Wednesday Evening Cruises 2008-09

[JWALKER]

i think el stevo and liv both have good point and i enjoy riding with both of you.
but, what about asking before we leave if there are any new guys or girls that would like some pointers and help on their riding from some of the faster and more experianced guys and have some guys or girls that would be happy to help, before we set out?. just a idea

[Bren_chch]

Thanks for the red rep Loner, reds my favorite colour, it's also a fast colour, I'll treasure it always...

Receive a red rep for having a different opinion! that’s what I love about this place!

[Transalper]

Only about 47 hours till the next departure.

[fireliv]

i think el stevo and liv both have good point and i enjoy riding with both of you.
but, what about asking before we leave if there are any new guys or girls that would like some pointers and help on their riding from some of the faster and more experianced guys and have some guys or girls that would be happy to help, before we set out?. just a idea

Great idea Jeff!

[El Stevo]

Receive a red rep for having a different opinion! that’s what I love about this place!

Yeah funny ay! Got myself a heap of green rep for takin the piss though...

Not that it bothers me what others think. *waits for smart comments...*

[JMemonic]

Yeah funny ay! Got myself a heap of green rep for takin the piss though...

Not that it bothers me what others think. *waits for smart comments...*

Oh that is an open invite, I shall resist the temptation ......

Its difficult .....

have to log out now

[Xsannz]

Looking forward to wednesday again, got the power commander installed in the sp2 .. went to work this morning bloody near crapped myself when the bike shut down at 5500 rpm and tried to lock up, found a loose earth on the frame --- my bad--- but we live and learn running good now ,

to all the faster guys , i am going to be humble and say i have only ever really ridden I4's so the sp is new territory to me being a twin and i am still getting the suspension set up so i would not mind having someone check my lines and riding style next time we are out as i cant judge myself but i am objectively so i am open to tips and ideas,

i have also found that the sp2 requires alot more countersteering than my old 06 fireblade, maybey it's just that the sp2 is just heavier

[karla]

i think el stevo and liv both have good point and i enjoy riding with both of you.
but, what about asking before we leave if there are any new guys or girls that would like some pointers and help on their riding from some of the faster and more experianced guys and have some guys or girls that would be happy to help, before we set out?. just a idea

I think this is a great idea, it would be good to identify the new riders and make them welcome. I was pretty shy the first time I went along, it can be a bit daunting throwing yourself into a group of black bikies

It's also good time to remind everyone about staggered riding when in groups, and reinforce the "go at your own pace" message.

Just home from the Magpie now - I took an extra day to do the Mainland Riding course at Timaru Racecourse - what a day! It was brilliant to have the track (without road distractions) to practice my corners and braking, and to learn just how smooth the Bonnie can be. I'd recommend it to anyone, and hope to do it again later to resharpen those skills. Rally was great too

Will sleep well tonight

[Bren_chch]

I took an extra day to do the Mainland Riding course at Timaru Racecourse - what a day! It was brilliant to have the track (without road distractions) to practice my corners and braking, and to learn just how smooth the Bonnie can be. I'd recommend it to anyone, and hope to do it again later to resharpen those skills.

With Dan Ornsby? He will be glad to hear you found it educational and fun!

[karla]

With Dan Ornsby? He will be glad to hear you found it educational and fun!

Dan and Mike and - ohhh, forgot a name - they were all great, supportive and encouraging. Dan told me I had the braking in the corner and standing my bike up nailed (but I'm not supposed to do it unless there is an emergency.) Lovely to know that I can tho'.

Had plenty of opportunities to practice on the way home - a truck locked up it's wheels right in front of us and skidded along the road. Another delivery van going the opposite way had a tyre blow-out right beside me and there were sparks and debris flapping all over, that sure made the heart rush.

I wish the road was more like the track - racing riders are so spoiled!

[phoenixgtr]

Ok people. Here's some standard routes that we like to take. Because of our wonderfull Port Hills these can be mixed up a bit, i.e. Diamond Harbour via Sumner might become Diamond Harbour via Dyers. Variety...it's all good. I'll put a link to this post in the first post of the thread. I’ve also included some info about the pubs we regularly visit.


1. Diamond Harbour via Sumner (Godley House)

Map 1
This is pretty much our standard ride. If noone can decide where to go, this is it. It takes less than an hour to get from A to B.

