Riding Wgtn - Palm Nth (Sun 6 Sept 2009)

[chef]

planning on going to palmy on sunday after work around 3pm. to go and see my lovley gf, usally i would catch the bus but sick of it. anyway this will be my first full open road experience and need some pointers and good advice.
thanks.

if anyone wants to join me on my epic adventure i will be leaving around 3pm pm me if you would like to join thanks.

[sinfull]

Speed kills !

[Lurch]

Go via SH1 not via SH2 if it's your first time at 100k on open road. It will still be a fun ride and you won't be pressured by fast traffic on narrow and winding roads.

Relax, enjoy the ride, and keep your eyes up.

[crazyhorse]

Good time to be leaving Wellington rather than trying to go there on a Sunday arvo. Traffic should be ok. Just trundle along and you'll be fine. Its not as scarey as you may think. Take you time and enjoy the ride :woohoo:

[cowboyz]

dont stop in te horo.. youll never get out of there........

[ajturbo]

Speed kills !
only if you get caught...

[sinfull]

dont stop in te horo.. youll never get out of there........ Who'd want to !!! Leave that is !!


only if you get caught... Or cut it badly !


Just do ya thing Chef ! Shit you prolly know the road code bettera than alot here (and on the road)
Don't assume ya gonna be given right of way though haha (but have the attitude "i'm gonna golf ball ya screen if ya do that cock")
Don't know what speed ya gonna do on the open road, but just remember if ya ride the left track cause a tailgaita makes ya nervous, he will try and squeeze through at the first opportunity (think golf ball and make him wait till he has tons of room, while allowing for some cock coming the other way to be cuttin the apex onto your lane)
Trucks will cause a wash of wind (like a suction) if it's an easterly going up or a westerly coming back, as will clumps of trees, hills etc etc learn to see it coming !
Best example was the S bends at the foxton bridge (prior to them widening the road, Ya had to be ready to throw yaself right then left to stay on yr lane as ya approached from south (and vice versa) ! (look for trees or shrubs laying over ahead and you'll be ready to be gusted left or right (if a truck comes and the winds coming from his side, you'll suddenly go to the right as the gust is blocked out by him and then over again when he's past) Don't be put off at all though lol (says he who has prolly made ya goose bump), as in most cases a simple tuck of the head and a bit of gas will keep ya going straight and it's all part of the fun of motorcycling, learn to read it !

[Lurch]

To summarise Sinful's post, Don't gass off in a wind gust!

[sunhuntin]

just take ya time and dont let those behind faze you. if needed, pull over and let the cocksuckers go. theres a few bridges that i would watch. one in particular, i cant remember where it is, but it always looks shorter and sharper bend than it really is and catches me every single time. heading south, its got a long straight with a passing lane. someone who knows the road might be able to say where it is.

[sinfull]

heading south, its got a long straight with a passing lane. someone who knows the road might be able to say where it is. Has to be the bridge at the north end of manakau ! Only an issue if ya going flat out really ! but does seem to narrow up (only visual as the lanes are still the same width)

[CookMySock]

Just sit on the speed limit and stay well away from other cars, and ride in where the cars right-hand wheels go. You will be fine.

Gas up fully before you leave welly, and also before you leave palmy. You don't want to be thinking about gas.

Take care to monitor who enters your space in front of you. For the moment you can ignore whats happening behind you and direct all your attention forward.

If you are feeling at all stressed, pull over and do the biker-lie-on-the-grass-and-have-a-break thing.

Don't get confident and do something stupid. Just ride it. Practice steering with the bars only.

Have fun. :sunny:

Steve

[Hitcher]

SH1 doesn't go to Palmerston North. Turn off onto SH57 just south of Levin and follow your nose. If it's windy, stay on 57 rather than choosing the SH56 option via Opiki. It can get a bit hairy out on the flats in a big wind.

[mowgli]

planning on going to palmy on sunday after work around 3pm. to go and see my lovley gf, usally i would catch the bus but sick of it. anyway this will be my first full open road experience and need some pointers and good advice.
thanks.
Focus on what's in front, not what's behind. If the stuff going on behind ever distracts you from what's in front then it's time to pull over. Wait for a straight section and move left carefully and deliberately. Do it on your terms. Don't let yourself be forced off the road.

