Attention Melbourne Hell Riders

moniker said:

A little birdy has informed us that on tomorrows ride (Saturday 30th
July) that Victorian Police, VicRoads and Channel 7 cameras maybe
attending.

The gossip is that they maybe pressing buttons to activate the RED
LIGHTS to impede the ride.

So if they do - pack your digital cameras, pen and paper, a cheeky
smile and your VERY best behaviour.

Cheers!

Friends you didn't know you had 🙂

pull over, dismount, hop onto the path, walk past the lights, continue.

time a second wave to arrive as it turns green.

"moniker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A little birdy has informed us that on tomorrows ride (Saturday 30th
July) that Victorian Police, VicRoads and Channel 7 cameras maybe
attending.

There was an item on ABC Victorian Stateline tonight
(7:30pm Friday 29th July) about cycling. It was a reasonably balanced
view of cycling. The police had been out with a video camera following
the early morning cyclists on Beach Rd. They showed footage of cyclists
running red lights. They also had footage of drivers overtaking the cyclists
on the wrong side of the road, on a crest.
At times the cyclists were occupying two lanes and were more than
two riders wide per lane. The parked cars didn't help and one suggestion
was that Beach Rd be made a No Parking Zone on Sunday mornings
6-10am, so that the cyclists could stay in the left lane.

Other interesting suggestions were that once a month, Albert Park Drive
be made a bicycle only zone, giving a suitable venue for cyclists.
Not sure how the families and racers would mix.
Some cyclists commented on how bicycles are treated better by city
planners overseas.

On 2005-07-29, moniker (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:

Quoted message said:

A little birdy has informed us that on tomorrows ride (Saturday 30th
July) that Victorian Police, VicRoads and Channel 7 cameras maybe
attending.

The gossip is that they maybe pressing buttons to activate the RED
LIGHTS to impede the ride.

We were talking about entrapment at CM tonight. Anyone ideas on this?
Does this work in Australia?

There was also the guy who was going to ride his momobike ahead of
hell ride, to photograph the police in action, (since on a road bike
you wouldn't have enough of a change to get sufficiently ahead of the
hell riders). Could be useful in any court case.

Quoted message said:

So if they do - pack your digital cameras, pen and paper, a cheeky
smile and your VERY best behaviour.

Good luck!

--
TimC
"How should I know if it works? That's what beta testers are for. I only
coded it." (Attributed to Linus Torvalds, somewhere in a posting)

So anyone back from the hell ride yet. Be sure to tell us how it went.
Bicycle only zone? In practical terms do those things exist anywhere.

mogulhead said:

So anyone back from the hell ride yet. Be sure to tell us how it went.
Bicycle only zone? In practical terms do those things exist anywhere.

heard briefly, many were made aware of it and thus not alot happened. Apparently video taken of media photographers standing at redlights pressing them tho. you wont see that in the papers tho, im guessin...

flyingdutch said:

heard briefly, many were made aware of it and thus not alot happened. Apparently video taken of media photographers standing at redlights pressing them tho. you wont see that in the papers tho, im guessin...

'twas a training ride, and ( as usual) everyone did what good riders do when lights turn red.......smile for the camera and raise two fingers......."who me hossifer ?, nah , but keep an eye on that guy driving that TV wagon, ...err yeah the one on the mobile phone...mmmm....."
7's stooges were pressing buttons so we heard...hopefully the video heavydense will get some mileage one day...
where's the beer

moniker said:

A little birdy has informed us that on tomorrows ride (Saturday 30th
July) that Victorian Police, VicRoads and Channel 7 cameras maybe
attending.

The gossip is that they maybe pressing buttons to activate the RED
LIGHTS to impede the ride.

So if they do - pack your digital cameras, pen and paper, a cheeky
smile and your VERY best behaviour.

Cheers!

Friends you didn't know you had 🙂

Yawn.......so what else is new?. Our regular police escort have taken to doing this every now & then. The tip off is always the 3 or 4 motorbikes hiding down the side streets that you notice as the mulitudes assemble at Le knicks......They ride off the front of the bunch & push every set of pedestrian lights they can find, whilst their mates in the peesuit ve-hicles take digi cam shots of arses running red lights. !. Personally, I'm hanging to get busted in this bunch....love a good legal stoush!.Of course, 15 km back at St.kilda, the multitudes spill from the 'palace' & go about 'dealing' in the carpark unmolested by the long arm of the law.

