Lines & tips ride

[Bnonn]

In light of the recent talk of a mentor ride, I thought it would be sensible to start a new thread so that we can discuss and organize without getting lost in the Friday Night thread.

To start things off, I'd like to offer the following suggestions for said ride:

It should be recurring on a several-monthly basis. I say this because, when learning new skills, it's helpful to get feedback from time to time, and to see yourself improving. So a ride every three or four months would seem like a good idea.
It should take place on a Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning is fine with me too, but afternoons would just be a bit more convenient. Either way, it ought to be during the day; it's no good riding at night for this sort of thing.
The route should be fairly standard, so that each time we do the ride it is the same. In my view, that would help developing riders to see their improvements better. On the other side of the coin, you could argue that we might only get good at riding that one particular road. Discuss.

[Daza]

Count me in as a noobie rider who wants to take part!

Wouldn't a ride every 3 months be a bit too long apart? opposed to say monthly. And of course new riders who might want to come along in due course, won't have to wait as long til the next one.

How many riders do you think would be the min and max?

I guess you will plan a Sat where everyone can attend. I'm on holiday for two weeks at the moment, but when i'm back at work, i only have every 2nd weekend free.

Also you could include another mentor ride for wet-riding for immediate learners who wants to learn to ride safely in the wet too, since winter is upon us.

Here is a cool website where you can view detailed maps and plan waypoints for rides/trips etc you can save it and give the link for people to view the planned ride on the map. Ideal for people to make some suggestions as to good riding routes to use for this. [/URL][url]http://www.tinymap.net/ (http://www.tinymap.net/)

As for using the same route each time, i think is a good idea and of course riders can put to practice what they learned on other types of roads too.

Will the route be short (2ks? or less) so it can be lapped around several times in a session? Easier to remember what corners are coming up...Obviously riders could practice anytime on that route once its fixed. Which is another good reason to keep the route the same, so come mentor day, you are a little familiar with the corners and can relax a little more.

[Bnonn]

I said every three months because this sort of ride requires some effort from the advanced riders who are coming along, and they are volunteering their time gratis. I didn't want to impose by suggesting too frequent a schedule. Once a month would be great, of course, but I'm not sure how willing the "tutors" would be. There is also the Friday night meet, where a lot of practise seems to happen in car-parks and so on. I'll be there this Friday, so feel free to stop by. I'd like to get some maneouvering and braking practise in.

I would tend to go for a longer route than 2 km. That's really short. You would want something in the country where you have more leeway in terms of speed, and you want a good surface, not too far from home, with good corners and straights. That narrows things down a lot. I agree that a couple of laps would be good, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be. But there are people here who know the roads around Hamilton much, much better than I do. I leave this sort of thing to them (:

[TerminalAddict]

I'm keen

10 ......

[Hellraiser]

Maybe we could run one from auckland as well and maybe meet somewhere in the middle?

[deeknow]

Out-and-back on Scotchmans valley would be good, so would the Whitehall loop behind Te Miro, and maybe the road from Whatawhata to Pirongia along the western side of the Waipa?

[TerminalAddict]

deeknow: te pahu road.

would be quite good .. nice easy corners, and plenty of places to stop and chat.
Bnonn: just let me know where and when ..

[Bnonn]

Te Pahu Rd sounds good, but I can't really see where it goes. Is there a circuit we could organize that would take us back to Whatawhata or something? I've created a Lines And Tips Route (http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Lines-And-Tips-Route) on motowhere, which is currently just shy of 10 km. I think 15-20 km is probably a reasonable length, but I can't see where the route should go from where it currently ends, except just straight back (which is kinda boring, but could have merit).

You know these roads; can you help?

Edit: I'd like to avoid gravel, if possible. Check the tags I have created for the map for what I think are good conditions for the ride. The reason I'm not keen on gravel is simply that it's very hard on tires. I had to replace my rear tire after hitting a few km of gravel on that mythical ride Jamie and I took the weekend before we came on the first Wednesday ride. It just ripped the tire up. Sport/touring tires really aren't meant for gravel riding, so although I agree that gravel is a must-have experience for new riders, I'd prefer to keep it off this particular route.

[TerminalAddict]

whatawhata-->te pahu road (ends at sh39)
turn left .. follow sh39 back to whatawhata

might be 20 kms maybe.

if you're keen on saturday arvo, we could do a couple of laps or sumthin :)
(and if the weather gods approve)

[Bnonn]

Okay, like this (http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Lines-And-Tips-Route)? I followed the road pretty closely with the waypoints so as to get the most accurate km reading possible (what a laborious task; you'd think they'd have a "follow road" function or summat), and it says 43.6 km. Seems a bit on the long side, but I'm keen to test it out on Saturday if the weather is good. It's not ridiculously long. How highly-enforced is SH39? I'd like to keep the route away from likely snake holes if possible.

[TerminalAddict]

crikey .. I wouldn't have guessed 43kms :|

sh39 is barely policed .. but even still .. if we're doing a lesson . .there won't be much speeding

[Bnonn]

True. I'm not too worried; just don't want to attract any attention, since some of us *cough cough* are riding 600 cc motorcyles on our restricted licenses.

