Hill crossing - all welcome (Sun 4 Oct)

[StoneY]

Ridge Runner are off again

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=2174&day=2009-10-4

Usual hill crossing this Sunday :2thumbsup

Meet at hayward 12- depart 12.30 sharp.
Please be fueled up already if possible-

Faster guys please break ahead at will, slower just chill ride your own pace
No heroes needed just a good fun ride

Headcounts at Top and Royal- as always - maturity expected (as always)
Bullshit and coffee at Toppys (also, as always)

Homebound route to be advised on day due to weather and other such factors
;)

Peace

[BMWST?]

Ridge Runner are off again

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=2174&day=2009-10-4

Usual hill crossing this Sunday :2thumbsup

Meet at hayward 12- depart 12.30 sharp.
Please be fueled up already if possible-

Faster guys please break ahead at will, slower just chill ride your own pace
No heroes needed just a good fun ride

Headcounts at Top and Royal- as always - maturity expected (as always)
Bullshit and coffee at Toppys (also, as always)

Homebound route to be advised on day due to weather and other such factors
;)

Peace

i thought the idea of the ridge runners social group was the posts etc are made there....You can suscribe i think.

[Maki]

is a good place to post the ride. That way anyone can see, whether or not they are in the group...

[Maki]

"Hill crossing - all welcome Sunday 02/10"

You meant Sunday 04/10, right?

[BMWST?]

is a good place to post the ride. That way anyone can see, whether or not they are in the group...

makes the social group redundant then

[StoneY]

makes the social group redundant then

Well, no i disagree, the group is till very new and not everyone knows of it yet
And yeah its the 4th lol im a muppet :D

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

Hope to make this one...Will have to see how my schedule pans out...

[chef]

brent you think i would handle the hill havent done it yet. is it very hard? only remember it going over when i was a child and vomiting at the top ha

[StoneY]

Dont vomit in ya skid lid youll be fine Sam :calm:

If you want ill stick the ride over the ridge with you so you know who is on ya tail mate- more than happy to

Secret is to simply treat it as any other road and apply normal riding policies- and ignore that HUGE drop on the left going over hehehe

And dont try to follow the faster guys- wait till
A: youve done the hill 4 or 5 times to learn the bends, rutts and bumps
B: Get a bigger bike with better tires
C: have more experience

Until then mate yep you CAN handle the hill just treat it with respect coz unlike SH1 there are very few escape routes on a two lane black top with a cliff either side
;)


And again if you come along im happy to go tail end charlie to make sure you have a trusted rider on ya 6
It can be daunting first few rides but once you've jumped that hill a few times its just another road that takes either more care or more gas pending skill level

[325rocket]

brent you think i would handle the hill havent done it yet. is it very hard? only remember it going over when i was a child and vomiting at the top ha

with out even seeing you ride i would say yes you will be fine. if you can ride up to palmy you can do the tukas. the rimutaka hill is a mental barrier for a lot of people and it shouldnt be. i remember the first time i rode over the hill (cheers buckbuck) and i was pretty stressed. you have to remember at normal road speed its just a road with more corners then most. it gets more interesting the faster you ride so just dont ride faster then your comfortable going. and dont stress about holding up traffic, theres passing lanes.

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

with out even seeing you ride i would say yes you will be fine. if you can ride up to palmy you can do the tukas. the rimutaka hill is a mental barrier for a lot of people and it shouldnt be. i remember the first time i rode over the hill (cheers buckbuck) and i was pretty stressed. you have to remember at normal road speed its just a road with more corners then most. it gets more interesting the faster you ride so just dont ride faster then your comfortable going. and dont stress about holding up traffic, theres passing lanes.

The key thing here is don't be stressed about slowing down traffic (especially other bikers!) Faster guys will always cruise past but you have to completely forget about them and ride your own pace. Biggest mistake is pushing your limits.....that's when it ends badly. If you don't push it and ride it comfortably you will be fine! Like Brent said, he will cruise your 6 and make sure you're ok.

[Bald Eagle]

The key thing here is don't be stressed about slowing down traffic (especially other bikers!) Faster guys will always cruise past but you have to completely forget about them and ride your own pace. Biggest mistake is pushing your limits.....that's when it ends badly. If you don't push it and ride it comfortably you will be fine! Like Brent said, he will cruise your 6 and make sure you're ok.

