Hell Ride (the Empire strikes back)

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,

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Hitchy
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

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,

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by madoneman
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,

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by madoneman
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 be 'applied' to the hell group. He's a cyclist (and he rides in the hellgroup occasionally so beware who you talk to lads! :-) )

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

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

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

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

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Hitchy
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

umm, conspiracy?

So the The Truth Is Still Out There. 😄

Cheers,

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Hitchy
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

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hitchy
[B]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.....

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

The proposed bv plans for more points to get across B Rd is going to 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 working night shift; catching no light-using bikers perhaps?)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul J
[B]

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Hitchy
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.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul J
[B]

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Hitchy
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.

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cfsmtb
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.......

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Paul J
>Agree, I'm not advocating any of the bad behavoiur that sometimes >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 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.

Madone Man

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...

Quoted post said:

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

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

some Vic coppers have been a bit naughty and blurring the lines btw their job description and extra curricular activities....now back to 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 having ridden in the Hell Ride, but being an enthusiastic cyclist this question comes to my mind: Is there any proper way to hold a large bunch ride such as this in Melbourne regularly?

There are different aspects to this issue, but I'm sure there is a way to do it right so that every one goes home happy.

Cycling is a politically correct activity. As a sport, it also brings Aussie names to media around the world. So the Government and local councils will have (and have to have) the right attitude if they are appraoched correctly. If there is a value in the Hell Ride (for the sake of sports/activity), it has the right to get facilities from officials. But if it is a vehicle for some immature (sorry) rebel act (eventhough maybe called culture), then I'd be against it as an individual. If it is 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 a big city. That will definitely have reverebrations in other towns, and will give those ill-minded road/path users who already don't find any place for cyclists either on roads or paths an assurance to be even more dissrespectful.

So if the adrenalin rush or peer pressure during a ride like the Hell Ride is going to overcome your independent logic, please think about the longer term. And if it is a legitimate and genuine act, why play cat and 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'