Ride Leader !!!!
Thread started by
Freeekeone at 05.10.08 - 6:38 pm
I've been on all of the different rides and I wanna say that S&S are the best organized around ( Great job Charlie). Last night on the MR ride it was total mayhem.....
I say we should adopt some of S&S's rules..... We should have the music trailer be up by the leader and nobody pass him/her. That way we all just cruzz and have a good time like it should be. I like riding fast on my road bike most of the time but on these MR rides it's cool to just stay by the music and cruz along and meet new people .
RIDE ON ..................o>o.....
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next time S&S gets 400 people, see how long it takes for people to fly up. No matter how much you try, you can't control everyone. It's just one of the givens with large rides.
richtotheie05.10.08 - 6:50 pm
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and remember, not everyone reads these boards or don't give a shit about playing nice.
stevo405.10.08 - 7:05 pm
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If someone wants to ride ahead let them.It;s pretty well known and common sense to follow the leader.If someone wants to be a bad ass and mash ahead just them them go.After all its "Leave no rider behind" no one ever said you have to worry about people who take it upon them self so ride ahead.
blackout_blacklung05.10.08 - 8:05 pm
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Sins & Sprockets' methods are great...for Sins & Sprockets.
Sins & Sprockets is a
club, which means a couple of things, chiefly:
* They have an organizational structure that allows them to assign club members to hold the front, or ride sweep, or help riders with mechanicals, or whatever--and to expect those members to carry out their duties.
* They wear their colors (meaning the denim jackets, which are only issued to members) to their rides, which makes it really easy for even the drunkest, most newbified person in the crowd to know who the S&S people are even if he doesn't know them by name or face.
MR is different. Whoever puts on a ride can
ask his friends to help shepherd the crowd, but he can't compel them to do so. And even if they do, there's no guarantee that any of the several hundred people in the crowd will know who or care who they are. And what the fuck are we going to do if somebody breaks the "rule" against passing the trailer? Put 'em in Bike Culture Jail?
If you want people at MR events to do something, you have to explain to them
every time what you want them to do, and you have to tell them why you think they should do it. Persuade. Build consensus. Make it part of the culture. Otherwise, it's just nagging, and who wants to spend their Friday night being nagged?
PC05.11.08 - 4:03 am
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I agree with PC. I also agree with whoever it was in that other thread that said: "Talk to People". Seriously. I overhear some people last night talking in a way that pretty much registered to me as "these people have heard of critical mass and how it operates" (i.e. the person at the front of the ride picks the direction) and not into the fact that on MR there is usually a planned route, the fact that we were well hijacked by this point (and on the riverbank), may have helped reinforce this. I DID talk to them, and explained that there was a route, we had just gotten lost for a bit, and they seemed to understand. Seriously, talk to the other people around, while riding, while stopped, if a ride is too fast, talk to people, pass the word up, etc.
communication is the only way to have any sort of group, particularly a large one, function.
FuzzBeast05.11.08 - 4:19 am
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To be fair, the music trailer was hauling ass for much of the ride, too. It was rarely right at the front, but it was generally keeping up with the riders at the front. The pace was just awfully high for an MR friday night ride. Personally, I really enjoyed it, but I also understand where the complaints are coming from.
ideasculptor05.11.08 - 8:48 am
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What PC said about S&S.
MR does not have permanent/prominent organizers. It's a different person every time. I'm fine with that but yes it does make it kind of hard to figure out who is setting the pace and where the stops are.
The problem was Danny. If he wasn't such a pussy to run to the hospital after a little broken collar bone he could put all the newbs on top of the trailer and tow them back to the starting point.
marino05.11.08 - 10:39 am
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I nominate Marino to lead the next ride! I want to see him pulling a trailer piled high with the carcasses of newbs.
ideasculptor05.11.08 - 10:57 am
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I agree on letting people just go if they wanna go fast. With S&S... like PC said.. it's easier to identify the ride organizers because of the colors. Now... there will always be the fast riders... but do you think if there was some sort of colors random ridazz could wear... then they could help keep the pace. Sure others will still ride fast but majority of new people will identify that this guy is part of the ridazz and maybe I should stay behind them. I still think this might work if we put the trailer in the middle and go three wide. Two/three of ridazz on each side so no one can pass easily. I don't know.. I'm just tossing things out there.
Al
digablesoul05.11.08 - 11:57 am
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@digable soul and some other guy.
-That idea would work too.
Couple that with the fact that not too many people read these forums, and we got a default, non-nagging solution to a simple problem.
Basically, for each different ride that involves a chill pace, we pick a color/type of shirt here, then those in the know where it at the ride.
Most newbs and non-forum regulars will see this and the idea should automatically, snap to attention within their heads.
As for the WPH-wannabes, leave them be.
In fact, give them some info for that ride and encourage them to show up.