Excellent advise from both you and Brent. Nice to know we are all always looking out for each other.

[Quasi]

brent you think i would handle the hill havent done it yet. is it very hard? only remember it going over when i was a child and vomiting at the top ha

Hey Chef - Good advise from the guys here. Hell - I can remember when i first rode the hill (lol - it wasnt that long ago), I had been stressing out about riding it and in the end- I just jumped on my bike and did it, on my own. Took it real quiet, did it during the week when less traffic around, did it on my own so no pressure from anyone else. So what i suggest is that perhaps you go for a wee ride up there on your own. Or with Stoney or someone to keep you company. Go at a time when you know it will be reasonably quiet ie 2pm during the week and just ride it at your own pace, and dont ride out of your comfort zone. I still havent ridden it that many times but every time its easier. Good on ya mate. :2thumbsup. I still ride it like a nana, but everyone knows eventually I will turn up and they just wait.

[BuckBuck#1]

.... the rimutaka hill is a mental barrier for a lot of people and it shouldnt be. i remember the first time i rode over the hill (cheers buckbuck) and i was pretty stressed.


I had been stressing out about riding it and in the end- I just jumped on my bike and did it, on my own. Took it real quiet, did it during the week when less traffic around, did it on my own so no pressure from anyone else. So what i suggest is that perhaps you go for a wee ride up there on your own. Or with Stoney or someone to keep you company. Go at a time when you know it will be reasonably quiet ie 2pm during the week and just ride it at your own pace, and dont ride out of your comfort zone.

:2thumbsup....With some 65,000km up now since May 2006, and no further north than Hunterville on SH1 or south than Island Bay, my recreational riding regularly takes in the Rimutaka Hill and Wairarapa. I enjoy this ride several times a week and every time generally enjoy an excellent ride. There have been times I have abandoned the climb if it is too windy, misty, or drizzling. The CB900 Hornet has just clocked 42,000km in the last two years and it is an excellent road bike providing a good upright riding position for me, and so unlike some of the sports bike riders I tend to maintain a more conservative pace with cornering setup entry and exit. More often than not I ensure I have the correct gear selected on approach, looking through the corner to the shifting vanishing point and maintain a smooth steady on throttle. I rarely use my brakes, nor power off, nor coast on the winding bends - I am not racing but using throttle and gear control practically and wisely.


A key observation is:

Be mindful of your tyres if you have stopped at the summit for quite a while to have a chat - remember your tyres will lose heat and leaving the summit in either direction you will need good traction (those tyres may not perform as well immediately as they did when you arrived at the top) so take it easy.

Scanning not only at and through corners but being alert for any hazard: oil, deisel, rocks, and there are some bends where the larger trucks are extending out over the centre line so be mindful entering right sweepers and take a wide line until you can see beyond the apex and toward next vanishing point.

Cheers 325Rocket, I can still remember wiping the excess chain lube off your back tyre....look forward to catching up this spring/summer.

Quasi, read your comments with interest. I recall my first few times riding the hill with my late Mentor, looking back now I don't know what made me more nervous, the hill or the fact my Mentor was with me...just kidding. It is good to get some feedback from a fellow rider/mentor, and in time I encourage riders to attend an Advanced Rider Refresher course.

Both the Rimutaka Hill and Paekakariki Hill roads, as well as around the inlet, in this region, require vigilance. For all riders taking on the challenge of these hills treat them with respect and choose the quieter times of day as Quasi has mentioned if you are riding the hills the first time.

I usually get out earlier on a Sunday with my brother-in-law and back home by midday however, I look forward to catching up with you all on an occasional Sunday lunchtime ride from the Haywards to Martinborough.

[chef]

cant make it sorry guys. only chance i get to see the misus for a couple of weeks im sure ya understand ha

[Hawkeye]

Heard on the radio today that there may be the possibility of snow on the Takas on Sunday. The forecast isn't looking good.:angry2:

[BuckBuck#1]

Last year the road was not opened until 11.45am, it was a very slow and cautious ride behind the Fulton Hogan contractors to the summit.

