The Official Mumbai Offline Meet(G2G) Thread

[Horror]

I think this has always been a problem with big G2G's, smaller rides with 5-10 people does not result in the group being seperated as such. That is why we break up a large group into smaller group of 5-10 people don't we? This as mentoned was due to a total lack of planning and what alankar has said about planning the ride,the people who would lead and tail, before hand is entirely right. It should be done not only for big ride but smaller rides too.

[satyenpoojary]

Partial truth and misleading! (although I don't see why??)



Which is what I was thinking off. The current strategy is to call everyone at one location and then assume that some senior will take responsibility for figuring out lead/tail. With 100+ riders even if 2 seniors take responsibility, its impossible to control a bunch of adrenalin junkies waiting to try out their skills/prowess/stupidity against the bigger beasts. One suggestion would be to (strangely enough) agree with what Kakkar had to say ie plan ahead - figure out who is coming and assign riders to seniors - each senior making sure that only the allocated members ride with him - any addons could be allocated last minute. If a senior isn't coming, make it HIS responsibility to figure out an alternative. I know all this sounds like a lot of work, but given our experience with rides going wrong (and how) I think it would be worthwhile for xbhp to enforce standards. Note that I'm not suggesting we do this for every ride, only the mega g2gs where the number is too large, the number of unknowns too many and the magnitude of immature egos infinitely huge. And I suggest that the xbhp MODS do this actively instead of HOPING that someone would take responsibility. If there's nobody willing to take responsibility, simply cancel the ride. Seriously, lets not ride where we KNOWINGLY endanger riders and pedestrians.

I was just clearing the air around the 'issues' that was being brewed..And honestly I have lost my patience to even write here about what all went wrong. For starters:
May be you can call it a Hit and Run.
Someone hit a jaywalker, and the rest of the 'brotherhood' ran, despite the rider and his peers waiving for others to stop. So whatever brotherhood you think any of you had, take a dump on it, and bury it for good.
PS: Have fun discussing this in a weekly G2G, or a mega ride or dhaba g2g or anything. I am out of these discussions for a while.


Edit: There was a RE chap who probably had a piston ring wear and the bike was coughing up smoke. I hope thats resolved now.

[antz.bin]

Leaves me to wonder, are people really thinking before riding? OR does just knowing how to keep a motorcyle on the move qualify people to be on group rides?

Sadly, the answer to the question in bold is Yes! At least here in India. Thats the reason I am gunning against the new rules.

P.S.: One of the GIRers (Shivanshu, FZ1) had a fall today 1.10PM in Kothrud. He bruised his knee since he was not wearing knee guards at the time since it was 'only a city ride' from Kothrud to Shivajinagar. Apparently, somebody else checking out the bike fixated on it and crashed straight into him leading to both of them falling. So it is not always your mistake which makes you crash.

[rkakkar]

Someone hit a jaywalker, and the rest of the 'brotherhood' ran, despite the rider and his peers waiving for others to stop.

When I finally rode up to that corner I saw a bunch of people stopped over on the side. I myself was pulling over and just as I was about to do so, one (or I think two) of the GIR team members (yes the GIR team) signalled me to go ahead stating no need for a large crowd here. I didn't know how severe an accident it was at the time and thought a rider just slipped so I rode on. If I knew how serious it was at the time I would have halted, but many times we've been signalled to ride on so thought it was the case here. So at least some of us didn't know how severe it was at the time and we didn't run.

[alankarmisra]

With no "Super Like" button around, I can only say that you hit the nail right on it's head.

Me, Inder, Ritwik and Roger had been to Amby Valley and on the way to the meet venue, saw a horde of riders, without any formation, scattered from the innermost lane to the outermost lane. Thankfully they were not speeding.

Leaves me to wonder, are people really thinking before riding? OR does just knowing how to keep a motorcyle on the move qualify people to be on group rides?

NV we've had these discussions at length both on and off the forums and frankly I think its time we realized that while the ones that have some experience in riding with us automatically evolve to learn our ways, those that are new won't understand it despite our best efforts (although we will continue trying in a hope to reduce untoward instances). Consequently calling 100+ riders - including new riders - to a major event is a smoking gun - its evident that things will go wrong - its good publicity for the advertisers but its a horrible strategic move from a logistics perspectives. Us trying to talk down to them or express disdain over their behaviour isn't going to get results either (although I am all for expressing everything cause you never know who is listening). My suggestion would be either to restrict these events to people who've done at least 2 xbhp rides OR to have better and MORE enforcers (leads/tails) so that the junkies can be split into groups and the ride controlled. My two cents.

