Sunday 21 January -Where did you ride and what did you practise?

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This weekend pritch008 and Matt are your selectors and they will be looking at good new rider training practice and welcome input from senior riders and mentors.

This weekend review will cover rides on Saturday and Sunday reported here in this thread and selection will be made by Tuesday Evening.

Those selected will have their training comments copied to BuckBuck's Update - Newbie Training thread and they will in turn be the selectors for next Sunday's Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?.

I encourage all newbie riders to seek out a riding Mentor to review your riding skills and technique periodically throughout your graduated licence time. Go for mentor riding reviews and discuss the matters that have been identified, then practise, practise, practise.

When you go for your Sunday/weekend ride think about those things you want to focus on and review before you set off on your ride.

I invite any new riders to put forward their comments relating to specific training sessions they may have had recently and not necessarily just this weekend's ride.

The key benefit that I am encouraging is: for new riders/all riders - to 'key in' their training comments to this thread and by doing so, this is reinforcing a personal training discipline.

For those posting to this thread, a degree of humour is welcomed as are pictures of your weekend ride, however please note that the emphasis is newbie training awareness.

You take the time to train on the motorcycle, you take the time to make an entry to this web site, and hence you have indirectly reviewed your own personal training discipline. Well Done.


Heads Up and Enjoy
BuckBuckNo1

[zuk]

Sat 20
Wanted to go to Wanganui, but the traffic was real shit,damn near bumper to bumper, to hard to even ride a bike, did an about turn @ Levin and came home. Practised sneaking places in heavy traffic without pissing people off to much.
Sun 21
Wanted to go to Napier, but the weather looked sad and a bit of rain at Ekatahuna, so turned around and came back via martinbrough for a look, then out Grays road and back and over Piecok then back to the Hutt, just missed the taka hill road being closed, cops were heading that way just as I got off the hill.
Practised passing long lines of traffic that were going to the air show and checking my rear veiw mirror for other riders that come up REAL quick on sport bikes and controling a back wheel lock up due to changeing down with to much road speed over the piecok hill--all in all a good day.

[NighthawkNZ]

I went no where... I forgot the TT RPreVincent Rally was on and welll I slept in and well I was lazy and well... the weather was shyte so I stayed in bed... the best weekend I have had in a long time ;):innocent:

Tough I did a couple of short local rides...

[merv]

For those posting to this thread, a degree of humour is welcomed as are pictures of your weekend ride, however please note that the emphasis is newbie training awareness.

BuckBuckNo1

Basically I'm still acting as mentor to Mrs merv because she had a 20 year gap from riding and I'm an old bugger that just kept on riding all that time anyway. What I am glad to see is that while its not perfect the weather does seem to be settling a little bit in Wellington allowing us to feel like getting out on the bikes. That should help Mrs merv because if she doesn't ride for a while she tells me she never feels quite as good on the bike each time.

So there is one clue, regular riding does help, but I for one always felt if I rode too much at the opposite end of the scale (this particularly applied to dirt riding) I'd reach a point where I'd have to take a break or else I was prone to making silly little errors. On dirt that was no biggy, just decking the bike on scoured river beds or whatever.

On the road I never seemed to reach the same point but there are those days when you know you don't take a corner quite like you think you should have. When that happens to me I talk to myself in my helmet telling myself to get back on the case, you've got to kind of quickly relax and up the tempo again doing it all nice and fluidly if that makes sense. That's my approach.

So what did we do today? Well went for a short little ride down through Porirua, Tawa and Churton Park and on out to the Saddleback cafe in Ohariu Valley. Me and my Bro' stopped there after your Xmas Eve ride Buck but found it closed so me and the Mrs went back today just to try it out. Well it was open and its slightly oldy worldy - no decaf coffee and they don't take credit card but pretty good.

What did I practice? Well drinking a hot chocolate and eating a strawberry and white chocolate muffin.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Akaroa GP this arvo.

practising: weight inside footpeg, brace with outside leg, relaxed hands and forearms, LOOKING.

also how to pass stupid fucks in 4wd's who think since their 1960's technology, 1980's build Jap import piece of shit can only go 40kph uphill while spewing black smoke like a big rig, that everyone else should as well. twats.

[kiwifruit]

Just a few short local rides today, looking at sections to buy :sunny:

Practiced restraint .

[Terminated]

Me and my Bro' stopped there after your Xmas Eve ride Buck but found it closed so me and the Mrs went back today just to try it out. Well it was open and its slightly oldy worldy - no decaf coffee and they don't take credit card but pretty good.

What did I practice? Well drinking a hot chocolate and eating a strawberry and white chocolate muffin.

Gidday and welcome back from the big island.

I feel another ride coming on out to Wainui Coast and back to Lifeboat Tavern in Eastabourne perhaps next Sunday afternoon.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[merv]

Yeah hi Buck, I even got out of Sydney alive, must have been because I didn't mention your name.

