Hell Ride (the Empire strikes back)

Hitchy said:

G'day All,
An interesting (& damn annoying) development at Saturdays (13/3/04)
'hell ride'....(yes I attempted it again!). Most of you will recall the
'kicking' that bunch rides in general & the 'hell ride' in particular,
took from channel 7 recently. It appears that the empire (Mr. Plod) has
decided on some different tactics to control the 'hell ride'!......
Arriving at the Blackrock start at 6.55am, all the riders who had come
from the South, to the start were full of warnings of a large police
presence 'down every side street'....this'll be interesting. We set off
with a police escort of 3 pursuit vehicles & 3 motorcycles, (a little
overkill methinks!). Everyone behaved & stayed in one lane, & stopping
at Red lights, (shock horror). I was actually enjoying having the
coppers around, not only did the riders behave, but the motorists were
forced to as well....this isn't so bad I was thinking....until......
........Mr motorcycle plod was heading off the front of the bunch to get
to all the pedestrian lights before the bunch....& pushing the button to
make the lights turn Red!......Mr. pursuit vehicle plod was hanging out
the window taking digital photos of anyone who failed to stop!.......I'm
not sure what this was supposed to achieve apart from pissing off the
'hell riders' & drawing some unsavory remarks directed at the coppers. I
dunno what the photo's will achieve either...last time I looked I didn't
have a rego plate, so I'm not sure how they plan to identify anyone.....
Eventually the 'hell ride' broke up into several smaller bunches, cos of
the lights (which may well be the idea?)........interesting....for those
interested, I held on until Seaford before becoming a victim of the
lights!......madoneman had his piccy taken...he's escaping to Brazil to
avoid arrest,
cheers,
Hitchy

Hitchy,

When the cop took my photo, I smiled. When they put me on TV on the
Crime Stopppers segment, I don't want to look like those criminals and
their mug shots. They should get a video camera from the patrol car and
show it on the Worlds Most Dangerous Drivers show.

Looks like on the next Hell ride, I will have to wear a disguise so they
don't recognise me at the start. I might even have to resort to riding
the Madone as I think I was the only rider on a Blue Cannondale.

Madone Man,

--

madoneman said:

PS,
If the cops want me, I will be at the Sunbury Crit this Saturday. For
all those who want to ride in it click on the following Links. Its a
great event with lots of spectators.
http://marcan.customer.netspace.net.au/
Madone Man Again,

got a mate who's a cop who mentioned a 'new' tactic was going to b
'applied' to the hell group. He's a cyclist (and he rides in th
hellgroup occasionally so beware who you talk to lads! :-)

he was called in 'for a chat' by superiors a few months back an
apparently thet ran their theories apst him as what would be the bes
way to 'discourage' such a large group gathering

i had forgot all about this but will ring him tonight and get th
goss (altho he was a bit cagey giving away any more when I grille
him last time...

As for the photo's, my guess would be identify the rider/bike/helmet an
single them out the following weeken

sounds like the winds of change may be in the air gentlemen..

-

madoneman said:

Hitchy,
When the cop took my photo, I smiled. When they put me on TV on the
Crime Stopppers segment, I don't want to look like those criminals and
their mug shots. They should get a video camera from the patrol car and
show it on the Worlds Most Dangerous Drivers show.
Looks like on the next Hell ride, I will have to wear a disguise so they
don't recognise me at the start. I might even have to resort to riding
the Madone as I think I was the only rider on a Blue Cannondale.
Madone Man,

PS

If the cops want me, I will be at the Sunbury Crit this Saturday. Fo
all those who want to ride in it click on the following Links. Its
great event with lots of spectators

http://marcan.customer.netspace.net.au

Madone Man Again

-

Hitchy said:

