How do I start learning?

[aimee]

Hi all

I'm a newbie rider based in Wellington, and I'm keen to get to grips with being able to ride offroad, because:
a) it'll improve my road riding
b) it looks like fun
c) the kinda trips i'm wanting to do in a year plus's time might well require my being able to ride on bad, third world country roads :P

SO! Where do I start? I've had a look and can't seem to see anyone in this region doing lessons or, if they might, one seems to need one's own bike. I was hoping to be able to give it a try for a time or two before buying (another) bike...

Thanks!

Posted this over in the offroad thread, too... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/154745-How-do-I-start-learning

:msn-wink:

[Shewolf]

welcome aimee! The lads will be along soon to offer help getting you into mischief. But don't worry, they'll be there to help you get out of it too. :niceone:

Your bike will go anywhere, just point it at some gravel and have fun, take photos and make us envious... hope to meet you on a ride sometime!

[aimee]

welcome aimee! The lads will be along soon to offer help getting you into mischief. But don't worry, they'll be there to help you get out of it too. :niceone:

Your bike will go anywhere, just point it at some gravel and have fun, take photos and make us envious... hope to meet you on a ride sometime!

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

As to photos - will do. So far, it's just been onroad, and they're at mymotocyclette.tumblr.com

Hope to meet you too sometime :)

[Shewolf]

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

sure thing! I've got a friend who started out on a GN and took it all over the South Island gravel. Its a good start, if I was closer I'd lend you my Honda AX-1 250cc with dual purpose tyres- it's great little learner. Will be selling soon. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

[aimee]

sure thing! I've got a friend who started out on a GN and took it all over the South Island gravel. Its a good start, if I was closer I'd lend you my Honda AX-1 250cc with dual purpose tyres- it's great little learner. Will be selling soon. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

Oooooooh, sounds fantastic :)

[Rosie]

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

As to photos - will do. So far, it's just been onroad, and they're at mymotocyclette.tumblr.com

Hope to meet you too sometime :)

You can ride anything on gravel... it's just that some bikes are better at it than others.

This is how I started adventure riding :shit:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134089&d=1246997476

For more off road stuff you'd need the right bike, but doing a bit of gravel riding on the GN will get you underway.

[Shewolf]

cool write up and pics over on tumblr :niceone::niceone:

[aimee]

cool write up and pics over on tumblr :niceone::niceone:

Cheers! Finally got round to documenting First Injury, too :P

[aimee]

You can ride anything on gravel... it's just that some bikes are better at it than others.

This is how I started adventure riding :shit:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=134089&d=1246997476

For more off road stuff you'd need the right bike, but doing a bit of gravel riding on the GN will get you underway.

Hehe. Thinking knobblies and Red Rocks :P

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hehe. Thinking knobblies and Red Rocks :P

Yeah you'll be needing them for that. The sand round there is very deep and soft. Need a really wide knobbly spacing, and when taking off get in as high a gear as soon as poss to avoid simply sitting there digging a hole. Need to get it up on the plane as it were.

[dino3310]

. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

:Punk::Punk::Punk: your the coolest chick on KB shewolf :D

[Shewolf]

There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!


:Punk::Punk::Punk: your the coolest chick on KB shewolf :D

come to think of it they all have my name on them, someones just scratched off the leading 'R' :rolleyes::killingme:rolleyes:

[dino3310]

just clicked:killingme RHONDA

[aimee]

Yeah you'll be needing them for that. The sand round there is very deep and soft. Need a really wide knobbly spacing, and when taking off get in as high a gear as soon as poss to avoid simply sitting there digging a hole. Need to get it up on the plane as it were.

This is going to be HILARIOUS :P :facepalm:

[Crasherfromwayback]

This is going to be HILARIOUS :P :facepalm:

Piece of piss! Sand is awesome to ride in/on. You get good at it...you'll ride any surface well.

[Box'a'bits]

This is going to be HILARIOUS :P :facepalm:
Aimee, you'll be fine up to Devil gate.

There is a slightly softer part not long after the initial stream crossing - just gas it. Doesn't last long.

There is also a bypass on the track a little further on, where part of the original track has been eroded out by waves. I'd recommend going through the cones / rocks if possible - not accessible for 4WD, but fine on bikes (at least a couple of weeks ago).

Most of the rest is fairly compact at present if you stick to the track. Given you are not running knobs, don't wander off track. Probably don't got over Devils gate for your first couple of runs. Just get used to the bike moving around on rougher ground / looser surface. :yes:

[Padmei]

Nutso are you really giving riding advice? really? really?:shutup:

have a good sneeze today?:pinch::bleh:

[Box'a'bits]

Nutso are you really giving riding advice? really? really?:shutup:

have a good sneeze today?:pinch::bleh:
No....but you you just made me laugh :blink: ya bugger :motu:.

[pampa]

My 2 cents is follow what the offroad riding schools do, split skills in drills
I have somewhere a list I compiled. In general

Braking
Throttle control
Clutch control


The drills and of course lots and lots of practice.

I reckon it worked for me, if you're interested I could try to find more details also I always keep practicing so we could go and try it

[aimee]

My 2 cents is follow what the offroad riding schools do, split skills in drills
I have somewhere a list I compiled. In general

Braking
Throttle control
Clutch control


The drills and of course lots and lots of practice.

I reckon it worked for me, if you're interested I could try to find more details also I always keep practicing so we could go and try it

Once I have me a bike and whatnot, for defs :)

[pete-blen]

My 2 cents is follow what the offroad riding schools do, split skills in drills
I have somewhere a list I compiled. In general

Braking
Throttle control
Clutch control


The drills and of course lots and lots of practice.

I reckon it worked for me, if you're interested I could try to find more details also I always keep practicing so we could go and try it



Offroad riding school:shit:
Old school the way:yes:... keep falling off till one day yer don't "well not as often"

[aimee]

Just an update: I've now had a lesson with Peter Broxholme (Broxy Rider Coaching), and can't recommend him highly enough. He was able to organise Partner and I loaner bikes, and did an absolutely splendid job of getting me up and running.

More details at bit.ly/Tj0rFG.