[ZeroIndex]

We should pick out a 'race-track' type route... something like an open-road version of the Nurburgring... That section somewhere south of Hamilton that ended 4km from Tokoroa had some really awesome twisties, but something closer to Hamilton would be awesome... Thanks Deeknow (sp?) for showing us that route...

Possibly something a little like this to begin with... (http://www.tinymap.net/uIQvEkdZttP)

[Warr]

For sure Rob, Thats part of Old Taupo Road.
I would go for somewhere tightish and light in traffic. Also need to be long enough to get dialled into the road a bit.
My vote goes for Waingaro Road.
TePahu road is on the whole open with only a little windy. I'd suggest it as being not enough. And if you head out on Waingaro road there is always a better way home after a stop at the bar !!
Shanes favourate road out past Maungatautari in daylight comes to mind also
Or Whitehall Rd, Scotchmans Valley is a bit too open and has more traffic so not so ideal :)

[TerminalAddict]

crikey is there internet in hicksville warr?

[terrygurl]

Hey i'm keen! pm me, keep me in the loop plz

[ZeroIndex]

Hey i'm keen! pm me, keep me in the loop plz

haha I'm gonna do one of those "Was it you posts"...

Don't suppose you have a gray GSX250? Riding somewhere between town and peachgrove road this morning... can't remember what road it was, but I was lanesplitting some random cars and couldn't help but wonder :p

[terrygurl]

hahaha nope not me.. i was at work..

[DMNTD]

I said every three months because this sort of ride requires some effort from the advanced riders who are coming along, and they are volunteering their time gratis. I didn't want to impose by suggesting too frequent a schedule. Once a month would be great, of course, but I'm not sure how willing the "tutors" would be. There is also the Friday night meet, where a lot of practice seems to happen in car-parks and so on. I'll be there this Friday, so feel free to stop by. I'd like to get some maneuvering and braking practice in.

Well I'm more than willing to help out more often if there's a need(yes I am a Mentor). I reckon the closer the "teachings" the easier they are to recall.
Personally I'm not a great fan of car parks unless helping out a total newbie, but this is your guy's ball game and I'm just offering my assistance/help/advice if it's required and I have a few clues on how to ride these two wheeled machines. :yes:


Oh well....PM me if interested

[Waylander]

hmm...

I might be in on this too. Could always use help with my lines and wht not.

[ZeroIndex]

Well I'm more than willing to help out more often if there's a need(yes I am a Mentor). I reckon the closer the "teachings" the easier they are to recall.
Personally I'm not a great fan of car parks unless helping out a total newbie, but this is your guy's ball game and I'm just offering my assistance/help/advice if it's required and I have a few clues on how to ride these two wheeled machines. :yes:


Yeah, "teachings" need to be done much closer together on a time scale... would love to get some assistance if you end up helping us Hamiltonian's out...

[ZeroIndex]

hmm...

I might be in on this too. Could always use help with my lines and wht not.

Do you have your Green Card? wait... only American's need those... you're Canadian right? Or is Carver just being a dick as per usual? :dodge:

Will be good to have the huge grunty beast (your bike) scraping it's pegs in the Waikato whenever this training happens :)

[Waylander]

Do you have your Green Card? wait... only American's need those... you're Canadian right? Or is Carver just being a dick as per usual? :dodge:

Will be good to have the huge grunty beast (your bike) scraping it's pegs in the Waikato whenever this training happens :)
Carver seems to be copying off others who have copied of someone else before them. I don't even notice it that much anymore.

As for scraping my pegs, that's my daily ride to and from work man. I want to learn how to NOT to that and also get used to the upgrdes going into my bike as I do them.

Back on topic now. An idea since our respective towns are fairly close. What about trading off every now and then? Mentors from here take it one month mentors from there another and so on. Or would that get too confusing as far as who has gone over what?

[ZeroIndex]

Carver seems to be copying off others who have copied of someone else before them. I don't even notice it that much anymore.

As for scraping my pegs, that's my daily ride to and from work man. I want to learn how to NOT to that and also get used to the upgrdes going into my bike as I do them.

Back on topic now. An idea since our respective towns are fairly close. What about trading off every now and then? Mentors from here take it one month mentors from there another and so on. Or would that get too confusing as far as who has gone over what?

maybe swap routes? Somewhere Waikato 1 month, somewhere Bay of Plenty the next, or is this just going to be a Waikato only with visiting members from other North Island locations?

[terrygurl]

That sounds good to me.. get to learn some good routes then too.. swapping from waikato to bop and vice versa month on month off.. ;)

[TerminalAddict]

ok since I've been labeled as some who teaches (external noob that I am) I guess I've got a few criteria.

I can't teach everything.
so....
perperation is the key.
Pick 1 or 2 things that you think you need advice on.
perpare questions .. start thinking about those things now, why you think you are not that good, and how you think you may be able to improve

find a buddy.
find someone to advice you that you think will provide the best possible advice from ... (insert mentor here) can advise on riders of medium capability, but may struggle to help some one who is very new .. as an example

concentrate on the 1 or 2 things for each session ... our little human brains can only cope with a small amount of input at a time, don't try to learn too much at a time, otherwise you'll be overwhelmed.

