CORKERS!!!
Thread started by
R1 at 07.20.10 - 6:48 pm
It's Me Reos!
Well Here's the deal...alot of these rides are very fun but the only problem is that when the rides are huge, there is no one to cork the traffic but me and some random dude. What i'm trying to say is that i wanna start a group of corkers ran by me of about 3-4 ridazz. What our duty(s) is, Cork Traffic So That Our Fellow Riders Make Turns Carefully And Safely. If anyone is willing to join my little cork brigade just let me know, The only requirement is a reflective vest so that on-coming traffic can ACTUALLY see us.
And i have a name for us...The CorkScrewU's
Let me know if you're interested in our fellow ridaaz'z safety!
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Do what you want. You'll eventually see it makes more sense to just stop at the reds.
Joe Borfo07.20.10 - 7:06 pm
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Game....
I help sometimes, when I see a light about to change I hold my post so riders can stay with the pack and not get cut off. Plus, it's a chance for me to sneak in a little hustle all the way to the front line and do it all over again.
^olsko*jr707.20.10 - 7:24 pm
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Hell yeah! That's the spirit!
R1 responding to a
comment by ^olsko*jr7
07.20.10 - 7:46 pm
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@borfo....
hmmm, I would have to disagree with you a bit on this one.... i guess it would depend on the size of the group ride.... Even when LACM was supported by the LAPD, they ended up "corking" for the most part since it made more sense without us asking or telling them... it sort of happened...
and yes, I know CM is different from MR... but why would you say that it is better to stop at all reds when the LAPD felt it more effective and safer for cyclists in a large group to "cork" or whatever term they decided to call it...
this seems like a good idea that those guys are launching "corking" rules... they would be able to work as a team and get "corking" established and run smoother just like the LAPD...each one fo them understand their roles and the best and most appropriate method to "cork" those streets.... now, we can not expect the same level of respect by motorists...but if these guys are able to talk in a nice manner and explain the reasoning, they should be able to defuse an altercation, i hope....
plus, you have to give this guy some credit, he is thinking of safety...he is requesting reflective vests....
dayone07.20.10 - 8:30 pm
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@dayone....
You couldn't have said it any better....
I"M JUST LOOKING OUT OR THE RIDE AND RIDAZZ SAFETY :D
R1 responding to a
comment by dayone
07.20.10 - 8:36 pm
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most of the people i talk to agree on one thing: you can't cork every intersection. if the ride leader is coming up to a red, the front should stop. if the ride is getting broken in the middle, drivers shouldn't force themselves into a crowd of cyclists.
if you're corking at the front, there's a reason no one is joining you. if that's not the case, then carry on!
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by R1
07.21.10 - 4:19 am
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VIP and military convoys do it all the time, perhaps we should bestow that same mantra upon ourselves.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by dayone
07.21.10 - 11:02 am
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LAPD @ LACM is an exception.
As fun as it as, LAPD corked because it was easiest.
Once they started it was easier for them in most every instance to cork the ride.
Think of how much more communication would be necessary with all the cops if they were corking some intersections and not others.
Corking works great on small to medium sized rides, when its a pretty tight group and it can get through in 1 light cycle or less.
With larger groups corking starts to become problematic in a few ways.
1) the group gets spread out. since nobody has to stop, people travel at their on pace. The faster you go the more space you need.
2) after missing a complete light cycle cars start to get impatient. This is neither good for driver/ cyclist relations or for safety as frustrated drivers sometimes start to creep into the intersection as the become more frustrated.
3) slow people get stranded. corking increses the over all pace of the ride. with slow people eventually getting stranded at a red light when the idea of corking for 3 people who are 1/2 a block away makes holding the intersection untenable.
Bike rides are dynamic. 1 strategy does not necessarily work for all situations.
but corking out of sake of tradition or because it seems cool or fun is not always the best way to keep a ride flowing safely.
As we continue to evolve as a bike scene our tactics need to evolve as well.
Corking has its place from time to time but for the most part, bigger rides need to start waiting at more lights, so we have less stragglers, less conflict, and fewer ridazz getting left behind.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by dayone
07.21.10 - 11:10 am
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hmmm, wait, why if it is easier for LAPD to cork because it was easier should rides not include them? LAPD, should have demonstrate was would be considered better forms of keeping a big ride together... didn't the LAPD not want the ride to be split as Roadblock suggested when groups would stop at red lights.... communication should be important even within the rides not just LAPD... and that is part of the issue with corkers when I have been to rides (not that I go often)... it is that someone tries to cork and people have stopped, creating more confusion...
The 3 points you made about the issues with corking for large groups will occur with corking or no corking happening... slower riders seem to have issues keeping up and if they get a couple of reds they are done....
hmmm, i never meant to imply, suggest, or say that corking should continue out of tradition or because it seems cool or fun... my bad if I alluded to that...
"As we continue to evolve as a bike scene our tactics need to evolve as well.
