Auckland women interested in buckets?

[Dutchee]

Can we have a show of hands of those interested in riding/racing buckets, but too intimidated by the guys and full-on racing (and practice).
If you know of any women who fit the bill, but don't come here, let me know.

Via email or PM would be best. I just need the names and a phone number (plus email where appropriate).

If I can get enough names, I'll organise with J.C. that we get a day for training with Avalon and/or a couple of good riders who are prepared to help us out.

As this will not clash with the guys' racing/practising, there is not the need for your own bike (yet) - use your partner's.

You will need to know how to ride a bike, have your own safety gear (preferably leather, but initially cordura may be okay - I'll need to check on that, but it will need to be zipped together). Back protectors are one thing I will need to get back to you on, but for the moment, I'm just wanting names. and contact details

I know there are a few others looking at getting into buckets, so hands up.

Also, would be interested to know of any woman interested in getting into buckets, but not (yet) able to ride.
Cheers, Michelle

[Quasi]

WooHoo Michelle - that day on the tack at Manfield really sucked you in aye??

I thinking about doing Karels May course as I had such a blast and learnt so much. it was rather addictive but my riding skills have improved immensely. If i was up your way - i would definitely be joining you in the buckets.

[Dutchee]

This has actually been a long time coming, but . . .
I got my bucket a couple of weeks before Manfeild, and rode it 4x round Kaitoke. I rode in practice yesterday, but didn't feel comfortable riding my ride, so would like to be out on the track with a few others. B grade is still intimidating. There were other newbies yesterday, but every single one of them lapped me at least once (which didn't bother me at all, I just got sick of not wanting to get in the way, so not relaxing enough). When there weren't many others out there, I had fun, or if there were groups and parts I could just ride and relax.

I also had at least one guy comment to me that his mrs was too intimidated by the guys to even give it a go. We're lucky up here that the organiser is keen to get more women out there, he just wants someone to organise it. He was stunned when I said there were 42 of us at Manfeild. The thing about Manfeild and other full-size tracks, is it's not as intense, but when you've got guys running low .30's on a track (yes, that is half a minute), it can easily be intimidating.

I also have a dirt race that I won't miss if I can help it. It's going to be in its third year this year, and it's huge fun. When a group of us used to organise trail rides, we did organise one women only trailride, which was fun, but we were pretty burnt out by then, and didn't bother again. To have the Dead Tadpole is something I'd like to continue, and by turning up there each year in support, I hope it'll continue.

I'm also sick of henk going out once a month to race buckets, and me not being into it at all, so think it's time that I try to understand the whole thing ;)

As to Karel's course, I'd love to do another one later in the year. I'll also try to get some others to head down for it (my fault this time that I was on my own), but I did have a fantastic time.

[Buckets4Me]

I'm also sick of henk going out once a month to race buckets, and me not being into it at all, so think it's time that I try to understand the whole thing ;)

.

ask to go out after the racing like the young men on sunday :)
you get to practice and nobody els on the track (or maby only one or 2 and no overtaking or racing allowed)

there are plenty of bikes lying around that the ladies would be welcome to borrow (as long as they washed them after :) lol. maby not)

[Dutchee]

I did contemplate going out today (both for practice in the morning and at the end of the day), but at the end of the day, my bike had been loaded into the van already, and I was still sore from riding there yesterday, with A and B graders (I was the moving chicane).

I'm not concerned about how much I ride, what I'm wanting is to get some of us women who are sick of sitting on the sidelines, motivated to get out there mixing it up (when we're ready).

If we can get some of us taking some track time, learning some lines, not worrying about being carved up by the guys and generally getting our confidence up, before moving into mixed practice, then that is a good thing.

There are women who are happy to ride and race with the guys, good on them (sincerely), but there are others who are interested, but are too intimidated to get out there (I'm borderline).

We will have/will find plenty of time when we can get on the track, but it will also be good to get on the track with more than 1 person.