G'day All,
An interesting (& damn annoying) development at Saturdays (13/3/04)
'hell ride'....(yes I attempted it again!). Most of you will recall the
'kicking' that bunch rides in general & the 'hell ride' in particular,
took from channel 7 recently. It appears that the empire (Mr. Plod) has
decided on some different tactics to control the 'hell ride'!......
Arriving at the Blackrock start at 6.55am, all the riders who had come
from the South, to the start were full of warnings of a large police
presence 'down every side street'....this'll be interesting. We set off
with a police escort of 3 pursuit vehicles & 3 motorcycles, (a little
overkill methinks!). Everyone behaved & stayed in one lane, & stopping
at Red lights, (shock horror). I was actually enjoying having the
coppers around, not only did the riders behave, but the motorists were
forced to as well....this isn't so bad I was thinking....until......
........Mr motorcycle plod was heading off the front of the bunch to get
to all the pedestrian lights before the bunch....& pushing the button to
make the lights turn Red!......Mr. pursuit vehicle plod was hanging out
the window taking digital photos of anyone who failed to stop!.......I'm
not sure what this was supposed to achieve apart from pissing off the
'hell riders' & drawing some unsavory remarks directed at the coppers. I
dunno what the photo's will achieve either...last time I looked I didn't
have a rego plate, so I'm not sure how they plan to identify anyone.....
Eventually the 'hell ride' broke up into several smaller bunches, cos of
the lights (which may well be the idea?)........interesting....for those
interested, I held on until Seaford before becoming a victim of the
lights!......madoneman had his piccy taken...he's escaping to Brazil to
avoid arrest,
cheers,
Hitchy

hehe, very interesting if not a little crazy! Lets just hope that
this isnt the beginning of some sort of bike registration push.
Interesting times...

cheers, Troy

--

Hitchy said:

G'day All,
An interesting (& damn annoying) development at Saturdays (13/3/04)
'hell ride'....(yes I attempted it again!). Most of you will recall the
'kicking' that bunch rides in general & the 'hell ride' in particular,
took from channel 7 recently. It appears that the empire (Mr. Plod) has
decided on some different tactics to control the 'hell ride'!......
Arriving at the Blackrock start at 6.55am, all the riders who had come
from the South, to the start were full of warnings of a large police
presence 'down every side street'....this'll be interesting. We set off
with a police escort of 3 pursuit vehicles & 3 motorcycles, (a little
overkill methinks!). Everyone behaved & stayed in one lane, & stopping
at Red lights, (shock horror). I was actually enjoying having the
coppers around, not only did the riders behave, but the motorists were
forced to as well....this isn't so bad I was thinking....until......
........Mr motorcycle plod was heading off the front of the bunch to get
to all the pedestrian lights before the bunch....& pushing the button to
make the lights turn Red!......Mr. pursuit vehicle plod was hanging out
the window taking digital photos of anyone who failed to stop!.......I'm
not sure what this was supposed to achieve apart from pissing off the
'hell riders' & drawing some unsavory remarks directed at the coppers. I
dunno what the photo's will achieve either...last time I looked I didn't
have a rego plate, so I'm not sure how they plan to identify anyone.....
Eventually the 'hell ride' broke up into several smaller bunches, cos of
the lights (which may well be the idea?)........interesting....for those
interested, I held on until Seaford before becoming a victim of the
lights!......madoneman had his piccy taken...he's escaping to Brazil to
avoid arrest,
cheers,
Hitchy

umm, conspiracy

So the The Truth Is Still Out There. :

Cheers

-

Originally posted by Hitchy G'day All

Quoted message said:

........Mr motorcycle plod was heading off the front of the bunch t
get to all >the pedestrian lights before the bunch....& pushing th
button to make the >lights turn Red!......Mr. pursuit vehicle plod wa
hanging out the window >taking digital photos of anyone who failed t
stop!.......I'm not sure what >this was supposed to achieve apart fro
pissing off the 'hell riders' & >drawing some unsavory remarks directe
at the coppers. I dunno what the >photo's will achieve either...las
time I looked I didn't have a rego plate, so >I'm not sure how the
plan to identify anyone....

