Getting a knee on the CAM newb ride

[Meerkat]

I don't know that anything needs to specifically change for CAM rides. It is always stressed that folks should ride their own ride and pace. Any group that I've ridden with has always waited for the entire group at every turn/stopping point, as did this ride. This sense of responsibility for each other and the spirit of camaraderie is what makes the CAM rides great. No one is at fault for this crash except for me. I didn't heed the too many toos: too cold, too wet, too much brake, too little tread, too fast and too much lean angle.

The title of the present thread arose from conversations had at mods vs rockers and was an attempt to find humor in the situation, not to suggest anything bad/negative about the cam rides. Everyone that I've met (both online and in person) from this forum has been a superb person and part of a great community. I was welcomed without hesitation last year despite my faults and quirks, which I expect will happen to any newbie showing up here.

[Autohag]

^ This. We were simply trying to lift Jim's spirits and joked about "getting a knee down". At the time it seemed like an unfortunate WTF. We combed the road looking for any signs of gremlins... seeking some kind of explanation. Even with the video it's not definitive.

Only once did I feel the pace pick up a bit too much; I hopped up front and led the rest of the group at a more appropriate pace. Within 10 miles we were all riding together again.

I'm still reflecting on the ride to see what we can generally do better next time. Feel free to PM your thoughts to me.

[Artful]

Fact is, shit happens. There's no question in my mind that the overall pace was entirely reasonable for the skills of the riders in attendance (I was only around for the evening ride where everyone behaved and had a great - if not warm or dry - time). Only takes one little throttle blip or a stab at the brakes at the wrong time for a bike to go down in Saturday's conditions. Live, limp, and learn.

Besides, now Jim's bike has character  

[zooom]

I don't think Statler or I were trying assess blame...I think it was more in terms of keeping tabs on the pulse of group rides in general for to keep generally "oh shit" moments from turning into hazards....that and if a "newb" ride produces incidents like this, but it wasn't a "newb" ride anymore, it keeps from scaring off newbs from joining those rides when things are distinguished in the differences....I appreciate the humor being implied to diffuse the situation, much like we did in Bowie when that Honda cut Brian off and he had his off....shit happens....we deal with it and then roll on...in how we deal with it makes the difference!

[bikepilot]

I also can't see how changing the structure of the ride would help.  It was mostly a pretty sedate pace.  A few times when traffic was light lars wicked it up a little, but just for quick spurts and nothing that egged others on to push harder.  Jim was, I think, riding sweep the whole day until very shortly before the low-side, which might also have contributed to colder tires.  For reference, the pace was such that a guy on a big crusier seemed not to have difficulty keeping up with the bulk of the pack (again, lars and I sprinted ahead from time to time).  I'm not sure whether the n00b title referred to new-to-cam or new rider, but I think less than half the riders there were new to riding.  I'm fairly new to cam, not new to riding.  

[Meerkat]

...less than half the riders there were new to riding.

From my chats with folks before we rode, only one has been riding less than a couple of years. We talked about how he should ride his own ride and that the group would wait for him no matter his pace, even prior to Lars/Brian giving the group ride talk.

I don't think Statler or I were trying assess blame...

Nor did I think that. I was only trying to clarify to those that were not there that the ride was not mismanaged.

The fact is that I love riding through traffic circles and pushed that one beyond the limit of traction for the conditions. I know where the blame lies and am not afraid to shoulder it. 

[Artful]

I know where the blame lies and am not afraid to shoulder it. 

... and chest it...and foot it...

[tocino]

The fact is that I love riding through over traffic circles and pushed that one

Fixed that for ya!

[The Mad King Pepe']

The fact is that I love riding through traffic circles and pushed that one beyond the limit of traction for the conditions. I know where the blame lies and am not afraid to shoulder stomach it. 

No, I fixxed it!  and bwt, I blame KTM

[Statler]

of course.

and we go out sometimes and decide to change our earlier decision to have a sedate day.... and act like idiots.

no problem.


shit happens.

glad it was minor.

I didn't see everyone who was on the ride while drunkled posting before.

[DRKWNG]

Finally. Can't blame me for whipping Lars up into a crazed state on this one. 

I chose to stay home that day for a reason...

[zooom]

I chose to stay home that day for a reason...

cause you were barefoot in the kitchen making ham sammiches?

[twolanefun]

So here is an idea for all you newbs, you don't need a group ride to do this, just you and the bike. Go have some fun on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Try and navigate it at a steady speed that is equal to or 5mph over posted, no braking for those slower curves. Good pavement, light to no traffic(on weekends pick remote sections), no lights, and really very little to worry about except learning to ride the twistys. Just a Thought - Gene

[DRKWNG]

cause you were barefoot in the kitchen making ham sammiches?

ahem...

[Artful]

Isn't Five Fingers your nickname in the service? I heard it didn't have anything to do with shoes though...