Instructors:
Don't be proud. If you don't know don't be ashamed to say so
example: if someone asks me about gravel riding I will say "I'unno" and try and suggest someone who I know that can answer gravel riding questions.

Don't stand there all quiet and dumb and expect someone to magically pass on their knowledge, this ain't no classroom lecture, and certainly I would be completely useless if you have nothing to say .. communication is the key

Don't take everything as gospel .. nobody has every answer, and often there is more than one correct answer ... as an example, road riding skills and race track skills are similar, but very very different

Saturday arvo I'm probably free to do some laps somewhere.
I will probably pick a route that is less straight line than te pahu road, but quite short. that way I can concentrate on a few corners rather than over loading my little brain with 43kms of road :)

[Rosie]

I could be keen to come along, it would be good to improve my skills and explore some Waikato back roads.

[deeknow]

Thanks Deeknow (sp?) for showing us that route...

No worries... it really is a beauty aint it, I occasionally do a long-lunch ride down as far as the Tokoroa intersection and back

[deeknow]

Or Whitehall Rd, Scotchmans Valley is a bit too open and has more traffic so not so ideal :)

Your right about Scotchmans.. and although I love the Whitehall loop it does get fiercely tight in a couple of sections, one lane stuff, I've had a couple of minor moments through there meeting tankers and stock-trucks. If that gets used by a group you'd wanna make sure people didnt get too silly or it could end in tears.

[Bnonn]

Deeknow, did you use to work at EW? I work on the Helpdesk. Chook says g'day (:

[deeknow]

Deeknow, did you use to work at EW? I work on the Helpdesk. Chook says g'day (:

Yeah man, thats me... punch Chook in the arm for me :Punk:

[Bnonn]

Will do :D keke

[Bnonn]

On a more thread-related note, would you do a couple of motowhere maps to show where you ride? I'm curious about this route you're all raving about.

Also, I'm lost as to what the current suggestion for the Lines & Tips route is. Was it this (http://www.tinymap.net/uIQvEkdZttP/) or have we moved on?

[Daza]

Yeah i recoken the route Zeroindex suggested looked good. But are the roads quiet? I might check it out during the week if weather is good. Have yet to ride in to Ham from Cambridge.

So how many mentors would be interested in helping out with this? or would be needed if there is going to be half a dozen of us?

And how will it work on given day it happens, like more experienced learners are at the front with a mentor and the more cautious ones at the back with another mentor?? i've never attended such a ride, let alone riding in a group. So i was wondering how these things are generally organized...

[ZeroIndex]

On a more thread-related note, would you do a couple of motowhere maps to show where you ride? I'm curious about this route you're all raving about.

Also, I'm lost as to what the current suggestion for the Lines & Tips route is. Was it this (http://www.tinymap.net/uIQvEkdZttP/) or have we moved on?


Yeah i recoken the route Zeroindex suggested looked good. But are the roads quiet? I might check it out during the week if weather is good. Have yet to ride in to Ham from Cambridge.

So how many mentors would be interested in helping out with this? or would be needed if there is going to be half a dozen of us?

And how will it work on given day it happens, like more experienced learners are at the front with a mentor and the more cautious ones at the back with another mentor?? i've never attended such a ride, let alone riding in a group. So i was wondering how these things are generally organized...

That was more messing about than anything else... If it was almost certain that there wasn't going to be any traffic on that route, it might make for a fun racetrack: Nurburgring styles :p most of those roads are in really good condition (haven't seen any potholes or loose seal on those roads). There is however occasionally a bit of sand here and there being a farming area type thing, but there isn't much traffic. The only problem with the farmhouses being around that area, is they may not take too kindly to us doing 'laps' of their area... but then again, you don't know until you try... If it's sunny tomorrow, I may head out there around 3 or 4ish perhaps, depending what time my training class finishes...

[TerminalAddict]

if this turns into a grup ride it will fail.

you can't teach in a group

1 on 1

[Waylander]

if this turns into a grup ride it will fail.

you can't teach in a group

1 on 1
Depends on the mentor/mentee ( or some such) ratio mate. If there isn'tthat big a difference then a group ride may not be that bad an idea.

That way other mentors are there to answere question you may not know nd vice versa nd the learners will have others around that may think of questions some may not think of.

[Bnonn]

Well, it won't be a two-person ride from the sounds of things. More like a ride with several learners and several instructors.

[TerminalAddict]

if there is a ratio then all should be well .. previously its been 3 mentors, and 20 learners ... waste of time

[terrygurl]

Well... even if I just learn one new thing.. I'll be happy and not monopolise any particular 'instructors' time.. unless of course.. ya don't mind!

