Thundercross on 10 May [Archive]

Jay GTI

29th April 2014, 11:37

Getting a few people together at work for a day down there (a couple of roadie mates want to polish up their dirt skills), so anyone localish fancy joining us for the day, the more the merrier.

When I went past on the way to Waikeratu a couple of weeks ago, it looked like it was in reasonable nick, so should be good out there.

scott411

29th April 2014, 18:09

BM-GS

29th April 2014, 19:03

Website says it's open. Hope to get along, with new swingarm bearings or not...

If I bring the boys, I have an excuse to stay off the gnarlier bits!

Clare can do those.

Jay GTI

29th April 2014, 19:30

is it still open?? part of the Mr Motorcycles trail ride went though there, but I have not heard that it has been open this season

Yep still open, one of the guys from work called James a couple of weeks ago as I said it might not still be operating (or at least not with hire bikes) but it's still all fully functioning.

Website says it's open. Hope to get along, with new swingarm bearings or not...

If I bring the boys, I have an excuse to stay off the gnarlier bits!

Clare can do those.

Was discussing it with Clare today, hopefully you can make it :)

Nothing scary on the B loop and there should be a couple of dirt virgins, you could probably get the boys to teach them.

scott411

29th April 2014, 21:02

good to hear its still open

nzspokes

29th April 2014, 23:08

I was down there a couple of months back, its in the best shape ive seen it.

I could be up for the ride to.

Jay GTI

30th April 2014, 07:12

good to hear its still open

Yeah was a bit worried too, after James' son lost interest I thought it might be the end of it, but James has got it back into shape apparently.

I was down there a couple of months back, its in the best shape ive seen it.

I could be up for the ride to.

Was thinking of you when I posted, please do come along if you can, been meaning to say hi in person for a while, especially as we're both Glen Eden residents.

flyingcr250

30th April 2014, 20:23

might be keen for a look, its not really my first choice of places to ride

nzspokes

30th April 2014, 20:26

Yeah was a bit worried too, after James' son lost interest I thought it might be the end of it, but James has got it back into shape apparently.

Was thinking of you when I posted, please do come along if you can, been meaning to say hi in person for a while, especially as we're both Glen Eden residents.

Will try to, have to line my ducks up in a row. My girl has surgery this week but she should be ok by then but something else to ensure is right.

Jay GTI

30th April 2014, 21:29

I know how that works, especially now I'm a dad... hopefully see you there then.

Flyer, just come along for the social side, had a good laugh the last couple of times we all headed down (one or two idiots in the group...).

oldguy

5th May 2014, 21:40

since I got the road bike back on the road, I've only been on the dirt bike once this year, the Waikaretu Beach ride. I just couldn't get my mojo been of the dirt bike to long.
If I can get my ass of the couch could be in.

Jay GTI

6th May 2014, 11:53

Yeah I sucked large at Waikaretu as well and I'd not been off the bike that long. Surprising how quickly what limited talent I have goes walkies...

Well we'll be there and should be a reasonable turnout. There's normally a few flakers last minute, but looks ok at the moment... so go on, make the ass off couch effort!

flyingcr250

9th May 2014, 16:35

Its going to be a bit wet out there

nzspokes

9th May 2014, 18:02

Sorry Im out, got way to much to do.

oldskool

9th May 2014, 18:07

Its going to be a bit wet out there

Afraid you'll melt? :baby:

flyingcr250

9th May 2014, 18:37

Afraid you'll melt? :baby:

i dont want to get all dirty

2fitty

19th May 2014, 19:41

How were the tracks down there? thinking of taking my mate down for his first ever ride if its not to slippery

Jay GTI

19th May 2014, 20:06

How were the tracks down there? thinking of taking my mate down for his first ever ride if its not to slippery

It was boggy in sections, but rideable. Probably a bit much for a complete noob, but we'd had a good few days of solid rain, if you were to go this weekend it would be a lot easier to ride. As long as it's not preceded by a few days of rain, it's usually ok, the b loop doesn't have anything scary on it.

2fitty

19th May 2014, 20:17

Cheers mate thanks for that, I could chuck him in the deep end and go to woodhill

It was boggy in sections, but rideable. Probably a bit much for a complete noob, but we'd had a good few days of solid rain, if you were to go this weekend it would be a lot easier to ride. As long as it's not preceded by a few days of rain, it's usually ok, the b loop doesn't have anything scary on it.