Corking has its place from time to time but for the most part, bigger rides need to start waiting at more lights, so we have less stragglers, less conflict, and fewer ridazz getting left behind. "
of course, i never meant to say riders do not need to evolve to make rides for everyone better.... but if like you do say, corking has its place from time to time... it would still be better for those who are corking to understand when it is time and how to handle it and how many lights cycle are responsible.... and many of your points should be the beginning of some type of guideline...unless most (if not all) rides will stop at red lights and corking eliminated....
dayone07.21.10 - 12:43 pm
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Corking is cool and I do it sporadically, only if I see an impatient driver showing signs of aggression and possibly driving unsafely into a bunch of bicyclists... but anyway, i don't think you can organize corkers to constantly stop every car, it's just not practical, and it's not nice to the cars who have to wait because of the few bicyclists at the end who are going too slow at the end. I think it's a lot safer AND crucial for the leaders to purposely come to a complete stop at a red, and stay stopped for an extended time to allow riders in the back to regroup if a) there will be many turns coming up ahead and/or b) we just went up an incline that made the ride thin out.
Antranik07.21.10 - 12:44 pm
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Or, have a group of handlers staggered through the crowd who "round Robin" and essentially stop the horde at a light by stopping their own bikes sideways to traffic.
While they tend the red-light group, a couple of quick-people will have already snuck past the blockade and catch up to the main group to inform them of the stopped group in case they don't already know.
Only danger I see to this is the atypical packs of nutjobs on brakeless S/S, or poorly performing track-bike pilots, or generalized speed-demons who either unintentionally or deliberately stampede the handlers.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by Antranik
07.21.10 - 1:23 pm
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People should understand how to cork responsibly if they are going to cork at all.
But corking in general is way over done and in many of the wrong situations.
LAPD ride was an exception because they treated us like a permitted parade.
They blocked streets for us within their official capacity. it did have the effect of spreading the ride out. On the other hand normal rides don't have 4 motorcycle cops taking up the rear making sure people in the back don't get bullied.
Corking speeds up a ride. That is undeniable.
reds are a place where the ride can regroup. I know this from first hand experience as I started Midnight Ridazz on a small heavy bike with rear suspension.
Corking sometimes meant I was left in the dust.
When a ride is not corked there are many more opportunities for Ridazz to regroup and ride in small to medium sized group and not be caught out alone.
People need to understand that corking should not be done as a matter of course.
But rides often get hijacked by lil' jackrabbits (intentionally or not) and the silly people who chase after them. If those people are in the front, setting to tone and the pace. The likelyhood is people will feel compelled to cork so the middle can catch up with the front. Meanwhile people in the back have a much greater likely hood of getting stranded.
Corking should start being the exception on big rides. Not the rule.
Oldman.calm
trickmilla responding to a
comment by dayone
07.21.10 - 1:50 pm
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Thanks for clarifying this. But people just don't get it. It just takes time. It's a constant cycle of relearning over and over. It's impossible to get everyone to see it. I'm not totally against corking. There are few times when it does make sense. But, people will keep running reds regardless because they can get away with it and they don't give a damn. It's hopeless if you ask me.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by trickmilla
07.21.10 - 3:25 pm
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it is a cycle. and as more new cyclists join the love-zeppelin, they will make mistakes and eventually grow into wiser, calmer cyclists. we can only offer our insights and guidance and lead by the force of our own example.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
07.21.10 - 7:45 pm
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Im not sure if this is the first time but ... I agree with you .... stop .... unless its needed ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
07.21.10 - 8:21 pm
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Can you tell ur buddys not to cork on coming traffic?
heres a diagram - http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YyubEiyuK1o/SaO5AXl98pI/AAAAAAAAAa0/QvvbiFjFRxg/s1600/l_b64272ce291863e2a2232c57793aac95.jpg
fixie4life07.21.10 - 9:47 pm
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When I was invited to that meeting last month with the LAPD to discuss the Critical Manners idea which never happened, the cops told us that if they see anyone corking they will be cited. So if a cop sees you corking they can give you a citation. On what grounds? I have no idea. Just letting you know though.
Joe Borfo07.21.10 - 10:04 pm
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if corking means a car has to wait an extra minute as opposed to someone getting hit by a car while riding a bike, I will cork anyday. wtf people
vigilAnthony07.22.10 - 2:25 am
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why would you cork oncoming traffic???
unless you are making a left hand turn? - and then in some situations it might make sense...
nolikedrive responding to a
comment by fixie4life
07.22.10 - 3:05 am
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there has been some really great philosophy posted here about ridazz guarding intersections. but it seems like the guy just wanted to get some people together to do some stuff. i'm reposting his thing for people that want to answer it.
lackflag07.22.10 - 5:57 am
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Well for all u haters not wanting to cork, I WON"T CORK FOR YOUR ASS!!!
It's all about safety, that;s the main reason why i brought this up, if ur here on this forum to talk shit and criticize, GET THE FUCK OUT!
R107.22.10 - 3:16 pm
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STOP COMPLAINING AND APPREICIATE WHAT I DO FOR ALL RIDAZZ, I"M NOT JUST THINKING OF MYSELF YOU KNOW >.<
I TAKE EVERYONE INTO CONSIDERATION!
R107.22.10 - 3:17 pm
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I can't wait to put a cork into traffic.... =D
^olsko*jr707.22.10 - 3:33 pm
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You Know What, You're Very Welcome!!!
R107.22.10 - 6:16 pm
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