[DMNTD]

I have no ideas re the roads over your guy's way but most Sundays we ride to Okororei Pub for a chat and feed...an ideal environment for a group discussion with many experienced and not so experienced people.
Afterwards we hit the Kaimai's...those that have ridden them know just how divine they are re corners etc. Smooth surface,up hill and obviously downhill therefore giving a full range of experiences. There's a safe lookout at the summit for a stop 'n chat too.
Personally I see no benefit going to a road with no traffic as it's not a "realistic" training ground as such.
I don't mind chatting to/helping out many at a time...it's all about fun innit? Have found that a relaxed "student" learns more.

[terrygurl]

I have no ideas re the roads over your guy's way but most Sundays we ride to Okororei Pub for a chat and feed...an ideal environment for a group discussion with many experienced and not so experienced people.
Afterwards we hit the Kaimai's...those that have ridden them know just how divine they are re corners etc. Smooth surface,up hill and obviously downhill therefore giving a full range of experiences. There's a safe lookout at the summit for a stop 'n chat too.
Personally I see no benefit going to a road with no traffic as it's not a "realistic" training ground as such.
I don't mind chatting to/helping out many at a time...it's all about fun innit? Have found that a relaxed "student" learns more.


Sounds good to me.. maybe meet up there?

[Bnonn]

...Okororei Pub...
Ooh, wheresatt?

[Waylander]

Roughly halfway between Tauranga and Hamilton near Tirua or tirau or whtever that town is called that has the tin sheds that look like a dog and sheep.

Warr and Terminal_addict know how to get there.

[ZeroIndex]

Ooh, wheresatt?


Roughly halfway between Tauranga and Hamilton near Tirua or tirau or whtever that town is called that has the tin sheds that look like a dog and sheep.

Warr and Terminal_addict know how to get there.

It is a cool place and the meals are huge...

[Bnonn]

I think I've been there with me wife. Think I might even have seen you folks there before I joined the forums. What time do you meet on Sundays?

[TerminalAddict]

good chish and fips at oko :niceone:

[smoky]

Last time I went on a mentor ride - it scared the ..... out of me.
Some of the newer riders did some scary stuff, lockin up and drifting to the other side of the road.

I really think roads with light traffic is a must, until we get to know who's riding with who and each others abilities.

I can't seem to access the map thru Waingaro that zero's suggesting but just before Waingaro there's a road on the right that cuts back to Huntly thru Glen Afton. Sealed, a bit windy and not much traffic.

I went for a slower ride with a mate last weekend to help boost his confidence - went thru Pokuru, back road from Te Awamutu to Otorohanga.
It really has some nice sweepers, predictable and not boring, and he found it great, rode the best I've seen him ride.

[Warr]

if this turns into a grup ride it will fail.

you can't teach in a group

1 on 1
___________________________________________

if there is a ratio then all should be well .. previously its been 3 mentors, and 20 learners ... waste of time
Well I'm in -

Perhaps I have some advise to offer if people are willing to hear.
Tis a team effort for sure.
As in any team effort it requires commitment from all parties involved.
People who are serious will need to be exactly that, serious and be prepared to take instruction.
This is all about personal skills and rider development.


This is what I'm thinking.

1. We choose a route. (A figure 8 would be ideal)

2. Gather at appointed place

3. Team up "1 to mentored", 1 assistant, 1 mentor.

4. Ride off in that order. (No-one else for at least 3 minites)

5. Next team may leave after 3 minites.

6. 1st Team ride for x k's, stop and discuss

7. "1 to be mentored" rides off to do alternate loop practise and back to original start where they can wait for another outing.


- I like the idea of a figure 8. somewhere west of Ohaupo could be ok, off main roads.
I also like the idea of 2 people giving tips - thereby evening out bias

- I'm all for a longer ride but think mentors and assistances can share themselves better if loops are shorter and there is another course where "1 2b mentored" can go practise. Freeing the other 2 to target another.

Things I see as important.
1. Only 1 team on the road at once. - Safety

2. Space for a post ride debrief - say with pen and paper to draw pictures for "1 2b mentored" to take away. - This debrief to be a discussion between 3. Not a free for all with the whole group


What he said (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1064648&postcount=27)

There could be a figure 8 route west of Ohaupo. Just needs to be off main roads. Where Smoky is talking about could be good too :)

[Bnonn]

I can't see any obvious places where we can do a figure-8 west of Ohaupo, but you know the roads better than I do, and the map doesn't really tell me much except the basic layout and magnitude of the road. We should avoid Pirongia and SH39 because there are some major roadwords going on along those areas, with nasty, sharp rocky sections of unpaved road. I think Smoky's suggestion of the road out near Waingaro is actually a better one. I've ridden that road and it's pretty nice. Low traffic, nice varying corners. But quite long. I would think we wouldn't want more than a 10-minute trip, so 10-15 km or so?