Good spots for regrouping:
1. In Sumner, just before Evans Pass
2. Just past Lyttleton. Theres a bay on the left after the tunnel roundabout
3. In Teddington, across the road from the Wheatsheaf


2. Duvauchelles via Halswell (Duvauchelles Pub)

Map 2
This route includes the straights from Halswell to Little River then the nice twisty stuff over the hill. Some choose to stop at Little River and turn around. A detour through old Tai Tapu Rd is a nice break from the straights.

Good spots for regrouping:
1. Just before Halswell, across the road from the BP on Lincoln Rd.
2. Little River


3. Duvauchelles via Dyers (Duvauchelles Pub)

Map 3
Same destination as route 2 but a little more interesting. This is the route the “fast guys” love.

Good spots for regrouping:
1. On Gebbies Pass on the corner next to the Wheatsheaf
2. Little River


4. Greta Valley (Greta Valley Pub)

Map 4
The northern route. Not particularly popular due to the straights. There’s several ways out of the city, but the route on the map heads straight through Amberley and turns off at Waipara. From there you head round to Waikari and then take the interesting back road across through Scargill and come out right across the road from Greta Valley.

Good spots for regrouping:
1. Amberley
2. Waikari


5. Summit Road to Halswell (Halswell Pub)

Map 5
Often when we do this route we ride the entire Summit Rd, from Evans Pass, right through to Gebbies Pass. However Google Maps thinks Summit Rd ends in the middle of nowhere so this map heads down Dyers Pass into Governors bay and around. Summit Rd doesn’t have many fans, but is a nice road to cruise. A detour through old Tai Tapu Rd makes the last part a bit more interesting (turn off to right just as you enter Tai Tapu).

Good spots for regrouping:
1. In Sumner, just before Evans Pass
2. At the Sign of The Kiwi on corner of Dyers Pass and Summit Rd.
3. At the Blue Duck on the corner of Gebbies Pass and Chch-Akaroa Highway.

PUBS

1. Wheatsheaf Pub- In Teddington (Just on the corner of Teddington Road and Gebbies Pass Road.
2. Godley House- 2 Waipapa Avenue, Diamond Harbour (Though Diamond Harbour look for Historic Place Sign)
3. Duvauchelle Pub-Christchurch Akaroa Rd, Duvauchelle. Just pass the Duvachelle sign on your right, Big Kiwi out front.
4. Halswell Tavern-344 Halswell Rd, Halswell (Parking in Shopping Centre area)
5. The Twisted Hops- 6 Poplar Street, Christchurch. (Head up lane off Tuam Street)
6. Greta Valley Tavern- 9 Tavern Drive, Greta Valley.

Anyone got anything to add or correct let me know.

[Ducky848]

to all the faster guys , i am going to be humble and say i have only ever really ridden I4's so the sp is new territory to me being a twin and i am still getting the suspension set up so i would not mind having someone check my lines and riding style next time we are out as i cant judge myself but i am objectively so i am open to tips and ideas,

i have also found that the sp2 requires alot more countersteering than my old 06 fireblade, maybey it's just that the sp2 is just heavier

I suggest the race track to get your bike sorted. Ruapuna is open most Tuesday and Fridays. I'm heading out for a few hours on Tuesday the 9th of Dec with a couple of mates if you want someone to follow you round.

The SP2 twin *should* in a lot of ways be easier to ride than an inline4. You have more torque available lower in the rpm range and the rear will be a little more tractable...perhaps just a case of getting your head around not having to ring the tits off it?
The steering on the SP2 may be suffering from poor suspension setup or a raft of other issues. If its harder to turn in though it should generally feel good once in the corner. My 848 is not the quickest at changing direction but provides more confidence mid corner with extra stability.

[cooneyr]

I'm out again this week. Got to go to Uni to meet my supervisor.

Cheers R

[gammaguy]

great work putting all that info together.personally im happy with any route(except maybe the flat boring ride to greta)and i will be happy to do any of them.

see y'all wednesday,no southerly changes this week hopefully

[JWALKER]

Great idea Jeff!

i am not the fastest and most experianced rider. but, if anyone wahts a hand in any way on wednesday with helping with lines or following them for any advice, i will be happy to help out with the limited experiance i have