22-28 May: Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practice?

[Terminated]

Please spend a few minutes and let us all know, 'Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?' during the week. Humour and photographs are welcomed, however please keep in mind the general spirit is to enlighten us all about your riding practice and technique.

By all means if you have any concerns about your riding, ask questions and I am sure a mentor or senior experienced rider will be only too happy to touch base with you in the forum or by PM personal message.

Last week Chanceyy and WarlockNZ both chose Daza and I was very pleased to see Bnonn come in with some assistance. Daza well done.

Also I noticed j-bee had posted in a different thread about her general riding confidence and was pleased to see Crashe had provided a ‘heads up’. I have sent j-bee a PM and when she is ready we may do some carpark practice and short rides.

There are riders in this KB community that I know are ready and willing to help out a newbie, and it is comforting to see numerous referrals and the encouraging comments that are provided. Thank you all.

Next Tuesday evening Daza will chose an entry from this thread. The selection will then be copied across to the Newbie Update Blog at the end of May.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=1728

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Cynos]

I did my usual workday commute from North Loburn to Christchurch and back. It's about 53km one way. To be honest, it was more of a ride than I would've liked to take on so early, but my getting a motorcycle involved fulfilling my wife's wish of moving to the country, ah compromise. I still get to buy a rifle as well. :D

I can work out how long I've owned the bike roughly by how many K's I've put on the clock - it's now 7000 higher than when I bought it, so I've owned it for 14 weeks.

I have a few queries for experienced riders, but I'll describe what I'm doing first.

A typical day's ride for me involves:

From home to main road - about 3km of gravel road riding on a road bike... ...I really hadn't thought this through very well, but I'm stuck with it. The condition of the road varies from awesome, when the clay has been exposed but not rutted and potholed, to terrifying, when the road has been graded and remetalled.

I managed to drop my bike on this section last week, first time. Hit the front brake on reflex when encountering an unexpected vehicle, managed to time it right for when my front wheel was in some nice deep gravel, bike just folded underneath me. No damage to me (go go gear), but a bent handlebar and a shattered indicator.

Main Road to Rangiora
I have two routes I can use, one's higher in altitude, less traffic but with a rougher surfacing and no reflective markers, the second is lower down with more traffic and better marking.

Rangiora
The most boring section of my trip. I have great difficulty restraining myself here. It seems that 50km is too fast for a lot of people in the morning.

Rangiora to Christchurch
Once I've made my way down Lineside Road, I get to travel down the motorway. Most people travel at 110km/h - 120km/h, so I tend to do the same as I don't feel safe travelling slower than other traffic, especially as I have limited rear vision.

Belfast to Sydenham

I normally travel down Main North Road as I can lanesplit through most of the congestion with relative ease. I've located an alternative route through St Albans which avoids the Sherbourne St section of Cranford, so stoked on that. I've attempted Marshlands Road a few times but feel really uneasy with the concept of overtaking into the face of oncoming traffic - that said, it seems far more riders travel down Marshlands than Main North, and most of them seem okay with the overtaking.

In the evenings I reverse this route.

Things I learnt
Well, when I dropped my bike I learnt that I really need to control that panic reflex to hit the brakes - the moment I'd seen the oncoming ute, I squeezed the front brake without thinking, which was precisely the wrong thing to do.

I learnt I'm glad I don't have fairings. :pinch:

I also learnt that my bike has a habit of having slightly different parts - different enough to cause trouble, my indicator bulb being a case in point.

Queries

Cable lubrication
I snapped my clutch cable last week, due to lack of lubrication. I got that repaired and lubed by Trevor Pierce Motorcycles, but I've still got two accelerator cables and a clutch cable. How would I go about lubricating them myself? Is it possible, or do you need specialist gear?

General maintenance: The K's I'm clocking and the dust are having a notable effect on the bike. I've had a few bolts vibrate free (had to hold my rear mudguard up with a shoelace one day), and if I don't wash the dust off the bottom of my crankcase every few weeks, I lose the partial air cooling effect I get. What other things should I be checking on? I lube the chain about once a week.

Winter riding
I'm riding in all weather. My gear is sufficiently waterproof so far, but I have had one wet crotch once from torrential rain all the way home. The cold air on my face was horrible in the early mornings, but I invested in a ninjaclava and have never looked back. Is a rain suit necessary?

I haven't yet encountered any ice on the road, but I'm terrified of it. I know the general conditions likely to form ice, and will take my car on those days, but if I make a bad call and hit ice, is that it, game over, or is it possible to not come off on it?

Gravel road section
This really scares me at times, and I was wondering about perhaps getting a slightly knobblier tyre for the front wheel - but in saying that, the other 50km is road, and so I'd imagine I'd have less grip on tarmac and more wear. Can anyone provide advice on possible solutions?

