Hell Ride (the Empire strikes back)

Agree, I'm not advocating any of the bad behavoiur that sometime
happens on the 'hell ride', either by the cyclists or th
motorists....but I think the response needs to be in line with th
extent of the problem. We're talking about 150-200 cyclists at 7am o
a saturday morning for 1.5hrs......do these evil lawbreakers require
pursuit Vee Hic Als, (ya gotta say it with the jackie gleason accen
from 'Smokie & the Bandit') & 3 motorcyclists?....going out of ther
way to disrupt peaceful & lawful (lets not forget this ride is NO
illegal) assembly?.....It makes me glad to be a Victorian...our crim
& anti social behaviour are obviously at an all time ow...so much s
that the coppers ar now being paid to attend gay marches & harras
cyclists......

I love a good bunch ride for a number of reasons. But I think that th
really big groups (ie in excess of 30) are bound to come undone. I fin
a smaller group of a maximum of say 10 riders is ideal. Everyone gets
couple of turns at the front and nobody experiences that 'rubber band
effect at the back. Once it starts getting to 30 or 40 or so the bac
end starts to break up a fair bit for a couple of reasons including tha
'rubber band' thingy. I would suggest breaking everyone up into smalle
groups and each one leaving at 1-2 minute intervals. The faster, mor
accomplished riders can go last and chase down the others like
pursuit. Also there wouldn't be as much of an issue with the whole grou
making it through the lights if everyone just sticks with their own
Just a suggestion anyhow as I'm not there and haven't seen it myself


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cfsmtb wrote:
After watching ABC Four Corners on Monday evening, a story entitled
"Speeding Police Target Cyclists" would take on an entirely different
context. Controlled delivery anyone?


what wozzat? missed it..

and besides, I can get a Ti frame for 500bucks......


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On my way to the Hell Ride, I punctured. As a result, I got to Blac
Roack at 7.02am. I chased the group for a while but got caught goin
through a red light that was just about to change to green. Pinged fo
$200 and feeling really happy with Saturday morning's ride..


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Paul J wrote:
Agree, I'm not advocating any of the bad behavoiur that sometimes
happens on the 'hell ride', either by the cyclists or the
motorists....but I think the response needs to be in line with the
extent of the problem. We're talking about 150-200 cyclists at 7am on
a saturday morning for 1.5hrs......do these evil lawbreakers require 3
pursuit Vee Hic Als, (ya gotta say it with the jackie gleason accent
from 'Smokie & the Bandit') & 3 motorcyclists?....going out of there
way to disrupt peaceful & lawful (lets not forget this ride is NOT
illegal) assembly?.....It makes me glad to be a Victorian...our crime
& anti social behaviour are obviously at an all time ow...so much so
that the coppers ar now being paid to attend gay marches & harrass
cyclists......,
I love a good bunch ride for a number of reasons. But I think that the
really big groups (ie in excess of 30) are bound to come undone. I find
a smaller group of a maximum of say 10 riders is ideal. Everyone gets a
couple of turns at the front and nobody experiences that 'rubber band'
effect at the back. Once it starts getting to 30 or 40 or so the back
end starts to break up a fair bit for a couple of reasons including that
'rubber band' thingy. I would suggest breaking everyone up into smaller
groups and each one leaving at 1-2 minute intervals. The faster, more
accomplished riders can go last and chase down the others like a
pursuit. Also there wouldn't be as much of an issue with the whole group
making it through the lights if everyone just sticks with their own.
Just a suggestion anyhow as I'm not there and haven't seen it myself.


The Hell ride would not be the Hell ride if we rode in bunches of 10
You don't see the 200 riders in the tour de France going off a
intervals of 1-2 minutes. If you split up the groups then more re
lights will be run as they will be trying to chase the other groups. Yo
need to do the Hell ride to experience it

Madone Ma


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flyingdutch wrote:
what wozzat? missed it... and besides, I can get a Ti frame for
500bucks.......