[StoneY]

Last year the road was not opened until 11.45am, it was a very slow and cautious ride behind the Fulton Hogan contractors to the summit.

At least there was a Cafe back then :pinch:

[StoneY]

cant make it sorry guys. only chance i get to see the misus for a couple of weeks im sure ya understand ha

Awww, oh well at least I can hoon as fast as I can through the snow and ice now
:)
(which wont be that fast at all LOL)

[325rocket]

looks like rain ...

[Hawkeye]

Been up on the hill and over to the Rapa today. Blustery as hell especially on the way back. It's expected to be more of the same including the wet stuff tomorrow.

[junkmanjoe]

At least there was a Cafe back then :pinch:

i can come up tomorrow and open the smoko room if you like....make ya a cupper....

to the chap riding the tukas first time. watch the double yellow lines, remember not to drift to wide on tight corners. be prepared for wind at any time, if theres cars up ya jackside, mate just move over where ya can safely and let them go past.
you be fine..

JMJ

[Maki]

i can come up tomorrow and open the smoko room if you like....make ya a cupper....

to the chap riding the tukas first time. watch the double yellow lines, remember not to drift to wide on tight corners. be prepared for wind at any time, if theres cars up ya jackside, mate just move over where ya can safely and let them go past.
you be fine..

JMJ

There are cars there that go faster than bikes??? Been there a few times but never saw one...

[BMWST?]

if tomorow (the 4th) is anything like to day the biggest problem will be the WIND

[BMWST?]

There are cars there that go faster than bikes??? Been there a few times but never saw one...

there are car drivers who like the hill as much as we do....but they generally cant pass,unless they have a pretty powerful car and know the hill backwards....they will come from a few corners back

[Maki]

Have a nice ride tomorrow, if any decide to go. I will give this is a pass since the weather looks crap.

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

Just now checked the metservice...says "few showers clearing, cold southeast developing" ...if it's dry, i'll be there. I can handle wind, I can handle cold, I can handle rain....but there's no fun to be had in riding in all three!!!

[_STAIN_]

that's the spirit, if it's only wind I may show



Just now checked the metservice...says "few showers clearing, cold southeast developing" ...if it's dry, i'll be there. I can handle wind, I can handle cold, I can handle rain....but there's no fun to be had in riding in all three!!!

[Quasi]

Just now checked the metservice...says "few showers clearing, cold southeast developing" ...if it's dry, i'll be there. I can handle wind, I can handle cold, I can handle rain....but there's no fun to be had in riding in all three!!!

Harden Up Krazy:2guns: Actually - its very grey here BUT no wind, no rain, just freakin cold! We had a nice ride on the hill yesterday so may forgo todays ride. Text if you come to Marty and will meet for coffee, or call round home and help me split firewood!!!

[StoneY]

There are cars there that go faster than bikes??? Been there a few times but never saw one...

I see em all the time but in all fairness theyre the TOP end of the cager technology with ex (or current) bikers at the wheel (imo)


if tomorow (the 4th) is anything like to day the biggest problem will be the WIND


Have a nice ride tomorrow, if any decide to go. I will give this is a pass since the weather looks crap.


Just now checked the metservice...says "few showers clearing, cold southeast developing" ...if it's dry, i'll be there. I can handle wind, I can handle cold, I can handle rain....but there's no fun to be had in riding in all three!!!

HTFU the lotta ya its calm, passing showers, who believes the fuckin weatherman anyway?

I'm on, if I survives yesterday I will survive today its a lot less windy at the mo and the wets passing showers far from a deluge
And cold? Bah humbug

[StoneY]

Ok last report

Rain Radar shows heaviest north of hill and moving on so

NO wind atm-
Is a little chilly- turn ya oxfords on you lot

At Haywards as planned and please already be fueled

THE CONDITIONS ARE FAR FROM PEFRFECT!!

PLEASE RIDE WITH DUE CARE and check your tires before leaving

and see you all there:soon:

[James Deuce]

Nice to see some people aren't totally precious about the weather.

[sinfull]

Just now checked the metservice...says "few showers clearing, cold southeast developing" ...if it's dry, i'll be there. I can handle wind, I can handle cold, I can handle rain....but there's no fun to be had in riding in all three!!! I see three Out my window Lol !!