Motorcycle parts
My first port of call is Budget Motorcycle Spares, but I need an alternate source for when Budget don't have what I need. A decent wrecker for second hand parts would also be good - the last three times I've been to that Japanese Motorcycle Wrecker dude down Tuam Street, he's been open but not responding to the bell...

So yeah, advice and suggestions more than welcomed.

[Terminated]

So yeah, advice and suggestions more than welcomed.

Cynos I have put a 'snapshot of your post above' over in the General forum inviting people to look at your queries and hopefully followup for you.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=50611

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Biff]

Rangiora to Christchurch
Once I've made my way down Lineside Road,



Dude - cut down the South Belt >> Townsend, using Fernside Rd to get you to the Ohoka/Kaiapoi entry onto SH1. It's much more fun.

[Cynos]

Dude - cut down the South Belt >> Townsend, using Fernside Rd to get you to the Ohoka/Kaiapoi entry onto SH1. It's much more fun.

Excellent, I'd love to eliminate Lineside Road. I'll check it out. :)

[yod]

i rode on the road and practiced my riding....twas nice

[carbacca]

did my proper long stretch of riding, it would have been 3.5 weeks since i got the bike too

i went out/attempted to have a ride around the block last weekend, but was not too successful as i was far too tense and didnt have anyone to point out the minor but oh-so-important fiddyly little bits (will elaborate later)

organised for a biker friend to ride the bike somewhere quiet where i can jump on and do loops and circles til the cows came home. he taught me those little fiddly but important bits such as "if you let the clutch out slowly enough the bike wont stall and will thump along quite happily" <<--- i didnt know that since i have never driven/anything with a clutch before. and that i am placing my foot in the wrong place (middle of the foot on the right peg, hence i was unconsciously putting on the rear brake as well, hence stalling). clutch control and foot position out of the way i was quickly doing figure out eights in the carpark at the penrose business park (the one slightly opposite of AA penrose; twas a nice place to practice for any learner rider). then we went home for lunch

in the afternoon decided to go for a spin again, while its still fresh in my mind. this time with the skills under my belt decided to at first do some rounds of the block my house is on (left turns only :P haha) one turned into two turned into three and soon i ended up doing endless loops of the block (my dad followed in his cage just to make sure i dont end up as a puddle of goo on the road. he teaches cagers how to drive), i think the old ladies out walking their dogs must have gotten sick of seeing my go past for the n-th time. there was also a copper stopped to make a phone call, i passed him about 3 times before he left. was getting some funny looks from him until he saw my L plate and realised what i was doing. i lost count of how many rounds i did but eventually had enough. looked at the fuel gauge and was nearly empty, so went to find a BP where i can get some 98 octane (hey i am on a 250, i need all the help i can get). all fueled up i decided to go a little bit further afield. found a new block where i only have to do left turns and went at it again. i even got a nice friendly nod from an obviously more experienced biker on a suzuki something (wasnt looking for long enough to ID) with a pillion passenger. they were both wearing tinted lenses so i couldnt see anything. did the new block ride i think 4-5 times and then it started to get dark, so i went home.

hope that wasnt too long winded

[kiwifruit]

today i had gates closed behind me on a sealed forestry road, i was kind of trapped....

i then practiced riding a 169hp litre bike on farm races and thru paddocks
who'd have thought a zx10 would make a usable trail bike :)

[James Deuce]

I cleaned and detailed my bike, though I haven't finished detailing the engine and wheels. I broke my toothbrush and it was my last one, so I'll have to go to the $2 Shop tomorrow and get some more.

[skelstar]

A ride down to Lake Ferry on Sat and rode back on a lovelly Italian V-Twin. Felt really planted in the corners compared to mine. To be expected I suppose.

A general hoon around the rapa today. Usual usual.

[Motu]

I got blown off the road!!!

I don't like riding in strong winds,it just takes all the enjoyment out of the day.But as this was my first ride in 6 months,and my first ride on the XT600 in 18 months,I was still enjoying myself in the wild conditions.

On some gravel back road in the middle of nowhere a massive gust hit me as I was going across a ridge - I ended up on the side of the road,stopped.But it was a planned move,one of those things you weigh up in your mind in a couple of milliseconds.I could of held in the gust,but the countersteering input and bike lean would of been pushing my traction in the gravel....and a sudden drop in the wind would see me in the ditch on the other side of the road.The left side just cambered off into grass,so I took the gentle way out.I stopped and had a little think about it.....that's never happened to me before,and so that's good.....another one to add to my collection.

[Daza]

Saturday 26th

Where: Cambridge/Rotoorangi
Aim learn riding lines.

