Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Posted: **Sun 14 Jun 2015 8:31 pm**

This morning around 11 .30 ish I saw a group of motor cyclists sitting on their machines outside a petrol station : presumably waiting for others to "fill up".

There were quite a lot of them, dressed in black leather, wearing helmets and the machines looked new and powerful. Maybe I am paranoid , but to one of my generation they brought Hell's Angels and Mods and Rockers to mind, and looked threatening. The fact that they were so anonymous in the same gear and helmets added to the impression. I certainly would not want to meet them coming towards me at speed on a lonely road.

Also they all had headlights on full beam, which added to the dazzle of bright chromework in full sun. Its good that motorcyclists make themselves hightly visible, but surely light or coloured clothing would be better in daylight and less distracting to to other road users.. Or are they intending to intimidate.

They were startling and distracting enough for oncoming motorists in daytime. So many in convey at night on full beam would surely dazzle even the four wheel drive monsters that themselves make the roads unsafe for smaller cars. And I dread to think of the racket and lights if they chose to ride down one of the narrow village streets, where even one or two motor bikes revving reverberate and make the night hideous. Not to mention the danger to children and other vulnerable groups.

Can anyone tell me who and what they were, and hopefully reassure that they were at least an innocent group of peaceable and well intentioned (if to my mind misguided) enthusiasts and "show offs", and not some sort of ill meant gang deliberately intending to frighten..

Posted: **Sun 14 Jun 2015 10:17 pm**

There was a big motorcycle rally, they were expecting about 400 to attend.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 7:10 am**

Yes it was an international meeting for enthusiast bikers most of which were wearing helmets and driving sensible unlike many of our local bikers and quad bikers who do neither. Many of the foreign ones were proffesional people.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 12:09 pm**

These people are most probably motorcycle enthusiasts, who know the pleasure of riding awesome machines on some of the stunning roads on this island.
There is definately a camaraderie thing going on when people get together, but also for the reasons of charity work such as what we do here in Blighty.

As has been previously mentioned there are 'bad elements' in all walks of life (I would trust a biker over a priest anyday). Here's hoping they were behaving themselves.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 2:05 pm**

Priests ? Oh dear wait for the flak Chris, or Billy Connely.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 4:25 pm**

Organised by the Harley Davidson motor cycle shop in Girne. All legit and no threat to anyone.
.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 5:38 pm**

They looked a great bunch of people. We saw them when we were coming out of church on Sunday, they were driving perfectly normally in central Girne, headed up by a police motorcyclist. Their bikes were absolutely terrific and I envied them.

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 6:23 pm**

So Sophie, hardly the threat felt by poster 1 then!

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 7:05 pm**

With the profusion of Speed Cameras and tight speed limits everywhere, one dares reluctantly to go out of Third Gear in a regular vehicle. Do these Motorcyclists have special dipensation to go at speed to enjoy their Harleys ?

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 7:17 pm**

Oh dear, does no one else care about the customs and ecology of this country, let alone the safety of the vulnerable.?

How on earth can anyone appreciate the stunning countryside (which I assume what CC means, since the roads themselves are hardly stunning except perhaps in a strictly literal sense if one is an accident caused by dazzling) if one:

1. Is encased in leather preventing any feel of the air or sun

2. Cant hear the sound, which apart from the helmets, cant be heard because of the noise of ones one and other machines.

3. Has limited vision mainly of the bikers in front, while the beautiful views pass at high speed..

I can understand the attraction of a motorcyclist as a convenient and fast means of transport from one place to another, and even (just) imagine the thrill of speed in the right place, ie a purpose track but as a way of seeing particularly a country as small as the TRNC or even an Island as small as Cyprus the logic completely escapes me.

What happens if a packof these machines meets a group of mothers and children walking the village streets, or an elderly couple chatting or a flock of sheep and goats crossing the road, which is one of the attractions of village life. Worse what happens to a small vehicle facing them on a single track mountain road? Will the car be expected to get out of the way, even if it means it has to drive into a ditch (which has actually happened to me with a "bully vehicle") or down a ravine?

