Saturday morning riding practice

**Terminated** · 3rd September 2007, 17:55

BuckBuck No1 - Saturday Morning Riding Practice

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

This ride will be occur every week, unless cancellation is posted at top of this event.

Revised Time as from Saturday 3 November:
10.00am - Meet
10.10am - Commence ride

Meeting Point
Stokes Valley – entering from round-a-bout there is a parking area immediately on your left back from the bus stops.

Ride Overview
I am volunteering my time to accompany any new riders , or any riders in general that may want to spend an hour practise riding completing a left turning circuit of Stokes Valley. I will be at the front of Stokes Valley every Saturday morning at 10am, unless cancellation notice is posted.

As an over view the route commences at the third street [ie Glen Road] on the left after you enter Stokes Valley, then with continuous left turns and u-turns all the way to the top end of Stokes Valley. From the top end it is a return to the valley entrance, rounding the round-a-bout re-entering the valley and then taking the first on the left, following the same routine, to continue left turns and u-turns which will bring you back onto Stokes Valley Road, this will be at the intersection of Stokes Valley Road and the second street [James Grove] on you left after entering the valley.

This circuit is quite good, there is a gradual increase in the riding challenge, and a good measure will be, not to put a foot down, at other than intersections.

The whole route is approximately 26km, and by the way that’s how far it is into Wellington, and allowing 40 minutes to complete the circuit.

On conclusion of the circuit a short ride may be an option.

Through the daylight saving period, and subject to the number of riders attending overtime, then rides outside Stokes Valley, including the Wallaceville and Mangaroa Hills will be conducted.

My original forum BuckBuck's Newbie Update is here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30010

and from the Newbie Update the blogg was created and it is here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...hp?userid=1728
(Click 'View All' and start from beginning.)

(I am happy to accompany any rider on other days as arranged.)

Here is the weekly Saturday calendar link:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...ay=2007-10-20&

Heads Up and Enjoy
BuckBuckNo1

**Terminated** · 7th September 2007, 20:03

I have a couple of riders that will do the practise riding circuit tomorrow morning starting at 9.00am for 9.10 departure.

Ride is confirmed. Anybody else that wants to join in, you are more than welcome.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Terminated** · 9th September 2007, 16:02

Three riders contacted me and the practise ride provided some good challenges in slow bike control.

On completion of the set circuit, I took the group across to Holborne Drive and introduced them to the flowing curves up and over the ridge, and this provided a good opportunity for them to consider returning for further practise with a focus on counter steering.

Thanks for the feedback at the conclusion of the circuit. I will cut some of the streets out and reduce the circuit to approximately 35minutes.

After the practise two riders then accompanied me to the duckpond for the ride out to Wainuiomata coast later that morning.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Weaver** · 9th September 2007, 20:52

Thank you BuckBuck for the great ride and i'll definitely be attending again in the future.

For other people considering this practise ride, it is certainly well worth your time. Its a great circuit for practising U turns and slow riding.

Cheers again BuckBuck

**Bullitt** · 10th September 2007, 21:56

After attending last Saturday's ride I would suggest it to all new or returning bikers anywhere near the Wellington region.

Stokes Valley is an excellent route for this sort of ride with an incredible amount of culdersacs to practice tight turns etc. Also with so many streets like this there is little traffic at the end of them so turns can be completed in relative safety. Most streets have a turning bay at the end where even a bike with as pathethic a turning circle as mine could usually get around in one go.

Guy has obviously riden this route a lot and seemed to know all the locals as well as the streets

I would encourage anyone who is not 100% confident to take up his generous offer.

The only suggestion I would make for improvement would be to clarify what some of your hand signals meant before the start. Im still not sure what you meant when you moved your thumb in and out towards your fingers.

**glider** · 12th September 2007, 20:57

Hi everyone,
I second Weaver's and Bullitt's remarks.
BuckBuckNo1's Saturday morning practice rides are great value .
Highly recommended.
Cheers,
Ray.