[RC1]

there are some nice roads i have found on this route but after kiwitahi they are a bit straight, my 2c http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/WAIKATO-NEW-ZEALAND

[ZeroIndex]

there are some nice roads i have found on this route but after kiwitahi they are a bit straight, my 2c http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/WAIKATO-NEW-ZEALAND

Thanks for the input, however that's probably a bit long for a training session... In actual fact, that's longer than Hamilton to Kawhia and back (with or without heading to Raglan first, and then doing the 50km of gravel down to Kawhia)

[Bnonn]

I agree; it is much too long. I've been staring at the map all afternoon, and have created a tentative route based on the following criteria:

It must have good places to stop at the begining, middle, and end. This way, we can meet to group up at the beginning, then spend the first half of the route on a mentor run, after which we can meet up again to review and discuss, before doing the final section to practice whatever we have learned.
It must be long enough to give instructors a chance to evaluate a rider, but not so long that they are likely to forget half of what they note. A 10-15 minute mentor ride seems ideal, with another 15-20 minutes for practicing afterward. I estimate this at approximately a 15 km and 20 km run, but obviously this is very dependent on the riders.
There should be potential to re-ride the route again if time permits and the riders are willing. Therefore, it should either be a loop, or a figure-8, or close enough to either to not matter.
It should be out toward Auckland, so that riders from the big smoke can join us if they wish without having to travel an unreasonable distance.
It should be low-enforcement, with a good surface, and not too much traffic.
I think that Smoky's suggested route (if I have understood it correctly) fulfills these criteria pretty well. Huntly is not an unreasonable distance for Aucklanders to travel, and is still quite close to Hamilton. Rotowaro Road is a good ride, with a reasonable surface and some nice bends as well as straights. It is not overly challenging, but not boring either. Neither is it highly enforced or highly traveled. Waingaro Road is busier, but not sufficiently to be a problem in my mind, and if people take it at a relaxed pace it should be fine for practicing.

Therefore, I propose a route from Huntly to Glen Afton to Ngaruawahia. This fulfills all the criteria fairly well, I think. It isn't quite a closed loop, but Ngaruawahia to Huntly via SH1 is fairly short and quick if we want to do the ride a second time. I considered just going from Huntly to Glen Afton and back again, but I like Warr's idea of having two riders set out at two minute intervals or so, so that we are spread out on the road. If we meet for discussion at Glen Afton, this would presumably put some riders on the road back to Huntly while others are still heading toward Glen Afton, and I think it would be wise to avoid this "just in case", because head-ons between motorcycles never end well. But if someone else feels otherwise, I'm happy to amend the route; it might make things simpler.

Route: http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Hamilton-Kiwibiker-Lines-Tips-Ride

[ZeroIndex]

I agree; it is much too long. I've been staring at the map all afternoon, and have created a tentative route based on the following criteria:

It must have good places to stop at the begining, middle, and end. This way, we can meet to group up at the beginning, then spend the first half of the route on a mentor run, after which we can meet up again to review and discuss, before doing the final section to practice whatever we have learned.
It must be long enough to give instructors a chance to evaluate a rider, but not so long that they are likely to forget half of what they note. A 10-15 minute mentor ride seems ideal, with another 15-20 minutes for practicing afterward. I estimate this at approximately a 15 km and 20 km run, but obviously this is very dependent on the riders.
There should be potential to re-ride the route again if time permits and the riders are willing. Therefore, it should either be a loop, or a figure-8, or close enough to either to not matter.
It should be out toward Auckland, so that riders from the big smoke can join us if they wish without having to travel an unreasonable distance.
It should be low-enforcement, with a good surface, and not too much traffic.
I think that Smoky's suggested route (if I have understood it correctly) fulfills these criteria pretty well. Huntly is not an unreasonable distance for Aucklanders to travel, and is still quite close to Hamilton. Rotowaro Road is a good ride, with a reasonable surface and some nice bends as well as straights. It is not overly challenging, but not boring either. Neither is it highly enforced or highly traveled. Waingaro Road is busier, but not sufficiently to be a problem in my mind, and if people take it at a relaxed pace it should be fine for practicing.

Therefore, I propose a route from Huntly to Glen Afton to Ngaruawahia. This fulfills all the criteria fairly well, I think. It isn't quite a closed loop, but Ngaruawahia to Huntly via SH1 is fairly short and quick if we want to do the ride a second time. I considered just going from Huntly to Glen Afton and back again, but I like Warr's idea of having two riders set out at two minute intervals or so, so that we are spread out on the road. If we meet for discussion at Glen Afton, this would presumably put some riders on the road back to Huntly while others are still heading toward Glen Afton, and I think it would be wise to avoid this "just in case", because head-ons between motorcycles never end well. But if someone else feels otherwise, I'm happy to amend the route; it might make things simpler.

Route: http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Hamilton-Kiwibiker-Lines-Tips-Ride

Your boss just PM'd me and told me to tell you to GET BACK TO WORK :killingme p/t

[Bnonn]

Heh, that wouldn't surprise me. Deeknow used to work here, so he could get hold of Chook, who still does, and get him to tell my boss that I'm spending my time working on riding routes online instead of fixing computer problems (:

[Daza]

Here is a recent route that i took. Its reasonably flat. The first bit before the loop has some recent patches of new road and seal, but nothing major. The rest of it has some tight corners and some sweeping corners, fast corners, blind corners etc and one long straight.

