View Full Version : Good practice spots near Wellington?
aimee
16th October 2012, 14:35
Hi all
So, coming along nicely with the wee bike :)
I was wondering, though - can anyone suggest really good spots for getting some practice? Preferably something that's on a road somewhere, so I can practise getting up to over 20km/hr, without having to do donuts (the problem with parking lots), but has buggerall traffic.
Thoughts welcome.
Also, if you DO know of any ginormous empty parking lot spaces, do sing out! Ideally, close to Wellington CBD...
Maha
16th October 2012, 14:38
Mt Victoria has all you need....:rolleyes:
oneofsix
16th October 2012, 14:44
Hi aimee,
What stage are you at, apart from donuts in car parks, have you got your BHS, 6L or not started on the licensing path yet? Because you ask about roads I could presume 6L but not all peoples obeys laws. How long have you been practising? I'm guessing you want to avoid CBD traffic and same for Oriental Parade, as a 6F these are still a challenge in the best weather but once you get around the bays, especially the likes of Shelly it can be enjoyable.
I also assume you are aware of the Wellington slow paced rides when you are ready.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/153230-BRONZ-Slow-Paced-Social-Rides-2012
Stirts
16th October 2012, 14:45
without having to do donuts
Why for you need to practice if you can already do donuts hmmmmm? ;) :bleh:
oneofsix
16th October 2012, 14:50
Why for you need to practice if you can already do donuts hmmmmm? ;) :bleh:
Oh and here I thought she meant doing donuts as in the way :Police: do donuts :drool:
:corn:
:gob: next it will be wheelies.
Stirts
16th October 2012, 14:59
Oh and here I thought she meant doing donuts as in the way :Police: do donuts :drool:
LOL true!! Maybe aimee is a super awesome multi-tasker and scoffs donuts while stunting?
271795
oneofsix
16th October 2012, 15:03
LOL true!! Maybe aimee is a super awesome multi-tasker and scoffs donuts while stunting?
<img src="http://www.nerdnirvana.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/fat-motorcycle.jpg"></img>
could be competition for you then. :girlfight:
aimee
16th October 2012, 15:23
Hi aimee,
What stage are you at, apart from donuts in car parks, have you got your BHS, 6L or not started on the licensing path yet? Because you ask about roads I could presume 6L but not all peoples obeys laws. How long have you been practising? I'm guessing you want to avoid CBD traffic and same for Oriental Parade, as a 6F these are still a challenge in the best weather but once you get around the bays, especially the likes of Shelly it can be enjoyable.
I also assume you are aware of the Wellington slow paced rides when you are ready.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/153230-BRONZ-Slow-Paced-Social-Rides-2012
I am indeed aware of the rides, yes, thanks! Not quite there yet, though...
I'm on a learner license (well, I will be by Friday). And yep, want to avoid all possible traffic until I'm a bit more confident and practised :)
aimee
16th October 2012, 15:24
Why for you need to practice if you can already do donuts hmmmmm? ;) :bleh:
Heh. They're not QUITE donuts - more circuits and bumps, really. But no real chance to get above 20 km/hr in a straightish line :P
Rhys
16th October 2012, 15:57
I can't think of any were in the cbd, but if you can get out to porirua, aotea subdivision and new whitby subdivision sare very quiet and what cars do go there are normally only traveling at 30 kph or so
Stirts
16th October 2012, 16:36
could be competition for you then. :girlfight:
Donuts - Breakfast of champions :bleh:
JimmyC
29th October 2012, 07:32
I'm on a learner license (well, I will be by Friday). And yep, want to avoid all possible traffic until I'm a bit more confident and practised :)
I live in Miramar and find the roads around here perfect for practice, doubly so on a sunday if you're looking for something quiet. Park Road can get a little busier, has lots of side streets, but it's very wide and easy to see a long way ahead. You can get a nice loop going up Para St, which turns into Darlintgton Rd, a good mix of flat and mildly hilly. And on a good day, nothing beats a cruise around the peninsular, just keep your eyes open for sightseers and cyclists. Traffic is usually only going between 30-40kmph however.
James Deuce
29th October 2012, 07:51
Police College car park.
oneofsix
29th October 2012, 08:04
Police College car park.
No pressure then.
JimmyC
1st November 2012, 11:05
I should also add Seatoun for practising intersection skills. Short blocks give you lots of 1st, 2nd 3rd, back down again and stop, rinse and repeat. Good spot for practising hill starts too with varying degrees of sloped streets. Always quiet, particularly on weekend afternoons.
BuzzardNZ
1st November 2012, 12:46
I should also add Seatoun for practising intersection skills. Short blocks give you lots of 1st, 2nd 3rd, back down again and stop, rinse and repeat. Good spot for practising hill starts too with varying degrees of sloped streets. Always quiet, particularly on weekend afternoons.
I agree with Jimmy on this one. I learnt to ride in Miramar and Seatoun. Once your confidence is up you can try for a cruise around Shelly bay, but beware as there is a little bit of gravel on the road at Mahanga bay ( after Scorching and before Kau ). It's only 50kph round there and not much traffic during the week, plus it's a nice scenic ride.
Paulo
1st November 2012, 13:12
Yep miramar and seatoun are quiet , but when my girlfriend wanted to practice on the road even that was too busy for her tastes so I went out to Seaview the industrial area near Petone, wide streets and no traffic in the weekend. Of course the problem is getting out there with your bike in the first place.
PeloNZ
2nd November 2012, 08:21
My first week was spent driving about the Karori suburbs at night, and the weekends. Yes, there is a bit of traffic, but its mostly easy. The Wrights hill carpark is ok.
A ride around the bays, after 6.30pm in Summer is wonderful and quiet :)
superjackal
26th November 2012, 11:36
Around Lyall Bay and Kilbirnie early in the AM on weekends is very good. Wide roads, great visibility, lots of car parks and not too much traffic. I learned to ride going around the nearby bays - not a lot of traffic and not too many intersections.
Hi all
I was wondering, though - can anyone suggest really good spots for getting some practice? Preferably something that's on a road somewhere, so I can practise getting up to over 20km/hr, without having to do donuts (the problem with parking lots), but has buggerall traffic.
Thoughts welcome.
Also, if you DO know of any ginormous empty parking lot spaces, do sing out! Ideally, close to Wellington CBD...
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