If it is just an innocent social gathering as suggested, why were they wearing identical black, and on full headlights on a bright sunny day?? Obviously the type of mentality that needs to appear threatening,

If one want to see the beauties of this Island, there are far better ways of doing so, if one wants to rush about in groups on powerful machines there are better places to do it

I am ignoring the reference to Priests, as I dont see the connection and it seems completely off topic

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 7:34 pm**

International participation, a valuable PR exercise !

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 7:50 pm**

I rarely comment on posts but I feel I have to on this (coming from an over 60) We went to see them and had a great afternoon. I fail to see the comments on the speed of these bikes as they were going through the villages when you only saw them "sitting on their motor bikes outside a petrol station"
Coming from the licensed trade we have only had good experiences of bikers and have seen the amount of charity work that they do.
Good for them and I hope it was succesful
Brendl

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 8:26 pm**

I can only assume rr is an experienced m/cylist who has been heavily involved in such 'bad' experiences or he/she has a bigoted view of those who do not conform to his/her standard. How sad!

Posted: **Mon 15 Jun 2015 10:08 pm**

Customs, ecology AND safety - can surely only mean everybody relinquishing their cars, their scooters and mopeds, even the dolmus and reverting to the donkey and cart...

Appreciating the countryside, the air and the sun - all of which are so much more appreciated from inside a four-wheeled metal box, which relies on air-conditioning...

Encased in leather - which is for protection, in the same way as safety belts and aircushions...

Sound - of car radio or CD/MP3 player, frequently at sufficiently high volume for others to hear....

Limited vision - as proven by the turning (without warning) car/lorry immediately in front of other road users...

Meeting mothers, children, couples, sheep and goats - what does a car, lorry or dolmus do? And exactly how many wheels does a "bully vehicle" have....?

Having been both motorcyclist and car driver, I remember with the greatest pleasure, the delights of motorcycling - at a leisurely pace - with the fresh air on my face, the ability (and sometimes necessity) to look around without my view obstructed by "A pillars, B pillars and C pillars" with their associated blind spots.

I can't go on; I find it not merely sad, but unbelievably tragic and naive......

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 4:29 am**

Can't believe the poster.
I used to ride in the UK and can tell you that you will never meet a better bunch than a bunch of bikers.

Breakdown in a car and most people drive past.
Breakdown on a bike and pretty much any motorcyclist will stop and assist. It's their nature.

I think you have been watching to many films.

"RIGHT TURN CLIDE!"

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 4:58 am**

And another thing

99.9% of true motorcyclists will have a great pride in what they ride and will maintain them fanatically. They will be safe and legal.

Also you never know but they MAY even have children, parents,grandparents of their own.

Just thought ........... They may even be of human species????

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 6:14 am**

Have to say that can only agree with TomSteel and FloraDora. We came across a large group of bikers a couple of years ago in Esentepe and was surprised at how polite and friendly they were.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 7:22 am**

Would have loved to have seen them, bet their machines were awesome. Serious motorcycle enthusiasts such as these do not cause problems and in fact take road safety very seriously unlike a lot of the local community of motorists over here who seem hell bent on causing serious injury to people. These enthusiasts do not roar around at speed unless safe to do so, and there are some very nice roads over here now for them to enjoy, same as anyone else.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 10:14 am**

Great day for all. Enjoyed seeing all the motorcycles and "scooters" - everyone cordial and friendly.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 11:23 am**

Ragged Robin wrote: Maybe I am paranoid , .............. looked threatening...................... coming towards me at speed on a lonely road. ......... Or are they intending to intimidate.

four wheel drive monsters .......... unsafe for smaller cars.

I dread to think .......... racket ................. bikes revving reverberate and make the night hideous. Not to mention the danger to children and other vulnerable groups.

ill meant gang deliberately intending to frighten..
Oh dear, does no one else care about the customs and ecology of this country, let alone the safety of the vulnerable.?

an accident caused by dazzling

Pack of these machines meets a group of mothers and children walking the village streets, or an elderly couple chatting or a flock of sheep and goats crossing the road,....................... Worse what happens to a small vehicle facing them on a single track mountain road? Will the car be expected to get out of the way, even if it means it has to drive into a ditch (which has actually happened to me with a "bully vehicle") or down a ravine?