Me and my son spent 4 hours touring the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor place (fascinating) and they didn't seem to have any wanted posters on the wall of you or anything like that so I figured we were safe.

[oldguy]

Went for a ride to Pukekohe check out the Kiwi trackday and get some practice with me camera, took the long way home, doing the back road from Mercer to Hunua, going around a 55 Km blind left hander I was doing 100k just got half way round the corner, a Van going in the opposite direction was cutting the corner well over the center line, was just luck I was coming in to the apex of the corner and still had to pull the bike in bloody quick.
But apart from that, all in all was a good day

[BarBender]

Did a loop the Titrangi to Swanson Scenic Drive road and then back home again.
Consciously practiced maintaining brake lever pressure while blipping and changing gear.

[Rosie]

On Saturday I went from Rotorua to Tauranga via Tauranga direct Rd, visited Clint's cousin, and went home via Welcome Bay Rd and SH 33.

The main focus was on cornering technique, braking a good distance before I get to the corner, choosing my line, leaning smoothly, smooth throttle use, looking around the corner to where I want to go.

Coincidentally, I'm currently cornering at approximately the recommended speed on the road signs, which is probably a good speed to be at while I improve my cornering technique.

Still have a bit to work on, but Clint said I am looking a lot better through the corners, and I feel a lot more comfortable on the bike than the last time I was on the same roads (early May). This was the first time Clint and I had ridden together since I got the bike back, so it was good to get some feedback from him.

I became a little stressed on Tauranga direct when I was stuck behind a trailer going at about 70. The road is pretty windy, and they were firmly adhered to the centre line, so I didn't feel comfortable passing. We ended up pulling over for a bit, then continued on, and never saw the trailer again.
The rest of the ride I was fairly relaxed, even on the giant multi-laned roundabouts-of-death around the back of Tauranga.

Sunday evening I had planned to do some slow speed practise, but after having an afternoon beer with a friend who has broken his collarbone, then discovering my recently-repaired car is still having problems, I wasn't in the right mindset for motorbiking practise, so it's been postponed until tomorrow after work.

[phoenixgtr]

On Saturday I went and picked up my new bike and rode around Feilding and Palmerston North, just getting used to the power and the size. I also took my partner for a ride as a pillion, which was great as it's been something I've always been interested in.

[Trudes]

After yesterday's all day excursion, this morning I rode home from Carterton. Lovely morning in the Rapa, nice cruise with Elle to Featherston where she left me. Very little traffic on th hill and all the cars were going very slow so passing was very easy, slowly past yesterday's accident due to soap residual and diesel etc, waved to a few bikers coming the other way.
What I practiced: cornering, turning my head when going around corners, weighting the outside peg and bending my elbows. A bit windy on the hill, so keep speed at a steady, easy, constant pace and just relaxed and had fun with no riding companions and very little traffic, magic.:scooter:

[riffer]

Well, I know its not Sunday, but it felt like a Sunday and yesterday I spent the whole morning rebuilding the right fork again (long story - suffice to say that if you Superglue up a crack in your fairing and the excess drips onto the fork it will ruin the fork seal very quickly as it dries to a crystalline surface.) so I had to have a shakedown ride.

My oldest boy Tim (7) is getting good at pillion so he was on the back for today, so the emphasis was on smooth acceleration and deceleration, and even smoother lines, trying to keep the average speed as close to 80 km/hr.

Over Wallaceville hill to Mangaroa Valley, around the Valley and out Plateau Road, and down the road to Bull's house for a cuppa and to drag him out for a ride, and then back again to my place in Wallaceville, following the same route.

If any of you Hutt fellas haven't tried Mangaroa Valley, you need to, as it has just about every bit of road on it and in my opinion, is one of the best learning roads we have.

On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

[placidfemme]

Dunno if this fits in your criteria or not...

On Saturday Sam and I did our first pillion ride, me as rider and Sam as pillion. my main focus during this was to be as smooth as possible with my gear changes and braking.

To start off with on our small 2-up ride my gear changes were as smooth as I could get them while adjusting to the 2-up extra weight, my braking was a lot better than my gear changes, slowing down gradually and then braking smoothly. We had no issues with that.

Our main focus now is to practise cornering 2-up. I found that with the added weight I was taking the corners (actual corners, like at T junctions... not twisties) very wide to lessen the lean angle of the bike. As an example, to turn right I had to be as left as possible in my lane to reduce the lean angle 2-up. This is now our main concern and we will practise this again soon.

