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Thread started by Roadblock at 07.20.08 - 10:41 am
I keep hearing about thieves among us. seems like every other ride someone gets their shit taken. WTF. FUCK YOU. Ridazz is all inclusive but people stealing from other ridazz? and the shoplifting?? this ruins the ridazz reputation. this is no joke this type of shit is not tolerable lets discuss what can be done to get rid of these fuckin losers. Time to call the cops or what.
Well, first off, let's make sure the asshole who lifted a case of beer on the Grateful Dead ride isn't allowed on rides anymore. If he shows up, we'll tell him to leave.
if you have valuable positions please don't bring them on rides. Until we short this shit out. I've always been comfortable leaving my bike in the ridazz crowd and walking away, not so much anymore. What can we do? Keep an eye on your stuff. Watch out for each other,
Lane's bike got stolen last night at Glow, too. I really doubt that it was anyone from Crank Mob who took it, but that still sucks a whole lot. Of all the unlocked bikes that were lying around last night, why'd someone go and lift one of the least fancy-looking ones? And from such a mellow, stand-up guy, too. Unfair. Uncool. Underhanded. Thieves, you suck...
I wish I had a description of the bike, but all that I remember was that the seat had several layers of duct tape from years of repair.
Yeah... this sucks. A while back on another thread I was asking if people ever felt the need to lock their bikes at stops or it anyone felt that paranoia on watching their stuff and it sucks that it's actually happening.
Does this mean that we all have to group up at starts/stops so at least we all can watch each others stuff? Does that make us like the "in crowd" to the new riders and thus make them feel like they can't belong? I don't know...
I had my light messed with a bit a while back. Could've just loosened up by itself but it's being held by O-ring mounts... so there's no way... but it just added to the paranoia that someone was trying to get it off. I try to always park my bike somewhere that visible where I can keep an eye on it but if someone wants something...
Also... what if the shady person isn't someone on the ride. Maybe someone walking around and sees us all pull up and decides to scope out the place. Sucks to hear about Lane's bike and Fuzz' bag.
Well, yeah. There was that sloppy drunk guy at Vons who tried to take bikes right in front of us (before peeing on the ground and himself while making a call on a payphone). And he continued to eye the bikes for most of the time we were there. Meanwhile, I watched some guy with a backpack walk out of the Vons and set off the alarm with a smirk on his face.
I think the idea of a "Wall of Shame" may do some good. I wonder if the fools that steal are even reading any of this. My guess would be they are not, and that they have no real LOVE AND RESPECT for the bike culture and ridazz.
if another rider took something of value from someone else that's fucked up. i don't necessarily agree with the shoplifting... but i can say that stealing from another rider is not to be tolerated.
nothing will ruin the reputation of these group rides quicker than to roll up to a rest stop and someone shoplifts... then the owner calls the cops.... and the cops show up..... and sweat people.... and group rides become known to the cops as that ride that steals from people's businesses which will bring a whole NEW level of interest from cops.
and even if these people are such assholes that they dont give a shit about the ridazz reputation... to the shoplifters and those that sympathize with the shoplifters.... have some common sense.... it doesnt take long to become known as "that guy or group who shoplifts" and pretty soon people are reluctant to trust you around their shit. do you REALLY want that to be YOUR rep?
Irma's idea of the "Wall of Shame" sounds good. If you don't want to confront the person directly, take a picture of them and let some of the other ridazz know what they are doing, then post it on the "Wall". My buddy Rich saw a guy stealing beers at Vons last night on Crank Mob and told him to "put that shit back" but the guy just threw a couple beers in his backpack and walked out.
I've got an idea: For all those that complain about shoplifting but haven't lifted a finger off your keyboard, why not call the places in advance letting them know we'll be mobbin there.... now if those same places take the proper precautions, ie. more guards or at least one hoverin over the beers and what not, we won't have this weekly dilemma. I'm no snitch.. never been a rat... I'm just showing you that there are proactive ways to subside these ongoings without confrontations needed between our riders and store employees.
oh, and you have to stick to the route. that way, all the stops we stop at are aware and prepared. any kind of deviation and we will run into this same situation. eventually, the thieves will either stop stealing or go somewhere else away from the ride to steal, keeping our reputation sound.