Roto-O-Rangi-Route (http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Roto-O-Rangi-Route)

This route can start and finish at the loop, being a small loop, it might be ideal for 6 learners coming along and maybe 2-3 mentors..??

Actually Kairangi Rd/Robinson Rd (it links to RotoOrangi Rd) looks a better bet as its loop is smaller and seems to have more corners....haven't been around those roads yet. Must check it out.


I agree with all the points Warr has suggested. I too agree it would be better to have a shorter loop (but has alot of corners). And do it 1 - 1 and then the next mentor/learner goes out. While the mentor/learner who's just been around, can have a debriefing between themshelves and the learner can ponder what they learned while waiting for his/her turn again before going around again...

Just another future suggestion (Although its a much longer route), i have scouted this out in my cage over the weekend gone by when looking for ideal roads to ride. Only i've only seen half of this route as i turned off onto Toataoroa road instead of continuing onto Buckland Road. I plan to ride this route in near future. On a longer route like this you could two groups (depending on numbers and Mentor/learner ratio) one on either end of longish loop?.
Have a look see Taotaoroa-Route (http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Taotaoroa-Route)

[ZeroIndex]

Heh, that wouldn't surprise me. Deeknow used to work here, so he could get hold of Chook, who still does, and get him to tell my boss that I'm spending my time working on riding routes online instead of fixing computer problems (:

please can you do me a favour.... your smiley faces are the wrong way round... please fix them? If you do, you'll get nice little icons... :yes:

[Blackadda]

Don't frett over the JAFA's, there's plenty of them up there and there's plenty of places for them to play.:bye:

I'm sure there are enough cow bell's down here to keep the mentals busy.:Punk:

I like the look of the Roto o Rangi track. Might have to have a go myself before hand.

[Bnonn]

Roto-o-rangi route looks pretty good, and a bit shorter than mine. What do others reckon?

ZeroIndex: my smileys are left-handed, and I hate those obnoxiously effiminate emoticon images q:

[ZeroIndex]

Roto-o-rangi route looks pretty good, and a bit shorter than mine. What do others reckon?

ZeroIndex: my smileys are left-handed, and I hate those obnoxiously effiminate emoticon images q:

Bit far-out for that ride... might I suggest the Whitehall run (Carver knows the directions) if we're gonna be in that type of area?

[Blackadda]

Bit far-out for that ride... might I suggest the Whitehall run (Carver knows the directions) if we're gonna be in that type of area?

It's not much further than Whitehall. Whitehall's not that good for learner's, rough surface in part's, gravel, tractors and it tighten's up a bit too.

[Bnonn]

I'd like to keep away from gravel...

[TerminalAddict]

me too

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[Blackadda]

I'd like to keep away from gravel...

You'd learn how to fall off pretty good though eh!

[ZeroIndex]

It's not much further than Whitehall. Whitehall's not that good for learner's, rough surface in part's, gravel, tractors and it tighten's up a bit too.


I'd like to keep away from gravel...


me too

10 chars


You'd learn how to fall off pretty good though eh!

Nonsense... that isn't gravel... Gravel is that little 40km section between Raglan and Kawhia...

[Bnonn]

Gravel aside, we need some kind of consensus on the route. What do the advanced riders think of the Roto-o-rangi route which Daza posted? Or mine, for that matter? If they're no good, can you clever chaps post a good one?

[ZeroIndex]

Gravel aside, we need some kind of consensus on the route. What do the advanced riders think of the Roto-o-rangi route which Daza posted? Or mine, for that matter? If they're no good, can you clever chaps post a good one?

which was the one you posted? the one out Ngaruwahia ways? if so, that one looks good...

[Bnonn]

Yeah, Huntly > Glen Afton > Ngaruawahia.

[smoky]

Yeah, Huntly > Glen Afton > Ngaruawahia.

I like that one - lunch up the road at the Waingaro pub.
If it too short you can add on a little loop around Wiakokowai to Rotongaro.

Like you said if people want a ride from Ngaruawahia back to Huntly it's only a short ride - but stay on the western side of the Waikato River down Hakurmata Rd

[RC1]

I like that one - lunch up the road at the Waingaro pub.
If it too short you can add on a little loop around Wiakokowai to Rotongaro.

Like you said if people want a ride from Ngaruawahia back to Huntly it's only a short ride - but stay on the western side of the Waikato River down Hakurmata Rd

i do this one quite run quite often a good mix of what you need another 2c http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/RCTL-Huntly-8

[Bnonn]

I'm quite amicable to adding an extra loop to the route (your route is basically the one I proposed but with an extra section), but I'm not sure if it would serve much purpose for a Lines & Tips ride? It would increase the distance a fair amount. It seems better to keep it simple. But again, this depends on what others think (:

[Daza]

I think perhaps we need to find the mentors first, who ever would be interested in helping. Since they have mentored before, they might be best to pick a route as to what they have in mind in how they are going run it. And if we only get two mentors and we end up with 6+ ppl then a short loop-route will probably better, keeping to the goal of learning the lines and getting feedback. Rather than it turning into a tiki tour.