[Matt]

Went up to the A1GP at Taupo - first time ever I've ridden for more than hour or so straight, and first time I've ridden that far in the dark on the way back! Really good experience (especially with all the Kapiti traffic on the way up on Saturday am!) and I'm now starting to see the attraction in touring...why doesn't the Desert Road have a special speed limit for bikes though :innocent:

So many good posts, although my pick this week would be Rosie as she made some valid points but especially this one:


...I became a little stressed on Tauranga direct when I was stuck behind a trailer going at about 70. The road is pretty windy, and they were firmly adhered to the centre line, so I didn't feel comfortable passing. We ended up pulling over for a bit, then continued on, and never saw the trailer again.

I always reckon if it feels wrong it usually is, and taking a step-back rather than proving a point at all costs is always the best way forward :rockon:

Matt

[Hitcher]

Sunday? We rode to the best 12-letter word in Christendom. Whangamomona. What did we practice? East Taranaki saddle riding. Ferkin fantastic! Every biker should do this ride before they die. I have made a mental note to buy an FJR1300. They're simply sublime.

More info here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42612

[pritch]

On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

I find it encouraging that y'all are thinking about your riding to the extent evident here. Actually I'm not as grumpy as I look and I'd like to make you all winners. Alas I don't think that's the general idea...

So my choice is Riffer not only for doing the practice but for inviting all and sundry along.

By way of encouragement I will award green bling to Rosie, Merv and Barbender.

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.
Nice try Hitcher :whistle: You can have bling too :-)

[merv]

Thanks, but I'm not sure if I need more encouragement at my age. Mrs is coming on so I'll make sure I pass the encouragement on to her.

[riffer]

From Victoria, Australia, of all places.

Well, they've got their heart in the right place at least regarding safety.

Have a look. Some interesting stuff here (http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/jsp/content/NavigationController.do?areaID=1&tierID=1&navID=293795D07F000001002098FF21718FAE&navLink=null&pageID=342).

[BarBender]

I find it encouraging that y'all are thinking about your riding to the extent evident here. Actually I'm not as grumpy as I look and I'd like to make you all winners. Alas I don't think that's the general idea...

So my choice is Riffer not only for doing the practice but for inviting all and sundry along.

By way of encouragement I will award green bling to Rosie, Merv and Barbender.

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.
Nice try Hitcher :whistle: You can have bling too :-)


Thanks Pritch.
:niceone:

[Hitcher]

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.

I only speak the truth. Well, apart from the stuff I make up that is.

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If any of you Hutt fellas haven't tried Mangaroa Valley, you need to, as it has just about every bit of road on it and in my opinion, is one of the best learning roads we have.

Both the Mangaroa Hill and Wallaceville Hill are good practice - I often come up through Silverstream - Blue Mountains Road - Whitemans Valley, then do the left to Wallaceville Hill get over to Fergusson Drive then up to Maoribank and over Mangaroa Hill or carry on to SH2 and back through The Plateau to Maymorn and loop back over Mangaroa Hill and down Fergusson Drive over Wallaceville Hill [or do the right coming from Whitemans Valley and go up Maymorn, the Plateau, and loop back to Wallaceville or Mangaroa Hill].

The ride up and down Blue Mountains Road is a good skills test, as are Wallaceville Hill and Mangaroa Hill roads. I would encourage that newbies ride in company initially and certainly take your time. Going up or down Blue Mountains Road I have personally found very rewarding, it can be busy and expect the unexpected on some blind bends at the top. It is a good test going down practising direct throttle control in 2nd or 3rd gear only, trying not to use the brake and using your right hand only and keeping your left hand to just hover above the left grip.

The whole district up there I found a good training ground, but please be mindful out along the narrow country road through Whitemans Valley.


On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

Yes I would be interested in doing a practice up there and a bit of counter steering drill. PM some details Wednesday please.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Steam]

practising: weight inside footpeg, brace with outside leg,

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

I will leave the question for a mentor to answer. In the meantime I offer the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-Motorcycle-Roadracers-Handbook/dp/0965045013

and

http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II-4-Audio/dp/0965045080

with the subtle reminder that we are not roadracers, and that good guidance from a mentor and riding reviews including professional courses are recommended.

Suffice to say that any benefit with the outside peg will not be the same when referring to a cruiser bike or a sports bike or a street bike, based purely on the ergonomics/riding position.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Terminated]

Thanks to all that have contributed this week. Pritch008 and Matt have each made their choices and I will post the Newbie Training Update tomorrow and also PM Rosie and Riffer.

Congrats Rosie and Riffer I will write up my additional comments in the update tomorrow.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[riffer]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

Nicky Hayden mentioned that as an effective technique used by flat track racers, and it appears to have good effect for a rider who backs a bike in to a corner, but I'm dubious as to its efficacy in a road riding situation.

As buckbuckNo1 says, Twist of the Wrist is an essential read. I learnt more from that book than ten years of riding on my own.

[Matt]

...On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

Would have liked to come to this (never really practiced emergency braking much!) but had to go and buy a new freezer :angry:, oh well maybe next time - was that you behind me out of Wellington to Silverstream yesterday??

Matt