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yambabe
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PostPosted: 00:48 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Do you criticise? Reply with quote

The Old Geeza's thread today has reminded me about a thread on another forum I go on that I thought it would be interesting to hear your views on.

I know a lot of you ride with your partners, or have good mates that you go out with on a regular basis, and I just wondered how you feel if you see them pull a manouvre that you think is unsafe, daft or plain dangerous?

Here is the original post, made by Shade (who some of you will remember as he posted on here for a bit last year). Diesel is this guy's girlfriend, she has been riding for many years, he did his DAS a year ago.

Quote:
We rode from my place to Diesel's on the A25 today, since the motorway is dull.

At one point, Diesel overtook a van and two cars in a single maneuver, across solid white lines, as the road bent to the left then right. Trees on one side, hedges on the other. She was on the wrong side of the road through both bends.

I passed them later, on the straight, and we pulled over for a fag.

In my opinion, since I passed her starting point a few seconds later, there was no way she could see enough of the road ahead to know it was safe. She insists that she knows the road, and had a clear view, and nothing was coming.

I said that if she ever does a move like that again, she can ride on her own, I've seen her in an ambulance once already.

None of you were there, obviously, so I'm not asking for who is right type stuff, but......

am I being harsh, and a bit of an old woman, or do I have a right to say when I think she's taking a bit of a risk?


This was her response:

Quote:
I would like to point out that there was no solid white lines, I do not pass traffic where there is solid white lines unless the traffic is slow moving and i have room to pass inside the white lines.

This particular stretch of road turns from a 40 into nationals. the bends are very shallow. I know this road well and I know that If im in the left of the lane as the road bends slightly to the right, i can see, over the hedge and up the road if its safe to pull out. once i do pull out, because the bends are shallow, i can see far enough up the road to see if i can pass safely.

the van was up the arse of the car in front and there was adequate room between that car and the one in front, to be able to pull in if i met oncoming traffic. at this point, i could see the road totally clear ahead and it was safe to pass all three vehicles.

i do not ride kamikaze style, if i cant see, i do not manouver, simple as that. I was very angry at shade flying off on one at me that i got myself in a right 2 and 8. I pointed out that he was not in the same position as me when i pulled out, even if he did pass where i was at, a) hes likely to be in a different position in the road to me (I always ride for maximum view ahead as instructed during a bike safe course of which most of it took place along country lanes) and b) the position and speed of the vehicles in front would have changed.

99% of shades riding is done on motorways and london gridlock. 60% of my riding is country lanes.

if he doesnt wanna ride with me then fine but i will not be told that my riding style/ manouvers is wrong especially when that person is not in my position anf the variables change by the time they reach where i undertook the manouver.


So, what do you reckon? Do you criticise others' riding? Do you get angry if someone criticises you, ebven it is someone you know very well or someone you love?

Just for the record, this was my response:

Quote:
I know where you're coming from here I think Shade, because I too ride with someone who is much more experienced than me and takes risks that I would never even contemplate.

We have had similar rideouts, where he has been in front and done overtakes that terrify me. I have shouted at him afterwards, not criticism of his riding so much as because I have feared I will come round the next bend to find him under a truck or something.

We have found a way around this problem. When we are out together I ride in front usually...... He finds it nearly as hard to ride to my pace and keep safely behind me as he does to go off & ride like a twat with me trailing miles behind - when he wants to ride like that he goes out on his own. Easier for me not to worry about him if I can't see him.


Discuss!
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Flip
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PostPosted: 00:52 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't judge others riding skills. Everyone rides differently, and everyone sees a 'risk' as something different. As long as no one wipes me out being a tit then I'm not bothered. Karma
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JonB
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PostPosted: 00:52 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always criticise my Dad because I am jealous that after 24 years of not riding a bike the twat gets a Hornet 600 and pays £150 fully comp for insurance so I pick up and criticise every little mistake I can find.