After they've been greased into submission, we'll go ahead and write some sad, country songs relating to their Wolfpack experience.
bentstrider05.11.08 - 12:43 pm
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Freakbone,
I am not trying to start some online bullshit that I have to respond to, but here are the facts:
1. You, in fact, haven't been on all of the other types of rides, or ride groups.
2. You seem to use your claim that you have been on all of the other rides as some sort of testimony of authority on the subject of planning rides.
3. You Fail.
4. I am not trying to be mean or start some sort of flame war. Just sayin'. Sins and Sprockets has been fun. I went a bunch of times, but don't start trying to claim some sort of superiority on safe and enjoyable riding practices relating to that ride. That is ridiculous, considering the theme and practice of that ride. Isn't Sins and Sprockets supposed to be outlaw, or something?
tern05.11.08 - 1:01 pm
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hey, lets all screen print some pentagrams ( of unique and vibrant colors) so that everyone knows who the boss is....for every fucking ride.
[laughs]
tern05.11.08 - 1:05 pm
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Hey I got an idea!!!
How bout all these people that are such experts on putting a ride together, put a ride together! This way you know what you can and can't control on these rides.
I'll be there to support your ride. Look forward to hearing on your expert opinions after the ride too.
User105.11.08 - 1:45 pm
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like everything around here, This topic on this thread has been discussed more then a few times. The good things about these discussions, is that they bring consciousness about how to run a ride the next time.
If memory serves me correctly, by getting on the microphone (if it is there) before the ride, reminding people that this is a group ride, we are going such and such pace. It is a party ride, so we will have more fun if we stick together. If you come up to a red light, stop so to get the ride together. If you want to go fast this isn't the ride, there is Wolfpack Monday, Cubcamp Thursday, etc etc. If you still feel the need to sprint, do everybody a favor and cork an interesection, then you can sprint to the next intersection, and cork that one. Try to follow so and so, because they are leading the ride. Have someone in the back keep in touch with the front so it doesn't get to spread out.
When this is done the rides seem to go super smooth, and super boring if you are leading it, but that is the price you pay to give back to the community with a good ride.
This next point is up to the organizers discretion. Routes slps or no route slips, pre posting of route or not. Be aware of the plus and minus that brings, and be responsible for the ride flowing smoothly and cohesively. Other points about routes have been made already.
A little consciousness of what you are planning will create a successful ride.
Spoke cards and trash bags
Remember this important one:
BREAK SPOTS THAT HAVE BATHROOMS FOR OUR LADY RIDAS
sexy05.11.08 - 2:03 pm
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I posted this in the Jedi Mind Trick thread, but they seem to be parallel eachother at the moment so why not, eh?
The way we keep Forge & Gorge together (and it works 100% + it's a fast ride) is only 1 or 2 people know the route, and they set the pace. Easy.
Alternatively, would it be so bad if the entire group didn't show up at the stops at the same time (it would deffinitely cut down on the wait time)? Veteran ridazz, if you think the ride is going too fast then holler at some other vets around you, form up and slow down. People will glob onto you. There's so many music systems now that even if we spread the group out into 4-5 sub groups everyone still gets the dog with all the toppings.
This worked really well at the last S&S ride. We had a route slip, we had music and we could care less about keeping up with the rest; and that attracted other riders. Be proud to really define a gap within the group; it allows for some breathing room and it would pro'lly reduce crashes by increasing the buffer zone. I've never seen a rider better at this than laharr, go find laharr and ride with him.
Eric Hair05.11.08 - 2:33 pm
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"A dog with all the topping" lol yes....I <3 Eric Hair
With the music coming out of your bike there was no place else to go.
sexy05.11.08 - 2:36 pm
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you said a good thing, sexy.
tern05.11.08 - 2:46 pm
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right on sexy ................ communication is key....
@tern .... how do you know what rides I've done ? you spyin' on me ??
I'm just saying that out of all the ones I've rode the S&S rides were the most organized ............ dosen't mean the others we're bad. Sexy had some good idea's that make sense and would help things alot on the big rides and keep things cool..................
Freeekeone05.12.08 - 1:40 am
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I realize this is kind of reiterating what PC and a few others have stated, but it may not be apparent (especially to newer riders) that MR doesn't have "leaders" in the sense of a hierarchical structure that they may be used to.
There are people who plan routes, make spoke cards, cork intersections, put play lists together, pull the trailer, bring up the rear, fix flats, pick up trash and generally try to herd cats on bikes. All those people (and more) are "leaders" in my eyes.
The point is that any of us can be those leaders. You only need to elect or appoint yourself.
mr rollers05.12.08 - 11:57 am
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let the fast people get lost. problem solved. in fact if a hundred people get lost so be it.... next time they will think about it and wait for the music trailer instead of racing ahead and not having fun. fast riders are not worth the stress.
Roadblock05.12.08 - 12:17 pm
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I got lost once!!! that was all i needed to figure out your safer follow the music trailer!
