Licola: a different perspective

Sitting on the old Sale Road 5 km from Moe cornermarking with Trevor it was obvious something was wrong. My phone started to ring but I was unable to catch it in time despite a mad scramble. But by the power of modern technology and the “Missed Calls” option I was able to call Peter Feistl who informed me that Darryn’s tyre was flat and that Ern was already on his way back from Moe with his puncture repair kit, the Club one now a thing of the past. According to Ern, the deal was that if Darryn used Ern’s repair kit, he owned it, and hence money changed hands. Fair enough. Ern and Danny performed the puncture repair operation and headed back to Warragul with Darryn for more air. Then they retraced their route and followed the old Sale Road to Moe.

Meanwhile Peter had sent Rob Jones forward to convey the message that there would be a delay. On discussion with Peter we decided that rather than wait for Peter to go to Warragul and then come back and sweep up the remaining corner markers, I would go back and get them, sending Trevor forward to sweep up the corner markers towards Moe. Peter and Ern would meet up directly with us in Moe – if we were still there. This was meant as a time saving measure as it didn’t make much sense leaving guys stranded on corners for an hour or more when they could be in Moe enjoying morning tea.

Catching up with Rob Jones a couple of days later he filled me in with what happened to Mark. It wasn’t his bike parked in the trees not far out of Licola with a flat tyre. In fact, Mark didn’t even go up the Licola Road but was instructed to wait for the Jones’ group at the start of it, figuring they would be back in under an hour, with the boys only planning to ride to Licola township and immediately turn around. But rather than wait for them he trundled off home via Noojee making it home without further incident.

Issues to arise. The ride was clearly marked as not suitable for inexperienced or first time Club riders. Nevertheless, we attracted a first timer, clearly struggling with the heat, early start, muscling a heavy bike around the tight twisties and of course, the distance. He had a big day, running out of petrol, having a blood nose, and losing the ride. I suspect we have seen the last of him and no doubt taking a tarnished view of the Club with him, something we are trying to avoid.

Another first time rider was asked to leave the ride at Moe due to the condition of his rear tyre. It clearly wasn’t going to go the distance. For whatever reason, ego, lack of experience, etc, the rider chose to continue, but immediately dropping back to 80 km/h, generating another set of problems. One of the conditions of riding with the Club is that you are able to at least maintain the legal speed limit. Otherwise how can the leader plan estimated breaks and times? It is impossible. Normally this prevents learners or similarly inexperienced riders from partaking in the Club rides. Not only is there the time factor, but there is a risk that they may feel pressured to ride faster than their capabilities allow leading to the inevitable. We don’t want people to get hurt through inexperience or lack of skill. It is better to say “No” up front.

So, having a rider riding at 80 km/h due to a bald tyre (obviously by his actions accepting that he had a problem, but not having the guts to acknowledge it publicly) has generated much soul searching for the committee with the duties of the rear rider, “ordinary” riders and what is expected from them, and the role of the leader, particularly with the ability to manage unplanned events, all being considered deeply, with possible revisions, recommendations and improvements to follow. Watch this space.

Ben Warden (with two hats, one an “ordinary rider”, one a Committee person)