FYI - The Speed Tra
http://abc.net.au/4corners/content/2...ice/default.ht

some Vic coppers have been a bit naughty and blurring the lines bt
their job description and extra curricular activities....now back t
Hell Ride discussion


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Hi Everyone, especially Hell Riders:

This may appear to be dorky, so apologies in advance

Not being from Malbourne (so missing the atmosphere), and not havin
ridden in the Hell Ride, but being an enthusiastic cyclist this questio
comes to my mind: Is there any proper way to hold a large bunch rid
such as this in Melbourne regularly

There are different aspects to this issue, but I'm sure there is a wa
to do it right so that every one goes home happy

Cycling is a politically correct activity. As a sport, it also bring
Aussie names to media around the world. So the Government and loca
councils will have (and have to have) the right attitude if they ar
appraoched correctly. If there is a value in the Hell Ride (for the sak
of sports/activity), it has the right to get facilities from officials
But if it is a vehicle for some immature (sorry) rebel act (eventhoug
maybe called culture), then I'd be against it as an individual. If it i
such an inappropriate practice, sooner or later they will finish it off
and that helps cycling as a whole lose its face in disgrace in such
big city. That will definitely have reverebrations in other towns, an
will give those ill-minded road/path users who already don't find an
place for cyclists either on roads or paths an assurance to be even mor
dissrespectful

So if the adrenalin rush or peer pressure during a ride like the Hel
Ride is going to overcome your independent logic, please think about th
longer term. And if it is a legitimate and genuine act, why play cat an
mouce with authorities

Cheers, Amir


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A few factors involved here.

I have done it a few times; its fun but scary at the same time if you
get near the front and very stressful if at the back lotta testerone
flying about amongst a very few individuals but that percentage is low

The venue is probably the biggest contributor. Its very accessable to
Melb riders. good surface (on the whole) and close to everyone

The only real alternative would be to open up a lane along one of the
freeways (with escort/protection) but that makes too much sense and
therefore wont happen :-(

It really needs a good hill in it (other than Olivers) in the middle to
break it up a bit along the way and thus negating the need to run red
lights (disclaimer. i dont think there is a NEED to run red lights.
bazooka them, sure, but not run them).

$200 fine!!!!!!!!!! Ouch. that's gotta hurt How do they fine you if they
cant identify you? (presumably you were pulled over...)



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Yep,

and you know what? You ran a red, and you got caught...

I cycle, AND I drive, and I always stop for the red be it on bike, or in
car...

Why bitch about it? It's probably the first time you got caught...

Law of Averages, right?

Like the cyclist who I saw get fined by a cop in St Kilda Road on the
Thursday before the GP, who ran a red, and then had a screaming session at
the cop who stopped him, about his "rights" on the road, etc, etc, etc...
His rights? He got booked for breaking the road rules. Period.

You do the crime, do the time...

I've got zero compassion for any of you who get pinged for breaking road
rules. They are there as much for your own safety as they are for the
safety of others.


"patch70" wrote in message
...
On my way to the Hell Ride, I punctured. As a result, I got to Black
Roack at 7.02am. I chased the group for a while but got caught going
through a red light that was just about to change to green. Pinged for
$200 and feeling really happy with Saturday morning's ride...



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madoneman wrote in
:

You don't see the 200 riders in the tour de France going off at
intervals of 1-2 minutes.

Two words: time trial.

You need to do the Hell ride to experience it.

No, really? Remarkable.

"madoneman" wrote in message:

The Hell ride would not be the Hell ride if we rode in bunches of 10.
You don't see the 200 riders in the tour de France going off at
intervals of 1-2 minutes. If you split up the groups then more red
lights will be run as they will be trying to chase the other groups. You
need to do the Hell ride to experience it.

As far as I recall:

TdF = sanctioned road *race*

Hell Ride = informal training group riding on public trafficked roads

Subtle difference maybe, but oh so important.

Cheers
Peter
- not a Hell Rider so I don't have this esoteric 'experince'