Forecast for Sunday is fine with winds dying off so should be a nice ride. Might even be tempted south to join you.

[sunhuntin]

Has to be the bridge at the north end of manakau ! Only an issue if ya going flat out really ! but does seem to narrow up (only visual as the lanes are still the same width)

that could be it. every single time ive come back north, its always given me the creeps and i always slow down even when im not going fast in the first place. i *think* heading north its got a building on the left with an anti abortion billboard on top of it. been a while since i was down that way. i always find that once im on the top of it that it wasnt as bad as i thought, but i just cant get used to it. i think the corner is speed limited, not really sure though.

[u4ea]

I used to grab the handles to tightly and get sore wrists and stuff..just relax, listen to your intuition and enjoy the ride..the more you get out there and do it the more confident you will feel..:scooter::rockon:

[grbaker]

I agree with Hitcher above, SH57 is the best way there... Get off SH1 as soon as you can. There may be some road works near the end of the ride but so what.

[XP@]

Agree with hitcher on the route!
Stick to the speed limit especially from Te Horo to Levin, it's crawling with fuzz who appear to be on quotas. I've seen someone stopped around there almost every day for the last couple or weeks. (yup, I commute to Welly every day!)

[chef]

alright awsome. some great advice there i should be sweet to go on sunday.
cheers guys

[gatch]

Yeah man the whole ride is a piece of cake, one word of warning..

Don't stop in levin..

Close the visor on your lid and look straight ahead, eye contact with the locals is out, just forget its there..

[MattRSK]

I had a gf in wellington. Rode/bussed/hitched/drove from palmy every alternate weekend for a year. Man you are going to get to know that road. She's my wife now.

[chef]

yeah shes still got 3 more years of study and me 1 year left of my apprenticeship been with her 9 months now its time to ride up.

[chef]

Yeah man the whole ride is a piece of cake, one word of warning..

Don't stop in levin..

Close the visor on your lid and look straight ahead, eye contact with the locals is out, just forget its there..

haha yeah its like the centre for losers unbelivable the people i go pass that are sitting in mr bun on the main street lol

[Ms Piggy]

planning on going to palmy on sunday after work around 3pm. to go and see my lovley gf, usally i would catch the bus but sick of it. anyway this will be my first full open road experience and need some pointers and good advice.
thanks.
Wear lots warm clothes, it'll probably be gettin' quite chilly that late in the afternoon. Relax and have fun. :scooter:

[koba]

Don't try and do a Lundyrun.

[ynot slow]

And Streetwise coffee cart in Sanson is bloody good.

[Wannabiker]

If Chef ends up in Sanson...he has missed the turn off by about 35 Km....but all is not lost...

[ynot slow]

If Chef ends up in Sanson...he has missed the turn off by about 35 Km....but all is not lost...

Doh I meant Shannon,god getting senile.But hey even when lost biking is fun hehe.

[chef]

shouldnt get lost done the trip on a bus a few hundred times ha

[Insanity_rules]

Just remember it isn't premarital sex if you have no intention of getting married! No seriously good luck and relax.

[cowboyz]

Just remember it isn't premarital sex if you have no intention of getting married! No seriously good luck and relax.

which ride you talking about?

[Insanity_rules]

which ride you talking about?

The one he'll get when he gets there:eek:

[chef]

Just remember it isn't premarital sex if you have no intention of getting married! No seriously good luck and relax.

garenteed sex dono about marrage lol

[chef]

if anyone wants to join me on my epic adventure i will be leaving around 3pm pm me if you would like to join thanks.

[DarkLord]

Pack an extra clutch cable.

[chef]

Pack an extra clutch cable.

wouldnt know how to fix it anyway ha

[DarkLord]

wouldnt know how to fix it anyway ha

I would recommend you get one and keep it as a spare, even if you don't know how to fix it, it's good to have handy. Speaking of which I must get one myself.

In all seriousness what are you planning to do if you break down? Are you an AA member or anything?

[chef]

I would recommend you get one and keep it as a spare, even if you don't know how to fix it, it's good to have handy. Speaking of which I must get one myself.