PS: Based on what I know, several xbhp SENIORS who witnessed the "did-not-happen-hit" have fled from the scene stating they had superbikes which the cops scorn on and consequently preferred to stay out of it (and some have gone to the extent of pretending that the incident never occured). Edit: It was probably a wise idea NOT to crowd the scene as per Kakkar's version above but in an effort to not crowd, NOBODY stopped!. Consequently I don't think the issue is only at the lower levels - the issue is that nobody is being held accountable for ANYTHING anymore at ANY level. Edit: Seniors blame juniors for being immature, juniors blame seniors for not organizing and educating. Its become a laisez faire system where people do whatever the hell they want, some come and express philosophies indirectly and "properly" without trying to piss anybody off (me included) and we get lost in general discussions and nothing is done about anything. Lets DO things to prevent stuff instead of accusing people of being immature - the immature don't care to read our philosophies, they need good facebook pictures to impress the fairer sex and its our duty to make sure they get those photos in a safe environment.

[alankarmisra]

May be you can call it a Hit and Run.
Someone hit a jaywalker, and the rest of the 'brotherhood' ran, despite the rider and his peers waiving for others to stop. So whatever brotherhood you think any of you had, take a dump on it, and bury it for good.
PS: Have fun discussing this in a weekly G2G, or a mega ride or dhaba g2g or anything. I am out of these discussions for a while.

Umm no I'd call it a Hit period. I wouldn't say it was a hit and run, because nobody ran and I wouldn't say there was NO hit and run because people naturally assume there was no hit either - there was and somebody lost a life.

Oh and I'm certainly not discussing it in any g2g - there is nothing to discuss, people ****ed up on various fronts (and frankly in the chaotic environment you described I wouldn't have done any better - if not worse so this is NOT a commentary on your skills). The goof-ups are obvious, the solutions aren't rocket science either - the question is whether they will be implemented and how they will implement it. that is upto the xbhp mods. i will do what i can to ensure MY rides are safe and I will not participate in rides where I have no control (which is exactly why I skipped this one too having nightmares about the Kaas experience).

Edit: Oh and I know by "Have fun discussing..." you were referring to the rest in general and not making a commentary on me either ;-)

[rkakkar]

It was probably a wise idea NOT to crowd the scene as per Kakkar's version above but in an effort to not crowd, NOBODY stopped!.

Was that the case? I don't know cause I rode on, but when I was pulling over I saw at least one (or two) GIR team members and a few other riders (atleast 4) who had stopped!

I think I'm confusing the scenario with another one

[niranjanvaidya]

NV we've had these discussions at length both on and off the forums and frankly I think its time we realized that while the ones that have some experience in riding with us automatically evolve to learn our ways, those that are new won't understand it despite our best efforts (although we will continue trying in a hope to reduce untoward instances). Consequently calling 100+ riders - including new riders - to a major event is a smoking gun - its evident that things will go wrong - its good publicity for the advertisers but its a horrible strategic move from a logistics perspectives. Us trying to talk down to them or express disdain over their behaviour isn't going to get results either (although I am all for expressing everything cause you never know who is listening). My suggestion would be either to restrict these events to people who've done at least 2 xbhp rides OR to have better and MORE enforcers (leads/tails) so that the junkies can be split into groups and the ride controlled. My two cents.

I understand what you are trying to say but just as Satyen re-iterated, we discussed and tried to be sarcastic, negative, push different though a week back; all this to no result.

I am sorely disappointed by the way we have incidents. My two cents, pick a few riders who understand your riding and you understand theirs. Make a small group of 5 and ride in that group. As for the "rebels", let them have "their" fun "their" own way.

PS: Based on what I know, several xbhp SENIORS who witnessed the "did-not-happen-hit" have fled from the scene stating they had superbikes which the cops scorn on and consequently preferred to stay out of it (and some have gone to the extent of pretending that the incident never occured). Consequently I don't think the issue is only at the lower levels - the issue is that nobody is being held accountable for ANYTHING anymore. Its become a laisez faire system where people do whatever the hell they want, some come and express philosophies indirectly and "properly" without trying to piss anybody off (me included) and we get lost in general discussions and nothing is done about anything. Lets DO things to prevent stuff instead of accussing people of being immature - the immature don't care to read our philosophies, they need good facebook pictures to impress the fairer sex and its our duty to make sure they get those photos in a safe environment.

time will tell; a lot of these will hang up their boots in a few years. What is bad is that they will leave their influence on their likes for years to come.

[j4zb4]

Who here knows how Hussain had his crash a lil while back

- There was no hit and run,
- The ride from Panvel to Lonavala was HORRIBLY planned and thus executed like that. From what I am being told by individuals is that people forgot the group protocols and started ripping. And so even the noobs who mentioned they had a nice time did so too...


There is a fundamental difference in the skill and approach towards the art of group riding. This was precisely why I was harping on every one to NOT leave with the bigger bikes or unknown groups. But I was in for a nice surprise when I came out of McD. Most of the people disappeared! I dont want to indluge in mudslinging but its a fact. For what? a stupid picture with\from the roadtrip team? wasnt there enough opportunity for that?
or brushing shoulders with the other groups whose riding style we arent sure off?