............................why were they wearing identical black, and on full headlights on a bright sunny day?? Obviously the type of mentality that needs to appear threatening,

rush about in groups on powerful machines

Having picked out a few phrases................I'm sorry to say the answer to your initial question is yep.........you are a little paranoid "Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others"

Their mode of transport does not convey a wish to cause you or the island harm.

They are just people that like riding motorbikes.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 11:37 am**

Well, there's one thing to be said about posting on here - it leaves you in no doubt as to whether other people think that you're thinking is wandering off the straight and narrow!

A lad who used to work for me once said "The problem with living on your own, is that you get ideas into your head, and then they get set in concrete, because there's no one around to knock 'em out".

Precious little chance of that happening on here!

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 11:57 am**

For gods sake ragged robin get a life talk about a merchant of doom. You must love looking on the black side of everything these guys and girls drove hundreds maybe thousands of miles to come here and brought money and showed us bikers can be responsible, hopefully it will teach our own bikers a little. If you see doom in everything I suggest a comfort blanket suck your thumb and put the lights out.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 12:08 pm**

Well done to poster 1. This has set off a great thread, allowing people to air their differing views without too much flak.

Keep it up guys!

Ride Safe

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 12:53 pm**

CatalkoyChris wrote:Well done to poster 1. This has set off a great thread, allowing people to air their differing views without too much flak.

Keep it up guys!

Ride Safe

I'm with you on this, it's always interesting to 'look at the world through someone else's eyes', and to marvel at how differently they view the same place which we all inhabit...

I'm not so sure about the lack of 'flak' though - I can visualise RR applying (imaginary) elastoplasts to the (mental) wounds, some of the posts were pretty, erm, 'Forthright', shall we say...

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 1:44 pm**

Bigoted and ill-informed postings from whatever source should be exposed and challenged. Free speech comes with responsibility. Why such a vehement attack on a group of law-abiding citizens going about their lawful pastime causing such individually expressed serious concern? A simple query as to who, what, why would have sufficed without the hysteria following.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 2:17 pm**

Oh dear, ! This is getting more like Cyprus 44 every day. Little Englanders who want to change everything to their liking and if they you dont like someone else's point of view - just attach them personally , preferably viciously. Certainly don.t give any consideration to minority rights.

Firstly I did not object to motorbikes per se: just in such large numbers on unsuitable roads.......... secondly as someone said I can't judge speed stationery vehicles but I doubt anyone buys such powerful vehicles as these to tootle along at 30 mph. An indication of their intended route might just have been more useful, maybe even, mitigated my fears of effects in the villages.

And no, I am not an experienced motorcyclist. I am an experienced car driver who has seen the damage that packs of motorcyclists can do to crops and agricultural animals and how they can terrorise vulnerable people. I did not say this particular group was necessarily like that but asked fo reassurance. All I have got is more concern about the type of people I might meet ont he road.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 2:22 pm**

CatalkoyChris wrote:Well done to poster 1. This has set off a great thread, allowing people to air their differing views without too much flak.

Keep it up guys!

Ride Safe

Thanks Chris, I agree.
Members please respect other peoples views. Question, yes, but please do not attack; I have had to disapprove several posts already. If you have something to say then please post sensibly.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 2:56 pm**

Well done Jofra : the only reply that raises valid points!

jofra wrote:Customs, ecology AND safety - can surely only mean everybody relinquishing their cars, their scooters and mopeds, even the dolmus and reverting to the donkey and cart...

A certain amount of collateral damage is inevitable, but it can be limited by responsible use of mechanised transport. I dont think the often narrow and steep roads of an agricultural country are a suitable place for convoys of powerful vehicles, however many wheels they have. People who genuinely want to see and experience countryside, surely would walk, if they were lucky enough to be able, or use four legged transport or push bikes,

Appreciating the countryside, the air and the sun - all of which are so much more appreciated from inside a four-wheeled metal box, which relies on air-conditioning...

Agreed: I dont have an air conditioned car: thus I suffer fumes from other unnecessarily high powered vehicles.

Encased in leather - which is for protection, in the same way as safety belts and aircushions...

Accepted, but why all identical in BLACK leather if not intending to raise associations and intimidate. And why on full leadlights when stationery?

Sound - of car radio or CD/MP3 player, frequently at sufficiently high volume for others to hear....

Agreed I dont like that either and dont do it. Its also dangerous: I recently avoided ak potentially nasty accident because I HEARD a(single) motorcyclist who was hidden in the "blind spot" between rear view and wing mirrors. A responsible driver uses ALL his senses , not just sight. I have also seen motorcyclists centre close behind a van with no rear windows where he was invisisble to oncoming traffic and dart out to overtake without warning.

Limited vision - as proven by the turning (without warning) car/lorry immediately in front of other road users...

Also agreed but two wrongs dont make a right.

Meeting mothers, children, couples, sheep and goats - what does a car, lorry or dolmus do? And exactly how many wheels does a "bully vehicle" have....?

Not a matter of the number of wheels, a matter of the suitablility of the size and power of vehicle and the mentality of the driver. But , say, 10 motorbikes have 20 wheels and take up a lot of road space- a lot more daunting to face and avoid on a already too busy road . Most of the dolmuses , vans and cars that use the village streets and lanes realise that other road users have rights and, whatever their other faults , make allowances for them. Some expat vehicles taking "short cuts" ignore that these villages are people's homes and drive cars too large for them far too fast.

Having been both motorcyclist and car driver, I remember with the greatest pleasure, the delights of motorcycling - at a leisurely pace - with the fresh air on my face, the ability (and sometimes necessity) to look around without my view obstructed by "A pillars, B pillars and C pillars" with their associated blind spots.

Fresh air on your face? You did not wear one of the modern helmets with, apparently, integral visor then?

I can't go on; I find it not merely sad, but unbelievably tragic and naive......

The tragedy is how the enjoyment and safety of the roads of this country are being destroyed by the unreasonable expectations of a portion of the expat community who are quick to criticise the faults of Cypriot road users, but never accept the beam in their own eye.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 3:07 pm**

Ragged Robin wrote:
The tragedy is how the enjoyment and safety of the roads of this country are being destroyed by the unreasonable expectations of a portion of the expat community who are quick to criticise the faults of Cypriot road users, but never accept the beam in their own eye.

Hold on RR!

I get that you don't like motorcyclists - perfectly understandable, if not a little harsh.

But now enjoyment and safety is also being destroyed by expats - is no-one safe from your ire today?

May I prescribe a stiff drink and a lay down.

It's a bit like listening to Private Frazer on a loop at the moment.............."We're doomed............."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RIgs3eygo

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 3:29 pm**

Hedge-fund wrote:
Ragged Robin wrote:
The tragedy is how the enjoyment and safety of the roads of this country are being destroyed by the unreasonable expectations of a portion of the expat community who are quick to criticise the faults of Cypriot road users, but never accept the beam in their own eye.
Hold on RR!

I get that you don't like motorcyclists - perfectly understandable, if not a little harsh.

But now enjoyment and safety is also being destroyed by expats - is no-one safe from your ire today?

May I prescribe a stiff drink and a lay down.

It's a bit like listening to Private Frazer on a loop at the moment.............."We're doomed............."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RIgs3eygo

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 3:42 pm**

elizabeth wrote:
Hedge-fund wrote:
Ragged Robin wrote:
The tragedy is how the enjoyment and safety of the roads of this country are being destroyed by the unreasonable expectations of a portion of the expat community who are quick to criticise the faults of Cypriot road users, but never accept the beam in their own eye.
Hold on RR!

I get that you don't like motorcyclists - perfectly understandable, if not a little harsh.

But now enjoyment and safety is also being destroyed by expats - is no-one safe from your ire today?

May I prescribe a stiff drink and a lay down.

It's a bit like listening to Private Frazer on a loop at the moment.............."We're doomed............."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RIgs3eygo

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 3:43 pm**

[/quote][/quote]

I'm trying to keep it light-hearted, I really am.

No offence intended RR.

It may be that you'll see it from another angle if you step back a bit. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but then again so is everything else. It's purely perception and if we can see others' more rational approach it may help to calm ones irrational fear of anything than moves.

Again - 100% no offence meant.

I though the dad's Army bit was funny at least

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 3:59 pm**

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 4:07 pm**

We saw the motorbikes at the garage whilst getting car filled. There was no revving of bikes, no pulling away on mass from the garage they obviously have an order in which they ride as we noticed one chap at the back waiting for the others to get in convoy. Yes they had black leathers on seeming like Hells Angels, whom I believe do a lot of charity work on the quite, they were the Turk Riders and seemed like" gentlemen " . Learnt many years ago, since moving here actually, never judge a book by its cover.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 4:13 pm**

If the m/c rally is such a threat to the local environment, then why are the many annual car rally's, the EMYR on the sea environment, the cycle/triathlon events and the host of walkers on the various mountain routes not such a concern? I do not see any objections from posters on this forum as to the environmental and children, aged persons risks from these lawful pastimes. Black leathers for m/cyclists is a recognised form of protection. Perhaps burkhas would be more acceptable? If m/cycling and groups enjoying this activity is such an anathema to an individual - fine. However, do not be surprised when others not sharing your view challenge it on a public forum.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 5:10 pm**

Headlights on Bikes. It's mandatory in European law for motorcycles to have headlights on constantly. All modern bike headlights are wired and set at the factory to be on constantly.
I was stopped by the police on a country road in France on an older bike one time for not having my headlights on.
Any biker knows that many motorists do not see motorcyclists. That's why I wear a Hi Viz jacket here. Gives 'em something to aim at.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 6:10 pm**

Hang on a minute! Please read my posts. I never said that I didnt like motorcyclists: I expressed concern about them en masse on particularly powerful machines, and unidentifiable - perhaps I HAVE been watching too many films - science fiction because they looked as isolated from their surroundings as an astronaut and could have been creatures from outer space for all I could see of them. I should point out that the group I saw were nothing like the colourful scooters that appeared in one of the posts above, and do look like something that could be fun, though at the risk of further attacks I query if they should be on the beach!

Re message 34 I gather than in parts of England "hosts of walkers" in beauty spots have actually unintentionally caused erosion and damage to the environment, which is really sad, but I have heard or see no evidence is is happening here! I did not know there were that many car rallies? As for EMYR what does it mean, if its water skis then I do disapprove - on environmental grounds but also danger to swimmers, perhaps that is part of my concern: people should not take their enjoyment at cost of those who prefer quieter pursuits.

There are other types of vehicles I dislike in inappropriate places. It is all a matter of proportion and responsible and considerate use of transport resources.

At least I have one thing in common with other posters: Dad's Army! And yes when I look at what is happening to N, Cyprus I do feel depressed and "doomed".

johnrebus: thanks for the info - I did not know that and am glad to be warned , but only confirms my view that European law, at least, is an ass!

Congratulations on your sense: if I see a motorcycllist in a HiViz jacket instead of ominous all black I will know it is ridden by a responsible person.! I think it is unfair to say drivers do not see motorcyclists - I am always very aware of them. but perhaps that is because I used a pedal cycle a lot in my youth so I am aware of the vulnerability of two wheels!

And that is my last word on the subject, I am spending far too much time on this and I think the thread has run its course. Despite the more reasonable points of the later posters I dont really want to continue where I am called "bigoted" and ill informed" because my views differ from that of the poster.

I can only hope that maybe I can out elsewhere who these people are, where they are likely to be and what they are really doing.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 6:13 pm**

Personally I think RR is trying to stir us all up no one could be that grumpy maybe it's the WTOTM or he,s one some substance, just lighten up we came here to get away from people like you. Let's get on with enjoying our time here.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 6:16 pm**

EMYR - Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. Reported upon in most local press here as a major annual attraction. Have to agree with the previous poster's view also.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 8:27 pm**

If I wanted to be offensive as you terry I would respond by saying I came here to get away from people like you, but unfortunately you followed me!

As it is I repeat my request that the thread be closed, as those who have something positive to say have had their chance to say it, and it is turning into offensive personal attack.

Posted: **Tue 16 Jun 2015 8:41 pm**

You reap what you sew my friend I think you should read your first post again. The mention of gangs and portraying these people as some sort of thug or criminal hopefully you will think first before you post something like this again. You did not get the response you were hoping for as most posters saw the post for what it was. As for following you unless you came here in 1964 Twas the other way round.

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