Jay GTI

19th May 2014, 20:54

Cheers mate thanks for that, I could chuck him in the deep end and go to woodhill

The great thing about Woodhill is if it's too wet for Thundercross, it's better riding out there. Are you hiring a bike for your mate or does he have one to ride?

2fitty

19th May 2014, 22:04

Yeah definitely was pretty good last weekend and only gets better as winter gets going, he's gt a kx125 he can borrow which might be good for a quick learning curve but he's in the hunt for a 250f which might be abit more manageable for a noob

The great thing about Woodhill is if it's too wet for Thundercross, it's better riding out there. Are you hiring a bike for your mate or does he have one to ride?

Jay GTI

20th May 2014, 08:02

Yeah definitely was pretty good last weekend and only gets better as winter gets going, he's gt a kx125 he can borrow which might be good for a quick learning curve but he's in the hunt for a 250f which might be abit more manageable for a noob

A KX125 would certainly get him learning the right way, although maybe a touch peaky for an absolute beginner. I wish I'd started on one though, I have too many bad habits from learning on the wrong bike (I'm a very lazy rider).

BM-GS

20th May 2014, 16:42

What Jay said, though just because the B loop has nothing scary on it, there are a couple of places where you do need to watch out around the corner and over the crest... At least when it was wet it was nice and soft!

And watch out for the kids track... Very dangerous!

Ktmboy

20th May 2014, 17:38

Cheers mate thanks for that, I could chuck him in the deep end and go to woodhill

I chuck 6 riders in at the deep end at The Sandpit every weekend, even right through summer and have 10 this weekend all beginners. After 1.5 hours 90% are riding standing up. The others are by the end of day. All love it and come back for more.

So its not the track but its how they're taught.

Jay GTI

20th May 2014, 18:42

I chuck 6 riders in at the deep end at The Sandpit every weekend, even right through summer and have 10 this weekend all beginners. After 1.5 hours 90% are riding standing up. The others are by the end of day. All love it and come back for more.

So its not the track but its how they're taught.

I've said this a few times, but the best thing I did when my missus wanted to try riding for the first time was get her a lesson from Tony. Within 3 rides she was comfortable fanging it around big rides, trying to pull wheelies and doing little jumps.

2fitty

20th May 2014, 19:38

A lesson would definitely be a good idea if I could convince him as I'm a pretty shit rider and an even shitter teacher, what's the deal with lesson up there?

I chuck 6 riders in at the deep end at The Sandpit every weekend, even right through summer and have 10 this weekend all beginners. After 1.5 hours 90% are riding standing up. The others are by the end of day. All love it and come back for more.

So its not the track but its how they're taught.

Jay GTI

20th May 2014, 20:14

A lesson would definitely be a good idea if I could convince him as I'm a pretty shit rider and an even shitter teacher, what's the deal with lesson up there?

Yeah the benefit of Tony's lessons is starting out getting the basics right, so you're not spending ages unlearning bad techniques (me). Plus there's the fact he's been doing it for years and knows how to teach, not entirely sure my missus would still be my missus if I'd tried :D

Stylo

22nd May 2014, 19:52

Yeah the benefit of Tony's lessons is starting out getting the basics right, so you're not spending ages unlearning bad techniques (me). Plus there's the fact he's been doing it for years and knows how to teach, not entirely sure my missus would still be my missus if I'd tried :D

This guy would be a good teacher for sure, a lesson in how to start from behind work it up from there

John Dowd, old school but a good school ..

I did post this some time in the past, but some things are worth watching twice, if you know what I mean ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhq_PdZtwuY

nzspokes

22nd May 2014, 19:58

I chuck 6 riders in at the deep end at The Sandpit every weekend, even right through summer and have 10 this weekend all beginners. After 1.5 hours 90% are riding standing up. The others are by the end of day. All love it and come back for more.

So its not the track but its how they're taught.

Once ive got a spare day i will book in. You can tell me how fat ive got, laugh at me then try to unteach me everything im doing wrong.

I hardly ever stand and feel out of control when I do.:brick:

Ktmboy

23rd May 2014, 06:56

Once ive got a spare day i will book in. You can tell me how fat ive got, laugh at me then try to unteach me everything im doing wrong.

I hardly ever stand and feel out of control when I do.:brick:

We can work on that. When you see me at The Sandpit just grab me for 1/2 hour or so. Quite happy to help if I can.