I see em all the time but in all fairness theyre the TOP end of the cager technology with ex (or current) bikers at the wheel (imo)







HTFU the lotta ya its calm, passing showers, who believes the fuckin weatherman anyway?

I'm on, if I survives yesterday I will survive today its a lot less windy at the mo and the wets passing showers far from a deluge
And cold? Bah humbug Your a harder man than i'd ever be Stoney haha why the hell you'd want go forn an enjoyable jaunt up and over the hill on a wet miserable windy day like this i'll never know !
Blowing a howling cold southerly here, chuck some rain in the mix and whey hey hey, sounds like a pleasant day !

[Zuki lover]

One would assume it would be a tad bit wet for this ride today?? Not to mention the cold. I hear there is more snow forecast for this week:cold:

[KrazyGixxerBoy]

Sorry Stoney, maybe I need to HTFU but suzies stayin in the shed today! Take it easy out there mate....I'm gonna cuddle up with my blankie now....

[Quasi]

Sorry Stoney, maybe I need to HTFU but suzies stayin in the shed today! Take it easy out there mate....I'm gonna cuddle up with my blankie now....

So AJ and I had a gentle stroll into the Martybro (on foot), enjoyed a nice coffee, strolled back to the humble abode, now I'm about to watch my pit bitch play with my bike, then conk out in front of the fire:woohoo: Welcome to come and warm up at mine if the hot scenery at hooters doesnt heat you up:Oops:

Enjoy the ride, riders:scooter:

[Zuki lover]

Sounds like a nice wee trundle you had with coffee to follow :cold: :woohoo:

[steelestring]

I am about to head over the hill... i have no wet weathers... i came over friday in that crazy wind! dam character building! :yes:

[sinfull]

So AJ and I had a gentle stroll into the Martybro (on foot), enjoyed a nice coffee, strolled back to the humble abode, now I'm about to watch my pit bitch play with my bike, then conk out in front of the fire:woohoo: Welcome to come and warm up at mine if the hot scenery at hooters doesnt heat you up:Oops:

Enjoy the ride, riders:scooter:

Speaking of bitches, i heard he backed out of coming to party in the manawatu once he knew i was gonna be there !!

[Quasi]

Speaking of bitches, i heard he backed out of coming to party in the manawatu once he knew i was gonna be there !!

Yeah - the thought of all that flying hair (and of all those other riders with bikes that actually GO:scooter:) just scared him off:shit:

[sinfull]

Guess thats what being a Beull owner is all about huh

[StoneY]

Been, saw, rode over (alone) saw no bikes outside hooters so took my numb fingers bcak round square and came back home to thegas fire and a hot soak in the bath

Wasnt so bad, had rain for maybe 30% of outward ride and been dry the rest of it

Tubs full, im off

[BMWST?]

Been, saw, rode over (alone) saw no bikes outside hooters so took my numb fingers bcak round square and came back home to thegas fire and a hot soak in the bath

Wasnt so bad, had rain for maybe 30% of outward ride and been dry the rest of it

Tubs full, im off

good keen man that StoneY,why didnt ya get the tag while you ere out?:lol:

[ajturbo]

Guess thats what being a Beull owner is all about huh
yeah.. i had heard that you were going to be there.. i had even packed my gloves (you know what i'm talking about...lol)

but i cannot go more than 30min before the engin warning light goes on... but it is off to welly M/C on tuesday for a check and a wof... once it sorted........look out (knowing my luck it will be sorted and i will have the 1125CR at my place...lol)

[ajturbo]

Been, saw, rode over (alone) saw no bikes outside hooters so took my numb fingers bcak round square and came back home to thegas fire and a hot soak in the bath

Wasnt so bad, had rain for maybe 30% of outward ride and been dry the rest of it

Tubs full, im off
why you not pop in for a warm cup of coffee?... i know where the jug is now..

[StoneY]

why you not pop in for a warm cup of coffee?... i know where the jug is now..

Had tight schedule to be home for mrs stoney bro- knew if I came to Q's I wouldnt get home ontime :lol:

[caseye]

Ha ha that bald spot is growing boyo! On ya mate, doens't hurt to show em we care on occassion.