[Trudes]

Good on you Dutchee, run with this, it's a great idea, and I for one would love for more chicks to get into buckets.
We had our first points races for the year down here today, and as often happens I was the only chick riding. Thankfully we got split into A and B grades so I wasn't getting lapped constantly by the super fast guys (And you'll be pleased to know that I got a bit of a rocket up my arse today and only got lapped by 2 people in the points races (one of which was my hubby) and not at all in the last fun race, so woohoo for me! ;))
So come on ladies, if you want to give it a go, get hold of Dutchee and get out there and do it, it's bloody addictive, and you learn HEAPS!!!

[Dutchee]

Wicked result. Fantastic. You go girl. Damn, there goes my partner for the two hour hehehe
Next month, there will be two of us riding up here (at practice anyway), so even if no other women join us, we will be commandeering the track at some stages over the weekend. I will talk to someone else, and get his friend to come along, so if she can make it, then we'll be three. JC has a couple of others that would be keen, and I've made a list of a few others who are possibles.
Seriously, I think this will be the way to get other women involved.
Seeing you (Trudes) and Str8jacket is an incentive and something to aspire to (well, Str8jacket is beyond my ability/aspirations) and I was thinking as I was riding around yesterday, you would be slapping me, as I just wasn't strong enough to ride my ride and was gaining nothing from riding around in circles. hehehe

[speedpro]

John is always keen to let anyone have track time. If the person(s) need time on their own I don't think anyone is going to get upset. We all want to see as many people, even girls, riding as possible, as long as they aren't on 4-strokes.

They used to have a "ladies" race at the Ohakea GP years ago.

[Dutchee]

I don't think anyone will be upset either. But I think it would be seriously cool if at the next meet, we could have 3 or 4 of us having some time on the track some time during the Saturday (hey, Sunday we could go out as well).

I'm working towards having a list of people to call up for a training day June or July, where we make it worthwhile for someone to spend time with us, showing us lines, giving us confidence to look towards joining the b grade in the (near) future.

When I started dirt riding, I was the only female I knew out riding. I met up with someone not too long afterwards and found my first riding buddy. That was a huge thing for me. I met up with others after that, and still have good friends to go riding with (road & dirt). I also know that we got other women into riding, as they saw us getting dirty and having a huge time. Now I go to trailrides and don't know all the women riding. That is really good.

With buckets, I've seen some women riding in the past and wonder why they've stopped, or if they've just moved on. There are 4 regular women riders that I know of in buckets - Trudes, Str8jacket, Andi and Ellen. None regularly in Auckland at the moment. Shona and I will be regulars soon enough, but there could be more who are keen, but just not sure about it (hehe, neither of us are sure either, but we plan to have fun together). I know Avalon is busy with other things, and she's one we can admire, but it's not necessarily where we want to be heading.

I will be back next month, and hope I'll have a better feel for the track in the other direction (yeah, I know which corner I'll hate more that way).

[Buckets4Me]

With buckets, I've seen some women riding in the past and wonder why they've stopped, or if they've just moved on.

I know Avalon is busy with other things, and she's one we can admire, but it's not necessarily where we want to be heading.

I will be back next month, and hope I'll have a better feel for the track in the other direction (yeah, I know which corner I'll hate more that way).

same with the guys there are riders that come and go
I know of 2 that for reasons of child or injury (getting a big fright) have stoped. Both were good riders


I know of a lot of guys that have come and gone in my time aswell (none because they where pregnant)

keep it up and get them all over. I'll put my bike up for one or two to try out on if they want (first I need to get it back together. Hope to have it done by ndext meating)

ps if they want a slower race less people tell them to get an rg50 or f5 bike together cb100 single or something like that there where only 4 on the track on sunday 6-9 on a good day so not to many to get in the way of

[Dutchee]

For those wondering when this will happen, it's going to be up to you to put your names forward first so that I've got some people to phone/email to confirm dates.

I was thinking June/July for organising the training day, but what I'd like is that we have had a feel for the track and bucketing by that stage, so it may be later in the year. It will also be weather and trainer dependent.

There will be at least two of us there May 15/16, so if interested, come along.