Although I do especially take note of the fact he always leaves his indicator on, which is very misleading and one of my pet hates. Thumbs Down
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MementoMori
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PostPosted: 01:08 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

My dad leaves his indicator on sometimes too. I criticise the fact he wears little in safety gear as his philosophy is "I won't crash".

He has been riding over 50 years, and fair play, he hasn't crashed for about 35 of those years, but still. The attitude.

He does ride on the brink of sensible, sometimes a bit dangerous.

But I don't criticise those who I've been out riding with, especially as I haven't been riding that long anyway, and unless you're up their arse, you're not gonna have the same perceptions of the road as they do.
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california_rookie
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PostPosted: 06:03 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never got anything to say unless I'm faster on a specific road than someone whom I know is more skilled than I. In which case, I chastize the poor fool to no end. And I'm usually pretty pleasant about accepting constructive criticism and helpful advice. Of course, that's not to say I don't take every word with a grain of salt. Karma
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Irezumi aka Reuben
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PostPosted: 09:00 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that guy just doesnt want to see his missus get hurt, cant blame him for that really.

But this is precisely the reason I dont ride with my old man. He would probably give me a bollocking then tell me it's my choice to balls it up. If my mum was pillion and saw me she would make them tear up my licence. Laughing

When im pillion and my dad does something a bit daft I tense up a bit, but not too badly. It's their lives they can do what they want, but id prefer to see someone walk away or not crash at all.
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feef
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PostPosted: 09:05 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll sometimes think.. "oohh, I wouldn't have overtaken there...."
quickly followed, sometimes, by a "maybe (s)he has seen/knows something I don't"

I don't see it my place to criticise, but I might ask, for example something...

"remember that overtake.. I coulnd't see if anything was coming... could you? was my road positioning meaning I couldn't see?"

until you know everything about the scenario, how can you criticise?

a
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Shaun
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PostPosted: 09:08 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I criticise if I see something as being particuarly dangerous, normally something that Mike has done and I welcome people to criticise me, as long as it isn't done in a 'you're a cunt' manner then constructive criticism is welcome. Thumbs Up
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The Old Geeza
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PostPosted: 09:38 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like constructive criticism after a ride out with a group. And I have no objections to people criticising my riding. I seize my chances when riding like any other biker, but I'm afraid I ain't got got the balls or the nerve to take risks - even if they're relatively save (it's a matter of perception, I suppose).

It makes for good discussion and debate over a cup of tea, coffee or a pint afterwards.

Seems I might have got some peoples backs up with my thread. For which I apologise. It was never intended Embarassed

But it certainly pulled in the viewers! That wasn't the intention either Shocked




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superstacker
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PostPosted: 09:40 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you think someones doing something wrong then, i think you have a right to tell them.

My mate has a bad habit with late braking (admitedly in a car), when i fisrt went out in his car, i simply had to tell him that last minute braking is quite dangerous.

If someone might learn something then tell em!
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map
Mr Calendar



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PostPosted: 09:58 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd have to say I only criticise if someone's driving/riding puts me in danger. There are a lot of different types of bikes that require different styles and approaches. That goes for the riders as well.

Anyhow, most of the riders I'd like to criticise are coming the other way (like those who overcook a multiple overtake and I have to dive left to give them space on my side of the road) and the other handful come from behind and disappear in their power ranger clad glory Rolling Eyes

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kath600
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PostPosted: 10:20 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

i've only been riding 20months but my bike is my transport, i think i've gained a modest amount of experience, riding through 2 winters etc.

however my riding is no where near i want it to be, especially with corners Embarassed Sad so i welcome constructive criticsm from other riders who i respect Wink

have never dished any out to others myself, sometimes when i'm riding in a group its rare i see something i disagree with, its our own personal choice to take the risk, break the law etc. quite often i see a manover or a corner being taken by another rider and wish i could do that lol Embarassed but if another rider endangered me or others with me i would say something!!! Evil or Very Mad

actually the only time i have pointed something out was when i was on a rideout with the cbr lot and we had a guy with us that passed his test 2 weeks previous, me infront of him and a sweeper behind him................ going along the A272 towards petworth, i just had room to overtake a landrover before the next bend. The new guy behind very narrowly escaped an accident cos he followed me Shocked , so that was advice, more than critisism.

