A bigger commute - West & Central Auckland

[Ninjad]

So I've found the perfect house but the only problem is that it would mean;

• a bigger commute to work
• riding the motorway during peak traffic
• figuring out how long it would take me during the morning and afternoon rush
• getting blown around a bit more

I currently ride rain or shine for 15 minutes but now worry that this new commute may drive me to taking the car during the miserable months

I'm 60kgs so I find I get blown around quite easily on a windy day. I've riden over the Te Atatu Peninsula part a few times already during good but windy and less trafficy days and found that a little daunting as is. My partner thinks I'll be fine but then again he'd be working from home..

How do you find your commute from out West riding towards the City? Love/hate? Any tips/tricks?

I've heard going faster (not the wisest thing to do in peak traffic though) and making your thighs hug your tank tightly helps reduce you getting blown around so much. Any others?

Anywho, looking forward to your replies

[unstuck]

Give it time, the more you do it, the easier it will become.And i would suggest eating a few more pies. you sound to bloody skinny. Good luck anyhow.

[kunoichi]

Hey hun,

I live out in Henderson and work in Takapuna, so I do this commute everyday. Granted I'm heavier than you (at 74KG) but i'm on my 250 and do pretty well. The best way is to head over the bridge. The only way to skip through hobsonville traffic is to use the median strip = illegal. I got done for that wen a guy hit me comming out of his driveway while i was using the median strip to overtake.

You'll find that West traffic is much nicer to deal with than north shore traffic (i've lived on both ends). The slowest i've gone through peak hour traffic is 40Kph. People seem to use their mirrors a little more, be less aggressive and the lanes are wider so its easier to lane split.

I suggest on a windy day to use the center most lane on the harbour bridge, you get a little more coverage from the frames and other cars.

On the whole, i leave home at 7am get to work at 7:30 and leave work at 4:30 and get home by 5pm. So its not too bad really.

Only tip is keep an eye behind you, kuz there are some well-seasoned lane splitters heading to the city and you don't want to get in their way!

I'm sure you'll be fine, just get some good wet weather gear and perhaps take a change of gloves for the ride home.....nothing worse than putting on wet gloves!

[nomnomnom]

Hey there

I dont live in Auckland, but I used to ride a hour each way to and from work in Windy Wellington.

I cant comment on traffic situations cos no doubt its way different up that way, however with the wind situation the best advice I have EVER been given is to loosen up and dont death grip!

One ride home I came through quite a large intersection in Welly, and the wind is funnelled through the buildings and a massive gust hit me from the left and cos I was gripping to hard I was almost blown into oncoming traffic! I remembered the advice I had been given by another KB member which was "you grip hard and hold tight and you act like a sail for the bike, and you get blown all over, just loosen it up and chill."

So I did and it completely worked! Again = best advice EVER!

I also have a copy of Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist", which is a great read for learners and seasoned riders alike. Got it off Trademe for $40, if you wanted you can take it for $25 free postage! Its still in brand new condition

[GPXchick]

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Hey there

I dont live in Auckland, but I used to ride a hour each way to and from work in Windy Wellington.

I cant comment on traffic situations cos no doubt its way different up that way, however with the wind situation the best advice I have EVER been given is to loosen up and dont death grip!

One ride home I came through quite a large intersection in Welly, and the wind is funnelled through the buildings and a massive gust hit me from the left and cos I was gripping to hard I was almost blown into oncoming traffic! I remembered the advice I had been given by another KB member which was "you grip hard and hold tight and you act like a sail for the bike, and you get blown all over, just loosen it up and chill."

So I did and it completely worked! Again = best advice EVER!

I also have a copy of Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist", which is a great read for learners and seasoned riders alike. Got it off Trademe for $40, if you wanted you can take it for $25 free postage! Its still in brand new condition

Hi I have the Twist of the wrist 2 on dvd pm me your addy im happy to post to you for free

[Maha]

'' I remembered the advice I had been given by another KB member which was "you grip hard and hold tight and you act like a sail for the bike, and you get blown all over, just loosen it up and chill."