The 50 race was definitely more my scene, numbers wise ;)

[Squiggles]

I better clean the rx carb out then...

[Dutchee]

I better clean the rx carb out then...

Yep, but check to see which month she's keen on coming out ;)
If you do need a hand with anything, sing out and someone will be able to help (I'm relying on the guys all being brilliant at helping each other out here).

[Dutchee]

Just a reminder, next weekend (15/16 May) is hopefully the first weekend we get started. Weather dependent (hey, I might melt, I heard witches do in the rain), we'll have a few of us riding around.
My bike should look sufficiently girly, leathers aren't, but I'll get others eventually, helmet is undecided at the moment. I've seen the one I want, but none in the country, (2nd choice), 1st choice is my new MotoGP hero - Pol Espargaro (only cause he has the right colour helmet, my #44). So tossing up between #3 choice (girly but not the right helmet) and #4 (Michel Fabrizio - name fits, colour works okay with the bike).
Ah well, it's kept my brain working (sort of) for a while, finishing touches to be done on the bike tomorrow.

[MadDuck]

Damn only just saw this. I would be keen as mustard. But dont have a bucket.

[TZ350]

Damn only just saw this. I would be keen as mustard. But dont have a bucket.

We can find you an old 2-stroke rattler (race shift).....but you will need good riding gear....PM me if your interested.

[Henk]

Or if you can live with a race pattern shift you can take mine out for session or two.

[Buckets4Me]

My bike should look sufficiently girly, leathers aren't, but I'll get others eventually, helmet is undecided at the moment. I've seen the one I want, but none in the country, (2nd choice), 1st choice is my new MotoGP hero - Pol Espargaro (only cause he has the right colour helmet, my #44). So tossing up between #3 choice (girly but not the right helmet) and #4 (Michel Fabrizio - name fits, colour works okay with the bike).
Ah well, it's kept my brain working (sort of) for a while, finishing touches to be done on the bike tomorrow.

this is why us GUYs dont like girls riding (dose my bum look big in these leathers, dose this helmit match my nails, where did I put the lipstick and where do you get pink gloves from)
:) see you there my bike should be back together and there if somone wants to try it out

[Henk]

where did I put the lipstick

I'll get some and keep it in the van for you as a spare if you like. What shade do you prefer?

[timg]

We need this in Canterbury! I'm tired of being whupped by the girls :lol:

[MsKABC]

Damn only just saw this. I would be keen as mustard. But dont have a bucket.

Ducky, I have a bucket sitting in MBB's garage feeling dusty and unloved. It needs a little bit of work, but nothing major and it runs well. Tyres are pretty good. Give me a yell if you're keen!

Good luck to any of you ladies who are getting into this sport - it's great fun and a fantastic way to improve your riding skills. I'd love to do it myself, but there are only so many hours in a day and they're stretched pretty thin when you work full time and you've got a toddler, a partner, dogs and a motorcycle.

[Dutchee]

this is why us GUYs dont like girls riding (dose my bum look big in these leathers, dose this helmit match my nails, where did I put the lipstick and where do you get pink gloves from)
:) see you there my bike should be back together and there if somone wants to try it out

Well, I don't need to worry about the helmet matching my nails - I ain't got none of them. I don't wear lipstick (but do wear chapstick when I'm on the bike, only cause I've got a tube of the stuff in my pocket), and WHERE do you get pink gloves from?
Naturally, I want pink gloves with carbon fibre knuckles, with long cuffs (as to preferring short cuffs for commuting).
I just hope I'm not expected to show my bruises when I come off (unlike some who take pleasure in showing off their arse hahaha).

MsKABC, easy answer, leave the toddler with the partner, bring the bike and dogs. I do know the feeling about time, and was discussing that with a friend earlier this week, wondering how things used to get done. Our priority is having fun and end up not doing enough boring stuff. Thankfully we don't have kids we need to fit into the equation, the two of us are big enough kids already. :)

[Buckets4Me]

easy answer, leave the toddler with the partner, bring the bike and dogs.

bring the toddler (he she can play with mine) and leave the dogs (you could get into a bit of bother)

see you there

[MadDuck]

Ducky, I have a bucket sitting in MBB's garage feeling dusty and unloved. It needs a little bit of work, but nothing major and it runs well. Tyres are pretty good. Give me a yell if you're keen!