saw him in my mirrors and my heart went! so did the guy behind him Rolling Eyes

edit; i can also understand novice riders who get a bit 'cocky' after a short time who think they know it all and start on experienced riders Laughing think its quite healthy when they get knocked back 'down to size' Wink
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Last edited by kath600 on 10:31 - 08 Aug 2005; edited 1 time in total
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BFG
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PostPosted: 10:22 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

As for the scenario above, I recognise it fully. Diesel is playing chess, Shade is playing video games. He's criticising her move based on a glance at the board and sees that she's lost a pawn. He has no concept that it's check-mate in two moves Wink

It takes a lot longer than 1 yr post-DAS riding on commuting roads to develop the skills necessary to make progress on fast A-roads.

On the commuting run, 100% of brain function is looking to react to what's in front of you. The video-game parallel. On open roads, if a rider leaves one corner, without already having a game-plan for the next corner - they have a lot left to learn. His thought processes started at the point she began her overtake. Hers started probably 3 full minutes before than point.

Experienced fast riders will take every opportunity to read the road ahead. A look over a hedge at the right point can give an insight into the next three or four bends. A well known road can easily be seen to be clear.

People without the experience don't even have the mental vocabulary to deal with this concept, so it just seems mad.

Back to the plot....
I only criticise if I feel they will value it. I don't receive that much myself, so I guess other people I ride with are happy with me in the group. But I like to think I do listen.
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G
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PostPosted: 10:30 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

BFG wrote:

I only criticise if I feel they will value it. I don't receive that much myself, so I guess other people I ride with are happy with me in the group. But I like to think I do listen.

Indeed.
I would only mention something if I think someone will listen.
No point trying to help someone be safer if they think 'Why does that .... think he knows it all', then goes off and rides 'worse' to prove a point.
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Steve H
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PostPosted: 10:34 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riding with a group obviously improves your riding - half the fun of a group ride is getting off at the end and then gently Confused taking the piss out of whoever was at the front of the ride for holding everyone up - even if they weren't Wink

I've ridden in front of far more experienced riders than me purely for the opportunity to receive some constructive criticism on my riding style and ability (this is where a Bikesafe Course does come in handy should you have the opportunity to do one).

If someone's riding like a pratt 9 times out of 10 the Group ride ethos will give a fairly clear indication to the individual that he/she was and it might deter them from doing it again.
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RealNinja
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PostPosted: 10:49 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm with Feef, I might think to myself at the time 'Blimey, I wouldn't have overtaken there' and even if someone waits for enough time for more than one person to pass a car, I will wait until I am happy with the overtake.

But as far as openly critisizing other riders, I don't. They have their style, I have mine.

However I might point out to them if they have caused another driver/rider to take evasive action or if they just scrape a pass.

As far as I am concerned, this isn't a critism of their riding, but it might make them think twice about a similar manouver in future if you can point out just how close it appeared.
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Kickstart
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PostPosted: 10:51 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi

Try not to criticise, and I am far from perfect as well, but to be honest rarely ride as part of a group.

There have been times when I have seen pretty awful riding, but not by anyone I have been riding with.

All the best

Keith
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Bendy
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PostPosted: 11:35 - 08 Aug 2005    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Old Geeza wrote:

Seems I might have got some peoples backs up with my thread. For which I apologise. It was never intended Embarassed


Don't apologize. It's an internet forum and good debate is essential. If we all agreed on everything, it would be deeply tedious.


On the criticism issue, I generally won't bother unless I think the person will actually listen, or it's something so bad (IMO) that I can see them getting hurt.

If I'm riding with someone and I don't like their riding style, I just make some room so that I won't be involved when they fuck up, and won't ride with them again.
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