[Hawkeye]

Put the leathers on, opened the garage, pulled the bike out, started raining, put bike back in garage, took leathers off again!

wait 10 mins!

Put cordura on, opened the garage, pulled the bike out, close garage, jumped on bike, rode to garage to fill up. Went in to pay, came out, now pissing down, rode bike back home, put bike in garage, said F%^k it

[Cloggy]

Woke up this morning, heard the rain on the roof.
Turned over and went back to sleep.

[Quasi]

Woke up this morning, heard the rain on the roof.
Turned over and went back to sleep.


Put the leathers on, opened the garage, pulled the bike out, started raining, put bike back in garage, took leathers off again!

wait 10 mins!

Put cordura on, opened the garage, pulled the bike out, close garage, jumped on bike, rode to garage to fill up. Went in to pay, came out, now pissing down, rode bike back home, put bike in garage, said F%^k it

hahahahahaha

[steelestring]

Was a good ride other than back of parkvale, gladstone, then martinborough was ok... then featherston straits were shit and part of the hill, the rest was just hailing on the motorway on the way back into the city..... i reckon by next week friday my leathers will be dry! Much better than friday nights wind and rain...... i hate the wind:lol::2thumbsup

[chef]

hope you guys ride was sweet. mines was crap had to stop at otaki to buy a pair of woolly gloves my hands got frost bite (almost) and it rained like a mofo almost died on s 57 getting blowin in both directions suddely from gusts of wind, saw a car get rear ended coming southbound. my gear is ment to be water proof (yeah right) i got owned today overal. did it all for a girl...it was worth it when i arrived here haha

[StoneY]

hope you guys ride was sweet. mines was crap had to stop at otaki to buy a pair of woolly gloves my hands got frost bite (almost) and it rained like a mofo almost died on s 57 getting blowin in both directions suddely from gusts of wind, saw a car get rear ended coming southbound. my gear is ment to be water proof (yeah right) i got owned today overal. did it all for a girl...it was worth it when i arrived here haha

Theres a good post here somewhere about high wind techiques CheffY mate

Knee out on windward side, loose elbows (do NOT hold TIGHT despite ya brain screaming HANG ON TIGHT just lax that grip man trust me) and I was told on Saturday pressure down on opposing footpeg (it works too me and Hawkeye did a windy run on Saturday I used ALL these methods LOL)

Wet is just wet but cold hands is horrid
Get some liners like my ones from bike shop, Polypro Inners
:)

Oxfords on my wish list after yesterday- went to the square and decided thawing out would lead to more pain than just continuing LOL

So carried on past Toppys and headed home to the gas fire

[Bald Eagle]

Theres a good post here somewhere about high wind techiques CheffY mate

Knee out on windward side, loose elbows (do NOT hold TIGHT despite ya brain screaming HANG ON TIGHT just lax that grip man trust me) and I was told on Saturday pressure down on opposing footpeg (it works too me and Hawkeye did a windy run on Saturday I used ALL these methods LOL)

Wet is just wet but cold hands is horrid
Get some liners like my ones from bike shop, Polypro Inners
:)

Oxfords on my wish list after yesterday- went to the square and decided thawing out would lead to more pain than just continuing LOL

So carried on past Toppys and headed home to the gas fire

Had to use some of those windy techniques on the way in from Coast this morning gusting all over the coast road ..they work loosen the grip OK but at least it wasn't wet.

[BMWST?]

keep speed up to a point as well...and keep the drive on as much as possible ie less coasting

[Maki]

Tomorrow looks good. Any going for a ride?

[StoneY]

Went today, did the Galdstone circuit, had lunch at Toppys, rode home around 4

Could be tempted but missus might get upset

[Quasi]

Tomorrow looks good. Any going for a ride?

I will be but prob not ready til later mid to late arvo.

[Cloggy]

Keen as always.
Got some new rubber on the 675 yesterday. Handles like a dream again so very keen to go for a ride.
But I think the missus also wants us to go for a walk today so I'll need to see how that pans out.
There is always tomorrow of course.

[Quasi]

Keen as always.
Got some new rubber on the 675 yesterday. Handles like a dream again so very keen to go for a ride.
But I think the missus also wants us to go for a walk today so I'll need to see how that pans out.
There is always tomorrow of course.