Hitchy

Hitchy said:

Yawn.......so what else is new?. Our regular police escort have taken to doing this every now & then. The tip off is always the 3 or 4 motorbikes hiding down the side streets that you notice as the mulitudes assemble at Le knicks......They ride off the front of the bunch & push every set of pedestrian lights they can find, whilst their mates in the peesuit ve-hicles take digi cam shots of arses running red lights. !. Personally, I'm hanging to get busted in this bunch....love a good legal stoush!.Of course, 15 km back at St.kilda, the multitudes spill from the 'palace' & go about 'dealing' in the carpark unmolested by the long arm of the law.

Hitchy

you mean selling ice creams in St Kilda is illegal now??? 🙄

flyingdutch said:

you mean selling ice creams in St Kilda is illegal now??? 🙄

No, but those bloody furry boots they all wear should be.

Hitchy said:

moniker said:

A little birdy has informed us that on tomorrows ride (Saturday 30th
July) that Victorian Police, VicRoads and Channel 7 cameras maybe
attending.

The gossip is that they maybe pressing buttons to activate the RED
LIGHTS to impede the ride.

So if they do - pack your digital cameras, pen and paper, a cheeky
smile and your VERY best behaviour.

Cheers!

Friends you didn't know you had 🙂

Yawn.......so what else is new?. Our regular police escort have taken
to doing this every now & then. The tip off is always the 3 or 4
motorbikes hiding down the side streets that you notice as the
mulitudes assemble at Le knicks......They ride off the front of the
bunch & push every set of pedestrian lights they can find, whilst their
mates in the peesuit ve-hicles take digi cam shots of arses running red
lights. !. Personally, I'm hanging to get busted in this bunch....love
a good legal stoush!.

If you do, and you get caught breaking the road laws, it would
be good if resulted in you copping a fine at least, and hopefully
some deprivation of liberty or priviliges.

Don't you get it? Red light means "stop". No matter what the
light is triggered by. The Hell Ride has no special rights to break
the rules, and like CM, it does no-one any favours except
the people on it getting a thrill. By being arrogant [censored]
openly flaunting the road laws, hell riders do none of us any favours.

It is possible to train on Beach Rd without breaking the rules,
at high intensity if you feel the need, although that's a bloody
dumb and dangerous thing to do, you can do it without
breaking the rules. Think of each red light as a chance to
practice accelerations, rather than sucking wheel.

Wouldn't it be funny if some car drivers decided to just drive through
red lights and barrel along there on the wrong side of the road
because they thought they had a pretty good chance of getting away
with it?
I bet you call people racing their cars along there
bloody dangerous, irresponsible idiots at *best*.

We have road laws that protect our rights to use the road on
bicycles. Play by the rules, and demand that the police
enforce the rules for *everyone*.

If you're not one of the [censored] wilfully disregarding the road
laws, then I appologise for the rant.

Carl Brewer said:

Don't you get it? Red light means "stop". No matter what the
light is triggered by. The Hell Ride has no special rights to break

I always have a chuckle to myself on Beach Rd as I reach for the brake
levers when I see a red light up ahead, because the only time I ride
there is during triathlons when the road is closed to traffic anyway.

DaveB

DaveB said:

Carl Brewer said:

Don't you get it? Red light means "stop". No matter what the
light is triggered by. The Hell Ride has no special rights to break

I always have a chuckle to myself on Beach Rd as I reach for the brake
levers when I see a red light up ahead, because the only time I ride
there is during triathlons when the road is closed to traffic anyway.

It is a really really good bit of road for
training on. It's got low traffic volume, nice bends, plenty of
good scenery (anyone who's seen the sunrise and the
colours of the bay at dawn knows what I mean), not many
traffic lights, gentle, rolling undulations .. it's a beautiful
place to ride.

Beach Rd mainly became popular because, many moons ago, there were no traffic lights between Mordy and (roughly) North Rd!! Now there's a bundle, but's still worth while.

Carl Brewer said:

If you do, and you get caught breaking the road laws, it would
be good if resulted in you copping a fine at least, and hopefully
some deprivation of liberty or priviliges.