You know I may just be keen. Havent played around with a bike in ages.....

[MadDuck]

We can find you an old 2-stroke rattler (race shift).....but you will need good riding gear....PM me if your interested.


Or if you can live with a race pattern shift you can take mine out for session or two.

Thank you both so much! I have decent gear and been on the track once or twice be it ever so slowly....

[Buckets4Me]

Thank you both so much! I have decent gear and been on the track once or twice be it ever so slowly....

see you sunday then

[MsKABC]

You are welcome to pick the bike up between now and next weekend and have tinker and then take it on the track to see if you like it. :) You've got my number Duck ;)

[SHELRACING]

Hi,well its Granma here.
For those of you who dont know me i ride buckets both in F5 and B grade in Auckland. Last time I was there I raced my TZ50 came in and straight onto the B Grade bike and out to ride again.
I started riding a few years ago. I was way too scared to go on the track with anyone at all on it.
JC use to let me go on at the end of the day on Sundays, then on Saturdays he would close the track for me and let me have a go. This happened for a few months before I was brave enough to go on with young Nathaniel Diprose.
I gradually progressed to be brave enough to have a go at B grade and my first ever race was the 2 hour. Man was that hard but so much fun.
I would love to have other lady riders to race against at the meetings. Trudes has improved heaps with the new bike and wish I could make it to Welly to race against her.
The best advice given to me (by the top two riders in Auckland) was to stay on the riding lines I was shown to begin with. That was the lines they had shown me too. Do not try to get out of the way, they have already decided before they get to you which way they are going to go. They watch how and where you ride on the track and so if you change your lines you could cause a big crasheeee.
Today I have to admit I feel a lot safer riding with the top riders than with some of the B graders, especially the new riders who are not so good at passing.
I have ridden the buckets at taupo at xmas and it was a blast. I have also ridden my GSX Impulse 400 at trackdays at taupo.
I cant wait for xmas this year, buckets and pre89, whooo hoo! I am not sure as yet if we will make it too the May meeting. June meeting is out as it's my daughters wedding. I told her she picked the wrong date and i would have to seriously consider if i was willing to give up a days racing.LOL Just as well she has a good sense of humour.

[MadDuck]

Supposed to be thunder storms tomorrow. Will this still go ahead?

[MadDuck]

You are welcome to pick the bike up between now and next weekend and have tinker and then take it on the track to see if you like it. :) You've got my number Duck ;)

Sorry MsK got stuck with work. Thanks so much for the offer. Hold that thought.

[Pumba]

Supposed to be thunder storms tomorrow. Will this still go ahead?

Was ment to be thunderstorms today as well:sunny:

[Henk]

Riding in electrical storms is great fun, especially dirt bikes in pine forests.

[MsKABC]

No worries love, I know how life gets :)

[Dutchee]

Hey you, how's it going? Wow, the 2 hour for first race, that is cool in itself :)
July, I think, is the beginning of the 10/11 season, so would be great to have you up here. It took me a looooooooooooong time to get my "own" bucket, but finally done it (I was privileged to have a go on the Banana years ago). (the agreement is I do share my toy with a very good friend if he is allowed to come out & play and if I get cuddles from his daughter out of it, I win lol).
Today I found that practice was a hell of a lot more fun, holding "my line", and ignoring the guys behind me. Last month, I rode off what "my line" should've been and had no real fun. It also helped that it was quiet. You, and a couple of other women who aren't riding at the moment, have managed to finally motivate me to get on a bike, and I'll have to see how it all goes.
Squiggles' partner impressed the hell out of me today, as she rode in the rain (I watched), and for those that were at the 2-hour last year, think of the start of the race - or even just before the race, and remember it was the first time out (I guess we hadn't told her horror stories lol).
I still think we can have fun with this :) (hell, I'm just feeling ripped off by the weather, especially as it was fine heading home) lol