The above is correct, be vigilent, grip the tank with your knees (just a tad) and most importantly, dont fight it and you will stay in control.

[steelphoenix]

I often do the commute from my boyfriend's at Mt Albert (getting on at Gt Nth - love that onramp!) to Penrose in peak traffic.

Riding in peak traffic means you need to be even more on the ball than usual, but otherwise is similar.

If you're willing to lanesplit, your transit time in peak traffic will be approximately the same as transit time in the clear, plus around 10-15mins. Splitting along that section is not too difficult, as the lanes are pretty wide. Of course you need to watch out for the local coppers, they love to hide out there. If you don't split, then transit time will be the same as in a car.

As to wind - as previously stated, grip the tank with your knees, and try not to deathgrip! The weight of you+ZXR would be about the same as me+Scorpio, and I found that I didn't have too many issues (even over the bridge in high winds!) if I stuck to that.

Pronbably the best thing you could do is ride the road in low-traffic conditions (10am-noon is probably a good time), that will help with increasing your confidence.

[MaxCannon]

I commute daily from Te Atatu Peninsula to the city.

I think the nortwestern has to be the most biker friendly piece of motorway I've used.
Its wider than the southern and the onramps are more spread out so traffic changes lanes less.

The onramp I use has a transit lane so getting onto the motorway is easier then when I used to live in Greenlane.

The weather doesn't affect me at all. I usually only notice the wind when I come to a stop.

[no_8wire]

Have recently moved out east but I was living up near piha and rode to work in the CBD.

- Make sure you have a tinted visor or dark sunnies. You get both the rising sun and setting sun in your eyes

- The ride is normally pretty good, but you can get wind gusts when in the open along the causeway between point chev and avondale.

- Time wise, it took me 30min to get from my place in the wops/hill to the CBD.If you are leaving from Te Atatu it should take 10-15min depending on how fast you lane split.

Repetition for emphasis - Have a dark visor or sunnies!

[marie_speeds]

Heading towards the Te Atatu interchange from Henderson is a nightmare. The roundabout on Te Atatu Road is an absolute bloody nightmare from 7am onwards. Cars are piled up around it so forced to weave in and out to get through. So be warned if this is your planned route! This part of the journey is actually the longest stretch for me. Once on the motorway it's about 15 - 20 into city, and I am cautious so you may find you do it quicker. I find the causeway a bit harder especially when it is windy or raining as the drainage is so bad. I was apprehensive about the NW but am more comfortable now as I get more practice on it. Sun strike definitely an issue as previously stated both morning and evening.

[Ninjad]

Thanks to all who have replied. I've definitely picked up some good tips except the eating more pies part hahahaha. Missed out on the house I want but still very keen to move out west

[Ninjad]

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Hi I have the Twist of the wrist 2 on dvd pm me your addy im happy to post to you for free

I would if I could but I get the "your site involvement insn't enough to use the Private Message system"

Laaaaaaaaaame >_<

[Swoop]

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Repetition for emphasis - Have a dark visor or sunnies!

Use both at the same time. No sun issues whatsoever, in either direction. Carry a set of clear wraparound glasses in your bag for darker days.

[cursivelogic]

I currently ride about 40 mins each way from West Auckland into Central Auckland. The best strategy I've found for coping with wind (on my 150/I'm 60kg) is to keep my elbows out. This has saved me the few times I've been over Auckland Harbour Bridge in strong cross-winds. I can't comment on hugging the tank because, well, scooter!

[avgas]

heh your complaining of doing west to city?
I currently do West-City-South every day.

It sucks when on a good day takes 30 min, bad days 2-3 hours. Each way.

FYI school holidays suck shit. Contrary to popular belief I end up with more traffic as the Soccer mums cause carnage on the roads.