Don't you get it? Red light means "stop". No matter what the
light is triggered by. The Hell Ride has no special rights to break
the rules, and like CM, it does no-one any favours except
the people on it getting a thrill. By being arrogant [censored]
openly flaunting the road laws, hell riders do none of us any favours.

It is possible to train on Beach Rd without breaking the rules,
at high intensity if you feel the need, although that's a bloody
dumb and dangerous thing to do, you can do it without
breaking the rules. Think of each red light as a chance to
practice accelerations, rather than sucking wheel.

Wouldn't it be funny if some car drivers decided to just drive through
red lights and barrel along there on the wrong side of the road
because they thought they had a pretty good chance of getting away
with it?
I bet you call people racing their cars along there
bloody dangerous, irresponsible idiots at *best*.

We have road laws that protect our rights to use the road on
bicycles. Play by the rules, and demand that the police
enforce the rules for *everyone*.

If you're not one of the [censored] wilfully disregarding the road
laws, then I appologise for the rant.

...and thus endeth the lesson!...of course I needed to be told that running red lights was illegal & dangerous & stupid....thank you very much for informing me of this. Is the air any thinner up there on the 'moral high ground'?. Let the cyclist without sin cast the first rant (to coin a phrase...sorta)

Hitchy

Hitchy said:

Carl Brewer said:

If you do, and you get caught breaking the road laws, it would
be good if resulted in you copping a fine at least, and hopefully
some deprivation of liberty or priviliges.

Don't you get it? Red light means "stop". No matter what the
light is triggered by. The Hell Ride has no special rights to break
the rules, and like CM, it does no-one any favours except
the people on it getting a thrill. By being arrogant [censored]
openly flaunting the road laws, hell riders do none of us any favours.

It is possible to train on Beach Rd without breaking the rules,
at high intensity if you feel the need, although that's a bloody
dumb and dangerous thing to do, you can do it without
breaking the rules. Think of each red light as a chance to
practice accelerations, rather than sucking wheel.

Wouldn't it be funny if some car drivers decided to just drive through
red lights and barrel along there on the wrong side of the road
because they thought they had a pretty good chance of getting away
with it?
I bet you call people racing their cars along there
bloody dangerous, irresponsible idiots at *best*.

We have road laws that protect our rights to use the road on
bicycles. Play by the rules, and demand that the police
enforce the rules for *everyone*.

If you're not one of the [censored] wilfully disregarding the road
laws, then I appologise for the rant.

..and thus endeth the lesson!...of course I needed to be told that
running red lights was illegal & dangerous & stupid....thank you very
much for informing me of this. Is the air any thinner up there on the
'moral high ground'?. Let the cyclist without sin cast the first rant
(to coin a phrase...sorta)

[censored] comeback. What is it with guys the on hell ride, are you afraid
of the wind in your face you need the bunch ?

[email hidden said:

"]Hitchy wrote:

[censored] comeback. What is it with guys the on hell ride, are you afraid
of the wind in your face you need the bunch ?

ride one then you'll know!

it is about grit, endurance and on occasions an opportunity to ride with some of the world's best...it is not a licence to break the road rules, the riders know that, some, like many riders elsewhere, and drivers too, just have too much testosterone ( yes sometimes that includes the girls)...but they dont carry on like the press makes out, otherwise it would not happen at all...the police would stop it leaving, and no group would be any bigger than 30 according to the law in Victoria on "organised rides"....so they do bloody well for the numbers who venture out for what is in fact a ride that doesnt exist...remember, no one organises it, no one sets the rules, no one is about telling any of the riders who should or shouldnt be on the ride...it is a test of skill, endurance and grit..... to do a Hell Ride all the way is an achievement and a priviledge, so try before you condemn....

same goes for CM....it too is not about breaking the law....the CM ride is well supported by Police outriders and patrol car, they make sure drivers allow the riders to ride safely, as safety in numbers on a commute is the key to the CM message...that they are not blocking traffic...they too, ARE the traffic.....motorised traffic has to accept that the weather, road conditions and OTHER TRAFFIC just may slow them down on occasions...and if that is a cyclist , well that's traffic for you.....but at least the cyclist is sustainable traffic....

Ride the Hell Ride, and Ride CM, then you will have a better understanding of why the press are such blithering one eyed ill-informed inciters to agrieve....

