Leader advice..
Thread started by
goosegoose at 06.7.10 - 8:12 pm
On Friday I will be leading my first "big" ride. I'm very excited and I feel honored taking the task of leading a MR ride. In the same-time, I'm a little nervous in leading a large ride. I've led a few rides before, but nothing compared to this magnitude.
Any advice from other leaders out there?
I really want everyone to enjoy and have fun.
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control the front ... but i've never lead a ride so i dunno hah
66606.7.10 - 8:22 pm
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remember there are no leaders
aksendz06.7.10 - 8:24 pm
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after you get one of those...just tell everyone on it what the plan is.People like to know the plan.
Huey55506.7.10 - 8:28 pm
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I aint no leader but at the FMLY ride people were listening to the Megaphone and following the ChickenCostume or at least i was!
Thatslife71106.7.10 - 8:39 pm
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dont even trip henry..... it will be fun to lead this.... there's nothing to worry about
superblueman306.7.10 - 8:44 pm
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Megahorn is set.. Got one for this Friday!
goosegoose06.7.10 - 8:47 pm
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Midnight Ridazz rides have ALWAYS had leaders. Usually a small group of leaders. Goosegoose, get a few friends together to help. Understand that nothing is going to be perfect. Don't lose your mind if people race ahead or don't do what
you want. You are the chief. People will learn to stay behind you when you call the shots.
Use simple 1st person instructions... What I mean by that is instead of saying "hey everybody slow down!" just yell "slowing!" "slowing!"
stop the front at all red lights. Do this by looking a block ahead and guage the light. If it's a stale green the. Start calling out the slowing slowing until you approach the red and turn it into a "stopping!"
Call out turns a BLOCK in advance! "right turn coming up!" signal with your hand call out every turn and stop well in advance.
If some kids race ahead, let them go. They will learn as soon as the ride turns that they went too far.
Keep the stops fairly short... 30mins is too long unless you have some activities planned.
Keep a light atiitude. Embrace a little Chaos and spontaneous twists to the plot.
Have your crew in the front and back helping to keep everyone together.
Roadblock06.7.10 - 8:47 pm
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Stay behind the music trailer
Gav06.7.10 - 8:54 pm
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Really? Because you looked relaxed as hell.... If you want help homeslice ... Im more than willing .. whats even more ridiculous is Im replying to a post and you live in the same house ....
OsnapsonJC06.7.10 - 9:07 pm
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I've never been a ride leader but one thing I've always thought is a good idea is to stop for a very quick (1 minute) regroup within the first block after leaving a liquor stops and parks. It just seems that people always lag when getting out of those places and before you know it the ride is gone and they are lost.
That's my only advice. You won't have a problem Henry.
petr0lb0mb06.7.10 - 9:59 pm
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LOL at @Osnapson
goosegoose, if you give all the riders roofies, they will do exactly as you say ;)..or maybe just knock out
godmode responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
06.8.10 - 2:00 am
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Control the dosage.
Or find a concoction similar to what's used in this Dean Koontz novel.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by godmode
06.8.10 - 3:12 am
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Dean Koontz is ssooooooo annyoing. Just another wannabe Stephen King.
palucha66 responding to a
comment by bentstrider
06.8.10 - 7:49 am
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True words of wisdom from the man himself.
SnapperS responding to a
comment by Roadblock
06.8.10 - 10:40 am
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make the ride leaders
1. introduced to the ride
2. identifiable
& 3 is optional - holding cattle prods
nolikedrive responding to a
comment by SnapperS
06.8.10 - 10:53 am
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Designate WHO TO FOLLOW, and make that message loud, clear and consistent. It doesn't have to be you, in fact it shouldn't be you. A costume helps, borfo has always been my go-to guy for this. Also a music trailer works, Big Bike Dan used to be my man for this, it's now Harry. Pick one, or both and have them stick together.
Power Rangers?! Have the "leader" be dressed up as one of the Super Bad-guys.
When it's loud and clear WHO TO FOLLOW, following anyone else (especially the fixie-teens that like to go fast) will be pointless.
It's probably too late to mention this, but make sure you have LOGICAL STOPS or pauses, so people can catch up. This is especially helpful before turns or at the top of hills.
KEEP THE RIDE SLOW, and STOP the front of the ride at REDS.
the reverend dak06.8.10 - 12:41 pm
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The most important thing is intersection etiquette, stop at red lights and try to hold up and wait for all the riders to catch up before going on a green light, that way if the light turns yellow or red you won't have too many stragglers running the light.
Avery is an excellent ride leader, you may want to ask him for more tips. Be safe and have fun!
Girl Power06.8.10 - 2:21 pm
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With the above comments...I will add mine. Remember to have fun. Don't get too carried away with controlling everything. And, always keep an eye out. Try to stop the 'bad stuff' indirectly, if you can. And, always revert to rule one: have fun....not stress.
I haven't hosted an MR ride, so I might not know what I am talking about.
GOOD ON YA! goosegoose!
tern06.8.10 - 5:13 pm
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couldn't have said it better than everyone else.
do not stress out. rides are meant to be f.u.n.... even if you're leading them. if you want your ride to be successful do not procrastinate.
coldcut06.8.10 - 5:30 pm
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Listen to Roadblock, Rev. Dak, and Tern.
imachynna06.9.10 - 4:11 pm
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I think you should take Girl Powers advice ... she clearly has the inside scoop of how to lead big rides ...
OsnapsonJC06.9.10 - 4:28 pm
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Oh, how I miss Midnight Ridazz. Oh, how I miss Los Angeles.
tern06.9.10 - 6:12 pm
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think of the ride as one big giant slinky!
Roadblock06.9.10 - 6:28 pm
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try to figure out who the slowest ridaz are in the first mile or two and guage the speed according to them
Drooby42006.10.10 - 1:41 pm
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Wow. You have hit the nail on the head.
One giant Slinky! The best ever philosophy of leading an MR ride in one sentence.
ps. Milla, I miss eating good food at your house with David, Stewart, et al. Thanks for letting me draw pictures with you guys.
tern06.10.10 - 4:06 pm
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find a few people that are willing to go back and find straglers and laggers and such..
then smash back up to you and tell you its all good.
i'll help.
caboose status .
Jeff Yess06.10.10 - 4:18 pm
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one thing I've always thought is a good idea is to stop for a very quick (1 minute) regroup within the first block after leaving a liquor stops and parks.
Or you could just not have liquor stops. Yes, I know this would mean expecting all these grown-ass adults who show up to your ride to have enough basic self-reliance skills to bring what they need in a backpack...which is apparently too much to ask of a lot of people. But you might consider it.
PC responding to a
comment by petr0lb0mb
06.10.10 - 4:25 pm
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Thanks for all the advice guys...
I am def going to do that..
There will be no liquor stops. none. BYOB
goosegoose06.10.10 - 5:38 pm
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Avoid TOO MANY LEFT TURNS on busy main streets. Sometimes they can't be avoided - but keep that in consideration.
Joe Borfo06.10.10 - 6:05 pm
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The UPS ride, it saved them millions
buckchin responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
06.10.10 - 6:08 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
maybe this helps!???