But if the route is too far away i will have to flag it. As i haven't yet ridden any long distances yet and wouldn't want to be far from home if the rain decides to bucket down. I will start learning to ride in the wet when im confident in the dry. But a route around the outskirts of Hamilton is okay.

[Bnonn]

Hmm, you are a long way from the proposed Glen Afton route. I don't mind heading out to Cambridge and riding with you, but I can't do much about the rain (;

Given your situation, I'm perfectly happy to second the Roto-o-rangi route you proposed if you aren't keen on the Glen Afton one. We can always leave Glen Afton for the summer when there is less chance of rain.

As far as mentors goes, I know we have Warr and TA, and I believe Smoky has offered his help as well. DMNTD seems keen, although he's further north.

[RC1]

im not a mentor but i have ridden 18+ yrs and am happy to help if needed just need to sort out timing due to young family comitments, location not really an issue for me as i will come to where ever in waikato...

[Daza]

Yeah the weather has been miserable the whole week i was planning on riding everyday of my holidays!, it looks like the sun is trying to fight back at the moment.

Well it is convenient RotoOrangi is kinda in my backyard. But it does have a good variety of corners for the task. Because of distance from here im not too keen on Glen Afton at this stage, as you said perhaps for summer.

RotoRangi course i plotted does have one very long straight, so we have to be careful not to get too carried away incase the nearby farmers think we are "racing" around the backroads, i understand a couple of your guys wouldn't want any "imperial entanglements" :P Perhaps make that point our pitstop, i mean gathering spot?

So everyone doesn't mind coming to RotoOrangi?

Shall we nominate the most experienced mentor to be the chief of the course?

I guess it will be down to the weather on which day we ride and maybe the time. What about aiming for a 1pm start on Sat? if everyone is happy with Roto.

[ZeroIndex]

Hmm, you are a long way from the proposed Glen Afton route. I don't mind heading out to Cambridge and riding with you, but I can't do much about the rain (;

Given your situation, I'm perfectly happy to second the Roto-o-rangi route you proposed if you aren't keen on the Glen Afton one. We can always leave Glen Afton for the summer when there is less chance of rain.

As far as mentors goes, I know we have Warr and TA, and I believe Smoky has offered his help as well. DMNTD seems keen, although he's further north.

DMNTD isn't north... he's East...

[Bnonn]

My bad.

Daza: I'm keen for a 1 pm Saturday start. Where do we meet? I'll import your map and clean it up a bit with some more tags and so on, if you like, and call it Alternative Lines & Tips Ride or summat.

[TerminalAddict]

meet at whatawhata (I'm biased of course :) )

[Bnonn]

Heh, Whatawhata is a bit of a ways from Lemmington q: On the route I am creating I'm saying meet at Gwyneth Common in Lemmington, but us Hamilton chaps could always meet somewhere in Hamilton first.

[Daza]

Daza: I'm keen for a 1 pm Saturday start. Where do we meet? I'll import your map and clean it up a bit with some more tags and so on, if you like, and call it Alternative Lines & Tips Ride or summat.

Okay thats cool if you want to clean up the map and rename it.
How about meeting outside of a primary school carpark which is on the roadside itself. The RotoOrangi road is around just around the corner.
I probably didn't need to make a map of how to get there coming in from Hamilton way, but it can't hurt.
RotoOrangi-Ride-Suggested-Meeting-point (http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/RotoOrangi-Ride-Suggested-Meeting-point)
Also on Shakespeare Street there is a BP station half way down if you guys need to top up.

If it rains Saturday we can try same place and time Sunday...?


Who else is going to meet up?

[2 wheel madness]

im keen, work commitments and weather pending.

would be happy to meet up in whatawhata then ride to wherever

[Bnonn]

Okay, sweet. Because I am a little bit autistic, I'm creating routes based on a '$city Kiwibiker $ride ($route)' syntax; so this is Hamilton Kiwibiker Lines & Tips Ride (Rotoorangi Route): http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Hamilton-Kiwibiker-Lines-Tips-Ride-Rotoorangi-Route

There is also the Glen Afton route for summertime: http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Hamilton-Kiwibiker-Lines-Tips-Ride-Glen-Afton-Route

There is no plain old Hamilton Kiwibiker Lines & Tips Ride map any more, so you'll get a 404 on the previous link q;

[terrygurl]

Roto-o-rangi sounds good to me

[TerminalAddict]

so .... I've got a buddy for saturday ;)
any one else?

[tri boy]

Hey guys,
Not sure if this weekend is so good for you. I think it is "gypsy weekend". When share milkers are moving stock on the road all through the Waikato. Heaps of crap/stock etc on back roads.
Not positive if Sat or Sun is the main day. Be careful.:mellow:

[Bnonn]

Thanks for the warning. If it's not raining we'll go ahead anyway. We aren't going to be riding hard, and hazard detection is an important part of learning to be a good rider (;

Paul, I'll meet you in Whatawhata at about 12.30? Where do you want to meet, and what route will we take to Leamington?

[2 wheel madness]

why not the caltex where we meet on wednesdays?