If you can't ride either...then ride anyway....it will keep you healthy, be one less car on the road...and if you want to help the cause of road cycling safety, come to the Wheels of Justice gathering at the Mountain Goat this Friday around 6pm and maybe introduce youself to some good local brewed beverage to help you mull over the steps we need to take to ensure the roads are safer and drivers, governments and the press take a responsible attitude to the benefits of cycling to our communities.....

* end rant, vent, grrrr*

🙂

[email hidden said:

"][censored] comeback. What is it with guys the on hell ride, are you afraid
of the wind in your face you need the bunch ?

sorry.....anonymous free email addresses should be revered & idolised......our apologies for breathing...we're not worthy...we're not worthy. FWIW, i agree with most of Carl's rant......I just don't need to be preached at, everyone in cycling knows this stuff

Hitchy

Hitchy said:

sorry.....anonymous free email addresses should be revered & idolised......our apologies for breathing...we're not worthy...we're not worthy. FWIW, i agree with most of Carl's rant......I just don't need to be preached at, everyone in cycling knows this stuff

Hitchy

ok everyone, let's just calm down. We have motorists crashing into us, abusing us when we crash, we have tabloid tv baying for blood and cyclists preaching to the converted.

You Melbourne folks need to just cool off, take a deep breath, count to ten, go for a ride...

... and punch the first road user that annoys you!!!

That will make you feel much better.

😄

Ritch

rooman said:

ride one then you'll know!

it is about grit, endurance and on occasions an opportunity to ride with some of the world's best...it is not a licence to break the road rules, the riders know that, some, like many riders elsewhere, and drivers too, just have too much testosterone ( yes sometimes that includes the girls)...but they dont carry on like the press makes out, otherwise it would not happen at all...the police would stop it leaving, and no group would be any bigger than 30 according to the law in Victoria on "organised rides"....so they do bloody well for the numbers who venture out for what is in fact a ride that doesnt exist...remember, no one organises it, no one sets the rules, no one is about telling any of the riders who should or shouldnt be on the ride...it is a test of skill, endurance and grit..... to do a Hell Ride all the way is an achievement and a priviledge, so try before you condemn....

same goes for CM....it too is not about breaking the law....the CM ride is well supported by Police outriders and patrol car, they make sure drivers allow the riders to ride safely, as safety in numbers on a commute is the key to the CM message...that they are not blocking traffic...they too, ARE the traffic.....motorised traffic has to accept that the weather, road conditions and OTHER TRAFFIC just may slow them down on occasions...and if that is a cyclist , well that's traffic for you.....but at least the cyclist is sustainable traffic....

Ride the Hell Ride, and Ride CM, then you will have a better understanding of why the press are such blithering one eyed ill-informed inciters to agrieve....

If you can't ride either...then ride anyway....it will keep you healthy, be one less car on the road...and if you want to help the cause of road cycling safety, come to the Wheels of Justice gathering at the Mountain Goat this Friday around 6pm and maybe introduce youself to some good local brewed beverage to help you mull over the steps we need to take to ensure the roads are safer and drivers, governments and the press take a responsible attitude to the benefits of cycling to our communities.....

* end rant, vent, grrrr*

🙂

its so weird how there is this perception among cyclists sometimes of because you are in a group you are doing it easy.

I've ridden the Hell ride, dont do it all that much because of some of the accidents, figure if I do that ride often enough it is going to happen to me, no matter how careful I am, which is generally why I ride by myself, I have learn't to push myself hard.

however I remember doing that ride the first time and finishing the ride in the main bunch, it was an absoluete thrill, I was pumped and completely knackered!! my legs were giving it to me, going up those hills through Mt Eliza I thought I was going to vomit at one stage, that ride alone has helped my riding a "lot" it pushed me to ride harder then I thought I could, it was invaluable.

I have been on it with the police escorts, but even before the police escorts I really never thought that the ride did not do anything particularly dangerous, if anything cars used to actually wait quite happily on a green light to let the riders through and the police escorts do as well when it would be dangerous for the group to attempt to stop.

its a fantastic ride for Melbourne to have and I would encourage anyone to ride it, but get some good group riding skills first and just be aware at all times of what is happening around you, the times I saw an accident was because of a mechanical failure on a bike or someone just not paying attention.