The chosen route (by me) turned out not to be ideal. Bnonn (thanks again) helped organize a group of guys (i don't know all their
KB usernames) Paul, Peter, Cain, Shane, Smokey, Zeroindex to name a few, some others turned up at the meeting place before embarking on another ride elsewhere. The weather looked abit dicey at first then it improved alittle.

So what did i learn?

To set myself up for corners earlier, eg on a right hand corner, moving to the left before turning into the corner and also making sure
not to come too close to the center of the road when leaning over because your head will be over the center of the line.
To gently nudge the rear brake if needed going alittle too quick into a corner (did i state that correctly?) Another bit of advise was if needing to break hard before a corner, to apply the front brake gently at first then apply more pressure afterwards. (i hope i understood what was said correctly) im sure i will be corrected.

Getting confidence in corner speed will come when i get the lines right and with practise.

I also learned that my fuel tank can go 145ks (or there abouts) before it needs a top up.


Monday 28th

Ah what a day for riding, blue sky and sunshine!
After topping up at the bp i went out to Karapiro Dam to take some photos.
Then i went out to TA and then towards Hamilton, turning off just out of Ohaupo towards Mystery Creek. Then past the airport towards the main road that heads into Ham, i headed back towards TA before turning off back on to Airport road and back onto Mystery creek route home. All up i only clocked up 89ks today. I know these roads quite well because i drive to work that way. So it made it more fun. I was working on what i was shown, to set my corners up early coming from the outside of a corner turning towards my apex line and alot of the time i just came off the gas instead of breaking and accelerated out of the corner. I think i only put it into neutral twice when trying to put it into 2nd today. I have bigger boots than i did before, and still getting used to them. I seemed to feel the gears click down more easier in my smaller pair of boots.

I am quite comfortable riding at 100kph with the wind buffer now. My wrists still get sore now and then. My back got started to get sore half way on my ride, but flexing it now and then helped. Its all part of conditioning the body to riding over time i guess. Is a bigger sports bike more comfortable for long rides than a smaller one? I hope we get nice weather again tomorrow.

[vamr]

Today I learnt the reason why the main corner on peach parade is set to 25km... was going around it to find a hiace van sitting completely across my lane waiting to merge into the oncoming one.
After the initial clench of the buttocks I didn't bother standing the bike up and continued arching into the street he was coming from.

Had to get off and have a breather after that.

[Swoop]

Ride: Coming back from a short "pootle" around, I decided on the off chance to shop for curtains for the lounge/dining areas of home. Swung by Briscoe's and walked out with two plastic bags full of material...

Practice: My thought was "how to transport this safely". Then this was changed to "f*ck that, HOW do I fit it on the bike at all?"
Decision was that it will all fit on top of the tank. Hop on and then place the bags on top. They were about the size of the new phone directories that you get at your letterbox each year... times two!
So. Sitting on the VFR, legs supporting the bottom bag, chin of the helmet pressing down on the top bag, upper arms holding the top of the pile and off I go. NOT easy negotiating the carpark and narrow roads, but once underway, all is fine. A new speedo was invented since the plastic bags russle in the wind at exactly 50kph!
A gentle trip home which was rudely interrupted by a tosser in a bongo van who decided that he wanted to turn left from the right hand lane (USE the f*cking left lane - morons!):nono:
Emergency braking practice! PLUS tryimg to stop the bags from flying forward and off the front of the bike while attempting a downshift AND finding the horn button (never did get that part done).
All sorted out eventually. I really hate it when there is a perfect excuse to do some panel damage to a cage but every part of the body is in use at the time!!!!

[Rosie]

On Saturday I went for a cruisey ride to wear in my nice new tyres. I went around my usual Waikite valley route - nice quiet, slightly twisty country roads. I was told to take it easy for the first 100km on the tyres, so I was trying to be nice and smooth, take the corners a bit slower than I normally would etc. I noticed that my gear changes are becoming much smoother, so all those rides working on 'frequent smooth gear changes' must be paying off.

Monday lunchtime I went for a quick ride from work past a couple of the Rotorua lakes - Okareka, Blue Lake and Tarawera. I hadn't taken my bike out there before, so thought I would go for a look. Nice quiet scenic section of road, but not terribly inspiring for motorbiking, most of the corners were covered in road works/gravel/dead possums/50k zones. The few corners that weren't I was thinking about my cornering lines, and seeing how the new tyres felt. They are nicer than the old tyres, but not in an its-like-I've-got-a-whole-new-bike way.

[Panther]

yesterday i practiced riding down my rich uncles long straight sealed driveway at 140 mph in third on the back wheel when the wind caught my open visor, but i found it in the driveway garden, all good.

[Rosie]

Gravel road section
This really scares me at times, and I was wondering about perhaps getting a slightly knobblier tyre for the front wheel - but in saying that, the other 50km is road, and so I'd imagine I'd have less grip on tarmac and more wear. Can anyone provide advice on possible solutions?


