Right, I'm off.

Just a quick post to say 'ta-ta / adios / f*ck you'.


Reasons for cancelling my membership? Well as many of you have noted, I haven't posted on here much lately. I have however logged-on frequently and monitored what's been going on. I've found that this forum is now dangerously close to becoming identical to 'the other Southeast one' as some moderators have become dictators and exercise their 'power' with impunity. Secondly, I'm not anti-track-bikes (especially since I used to own one), but f*ck there's more to life than that, so maybe change the record or set up a separate section. Thirdly, many of the Rideouts have to start within five miles of Northiam and then follow the same old tired routes. Why the same roads? So that some riders can pretend that they're real experts, but only because these are the only roads they ever ride. On unfamiliar ground they become a lead-weight liability.

So in short, as no one here showed any interest in following any of the rideouts I suggested (or trying any new roads in Surrey / West Kent / Essex / Cambs... or in fact any tarmac that doesn't lead to / from Rye / 1066 / Wessons / Bury Hill), there really isn't anything of interest for me.

I've found that the other forums I've joined subsequently have more banter, yet also provide a better bank of knowledge and most importantly don't take themselves so seriously. Oh and guess what - you never hear a peep from a moderator unless someone's rude or offensive. Clearly in these circumstances, a 'mod' is not a badge of status as, let's be frank, it's hardly like being the Mayor of London is it?

I don't mean to offend the majority - it's the minority that have pushed this site up it's own a*se. I've made some great friends through this site and will keep in touch with those via Facebook / phone as I do already.

I wonder how long this post will remain until one of the 'moderators' (yawn) takes it down?

 

While everyone is completely entitled to their opinion, I would have to STRONGLY disagree with Finchy.

This site is not just about knowledge, skills, banter or rides. It is a group of like minded people who provide support and actually meet face to face for rides. There are large varieties of rides. Joining the forum it is made quite clear it is a 'south east' group. The name gives a clear indication of this!!! However, people from all over are welcome to join. This also means that the majority of the rides would probably be down the majority of the riders locations. This is not good or bad, just means it is up to others (if they chose to) to create rides and vary the route. Initiative is the key...

As for level of knowledge, personally I'd be lost without this group regarding their support, advice and quick ability to google much better than me!!

I am not a moderator. I am involved in forums where the moderators do not at all get involved and it becomes an attack site. I have seen the moderators step in when the comments are personal, jaded or abusive and I thank them for that.

I just wish I was closer to be involved in rides more often


I do find it strange though, that if an individual wants to leave a group why they need to publicise it before hand???? All the best Finchy - rubber side down

 

Cheque?!?! I'll take Belgium chocolates ANY DAY!!!

 

yes i agree but cant be arsed to argue as im to busy cleaning my bike
sorry to see you go mate but you can always come back

 

Er yes, I live in the Southeast. You know where Kent is, right? That's the irony - I haven't found this forum to be South-eastern at all. In fact, 90% of the weekend rides are South coast as stated in the locations in my original post. I have tried to organise alternative rideouts, but these haven't been supported. I've even spent time creating routes for other people (as requested) and posted the suggestions here, only for them to be ignored.

Tom's right too. I'm not spitting my dummy out. While the forum isn't for me anymore, my comments should be taken as constructive criticism to prevent the site following the same fate as 'the other one'. I know that I'm not the only one to feel this way - I'm just the only one who has said anything publicly (as my received text / FB messages this morning can testify - and no, don't worry senders, I won't post them!).

 

Horses for courses & forums means different things to each of us, rideouts, social, tech info, trackdays or just online banter. I also ride with non forum members simply cos they live nearer & they're old mates but I accept that most on here live near the S coast but I'm happy to travel those (good, for my bike) roads to get there for meets/rides. However I do prefer to ride routes unknown to me.
I've not found the mods to be dictatorial but maybe its cos I have no interest in some subjects, therefor have no opinion worthy of expression. They do a job I'm not really interested in doing so was pleased they put themselves forward.
Can't remember if I'm in touch with you on fb/phone Jay but if so stay in contact & as Yapps said...stay safe.

 

Will I still get chocolates?!

 

Always worry when an individual say they are going to be “off” tends to show a bit of a high regard for their own importance. If I was “off” why would anybody give a damn? Most people who go “off” come back anyway. I always think this is some sort of attention seeking waiting for the cries of “don’t go”.
I’m a bit of a virgin here but not on many other bike related forums. All the forums I frequent currently have very few ride outs being posted up - whether this is a sign of the economic climate (a tank of fuel enough to do 140 miles is around £25 for most bikes) I don’t know. Maybe everyone migrated to FaeceBook or something?

Larger forums like BikeChatForums / The Rev Counter are just frequented by a load of “keyboard heroes” and when you actually analyse the content very little of it is about bikes and because they are designed to attract a national audience ride outs are virtually non existant.

London Bikers has many ride outs but they are pretty much all centred around the Ace Cafe – horrendous to get to if you live in South London.

Boxhill Forum has all but died a death despite the sterling efforts of its owner.

Bike specific forums seem to have the most ride outs and the most chat actually about bikes!

I only ride for pleasure so ride outs and overseas trips are important to me.

The thing about this forum is that a small nucleus of people is continually posting up opportunities for people to join them on ride outs, meets at cafes etc and that is a really good thing – the fact that they may want to ride the roads they know and prefer and want to start the run from nearby to where the live is entirely up to them – if you don’t like those start points / roads then don’t join them. Personally living on the edge of London but still in Kent it is difficult for me to get to these starting points although several ride outs have had the 7 Diner as a starting point.

Some people like doing track days – it’s not an offence to like track days – it is becoming more popular as roads become more and more restricted by 40 / 50 limits popping up everywhere – personally I don’t subscribe to the “they are much safer because some old biddy might pull out in front of you” way of thinking – it will always be human nature to go faster, push harder on a track day than you would on the road and you can still get badly hurt or potentially pay the ultimate price.

Why not just put a request in for a track day section if talk of track days offends you?

In my short stay here I believe you could do a lot worse than be a member of this forum.

 

As an original founding member and a resigned mod who doesn't post or participate much anymore for some of the same reasons Finchy says, i just want to add i do support much of what he says. I have mailed admin re issues in the past only to be ignored or my requests not passed on to those who'm it concerned.

I also know what its like to have people express support directly to me only to remain silent when it really counts.

I don't wish to bring up past issues but clearly they were not satisfactorily resolved for me. I feel very differently about supporting SECB due to how i felt i was treated a while back.

Hey ho. Its a big world, ive made a few excellent friends who i remain in contact with. Only 1 asshole. But most of you know who that is and that i have very clear describable reasons for my opinion.

 

As a former member of the 'other one' and an original member of this one I can safely say that this is a much better web-site.

I haven't made I ride out this year (I think !) and I won't for sometime as my daytona is being picked up by a gent tonight. However I know that as soon as I'm back on a bike, I can log on here and be welcomed back to a ride out like I've never been away.

Basically, I don't see the problem(s).

 

Hey! Love the thread, in fact opposite to antagonism Finchy, you have peeps writing more than one sentence.
As said many times if you post a ride-out perhaps some will eventually turn up.
Just keep bashing away, it's not always convenient to go on Sundays but that's the only time, weather prevailing, that most get to ride.
If you do go, it will be a shame, a good mix from different area's adds the the pot.

 

If you go, whos gonna cheque mi spelin n grama????

 

My signature below says it all!

 

I heard somewhere recently that most wars always start in summer, or very hot weather spells, heh, and to think I have been here 12 months now.

Finchy regarding ride outs, it is hard to please everyone especially people on the out skirts, I recall myself meeting you, and some others on a ride out you organized and with in a few miles all split up, never did catch up with you again that day

The other point that has been bought up before different riders prefer different types of routes, I personally am not a great lover of narrow lanes with pot holes and gravel, It is not to say I always avoid those types, but I do know you prefer those types of ride outs in general, but perhaps others don't as much like myself.

I also not a great lover of riding east in the morning and west later on in the day certain times of the year, I.E Low Blinding sun.

Cant say I recall many ride outs in Essex and Surrey posted, but have been on a Couple with some others off the this forum, but as others stated people on the outskirts need to organize ride outs, no reason why we cannot combine 2 ride outs into one. I on most days out on a weekend do anywhere between 100 and 200 miles (Hence 7.2k on my Street in less than a year)

I do not disagree there are many other forums more active, and certainly with better knowledge hence why I belong to a few forums.

Mods, cant really comment as if a post is removed quite often no one sees it, I do not like post deleting at all (unless it is really attacking a person, wrongly) I have had my share in the past of disagreements here with the mods but tbh don't see any changes, lets face it someone has to do the job (Well not really moderate too many mods who do not do a lot on here tbh) But I have meet a few people I enjoy riding with and for me that is all I really care about.

I wish you well in your travels

 

As a new member to this site and a non bike rider a pillion only , I don't no much about bikes only that they got 2 wheels , I have been made very welcome on ride outs and social dos. I have met some lovely people an no one has ever made me feel unwelcome , and 2 let me become a member means a great deal 2 me , an also I can see what Garya puts up haaahaaa. I thoroughly enjoy the track days watching all the banter going on , anyway just want 2 say this is a great site an the mods do a very good job especially as they do it for FREE .