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There's a mob down there called The Sydney Knights, could have been them. I doubt it was a Netrider ride, 10pm would be too late for them, plus you didn't see anyone crashing.

Maybe it could be these guys?

http://www.sydneysriders.com/

I had the same thing happen to me once when riding along Parramatta Rd in Five Dock. The Shell servo on the north side of Parramatta Rd there is the starting point every week at 8 and they ride all over the city from there; it's possible they ride over to Bondi sometimes. They asked me to come ride with them but I had other things I needed to get done that night. I plan on riding with them one Thursday night when I'm not working.

I just read their site, it must have been sydneys riders:

"This weeks destination:
Hey Everyone!
Tonights ride if the weather holds out (1/9/11) is to Newtown Via the City, Bondi and La Perouse.
Tonight will be my last ride as I'll be on holidays for 5 weeks. Paul Swinne Swinfield will be leading the rides while I'm gone, so it will be good to see you all before I leave."

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A friend of mine from work with gixxer rides with them. Sydneys rider's, that is.

I personally dont see the appeal in these huge group rides, when I go for a pleasure ride I prefer the road to be as empty as possible.

Do they have a ride captain and tail end charlie and are these people easily identifiable? Do they have corner markers? You'll want to make sure these guys are organised and safe before you start riding with them. Mister organises a few rides, so I'm sure he can give you a few things to keep an eye out for to make sure that they're a safe bunch.

They have all of that, take a look at their site. They seem very well organised. I did ride with them for a very short distance a few weeks ago as my ride home takes me past their start point in Five Dock at the same time on Thursdays. Only reason I haven't gone for a ride with them is I usually have a rehearsal with my band that night.

Did you go Ourea? I rode past there this Thursday at 8:30 or so on my way home and there were heaps of riders sitting around at the servo chatting. I guess they were making up their mind whether to call it quits cause of the rain.

I just had a look at their site, what a wonderful bunch of blokes & blokettes.

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When I turned up at a ride to ride with a bunch of people I didn't know, *I* went around and introduced myself to everyone and made it a point to remember their names.

Understand, even within a larger group there are small subgroups where those 3 might just hang together and not really talk to the other 8, but kinda of half acknowledge them of course.

Sydney people are not very outward. So don't take it personal. After all, they don't know you so it cannot be personal.

Michael

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Quote from: Ourea on September 12, 2011, 04:27:21 AM

Quote from: Eduardo on September 09, 2011, 05:07:13 PM
They have all of that, take a look at their site. They seem very well organised. I did ride with them for a very short distance a few weeks ago as my ride home takes me past their start point in Five Dock at the same time on Thursdays. Only reason I haven't gone for a ride with them is I usually have a rehearsal with my band that night.

Did you go Ourea? I rode past there this Thursday at 8:30 or so on my way home and there were heaps of riders sitting around at the servo chatting. I guess they were making up their mind whether to call it quits cause of the rain.

I was there at the servo, they ended up cancelling the 'official' ride because they never start a ride in foul weather. Some of the guys went on an unofficial one but I didnt join them. Some of the tyre-shine I put on my walls had seeped over to my treadline and I wasn't comfortable trying to keep up with anyone, especially in the rain.

They were a nice bunch. I must say there was a distinct lack of common curtacy. Not one person approached me and introduced themselves or welcomed me to the club so I was standing around by myself while everyone talked for a while. I'm still new to Sydney so maybe that's just how people are around these parts. 

I will give it another go this thursday if the weather is good. If they are still going to keep to themselves and not chat to the newbie I don't think I will be joining them again. Stay tuned.

Why do you put tyre shine on your tyres?

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1st time I rode with a Ulysses ride, I introduced myself to the ride leader and then took a step back and watched. I knew noone else, and noone else offered me a hand in friendship. I did observe they all seemed to know each other. And even within that large group smaller subgroups formed. Subsequent rides I came to know some, but also witnessed the same subgroups sticking together. Some of those subgroups based on previously knowing each other before they joined the club, living close to each other, same juniors sporting clubs.

I have also seen people who ride with them often, basically be loners each timer they ride.

I have found going on their rides to be quite... interesting in a "human theatre" kind of way. To see the dynamic of how they interact with each other. How the branch president never shakes hands with some people no matter how often they ride or meet before the ride begins, how some are Loud, some have fake laughter, etc. It's rather interesting.

The other groups I ride with don't have the same dynamic of little cliques when on a ride.

Fascinating.

Michael

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Hey Ourea,

I know of another group that are  based in Sydney but they have riders all up the Central Coast and as far out as Cessnock. I'm waiting to get their website from the guy who sold me my bike  He and his mate Mike were really nice and very chatty. They also have a dirt bike club. The next ride that I know their going on is this weekend out to Broken Hill. Otherwise they do smaller rides as well.

As soon as I find out I'll let you know.

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I haven't ridden with Ulysses in four months or more. Have not ridden as much in that time with others either for that matter.

Riding in an organised ride - say with Ulysses (and Anyone can ride with them, any age or bike, not just members) - teaches you organised ride structure. Riding with them taught me what I needed to know to put on (organise) my own rides with others. Sure, we can all just hop on a bike and go, but it's amazing how much smoother such a ride runs with a little forethought and route prep.

The other thing such riding does is, enables you to meet others who might like to ride in a smaller ride independent of the large group. You can discover your own riding buddies, in other words.

I think the biggest hurdle with riding in a group with people you don't know is... their attitude to you based on what you ride.

I went on one Ulysses ride with my GS and happened to be the first to arrive. After about 5 or 6 others in cruisers turned up and old bloke on a harley with outrigger wheels arrived. We got to chatting. As he scanned the bikes he saw my GS (but didn't know it was mine) and said disappointedly, "Oh great, sport bikes, now the ride is gonna be fast".

I've rocked up on the GS and everyone else is on litre bikes and supersport 600+. I can feel the negative vibe not to me but the bike. Until the first leg of the ride is done and now they are surprised by what a GS can do and suddenly that neg vibe has vanished and they now accept the bike as capable. And oddly I have now even seen them suggest it to others as a Good Bike to ride for newer people.

I spoke to one guy in a Ulysses who HAD a Kawasaki Ninja. He traded it in on a C50 Boulevard. From sport to cruiser. I asked why a cruiser and not another sport or even street bike. His answer... cause I ride with Ulysses. He wanted to "fit in" so bought a bike that he thought would enable him to do that.

Yes, psychologically interesting indeed.

Michael