In all seriousness what are you planning to do if you break down? Are you an AA member or anything?

got 24 hour break down service with vero

[Jizah]

Yeah I went through 3 clutch cables on my GT250. It's good advice to carry a spare. They aren't hard to replace. If I can do it, anyone can.

[cowboyz]

huh? its not like its an epic journey! Its like 130k! jump on ya bike. go!

[Drum]

garenteed sex dono about marrage lol

Hang on. Are you saying it's possible to get laid without getting married? I may have made a grave mistake!

[cowboyz]

are you saying its possible to get laid after getting married? I got to go have a chat with someone!

[Beemer]

SH1 doesn't go to Palmerston North. Turn off onto SH57 just south of Levin and follow your nose. If it's windy, stay on 57 rather than choosing the SH56 option via Opiki. It can get a bit hairy out on the flats in a big wind.

I've found the opposite - the wind gusts through Tokomaru have nearly knocked me off more than once, and I've been in a car that almost got blown off the road too! It may be open through Opiki but the wind gusts don't seem to be as bad.

If you are turning off to follow SH57, the road you need to turn right into is Kimberley Road. It's north of Ohau, just past the Palmers Garden Centre (on your left).

[chef]

Hang on. Are you saying it's possible to get laid without getting married? I may have made a grave mistake!

yeah mate you have ha

[chef]

huh? its not like its an epic journey! Its like 130k! jump on ya bike. go!

ha its epic for me first long rider over 30mins

[cowboyz]

wasnt meant to be a dig. but seriously.. if you ride for 30mins then think of it as 3 rides.

ride for 30 mins.. stop.. have a latte.. ride for 30mins.. stop have a latte. ride for 30mins and your there.

Once you have got this method down to ride for under 40k at a time and perfect the latte ordering you might qualify to join the manawatu riders.

[CookMySock]

if anyone wants to join me on my epic adventure i will be leaving around 3pm pm me if you would like to join thanks.I'm coming from the opposite direction, but did you ok that with her first? :mobile:

Steve

[chef]

I'm coming from the opposite direction, but did you ok that with her first? :mobile:

Steve

if i think what your meaning. i ment join me in a rider to palmy lol...

[chef]

wasnt meant to be a dig. but seriously.. if you ride for 30mins then think of it as 3 rides.

ride for 30 mins.. stop.. have a latte.. ride for 30mins.. stop have a latte. ride for 30mins and your there.

Once you have got this method down to ride for under 40k at a time and perfect the latte ordering you might qualify to join the manawatu riders.

yeah sounds like a great idea.

[ynot slow]

I did a ride to Wellington for breast cancer last year around October,left from Palmy to Wellington return,piece of piss the return trip.Although we did highway 57 from the turn off and saw a cop(only one whole trip?)around Shannon,the speeders were lucky a van was holding them up and traffic coming towards them,otherwise one ticket easy.

[StoneY]

Go via SH1 not via SH2 if it's your first time at 100k on open road. It will still be a fun ride and you won't be pressured by fast traffic on narrow and winding roads.

Relax, enjoy the ride, and keep your eyes up.

WHAT narrow and winding roads?
Went through there yesterday , Levin to Palmy via Shannon--- maybe 11 bends left!

[StoneY]

yeah sounds like a great idea.

Better idea just ride- you'll love it!

[chef]

yup ill be off around 3pm if the weather is good

[CookMySock]

if i think what your meaning. i ment join me in a rider to palmy lol...Oh. Nah best you go on your own, mate. You dont want to be thinking about anyone else - not during your ride anyway. ;)

Steve

[zahria]

WHAT narrow and winding roads?
Went through there yesterday , Levin to Palmy via Shannon--- maybe 11 bends left!

Good call, another road ruined!!

[chef]

riding to palmy today leaving 2pm anyone keen to join along just txt me

0210663984 cheers

sam

[chef]

made it there WOOT such a good ride and alot of bikers around. i took the turn off past foxton seem to take me ahwile but was sweet

[Quasi]

made it there WOOT such a good ride and alot of bikers around. i took the turn off past foxton seem to take me ahwile but was sweet

Good on yah Chef - your first big Roadie. Well done. The start of many great adventures for you. :cool: