NE&YORKS Noggin and Natter

[Simonside resident]

<PULLS OUT SOAP BOX>
Right then, I had a fabulous ride last night with Andy and Dr Si. His Holiness Pope Derek, granted us an audience WHICH IS A DAMN SIGHT MORE THAN A FEW OTHERS WHO SAID THEY`D RIDE. TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNERS OF GARAGE QUEENS THE VENUE WAS CHANGED FROM A PURDY CLASSIC CARRIAGE DRIVE TO SOMETHING MELLOW. IT WAS FLAT AS ****(mountain bikers???) IF THE COMPANY HADN`T BEEN SO GOOD I`D HAVE SLASHED MY OTHER WRIST.
FFS people take £50+K restored MK1 escorts and don`t worry about throwing them between the trees, they use them for the purpose for which they were intended..get real?

<STEPS DOWN FROM SOAPBOX>

Cheers to Si and Andy for a cracking evening oh and thank you to the lady in Newbiggin too

 

[toons]

Sorry Ian the baby sitter let me down at the last minute & the wife couldn't change shifts.

It was a piss poor turn out from Retro capital of the UK that is the Peth.

I wouldn't describe my pace as a garage queen; I'd call it a bag of shit retro ride

So when are you going to show us round Simonside & some more of those Rothbury descents??

 

[Dr S]

It is rather frustrating putting on rides when no one turns up. It wasn't just last night but most of the rides over the last six months. Last weekend's National Status ride should have had much more support- in the end we had seven riders. That seven included the AEC and deputy, 2 from Manchester (therefore NWA members) and one non member on a modern bike, leaving just two actual NE&Yorks Area members.
When you take into account the amount of bitching and sniping that has been aimed at some AECs over the last few weeks I have to ask myself why we bother?
Thankfully when people do turn up it all becomes worth it, the rides always go down well and the atmosphere is friendly and enjoyable- I just more people would sample it for themselves!

BTW Ian, David Sutton sells his Escorts for £100,000 plus VAT now and more often than not they are driven into the trees rather than through them :cry:

 

[toons]

Si, this isn’t a pop at you, so don't take it as a personal attack.

Look how many riders you got at Gisburn, perhaps that National event route didn't appeal to people, bad timing, too long, crap route?? Who knows?

Personally, once my kids are more independent, I'll be able to get out on some of these rides. Otherwise, I get way to much grief leaving the wife with two screaming kids.

That’s why I love the Tuesday nights rides; they work so well for me, the kids are in bed and the wife has her tea waiting on the table! Also we’re putting in a good couple of hours riding, which keeps the fitness up.

Also riding old bikes isn’t for me.

 

[Drewson]

<PULLS OUT SOAP BOX>
Right then, I had a fabulous ride last night with Andy and Dr Si. His Holiness Pope Derek, granted us an audience WHICH IS A DAMN SIGHT MORE THAN A FEW OTHERS WHO SAID THEY`D RIDE. TO ACCOMMODATE THE OWNERS OF GARAGE QUEENS THE VENUE WAS CHANGED FROM A PURDY CLASSIC CARRIAGE DRIVE TO SOMETHING MELLOW. IT WAS FLAT AS f**k(mountain bikers???) IF THE COMPANY HADN`T BEEN SO GOOD I`D HAVE SLASHED MY OTHER WRIST.
FFS people take £50+K restored MK1 escorts and don`t worry about throwing them between the trees, they use them for the purpose for which they were intended..get real?

<STEPS DOWN FROM SOAPBOX>

Not sure who this is aimed at cause I'm not sure who said they'd turn up and didn't....but i for one prewarned that i couldn't make it.....unless this was overlooked :roll: Unfortunately some of us have commitments that preclude us from doing stuff that we'd much rather be doing....(and i wouldn't call supporting a pregnant wife working shifts with one year old twins with chicken pox an excuse )

By the way....most folks with garage queens (of which i confess to own one or two) have other bikes that they happily take out on rides. I find building up bikes keeps me in touch with a scene that i otherwise wouldn't have access to at the mo' due to the above....saying that i would get any bike dirty as long as it gets me round...

I hope you continue with the rides Si.....i appreciate the effort it takes....there will be a time soon when a little of my time becomes my own again so that i can make it out....

 

[Dr S]

Si, this isn’t a pop at you, so don't take it as a personal attack.

No worries and likewise

Look how many riders you got at Gisburn, perhaps that National event route didn't appeal to people, bad timing, too long, crap route?? Who knows?.

Gisburn was not our event, it was a NWA organised event.