Are police officers not also required to abide by the law? Or do the
need some serious reminding. Sounds to me like some misconduct. Fo
instance that one on the motorcycle especially was not behaving wit
integrity. I'm not too sure about the legality of motorcyclist
stopping at intersections to push pedestrian buttons. Could b
interpreted as obstructing traffic. And has anyone advised that one i
the car that it is illegal to allow any part of your body to protrud
from a moving vehicle. Do these "plods" not have anything better to d
with their time

Perhaps channel 7 can now do one of their numerous signature storie
about corrupt police wasting tax payers money. Hey now there's a
idea. "Corrupt Police Wasting Tax Payers Money" and "Law Breakin
Evil Cyclists" all together in one story. Wow, now there's specia
edition for them

-

Paul J [/i]

BQUOTEiOriginally posted by Hitchy said:

G'day All,

Quoted message said:

........Mr motorcycle plod was heading off the front of the bunch to
get to all >the pedestrian lights before the bunch....& pushing the
button to make the >lights turn Red!......Mr. pursuit vehicle plod was
hanging out the window >taking digital photos of anyone who failed to
stop!.......I'm not sure what >this was supposed to achieve apart from
pissing off the 'hell riders' & >drawing some unsavory remarks directed
at the coppers. I dunno what the >photo's will achieve either...last
time I looked I didn't have a rego plate, so >I'm not sure how they
plan to identify anyone.....

Are police officers not also required to abide by the law? Or do they
need some serious reminding. Sounds to me like some misconduct. For
instance that one on the motorcycle especially was not behaving with
integrity. I'm not too sure about the legality of motorcyclists
stopping at intersections to push pedestrian buttons. Could be
interpreted as obstructing traffic. And has anyone advised that one in
the car that it is illegal to allow any part of your body to protrude
from a moving vehicle. Do these "plods" not have anything better to do
with their time?
Perhaps channel 7 can now do one of their numerous signature stories
about corrupt police wasting tax payers money. Hey now there's an
idea. "Corrupt Police Wasting Tax Payers Money" and "Law Breaking
Evil Cyclists" all together in one story. Wow, now there's special
edition for them.

G'day Paul

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 on
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 there wa
to disrupt peaceful & lawful (lets not forget this ride is NOT illegal
assembly?.....It makes me glad to be a Victorian...our crime & ant
social behaviour are obviously at an all time low...so much so that th
coppers ar now being paid to attend gay marches & harras
cyclists......

cheers

Hitch

-

the changing of all lights does rather smell of entrapment, doesnt i

The proposed bv plans for more points to get across B Rd is going t
cause more headaches too (altho bv being successful is another thing

wasnt able to get hold of me mate the copper last night (he's workin
night shift; catching no light-using bikers perhaps?

-

Paul J [/i]

BQUOTEiOriginally posted by Hitchy said:

Perhaps channel 7 can now do one of their numerous signature stories
about corrupt police wasting tax payers money. Hey now there's an
idea. "Corrupt Police Wasting Tax Payers Money" and "Law Breaking
Evil Cyclists" all together in one story. Wow, now there's special
edition for them.

After watching ABC Four Corners on Monday evening, a story entitle
"Speeding Police Target Cyclists" would take on an entirely differen
context. Controlled delivery anyone

-

Quoted message said:

Agree, I'm not advocating any of the bad behavoiur that sometime

Quoted message said:

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

-

cfsmtb said:

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......

-

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..

-

Paul J said:

Quoted message said:

Agree, I'm not advocating any of the bad behavoiur that sometimes

Quoted message said:

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

-

flyingdutch said:

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

FYI - The Speed Tra
http://abc.net.au/4corners/content/2004/20040308_vicpolice/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

-

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

-

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...)

--

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

Quoted message said:

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...

--

madoneman <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

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

Two words: time trial.

Quoted message said:

You need to do the Hell ride to experience it.

No, really? Remarkable.

madoneman said:

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'