Hi,well its Granma here.
For those of you who dont know me i ride buckets both in F5 and B grade in Auckland. Last time I was there I raced my TZ50 came in and straight onto the B Grade bike and out to ride again.
I started riding a few years ago. I was way too scared to go on the track with anyone at all on it.
JC use to let me go on at the end of the day on Sundays, then on Saturdays he would close the track for me and let me have a go. This happened for a few months before I was brave enough to go on with young Nathaniel Diprose.
I gradually progressed to be brave enough to have a go at B grade and my first ever race was the 2 hour. Man was that hard but so much fun.
I would love to have other lady riders to race against at the meetings. Trudes has improved heaps with the new bike and wish I could make it to Welly to race against her.
The best advice given to me (by the top two riders in Auckland) was to stay on the riding lines I was shown to begin with. That was the lines they had shown me too. Do not try to get out of the way, they have already decided before they get to you which way they are going to go. They watch how and where you ride on the track and so if you change your lines you could cause a big crasheeee.
Today I have to admit I feel a lot safer riding with the top riders than with some of the B graders, especially the new riders who are not so good at passing.
I have ridden the buckets at taupo at xmas and it was a blast. I have also ridden my GSX Impulse 400 at trackdays at taupo.
I cant wait for xmas this year, buckets and pre89, whooo hoo! I am not sure as yet if we will make it too the May meeting. June meeting is out as it's my daughters wedding. I told her she picked the wrong date and i would have to seriously consider if i was willing to give up a days racing.LOL Just as well she has a good sense of humour.

[SHELRACING]

Well i can remember a day pouring so hard with rain that the track was a mass of pools. JC walked over to us, (Tim, Chris, Steve and me) hiding under the gazebo and told us to harden up, get your gear on and get on the track or else.
So we did and I think 'Buckets4me' has a couple of picks of TZ350 (Rob) riding through the pools of water with a big fat wake coming out the side of the bike. Great fun to watch.
JC 's rules are very clear, you ride unless he says NO.
Best rule for riding in the rain is, slow down, use a smooth throttle action coming out of the corners and you will stay on.
That is unless you are like me and someone comes off in front of you and you have no option but to drop the bike or run him over.
Hence I broke my broken collar bone for the second time. Didn't hurt as much second time round.
Still I do wish we were coming up though, rain or shine.

[TZ350]

Speed boats..........

[Buckets4Me]

Hence I broke my broken collar bone for the second time. Didn't hurt as much second time round.
Still I do wish we were coming up though, rain or shine.

snap

didn't know you where hurt again :(

the only time I remember JC stoping the racing was when it was covered in ice (hail a foot deep)
then he only stoped for lunch :)

[SHELRACING]

Yes I remember that day. I was sitting, oops, hiding in the scrutineering shed and the hail was coming in through the roof.
I seem to remember JC telling us to get out there and sweep it off the track too, after it had stopped, whilst he had lunch. LOL
We had a good hail storm here like that, just a few days ago.
I did my collarbone again, the same day that Rob did his.

[Dutchee]

You are being missed Shelracing - I commented to Henk we hadn't seen you for a couple of months (not since Mr Shelracing's big off). We actually sat down with a map & tried to work out whether Roy's Hill was closer for you or not (our conclusion was pretty much the same sort of distance/time).

[SHELRACING]

Yeah Roy's Hill is about the same distance and time. There is a short cut, but because it's not sealed yet, it doesn'tt cut out any time at all. They are in the process of sealing it now.
I'm trying really hard to get my daughter to move the wedding so we can come up for June. :shifty:

[Buckets4Me]

Yeah Roy's Hill is about the same distance and time. There is a short cut, but because it's not sealed yet, it doesn'tt cut out any time at all. They are in the process of sealing it now.
I'm trying really hard to get my daughter to move the wedding so we can come up for June. :shifty:

good luck with that :)