**Terminated** · 12th September 2007, 21:48

Originally Posted by Weaver

Its a great circuit for practising U turns and slow riding.

At the end of the circuit, we then rode over the Holborn Drive [ridge], a good introduction to counter steering.

Originally Posted by Bullitt

Im still not sure what you meant when you moved your thumb in and out towards your fingers.

This signal imitates a flashing indicator light you have left on. The last thing you want to happen is to be proceeding along a straight stretch of road with an oncoming vehicle wanting to turn right - you have left your left indicator on and the right turning vehicle may assume you will stop to give way as the driver 'thinks' you are going to turn left.

Originally Posted by glider

Hi everyone,
I second Weaver's and Bullitt's remarks.
BuckBuckNo1's Saturday morning practice rides are great value .
Highly recommended.
Cheers,
Ray.

Thank you Ray, Alan and Paul for your comments it was a pleasure to show you where I did all my practise when I started out learning to ride.

Please PM if you want to go over the route next Saturday, I will include a few variations.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Terminated** · 14th September 2007, 15:10

I have one rider so far that will do the practise riding circuit tomorrow morning starting at 9.00am for 9.10 departure from left hand side Stokes Valley entrance immediately before bus stops.

Ride is confirmed. Anybody else that wants to join in, you are more than welcome.

Following practise ride, coffee stop at Silverstream, and then down to duckpond for 11am Three Hills Ride - link here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...day=2007-9-15&

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Wasp** · 14th September 2007, 23:39

Hey BuckBuck, can i book in for when im healed / ok to ride again?

I'd like to have a good positive start back to riding

i'd like to run over the basics and have you watch my lines, breaking and accelerating points. i might bring the bandit instead of the 636 too

I'd appreciate it mate, let me know

Cheers,
Doug

**Terminated** · 15th September 2007, 17:02

Originally Posted by Wasp

Hey BuckBuck, can i book in for when im healed / ok to ride again?

I'd like to have a good positive start back to riding

i'd like to run over the basics and have you watch my lines, breaking and accelerating points. i might bring the bandit instead of the 636 too

I'd appreciate it mate, let me know

Cheers,
Doug

PM sent and anybody else that may want to ride Stokes Valley circuit PM anytime.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Terminated** · 16th September 2007, 15:27

The practise ride yesterday was an eye opener: attending was a respected gentleman who has recently returned to riding and I followed his lines up over the Holborn Drive, there was very little I could contribute, he maintained a very good safety margin indeed.

The important point being however is he wanted to re-gather his riding confidence, and I am sure both the new rider and the rider returning after a number of years share very similar concerns but looked at from different perspectives.

I am always available to assist riders young and old that may want to spend 40minutes or so riding through Stokes Valley - PM messages welcomed.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Terminated** · 21st September 2007, 16:35

Practise Ride is confirmed:

9.00am for 9.10 departure from left hand side Stokes Valley entrance immediately before bus stops.

Anybody else that wants to join in, you are more than welcome.

Following practise ride, coffee stop at Silverstream, or Short Straw Cafe Whitemans Valley.

Calendar Link:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...6&day=2007-9-8

Heads Up and Enjoy

**Terminated** · 11th October 2007, 20:49

Practise sessions have occurred each Saturday morning since 8 Sept, however I cannot make it this Saturday.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...ay=2007-10-13&

Heads Up and Enjoy

**quallman1234** · 11th October 2007, 20:54

Originally Posted by BuckBuckNo1

Practise sessions have occurred each Saturday morning since 8 Sept, however I cannot make it this Saturday.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...ay=2007-10-13&

Heads Up and Enjoy

Taupo?

**Terminated** · 15th October 2007, 11:51

Subject to good weather riding practice will commence at 9am [meet 8.50am entrance to Stokes Valley]

At conclusion of practise I will be proceeding to Upper Hutt to commence a ride into Wellington and around the bays, note there will be four gathering points along the route:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=58943

Heads Up and Enjoy