"uh... helllo quickie mart I'm with a large group of bicycle riders and uh.... well some of us are thieves who steal from each other and uh..... you dudes should have a security guard watch out cause uh........ some of us might steal from you. ok cool so uh...... just making sure you guys are prepared for us to come by see you in a minute"
I have a better idea. for all you thieves and shoplifters who just cant help yourselves, group up and ride on your own to another store. half of you don't lock your bikes and roll into the store. while that half is racking beer then the other half can steal the first half's bikes! then you both can be happy.
notice i said i wasn't a rat or a snitch and i don't believe in that. all i'm saying is give them a heads up and let them do the math. if they're ignorant for it, then we can't say we didn't warn them. and i agree... stealing is not to be tolerated... but it happens. so instead of wasting your time complaining try to come up with a viable solution. the shame wall will only work if it's a rider who's part of the community on a nightly basis. not one of these kids who just shows up on a couple rides here and there. why would they care about being shamed?
hummm.... ok what if along with calling out -ridaa down, left turn, ect.-
we can yell out "douche bag" and "litter bug" ........
point and yell and Shame them.....
the logic is flawed. this is a no tolerance situation. there is no way that a store should have to worry about a group of bike riders large or small stealing their shit! this is about the reputation of group rides and bicycle riders. that rat or snitch shit is on some "honor among thieves" code of ethics. however these group rides dont run on that logic because they arent about crime they are about riding a bike with friends.
I agree with Kyber if you are going to steal do it on your own time and hit walmart.
this conversation is for everyone to discuss ways of ridding the rides of the thieves. not how to warn shop owners so they can guard their stores better.
that could work. but i believe there's no need for that. for every action there's a reasonable and equal reaction. so why not get there before the action? why not nip in the bud before the seed even gets planted?
we're a very positive bunch that thanks to a couple individuals, and it doesn't take many, we're letting them affect our good nature and will.
you guys complain so much but yet very little is being done. stop hiding behind the computer and start doing something at the rides. with that said... i'm done. good luck, for the sake of our rides.
and yet here you are, hiding behind the computer, complaining about the people who have been organizing these rides for years, who just happen to be complaining about selfish riders who have no common sense.
guys, we dont need to call anybody shit, and please if someone throws trash on the streets ask them right, dont say shit to them.. we cant force people to think our way, we are not fascist.... if they dont want to pick it up then just pick it up for them......
i dont have a problem with that......
and now to the subject of theft: a lot of shit was taken or went missing last night and i guess someone shoplifted at vons as well...
we need to put a stop to the stealing of other riders shit.... i dont know why people are doing this kind of stuff? i know i love all the riders in the rides.. you guys always help me out when i dont have cash to eat, you guys help me out when i need some bike repair, you guys help me out when i need to drink, you guys even help me out when i need a place to sleep.. i live really far and i like to stay really late at the rides and when its all over i sometimes feel too tired to ride home, but i never have to ride back home tired,drunk or even hurt cause you guys always let me stay at your homes...... i thank you guys for that.....
we need to talk to any rider who is stealing from other riders and we need to talk to anybody who is stealing from stores at the rides... but lets not talk shit on the forums or even assume something on a rider.... cause if we happen to be wrong it looks bad on that rider......
i've talked to roadblock in person about this recently, we both agree that we need to talk to the people who are doing this kind of stuff....
all i'm tying to say is lets not start talking shit on the forum about other riders or even banning riders without talking to them first....
i love riding my bike and i know they like riding there bikes too...
I think the first thing a community needs to do is to discuss it together, as we are. Then try to agree on one solution, instead of everyone doing their own. So yes, we are doing something about it right here.
Just wanna say, If I see you stealing shit. Not only will I be sure to take your photo and plaster it everywere (I always have my camera) and I will call the cops.
Dont steal shit from store
Dont steal shit from ridazz
Steal on your own time.
and I recomend keeping your shit in sight and ask someone to watch your bike when you leave sight of it.
ruinedbyidiots or are you just an idiot? i'm not complaining at all, specially not about the organizers. take the time to read what I've been suggesting. which is all it is.... suggestions.
Didn't you say that my ride was gonna be the last big ride you do for a while? Now who's calling the Ketlle black! (i'm just F*&king with ya).