Adrian_The_BEAST05.12.08 - 12:23 pm
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It's hard to control what people are going to do, but the problem with just letting the wanna be fast kids ( I say wanna be, because I never see these people at Wolfpack, Cubcamp etc. where they would learn how much they are not hot shit) go up ahead, is the people who are more medium paced riders, especially less experienced ones, think they are supposed to try and catch them. Then it turns into this chain reaction of people trying to keep up, instead of hanging chill. Then the slower riders see how far behind they are from the front, and start feeling defeated.
I've generally resisted being confrontational about anything, but the next social ride I'm on where I see people doing that shit I'm calling them out on it, and telling their asses to slow down. If they don't like it too bad, I care more about the newbies trying to keep up then some kids trying to prove how macho they are by racing people who aren't even trying to race.
To these people I recommend reading the Bike Snob article on guys who "win" non competitive charity and social rides.
http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2008/05/dominating-unwitting-winning-five-boro.html
GarySe7en05.12.08 - 1:53 pm
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If you wanna race, head over to ADT and prepare to get your ass professionally owned.
kyber05.12.08 - 1:55 pm
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"To these people I recommend reading the Bike Snob article on guys who "win" non competitive charity and social rides."
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha, I love it when people tell me they're going to race bicycles, out of curiosity I ask what the event is, and they invariably answer "Rosarito to Ensenada" or some other social ride.
toweliesbong05.12.08 - 1:56 pm
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I know, everyone FOLLOW ROTY BORFO! The trailer follows BORFO...
I've been saying, KEEP THE ROUTE SECRET, forever.
Hijackers, honestly I haven't figured out who these mysterious Hijackers are. I've heard a few kids mentioning "hijacking" the ride a few times, but that's nothing. I've been on rides that were hijacked, but were they just people up front getting lost? or were they legitimately hijacked? I'll never know. Critical Mass gets "hijacked" all the time, but technically it can't get hijacked, because there aren't leaders.
This is how I do my rides: I post the times & distance. The start & the end. That's it. You can easily get the area from that information. And for Ridazz I always have 3 or 4 stops. 15 or 18 miles max. It's pretty simple, and I always mention "the hills" if there are any. MOST people on these rides don't know where the fuck we're going, period. So it doesn't hurt to keep the routes a secret.
PS. The Dungeons & Dragons Ride has been postponed until Fall, instead of D&D, we're going to have F.U.N.
the reverend dak05.12.08 - 2:06 pm
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The attention should go to the ridazz behind the music trailer, not the ones in front. Why go through all that trouble dealing with fast ridazz? It's not like they're not going to be coming back next ride. Fuck 'em, let them go.
Same thing with the ridazz behind them. If they can't figure out that they should stay behind the trailer, then do you really want these retards on the streets at night?
Concentrate on the slower riders and make sure they're going the speed of the trailer. These are the ones that aren't going to come back if they're discouraged with the ride. If you see that there's a slow rida, tell them to get out on the streets first chance they get after a stop. So many times I see the slow ridazz stay in the back when we're pulling out on to the streets after a stop. Get them in the habit of starting in the front and you'll have less strung out ridazz. And by the front, I mean in front of the trailer. Not in front of the fast ridazz.
Again, tell the peeps at the beginning of the ride to stay behind the trailer. Tell them it's a chill ride and not a race. The trailer is the pace setter. Don't have the rida pulling the trailer trying to catch up with the ridazz in the front. This is the easiest way to handle all this drama.
User105.12.08 - 3:24 pm
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I agree with Allan. I do think we are learning though.
I think we were successful as far as getting 500+ ridazz back home from the longest MR route ever. I am sure things will be a lot smoother from now on. More time and consideration needs to go into the planning stages. I'm not dissing last Friday's ride. It just doesn't work for a 2nd Friday route. I know, I sound like a broken record. I think we've all got the point across to those who care.
Joe Borfo05.12.08 - 3:31 pm
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I tried to stay with the music..but it is a swarm and when people are pushing up behind you ...it's tough..So I was turning off side streets all night to follow the music.....and i love the music..it wasn;t until we were kinda lost and the one dude told the crowd before I got that we were supposed to follow the music..I just always loved that about the rides.....so from now on..I will endeavour to do it.....the main reason for this post is thateven though we got lost as hell....it was an awesome ride and I broke off at the third stop to jsut figure out how to get home and you know what it worked....we got home safely after grubbing in little tokyo...some of my other friends these girls from the west side caught cabs home ...... and you know what...we'll all probably be on the next ride...... and I'm down to see L.A first hand like that.....AGAIN......P.S great music guys even when it's bad it's good...keep riding. peace!!!!!!
toks05.12.08 - 4:50 pm
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Hey Freeekeone--
I looked over what I posted to you, and thought, "what a jerk I am." I put that in the wrong way, totally. Big Apology.
I was getting a bit protective of zuko. He's all bummed up, you know. And he hadn't posted since before his accident, at that point. So, it came out all wrong, man. I appreciate your input.
tern05.13.08 - 7:02 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
