it or reject it.

2: We ignore the faults and mistakes that we see in them when they ride. We either accept that or reject that -- if we reject it then see option 1.

I should go out and get some practice over the weekend......    

Thanks Sabie. You summed up what was in my mind.
Looking back I probably should have said something at the time, but thinking it was not my place being a tag a long and as Tail end Charlie behind me would have also seen the incidents happen. I'd hate to think that if that's allowed to happen on learner rides without the experienced leader/tail end Charlie correcting it then they are not doing their part to encourage safe riding techniques.

Maybe I will say something. Reactive my account just to say it




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[Shiney]

The overall gist I get from this is that we are either very lucky to be part of one of the best motorcycling clubs around or that mob is one of the worst (Then again both may be true )

Either way it sounds like a good group to stay away from

[alans1100]

While the bike is sitting idle waiting her new battery I gave her the once over this afternoon. Washed and polished her to remove two weeks of dust that she's gathered while under the bike cover.

[gaz]

Thanks Shiney 

Well put mate

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Thanks Shiney   

[Gadget]

I don't care if you are celebrating
Christmas, Hanukkah, or you are Atheist, Agnostic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Sikh, Rastafarian, Druid, Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Taoist, Voodoo, or belong to any one of the other myriad of religions which exist on this planet. I will wish you the best wishes and happiness for the entire holiday season not just for Christmas day.

I believe it is the good will of the season which is the most important. Not which deity you choose to prostate yourself before or not.

Let's not be indignant to others because they are slightly "different". We are all sons and daughters. Some of us are fortunate to be Parents. Fewer are fortunate to be Grand Parents. And a very lucky few are Great Grand Parents.

There is far more which unites us.

So:
Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukah
Seasons Greetings
Joy to All
Goodwill to ALL Humankind

Anything less, is selling us all short.

[Kev Murphy]

 

[Brock]

Happy Holiday erks me, unless used in the context of " You are going to Thailand?? well have a happy holiday."

Happily enough, I am going to Thailand (Yes again) where the shopping Centers will be decked out in Xmas decorations and will be playing carols. Some even have wandering Carolers.

Malaysia gets decked out as well.

I will be going next Saturday for 5 weeks, but I will be keeping an eye out in here so behave.

Oh, every one have a Merry Xmas and a happy new year....

[Gadget]

Happy Holiday erks me, unless used in the context of " You are going to Thailand?? well have a happy holiday."

Happily enough, I am going to Thailand (Yes again) where the shopping Centers will be decked out in Xmas decorations and will be playing carols. Some even have wandering Carolers.

Malaysia gets decked out as well.

I will be going next Saturday for 5 weeks, but I will be keeping an eye out in here so behave.

Oh, every one have a Merry Xmas and a happy new year....

Well I can safely wish you a happy holiday then. Enjoy.

[Brock]

 

[alans1100]

Had my last physio session today which also included some acupuncture.....not sure if that worked or not but I did feel but not painful, the prick of the first needle as it was inserted. Then it was up to doc for a second opinion ending with a  CT scan referral as the last one was done three years ago. Guess it will show either a change has happened or not; so it's over to Port Pirie Hospital on the 4th Jan.

[alans1100]

Our Social Security Dept. sent me a pension card which arrived in yesterday's mail. Though I'm still out of work and on Unemployment benefit it seems turning sixty means one is eligible for that card plus a small increase in the payment which I have been getting since July. With this card I can get some discount on the registration of one car (or bike) and trailer plus 50 percent reduction in driver's licence. Would be nice if they increased the payment up to pension rate as well but I have to wait until age 66.5 for that.

We had to go to Port Pirie today so while there called into the local registration office and sorted it all out. Ended up with a cheque of $67 being sent out for a refund of fees back to July 2015; not often we get a Chrissy present off the state govt.