[Bnonn]

Well, I'm happy to meet there. Saves riding out to Whatawhata (: I thought Paul said Whatawhata, is all. I guess the Caltex is the better place really, since we all know it.

[ZeroIndex]

Well, I'm happy to meet there. Saves riding out to Whatawhata (: I thought Paul said Whatawhata, is all. I guess the Caltex is the better place really, since we all know it.

I might come along... I need to learn to ride on the road after todays fun adventure called Taupo racetrack... :yes:

[Meekey_Mouse]

Once my Hyo project is road worthy, I might be keen to join this in a few months if it's still going :yes:


I might come along... I need to learn to ride on the road after todays fun adventure called Taupo racetrack... :yes:

How'd the trackday go? Hope the track had more grip then Sunday!

[ZeroIndex]

Once my Hyo project is road worthy, I might be keen to join this in a few months if it's still going :yes:



How'd the trackday go? Hope the track had more grip then Sunday!

It was absolutely awesome... tonnes of grip, except the one corner, where I was cranking my bike over a bit too far and it kept sliding a bit... other than that, it was awesome. There was a little silver RG150 that owned Sidewinder...

[Blackadda]

Good luck guys n gals.

If you get rained out Sat, I might be a show on Sunday arvo... so long as you young things don't mind a nana following behind :scooter:

[Bnonn]

You're very welcome to join us as far as I'm concerned. We'll be meeting at the Whatawhata Road Dinsdale Caltex at 12.30 before riding out to Leamington to meet at the school at 1 pm.

[Bnonn]

Okay, a bit of an update. I am meeting TerminalAddict and TerryGurl in Whatawhata at 1 pm, by the pub. I'm going to head over there after filling up at the Dinsdale (Whatawhata Rd) Caltex, at 12.30. Then we're going to Leamington. I had thought we were meeting at Leamington at 1, so sorry if we're late.

You can contact me on +6421341370 if everything goes pear-shaped and we all miss each other (:

[Daza]

So what time do you think you guys will get to the meeting place at Leamington then? Heres my num if there is a hold up, just txt 0212679193

Who else is still coming?

Its heavy overcast here at the moment, but it was like that yesterday morning and cleared up enough to get some sunshine in the afternoon. Hopefully it will do the same again today.

[Bnonn]

I guess 20 minutes after we meet at Whatawhata, so 1.20 maybe? Not sure exactly how long it takes...

[ZeroIndex]

I guess 20 minutes after we meet at Whatawhata, so 1.20 maybe? Not sure exactly how long it takes...

yay! that means i have time to actually wake up properly instead of running around like a crazy person...

[Mental Trousers]

Was a good day out. Shaneh in particular made huge progress and looks a lot smoother and more confident than he was at the start of the day.



Personally I'm not a great fan of car parks unless helping out a total newbie, but this is your guy's ball game and I'm just offering my assistance/help/advice if it's required and I have a few clues on how to ride these two wheeled machines.


A Car park is where I spent over an hour with shaneh. The thing about car park riding is that you can teach technique in isolation. After the person has seen how the different techniques work and how they feel, you can then take them out on the road and apply them. Usually people don't need that much time in a carpark though. An hour is plenty. But I reckon it's something that everyone should do.

[Bnonn]

Thanks to everyone who came for a great afternoon; particularly the mentors, and particularly Paul who followed me around and gave me some great advice and pointers to work on. I'm going to bed (:

[Daza]

Yeah thanks again for everyone turning up and good words of advise from the mentors and tips i gained. I shall be working on my lines and then my cornering speed after that. Look forward to it again, when ive put into practice what ive learned. Yesterday was the longest ride i have had on the bike. All good experience. Cheers.

[TerminalAddict]

criket daza .... longest ride?

good on ya .. soon enough you'll be doing 500km loops like us

bnonn:
may have to schedule another go in a couple of weeks eh?

[Daza]

criket daza .... longest ride?

good on ya .. soon enough you'll be doing 500km loops like us

bnonn:
may have to schedule another go in a couple of weeks eh?

Well it was the longest afternoon out on the bike, but then we all were talking for a bit too. Usually i ride for about 45mins -1 hour before i start getting sore.
But yesterday it wasn't too bad. The more i ride the better eh.

[ZeroIndex]

Well it was the longest afternoon out on the bike, but then we all were talking for a bit too. Usually i ride for about 45mins -1 hour before i start getting sore.
But yesterday it wasn't too bad. The more i ride the better eh.

You'll get used to riding... plus once you start climbing off your bike, you won't get sore so quickly, since you're moving about...

I found some RGV250 pics... enjoy :)

[terrygurl]

Awesome to hear everyone enjoyed the day.. I'm absolutley gutted I cldn't make it.. will there be another day??? Go on.. it'll be good to keep practising ;)

[smoky]

I found some RGV250 pics... enjoy :)

which ones you Zero?

[ZeroIndex]

which ones you Zero?

None... but pic #1 is me in the carpark, pic #2 is my mate (who owned the rg150 before me) at Taupo, and pic #3 & #4 is the same mate, in a different carpark...