Cloggy! - walk! what the heck is that. Why walk when you can ride???

[Hawkeye]

I'm about to take the mutt for a walk then it will be leathers on and out for a blast over the hill.

[roogazza]

I'm about to take the mutt for a walk then it will be leathers on and out for a blast over the hill.

Its no longer a blast, but rather a painful crawl in poxy traffic.
IT'S FUCKED !!!!!!! (for good I'm betting ?). Gaz.

[Maki]

Its no longer a blast, but rather a painful crawl in poxy traffic.
IT'S FUCKED !!!!!!! (for good I'm betting ?). Gaz.

Speak for yerself. Just pick the right time for it and enjoy.

Can't make it today after all. Family time will have to take precedence.

[Hawkeye]

Its no longer a blast, but rather a painful crawl in poxy traffic.
IT'S FUCKED !!!!!!! (for good I'm betting ?). Gaz.

Yeah! But once you get over, there are plenty of nice twisties that are a lot quieter. However, there was one cop (female) who was patrolling the straights between Featherston and Martinborough yesterday. Past her a couple of times.

[StoneY]

Its no longer a blast, but rather a painful crawl in poxy traffic.
IT'S FUCKED !!!!!!! (for good I'm betting ?). Gaz.

The only people its 'FUCKED' for are the morons that 'wanna get a knee down'

Join VMCC and go RACE elsewhere its a public fuckin highway

I can still get over there as fast as needed with NO cars in my face, still 20+ overtakes available at my leisurely pace

All this screaming the hill is fucked....grow up its a fucking public road

[StoneY]

Yeah! But once you get over, there are plenty of nice twisties that are a lot quieter. However, there was one cop (female) that was patrolling the straights between Featherston and Martinborough yesterday. Past her a couple of times.

I did see you heading over then, you had a pillion yeah?

Me and Byron (the ZX9R guy) were coming back

[Hawkeye]

I did see you heading over then, you had a pillion yeah?


Work colleague who had never been on a bike. We were talking about it in work last week so I offered to do a pillion over to Martinborough for coffee.
Very sedate ride with a first time pillion and the weather played it's part.

[StoneY]

Work colleague who had never been on a bike. We were talking about it in work last week so I offered to do a pillion over to Martinborough for coffee.
Very sedate ride with a first time pillion and the weather played it's part.

Public edumacation mate well done!

[StoneY]

Folks, me n HE are gonna do the Toppys thing

1030 at Haywards, might wait 15 for last minuters

[James Deuce]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998647/Car-plummets-200m-down-cliff

[Laxi]

The only people its 'FUCKED' for are the morons that 'wanna get a knee down'

Join VMCC and go RACE elsewhere its a public fuckin highway

I can still get over there as fast as needed with NO cars in my face, still 20+ overtakes available at my leisurely pace

All this screaming the hill is fucked....grow up its a fucking public road
+1, well said too stoneY

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998647/Car-plummets-200m-down-cliff

dosn't sound too good does it:no:

[Cloggy]

Rimutaka Hill Rd Closed.

Bit of a bummer at first but then it made for a most excellent detour up SH1, across the Pahiatua Track and back down SH2 and over the hill.

The accident site is one of the corners which will be removed I think when the road has been realigned.

I am just glad the incident didn't involve any motorcycles, wouldn't have done our image any good over the next couple of weeks.

[Hawkeye]

Bit of a bummer at first but then it made for a most excellent detour up SH1, across the Pahiatua Track and back down SH2 and over the hill.



Yeah! Great day out. Got delayed at the top as you and Stoney shot off from the top while I was still putting my gloves on. An 18 wheeler came up from the Featherston side with about 25 cages behind. But there was a cage came up from the Hutt side just at the wrong time and stopped me getting in front of the 18 wheeler, so just turned the engine off again and gave it 5mins to clear before setting off again.

[roogazza]

The only people its 'FUCKED' for are the morons that 'wanna get a knee down'

Join VMCC and go RACE elsewhere its a public fuckin highway

I can still get over there as fast as needed with NO cars in my face, still 20+ overtakes available at my leisurely pace

All this screaming the hill is fucked....grow up its a fucking public road

I can see you just don't get it ? I'm too old and tired to explain. G.