As always lately, i do agree with your comments.
One discussion i had with the 7-11 on Olympic was that we self patrol at the entrance to the store. Limiting the # of riders in the store at a time, watching who's trying to grab and dash, etc. I can't really imagine us taking on that job but it was at least one suggestion to help deal with the issue.
SOME OF YOU GUYZ GET DRUNK, SMOKE POT, SNORT COCAIN, SHOOT CHIVA, TALK SHIT, START FIGHTS, THREATEN OTHERS, ALIENATE OTHERS, LEAVE YOUR BIKES A GREAT DISTANCE UNLOCKED, TRUST ASS-HOLES, HANG WITH DICKS ( and say they are really cool )
SIMPLE RULES:
LOCK YOUR BIKE - it is not saFe at our events, PEROID!
PACK YOUR BAG - it is not saFe at our events, PEROID!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I KNOW YOU GUYZ DONT WANT ME TO TALK LIKE THIS
BUT OPEN YOUR EYES, IF YOU LOCK YOUR BIKE,
AND ALWAYS CARRY YOUR OWN BAG,
NO MATTER WHAT, WHO CAN STEAL YOUR SHIT, WITHOUT A GUN?
yeah and i do eddie, but sometimes its nice to be able to leave your bike unlocked, my bike was almost stolen at the beach party awhlie back, but i still trust the rest of the other riders...... my lights were even stolen 5 rides ago but i still trust the rest of the other riders....
"you guys complain so much but yet very little is being done. stop hiding behind the computer and start doing something at the rides." with that said... i'm done. good luck, for the sake of our rides.
@ jazzy i'm not complaining, you and anybody who knows me, knows i dont really care but other people do so i must respect that and i am doing something about... you dont see me or know what im doing so please stop saying we should do something about it.. thats so easy to say, but really you dont even know what we are doing...... those comments just start problems.....
May i ask that we stay on topic. We've seen to drift briefly.
What is best way to self patrol our group?
1. Call people out when we see it happen.
2. Patrol front of store to prevent grab and run
3. Wall of shame.
4. Talk to culprits or their friends and try to explain that its hurting the MR rep as a whole and our fun could soon end because of person's actions.
5.?
I'm not saying these are had fast rules we need to adopt but suggestions that have been brought up for further discussion.
In the given situation, it is easy to take advantage of it.
20+ people in the store and maybe 3 workers trying to watch everyone.
so, just going by odds, it is an ideal situation for someone planning to steal drinks, gum, nachos, chips, a corn dog, an air freshener, or a 24 pack of beer ...
so, let it happen, because it still will
and if the person gets caught, it's on them to take the burn
whether it be by the law
or by the riders
I know this is a bit off topic, but last night I felt really bad when we stopped at Vons during CM. What I saw was only one lane open with two guys and they both looked absolutely miserable. The cashier especially.
Wow, serious way to turn these rides fascist. I agree, the shit that has been going down currently has sucked. I agree, we should keep an eye out for each other, but watching the stores, and treating each other as criminals? Really now?
One of the few things I loved about these rides is the freedom I had. And I hate the fact that we are about to give up our privacy because a few douchebags decided to start stealing from us.
and to make my point moot. You guys are acting like nazis.
Frenchconn is making a lot of sense. nice replies.
Look, No one wants to see the rides patrolled or people being designated as judges of others.... more rules and patrolling would suck. All we need to do is figure out how to get thieves from coming out on the ride. I don't know if the thieves and the shoplifters are the same group of people but both activities have ratcheted up fairly recently and it fucks up our good vibes. Sure some incidents have happened in the past 4 years of this but it was never this frequent....
We just need ideas that are non confrontational and non accusatory that will keep the thieves behaved or better yet discourages them from coming.
I'm very hesitant about having some gallery or forum post with peoples pictures. We all make mistakes. Calling people names is also not going to reform anyone.
@mk4524 : I was referring to those who complain on here but yet on the rides I've seen no one approach or talk to any of the thieves... and i'm sure we've all seen a couple people do it.
again, let me reiterate i'm not complaining... i love the freedom Jaz is speaking about... just don't put it at risk because you didn't wanna pay or wait in line.
do whatever you guys want. me and my friends had a blast.
do you think the current economic situation is adding fuel to the fire? or do you think these people are just selfish individuals who would be doing this regardless?
-As much as I like getting my rotisserie fix on a ride, perhaps we should avoid stopping at big, grocery stores like Vons, Food4Less, etc.,
These places are kind of huge and miserably understaffed at night, perfect prey for the sinister fiends that want to pull the rug out from under the rest of the F.U.N. enthusiasts.
7-11's and small liquor stores should remain the norm for refueling stops.
Although the llines get ever-chunkier here, there's more of a theft-deterrence from the fact that the place is smaller and there's usually 2-4 clerks/owner/managers on station.
most of us who come to rides, mainly use our bike... and for the ones who drive to the ride must have money for gas... its that easy...
there is very little connections to the fuel problem if any at all when it comes to the subject of our theft poblem.....
its mainly happening cause its easy to steal from stores and other riders when we are huge in numbers.
someone made a comment about this earlier when you have close 300 riders come into a store with only 2 0r 3 workers its just hard not to steal and its a lot easier when you under the influence takes away the fear....
@ bent, yeah that doesn't really work, little stores are easy to.. 7-11 is kinda easy as well.... we cant stop going to big markets.....
@ jazzy, yeah that sounds like a good idea that you have but it should be the last thing we do..... we need to talk within the group to fix things.... lets keep that idea inmind though..... remember eveyone ideas which can be fix within..... lets not paint the house and cut the lawn, when its the bathroom and living room floors that need fixing.....
On the last couple of big rides, particularly the 4thride, and the "Beach Party", the store-managers were actually limiting the number of people into the store at any, given time.
This could be for fire-hazards, but more than likely, the managers know how to spot a jacker before the jacker spots them.
The idea of contacting stores in advanvce is good but it is not going to stop thieves from mingling in the group.
Its very simple.
The issues.
Thieves are not invited.
No one wants the headache of confronting thieves because thieves by definition are untrustworthy and selfish and they don't care about the good of the whole. They have no common sense.
Having a patrol team is too much of a burden and won't encourage creative self motivated types to throw rides. It would encourage those who like to patrol other people to throw rides and those are not fun people.
No one wants to see these rides taken over by thieves or patrol types. We just want to relax and ride bikes with friends.
that guys who stood post at the door was a nobody and funny thing is i was there and still saw people steal shit... i dont want this and i'm sure nobody else want that.... we shouldn't have to outside in line to buy some thing....
and cool if that guy did it but we arent trying to watch out for stores we are trying to watch out for the riders in our rides.. going to small stores wont help as much.....
these ideas need to be ideas which help the problem with in the rides it self...... we fix the problem with in, thats the best way to work on it.... and what roadblock and i were saying is the first step we are taking.... we are all brothers now even if we choose not to be, i ride, you ride, and everybody else rides and as a result we ride together; therefore we are brothers.....
we need to fix our family problems with in... and thats it... we are a family of riders......
This is extremely frustrating. We had this conversation last week after the last Midnight Ridazz! (I tried posting a reply but took too long and it bumped me out of the system-I'll try again..)
I'm not one to bitch and complain and not do anything about it. Le'ts begin some of these things we're talking about doing and stop this BS! I don't want to see MR Patrols outside stores! I love these rides too much to let a few morons ruin it for all of us.
There are a lot of things we can do about this situation and we don't have to look towards fascism or snitching...OR DO WE? I'm sure we have enough surveillance, and vigilantes to snitch these guys out. We know who they are, we've seen them do it, even the video cameras at 7-11 get these guys.
Can people post mpegs or pics on this site and not be found out? Maybe we just start filming or taking pics non-stop whenever we're in line at 7-11 or markets.
I think one of the reasons why S&S works so well is because for the most part almost everyone knows who each other is. If there is someone you don't know go up to them, introduce yourselves, find out who they are, where their from etc. This MAY have an effect but who knows.
The bummer is it's not just outsiders; last week at MR, someone I thought who was a great guy stuffed a 6pac in their bags, at the goading of those around him. The 7-11 cameras got him, an attendant came out and that's why and when they closed off the doors. It's too expensive and a lot of bs for stores to prosecute sometimes and the drag is we're being turned away.
Stop giving these guys the cool "hi 5"! Say something to them. Say it in front of your crew if you're afraid of lashback. Also...do you really want a friend who's gonna steal, from 7-11, Vons or another Rider?
@jazzy
"and don't give me this "honor among thieves" bullshit when speaking about snitching. so basically, if you knew that if by snitching and "doing the right thing" and being "self righteous" that your mother would die... you'd still do it? "
WTF? How did my mother get dragged into this? Are the thieves going to kidnap her and hold her hostage, threatening to kill her if I turn them in? These idiots aren't just behaving anti-socially. They are also breaking the law. And it isn't a victimless crime like smoking a bowl in a parking lot with friends. I'm not likely to go running up to the store manager if I see someone shoplifting in front of me, but you can be damn sure I'm going to say something and just start talking loudly about the contents of their bag. If a store employee should overhear while I am lecturing them about destroying the reputation of MR, well, the consequences of their actions aren't my responsibility. And if they get outside undetected, you can bet I'm going to make sure that every rider around is well aware of what they have done. That is all it will take to either make them stop stealing or cause them to stop showing up for rides.
Also, if you are wearing a distinct costume and, when you are sick of it, leave it sitting in the middle of a driveway, you can probably expect some social consequences, too. The folks in question surely know who I'm talking about. Not only was leaving your costumes flat out littering, but you left them in a location where another rider could have easily crashed after sliding a front wheel on your discarded cardboard.
i think that's a good idea... passing the word onto your friends and not even let the fiends know that everyone knows what you've done. this website should have a shame wall section. it could be funny and at the same time discourage stealing.
OK, everybody's sick of the stealing, but nobody wants to be confrontational or start a wall of shame or a MR Patrol, so what are our options.
Rules without any means of enforcement are just a form of wishful thinking, so how do we stop people from engaging in negative behavior without "confronting" them?
Are we supposed to just walk up to them and say "Excuse me sir, I couldn't help but notice that you were about to steal that alcohol. Would you mind terribly not doing that on our ride because it makes us all look bad?"
Really?
And then what happens if, as is likely, we're ignored?
I love the freedom of these rides, and I want to keep them as free as possible, so I'd like to hear some suggestions, because group rides with heavy police surveillance and a limited range of break destinations because stores have heard negative things and won't let us in would be totally lame.
Stev0............ Your idea about policing the door sounds like the best solution out of all the other idea's. I think if we did this for a month or so it would drive the thieves out from our rides. It's sad that it would come down to this but it's OUR reputation here at stake.... like roadblock said.
Let's watch the doors for a few rides and see if we can weed these a-holes out of our rides................
tattoo a scarlet letter of sorts into their forheads (compliments of raquel - hey, it's good practice!) and let them live with it for the rest of their lives.
Hmm... how about just taking the stores out of the equation. We all buy our beer and stuff at the start of the ride. Stops will be away from stores but still kinda close.
For instance... Los Angelopes went to Lincoln Park in Lincoln Heights but a couple blocks before the stop... I recognized a Liquor store and went back to get some beer. So... let's say those that want to steal go to this liquor a couple blocks away... maybe they steal and at the same time aren't associated as much with the ride cause the ride stopped four blocks away at a park and the owners won't see this huge ride and associate those shoplifters to the ride? This would deter the long lines... and help single out people cause the shopkeep isn't as busy.
Again... Los Angelopes is a way smaller ride with most people knowing each other. I remember when I first started riding... I knew the ride was going to be 15 and more miles so I brought a hydration pack (this is before I started drinking on rides) and some snacks. Most new people will naturally, hopefully. think the same.
I know it sucks but the rides might have to not stop at the stores. Keep them away... stop at the 6th St. bridge. No beer but great view. Metro station w/ no cops like Chinatown or Vermont/Santa Monica. Pan Pacific Park. Everyones at the park... the few desperate for water and beer will go and form a line but not all of us. Most people will know it's just a stop and will be hesitant to leave because what if the ride leaves by the time they come back. If it's a bathroom break for the ladies needed.... that's gonna be a problem.
Plus... yeah... drinking and riding makes it kinda fun but it's really about riding in the masses in L.A. Los Muertos dos MR ride that started at the old Kmart on Fletcher and San Fernando w/ Borfo's glowing skull head. That was all riding and we got back kinda early but we were riding. It was nice. The less liquor store stops kinda reduces the amount of alcohol people consume while riding... kinda because what if people start drinking waaaay before the start. That's later... which is inevitable.
So in summary.. why don't we just keep the stores out of the way. I know on another post I said I would like the stores to accept us and we give them business but maybe change it up a bit. Maybe?
i was about to submit an opinion until reading digablesoul's position. now my opinion is more or less identical to al's.
i will risk sounding the geezer and say, i do seem to remember rides at some time in the past being relatively commerce-free and, for me at least, relatively sober.
oh, and one thing i want to say that al didn't: it seems not to jibe with the spirit of MR (as i see it, of course) to try and control it too much. having people police the doors, for example, makes sense in that it would probably work. but it also seems like it might have unforeseen/undesirable consequences.
I think we all agree that this has got to be the last time ridazz steal from the store. I hope that this is only the first time too. Yeah I can understand the whole Robin Hood aspect of taking from the rich to give to the poor, and being ridazz we're not necessarily the most lawful and respectful bunch, but right now we've got a reputation to watch out for. It's all fun and games until someone gets cheated financially (getting hurt never stopped us). I don't even want to get started on what I think about stealing from other ridazz. Taking from stores makes all of us as a community look bad, but taking from another rida only hurts your own reputation. DON'T DO IT!
Oh yeah, one more thing, I don't like the idea of having people watch the doors limiting the number of people that can go in. I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't be happy if some other self appointed rida acted as bouncer for a store that I have every right to go into and use the bathroom and shop in. I think the best we can do is that if someone does something wrong, confront them. If nobody likes them for what they've done, they'll probably either change or stop coming on rides. I think because we're such a social community we all have the ability to greatly influence each other.
you cant take away my diginity........
no one is going to police the doors or try to be some kind of secret police for the rides period i'll make sure to stop it.....
we already have a plan to fix this problem..... i wont let any rider get marked or tainted for making a mistake.....
we are just riders, thats it , we are not the police nor the government.....
people deserve a warning, these very same riders we call theives, are riders who might have given you an extra tube when you got a flat, or when a rider has fallin or injured himself they may have had aided you, or these riders may have shared a meal with you..... etc,etc,etc, all i'm trying to say is dont rush into dumb ass ideas just yet..... cuase they may seem like good ideas but good ideas need time for theory...
The concept of policing the door was actually the manager's at the 7-11 on the last ride. We were briefly discussing what to do so they wouldn't lock the doors on us the next time we showed up and when i asked what could we do, that was a suggestion he brought up. Again, i really don't want to do that but if it turns out that its that or being shut out, then we may not have a choice. (at that location).
And maybe if, let's say 1 person does witness another rida stealing, he should quietly speak to the organizers of that ride and then the organizer could gather a group of say 10-20 other riders/helpers, etc. and then as a group, immediately confront the individual. That way, the one who witnessed the stealing isn't singled out or becomes a target for any repercussions that might follow.
I was reading this thread and looked over at my bike and the pump I had clipped to my frame is gone. I'm going to try to be positive here and assume I kicked it off while I was riding, but I think Eddie had the right idea about bagging your stuff and locking your bike so that theft (and/or kicking things off accidentally) is a non-issue.
If anybody found a small silver and black bike pump with JB written on it on a piece of masking tape, let me know, as it would be cool to get it back.
You all are trying to police a group that doesn't want to be policed.
I'm telling you, stealing from the stores is going to happen, whether we initiate some sort of punishment or not.
THe issue that should be our main concern is making sure we don't let people steal from us. Now don't get me wrong, shoplifting, blah blah blah, wrong, etc etc, but the issue here is stealing from a corperation who makes profits large than any of us could imagine(if you do, cut me in...) and do so at the expense of the everyday citizen. In a way they are ripping us off. So obviously, stealing their shit means a lot less than stealing from people who put their own money into things, bags, bikes, etc, these all cost money, enough money that when they are taken it hurts. It hurts bad. Some of us, if we had our bikes stolen, couldn't get replacements for a month or two. This is where our emotion should be leading us.
Fuck the stores. Save our group from the decimation of the thieves. If they want to pay us to watch their back, and do some underhanded gangster style protection, that's one thing, but working for free for a company that pains itself in taking advantage of people seems pretty dumb.
tl;dr
Shoplifting sucks. Stealing from ridazz is worse. Protect ourown before we go trying to help others. Especially evil corporations.
I like Al's idea. Do it like the Muertos ride. No stores. Seriously. That was perfectly.
Will kill two turd birds with one stone: thieves and overly drunk assholes. Seriously, fuck the lot of them, they're fucking things up for everybody, and the less incentives we give them, the better.
There's a lot of talk of publicly ostracizing people who shoplift. I wouldn't go so far. There's shaming someone a little, so that they have a clear disincentive to shop lift, and then there is humiliating people. I thing humiliating people in front of a crowd of 10-20 people (as one poster suggested) is simply taking it to far. You do that to someone and they'll probably stop. They're also going to hate you, they're going to feel awful, and there is a good chance they'll never ever come back. That's not what you want - all you want is for them not to shoplift during rides. Studies show that the brain's reaction to humiliation/ostracization is nearly identical with that of intense physical pain - so a little is enough.
Personally, I think a polite request is more likely to be effective. Like this "hey man, what you do outside of riding is your thing. I'm not going to give you shit for shoplifting when you hanging out on a Friday afternoon. But could you maybe not do it on rides? It attracts a lot of attention and hurts our options."
I thing humiliating people in front of a crowd of 10-20 people (as one poster suggested) is simply taking it to far. You do that to someone and they'll probably stop. They're also going to hate you, they're going to feel awful, and there is a good chance they'll never ever come back. That's not what you want
Take it back to the way it was way,way back..No planned liquor stops..Everyone that wants to drink can BYOB or ride to closest store once there is a rest stop.
Calling stores= bad idea, yes I would dismiss it(my opinion)
Why are the same people that write the comments "about not telling otheres what to do" are also posting as if they are the chosen ones to speak for the group??
All are equal in MR and should feel free to throw out ideas and suggestions, although I do have an issue with persons that are trying to impose ideas without having reasonable experience iand maybe throwing large group rides or have been active in MR for a while in order to view all angles.
Be humble, stay back,listen,observe,think and then speak(post)
""you cant take away my diginity........
no one is going to police the doors or try to be some kind of secret police for the rides period i'll make sure to stop it..... ""
Just curious, how will you stop it?
Isnt it contradicting for you to not want any one acting as police yet you will make sure to stop it..sounds like you want to police the police.
""we already have a plan to fix this problem..... i wont let any rider get marked or tainted for making a mistake.""
Guess by we you mean me and rest of ridazz????Refresh my memory, what is the solution?
You've spoken with me before in arguments with Kyber about the worthiness of trying to change behavior. Do you now think that it is not worthwhile? Isn't more worthwhile to persuade and educate, or does this topic so enrage you that you're unable to muster the desire to advocate the slow persuasive route?
Fuck it - let's just get rid of all the flawed people - the shoplifters and the drunks, the anger issues and the egotists, the loud mouths and the outcasts, the gropers and the inappropriates, the fireworkers and the hipsters and the collarbone breaking non line holders and the flakes. The shit heads and the hot heads and pot heads and the holier than thous. The fuckers and the motherfuckers. The shy and the awkward.
And then we can melt all our bikes down and make park benches and road railings because there won't be any riders left.
That was a bit mawkish, Thompson, even for you. I mean, really--the "shy and the awkward"? You can't see it, but I'm making a slow, sarcastic golf-clap gesture at my computer screen right now.
i agree with the rationale behind fewer and shorter stops. it seems to be the easiest solution to most of the problems with these rides (shoplifting, over-consumption of alcohol/drugs/etc, graffiti, and so on). sure, many of us enjoy some beer and maybe even a little weed on these rides. but, i think ALL of us are there for the ride. so, let's ride...moar please.
I still agree with Al's solution to the problem, having stops near, but not at, the liquor store.
Or, even have someone, or a group make fuel runs for the ridazz.
Either you give them money, or I keep the receipts for tax purposes, and get needed supplies without risking the mob mentality of our non-profit association, wink-wink.
How about not stopping for beer at every rest point. If we were to stop at a park or whatnot..then what? if people wanna drink tell them to get it ahead of time. But about taking things from eachother...thats just not cool...i just keep my shit with me
This may sound lame, but what if at the start of any of the larger rides, one of the ride leaders reminds everyone [in case these culprits are not reading anything on the forum] ....DON'T DO IT, DON'T STEAL FROM ANYONE...... AND YOU'LL GET TALKED TO IF CAUGHT . If they know, that everyone is aware and will be on the look out (which sucks), it may stop the problem. And I agree with BYOB and making stops away from stores(at least for the time being). It seams like allot of trouble to go through I know, im just putting this out there.
Great idea on the stops. And I have a feeling the thieves have been reading these threads, or at least their friends have.... lets see how the next ride goes down. People can change for the better and I think they will.
Still, People will of course need to be aware and make sure the thieves don't steal their shit.
My vote goes for no liquor store stops. People who steal will steal, no matter what you do. Don't give them the opportunity by creating a diversion for them, swarming a store is one of them. Stopping at liquor stores also gives the perception that drinking, to your hearts content, is encourage. It is almost hypocritical that we complain about drunks, yet we keep on stopping at liquor stores.
BYOB, don't care what you bring. Just sucks when I gotta wait, refill on your own time.
@ deesimple, we are going to talk to the riders that we already know is doing this thats one, two we are going to talk to the riders we see in action or hear planning to steal period....
deesimple whats your point with starting arguements ?
let us work on this thief problem and if it doesn't work, then argue..
wil be 2X this time! I've drooled on my pillow many times.....drooled from being hit by a pilllow just once. Seond time for everything get ready for the flashes its gonna be midnight stuntazzz hope the fight goes till sunride. I left last time at 3am. WEAK!
awh man, dude just dont go through the right side of my mind cause its pretty fucked up... it looks like some dropped a bomb of depression on it followed by two other bombs of insane ideas and coco puff dreams....
but yeah on the light i'll go buy one later thanks man....
dude are you kidding me? that was the most lameness shit i have ever watch... clapping? i want my two minutes back... i could of been watching this instead..
goodtimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! crashing onto parked cars goodtimes!!!, getting 4 D.U.I's in a row goodtimes!!!, paying the LA courts 15,000 dollars in fines goodtimes!!!, waiting in a chowline goodtimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think a good sting operation is in order. Or just the word of some people doing this would make people think twice about ripping shit off from other ridazz.
Another thing to do would be to help out the stores and keep an eye out for people walking out with shit. We could still get our party on and watch the doors. This has a built in safe guard of the thief being out number, so chances are he won't do anything stupid. Or stupidur.
Guys that think not stopping at big stores like Vons is a good idea are forgetting about why else we stop there. And that's for the ladizz to use the bathrooms. You take that away and you're going have to make up for it somehow. Such as stopping at a fast food place with bathrooms. I know I don't want to stop going to big stores like Von's cause it takes care of a couple of issues and they get us in and out in a reasonable time.
The ridez bitchin on hear talk the talk but don walk the walk. I seen stupid shit go donw on rides and they turn they head when someone complaining. If you sees someone snatching something do something don't bitch laters. Before some of you complaining about what I say but I don't like stelaing I just say if you see it then do somcething right tere.
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Ridazz Roulette!
and yet here you are, hiding behind the computer, complaining about the people who have been organizing these rides for years, who just happen to be complaining about selfish riders who have no common sense.
I DIDNT SEE NUTTIN!!!!!
I think we all agree that this has got to be the last time ridazz steal from the store. I hope that this is only the first time too. Yeah I can understand the whole Robin Hood aspect of taking from the rich to give to the poor, and being ridazz we're not necessarily the most lawful and respectful bunch, but right now we've got a reputation to watch out for. It's all fun and games until someone gets cheated financially (getting hurt never stopped us). I don't even want to get started on what I think about stealing from other ridazz. Taking from stores makes all of us as a community look bad, but taking from another rida only hurts your own reputation. DON'T DO IT!
(practices his slow golf clap)