With only Saurabh, Tushar, and a few other hand full of people we began our ride and had a fun ride to the destination with NO incidents what so ever. Ofcourse we were a smaller group.

What beats me is this. If I can ride a Ninja650 in about an average speed of 60-70kmph why were the rest of you all ashamed in your f'cking punny bikes? Its not that I cant speed, its not that varsha is afraid of speed either. And trust me its not my arrogance about the big bike, Its that sense of responsibility when in a group. And THAT was grossly outnumbered!

The bold part no one knows... Not even me... Because I do not have any recollection of the mishap... It was a minor injury anyways...

edit:

[rkakkar]

Another sidelining point since I have noticed this a lot and might be useful. Many times, the lead and other experienced people become familiar with roads given their rides done on them and might unknowingly take a turn not realizing that some of the newbies or not that experienced riders might not be aware of them as we dont' always stop at each turn and usually only at the crucial ones for the group to reform. As a result of this every newbie to still-not-yet-senior rider has this anxiety to keep up pace and be up close to the person in front out of fear of losing their way. I saw this happening on this ride with a few riders in front of me .. you can make out the anxiety to keep pace (especially when traffic comes in the way) and I have also personally faced/done this on some of the earlier new rides with xBhp. This anxiety might be the cause for the rev happy crowd, or at least some of it. I can vouch for one person for sure (as it was very clear and he admitted to it at BWMC) that it was the case with him and he wasn't a new rider!

[alankarmisra]

Was that the case? I don't know cause I rode on, but when I was pulling over I saw at least one (or two) GIR team members and a few other riders (atleast 4) who had stopped!

I think I'm confusing the scenario with another one

Possibly cause another Pulsar had a mishap earlier when someone skidded off the road. So its probably that. In this case nobody had stopped until a biker who will go unnamed turned back cause he realized there were people missing from his RVM - when he returned he found the accident spot and the lone biker was fighting against a bunch of locals and his attempts to hail down others for help failed cause they just rode on.

[inder.cool]

Another sidelining point since I have noticed this a lot and might be useful. Many times, the lead and other experienced people become familiar with roads given their rides done on them and might unknowingly take a turn not realizing that some of the newbies or not that experienced riders might not be aware of them as we dont' always stop at each turn and usually only at the crucial ones for the group to reform. As a result of this every newbie to still-not-yet-senior rider has this anxiety to keep up pace and be up close to the person in front out of fear of losing their way. I saw this happening on this ride with a few riders in front of me .. you can make out the anxiety to keep pace and I have also personally faced/done this on some of the earlier new rides with xBhp. This anxiety might be the cause for the rev happy crowd, or at least some of it. I can vouch for one person for sure (as it was very clear and he admitted to it at BWMC) that it was the case with him and he wasn't a new rider!

The other side of this can be that senior rider may not feel comfortable at slower/different speeds.

[alankarmisra]

Another sidelining point since I have noticed this a lot and might be useful. Many times, the lead and other experienced people become familiar with roads given their rides done on them and might unknowingly take a turn not realizing that some of the newbies or not that experienced riders might not be aware of them as we dont' always stop at each turn and usually only at the crucial ones for the group to reform. As a result of this every newbie to still-not-yet-senior rider has this anxiety to keep up pace and be up close to the person in front out of fear of losing their way. I saw this happening on this ride with a few riders in front of me .. you can make out the anxiety to keep pace (especially when traffic comes in the way) and I have also personally faced/done this on some of the earlier new rides with xBhp. This anxiety might be the cause for the rev happy crowd, or at least some of it. I can vouch for one person for sure (as it was very clear and he admitted to it at BWMC) that it was the case with him and he wasn't a new rider!

Understood. Yes it makes sense and perhaps leads need to review their own Do's and Don'ts before they ride.

The other side of this can be that senior rider may not feel comfortable at slower/different speeds.

Then he shouldn't lead. Simple.

[satyenpoojary]

Hussain: I was just being sarcy..
Alankar: The have fun bit is for everyone in general man..


I am just wondering if a jaywalker would jump the divider if they see a 100 bike formation. I know these are the idiot types, but I seriously wonder if any jaywalker would dare to do that!

[alankarmisra]

My two cents, pick a few riders who understand your riding and you understand theirs. Make a small group of 5 and ride in that group.

I'm with you on this COMPLETELY but then who trains the new ones? Besides events such as our mega g2gs ENCOURAGE and DO attract 100s of riders to come and ride together which is the point I'm trying to make ie if you encourage so many, then make sure they have enough experience with xbhp riding protocols (restrict it to a subset) or if they dont, then make sure there are enough seniors taking responsibility for leading them without getting bogged down by sheer numbers. But all action/enforcement has to come from the mods - it won't automatically happen - there's enough evidence that it doesn't automatically happen.