Cut Gate is one of the UK classics, offered some brilliant natural trails and descents and was chosen for its central location to attract more members from around the area- If I knew only two members would turn up I would have run the event in Morpeth Park and had a lay in. Timing should not have been an issue, it was listed on the calendar 4 months ago and was planned on a Bank holiday weekend so that those with families could still get two days at home to please spouses but also get a little 'me' time for themselves.

This problem goes beyond the last ride though, the rides over the last 6-7 months have been poorly supported no matter where they were held.

Personally, once my kids are more independent, I'll be able to get out on some of these rides. Otherwise, I get way to much grief leaving the wife with two screaming kids..

I have 2 young kids and a dragon of a wife, the hassle I get is too much sometimes but I have taken on this responsibility and have to get on with it.
To be fair you do seem to get to ride on sundays most weeks- would a change to sunday meets make things easier?
Remember, I'm just here to channel what members want- I'm here to work for you guys, say what you want and I will make it happen for you guys, if no one suggests venues or dates I just presume all are happy to just go along with it. This is your area group, make of it what you wish.

Or could it be a case of I can't be bothered rather than I can't make it?. Answers on a postcard!

Also riding old bikes isn’t for me.

Thats why on our regular monthly's we say bring what you like, most of us rode modern in the lakes- we ask that on the main nationals you try and ride retro (to save Mark and Mr K breaking our balls) but its the RetroBike attitude we are more interested in rather than the machine. Its all about the people that come along and join in after all. I sometimes find riding Retro a chore on certain routes and i bet i am not alone, but we get on with it and keep smiling.

Looking around at other groups and seeing the turnouts they get i can't help but think we are missing out here.
We are blessed with the best terrain and riding spots in the UK here in the North and so much effort goes into getting a just a few people out, that I feel rather sad that folk do not make the effort and make the most of what we are offering.

Si

 

[toons]

To be fair you do seem to get to ride on sundays most weeks- would a change to sunday meets make things easier?
Si

Yep, I've got kids swimming lesson on Saturday at 14:30

Also, I know this area group covers a vast part of the UK, but I'd prefer more rides with less travelling time i.e. keep it to a 1hour. Means I can get home by 2pm and keep the wife sweet.

What is annoying, organising an event in Yorkshire, when everyone is driving from North East\Morpeth, why don't we just stay local there's shed loads we haven't ridden.

 

[toons]

the hassle I get is too much sometimes but I have taken on this responsibility and have to get on with it.
Si

Somebody once told me, let it go in one ear and straight out the other. Now I follow this most of the time, but sometimes I want a shag!

 

[Dr S]

To be fair you do seem to get to ride on sundays most weeks- would a change to sunday meets make things easier?
Si

Yep, I've got kids swimming lesson on Saturday at 14:30

Also, I know this area group covers a vast part of the UK, but I'd prefer more rides with less travelling time i.e. keep it to a 1hour. Means I can get home by 2pm and keep the wife sweet.

What is annoying, organising an event in Yorkshire, when everyone is driving from North East\Morpeth, why don't we just stay local there's shed loads we haven't ridden.

We have put rides on in Northumberland and no local's came along. We tend to ride in Yorkshire because we get the locals turning up- without them there would be no one there.
In the last year we have had several rides within 60-70 mins of Morpeth but apart from Sith last year and Salty and Ian this year not a single Northumbrian has joined us.
Look at Thrunton- we did two rides there last year, we had a good turnout from MacRetro on both occasions and the rest came from Lincolnshire and Yorkshire areas. We had P20 join us on one ride and Drew for 2 hours on the other. I cannot justify putting on all the rides up here when folk don't turn up.
Mountains to Mohammed and all that.

 

[Alp*Willi]

Lads

I know where you are coming from when it comes to organising things and getting minimal turnout time and time again. It has happened quite often to me when organising various different activities in work.

You will always have a core of people that will attend everything they can through hell and high water. You will also have quite a few that attend when then can for various reasons. There will also be those who maybe don't share the same enthusiasm and drive and will only attend occasionally when it is dry, warm etc.... Also, there will be some who are just getting back into MTBing or are just finding their feet with the Retrobikers. My point is, each 'club' has these groups and the numbers in each will vary.

It is obvious that the core guys spend a lot of time and effort organising outings and certainly, from my perspective, you are mightily appreciated. It would be a shame if you guys lost your drive as then the Area would really be in the s***!!!!

Personally, I have certainly not been as active a member as I would have liked to be since joining you guys. However my hip operation last November has severely limited my outings although I did manage to attend the MacRetro meet at Thrunton last year and also a cross-border outing at Mabie with the same guys prior to my Op. Once my Medical Officer gives the green light to start bouncing around again, I will be out and about again, work permitting.

I hope that I haven't put anybody's backs up but I felt that I needed to air my views in this discussion as well.

I look forward to getting out on the bike with you all again VERY soon!!!!

Rhys