This thread has some useful tips on riding on gravel:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24616

I've just started doing a little bit of gravel riding on my road bike. I can putt along in 1st or 2nd without too much hassle, but because of the general geometry of the bike - low narrow handlebars, small front wheel etc it's always going to be a bit of a challenge.

[Daza]

Its that time again to pick two entries. So this time round i pick
Cynos and Carbacca.

Cynos


I did my usual workday commute from North Loburn to Christchurch and back. It's about 53km one way. To be honest, it was more of a ride than I would've liked to take on so early, but my getting a motorcycle involved fulfilling my wife's wish of moving to the country, ah compromise. I still get to buy a rifle as well.

Sounds like you kind of were thrown in the deep end of the learning pool, with a long route that has all kinds roads including gravel. No doubt this will help you be a better rider overall. Also having to commute everyday, you will be getting more confident each day, not to mention getting to know your commute route really well.


Things I learnt
Well, when I dropped my bike I learnt that I really need to control that panic reflex to hit the brakes - the moment I'd seen the oncoming ute, I squeezed the front brake without thinking, which was precisely the wrong thing to do.

Panic reflex is something we all newbie riders are always aware of, especially approaching corners or busy intersections. I think it also helps to be aware of how tense your body can get, and to loosen up accordingly.

Carbacca:


i went out/attempted to have a ride around the block last weekend, but was not too successful as i was far too tense and didnt have anyone to point out the minor but oh-so-important fiddyly little bits (will elaborate later)

Welcome to the learning to ride club!

Have you done a Basic Handling Course yet? I would of thought they would of
filled you in on those "fiddyly little bits".

It may seem unfamiliar at first but you will quickly with practice find it all comes together, and then fine tune your new skills. Sometimes you have your off days too or you get too tense and feel like you aren't progressing.
Keep it up and take your time at your own pace.

[Terminated]

Many thanks Daza for your selections this evening.

I have just got out of bed to check the thread and going straight back, you all guessed it BuckBuckNo1 has the dreaded bug since last Saturday [and that excellent riding weather over the weekend shhhh]. Doctor yesterday and a few more days in bed.

Will get write up done in a few days.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Drew]

yesterday i practiced riding down my rich uncles long straight sealed driveway at 140 mph in third on the back wheel when the wind caught my open visor, but i found it in the driveway garden, all good.

Do you know Kerry Dukey by any chance?

I think you two would be able to talk for hours about this type of shit.

[cowpoos]

Do you know Kerry Dukey by any chance?

I think you two would be able to talk for hours about this type of shit.
I thought you were kerry dukie bro!! I could have sworn Drew was your alter ego???

[Drew]

I cleaned and detailed my bike, though I haven't finished detailing the engine and wheels. I broke my toothbrush and it was my last one, so I'll have to go to the $2 Shop tomorrow and get some more.



Must be a good one in the bathroom bro, the kids dont enjoy cleaning thier teeth anyway.

[ZeroIndex]

On the 24th, me and Sidewinder rode down to Taupo via Old Taupo Rd (which is quite nice and windy). Slept in Taupo at a mate's place. 25th, went to Taupo racetrack and took part in the trackday. Was totally awesome, and the amount of stuff you learn (really simple stuff that you wouldn't normally think of)... loads of fun and good learning experience those trackdays are... I would highly recommend them to anyone who is starting to get there with riding... :)

[Drew]

I thought you were kerry dukie bro!! I could have sworn Drew was your alter ego???SSHHHH, I didn't want people to know.

[BigRed2007]

'Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?'

Hello, My name is Sean aka BigRed. I learnt to ride around the hilly roads of West Auckland. It was the toughest ride around the block. :dodge:

I began by warming up my baby. I brought her out, and polished her. I was very nervous so I had my little brother watch my bike as I went into the house to change. I came out and then prayed quickly so that I had a safe ride. I then rode the bike up in first gear to the start of the road. Then it died as i forgot to pull in the clutch. :nono:

Then I set up myself up ready for the road, turned my head and watched for any cars. Then off i went, around the first tight bend, already in the first few seconds of my ride I got nervous and my glasses started dropping as it was loose. I then reached my first intersection, down hill sloping to the left.... with a huge tight turn to the left. I did the corner at 20 kms and as soon as i pulled out into the straight I was being tailed by a white van. I had to pull over and let it pass. I got my breath back. Then i started again. Down the a hill, up the next , then down again and squeeze between two parked cars on either side of the road. :shit:

Then i came up to my next left, wouldn't you imagine a steep uphill turn to the left. I stalled the first time, then got myself up to it. I pulled the throttle and almost went into the opposite lane into another car but lucky i pulled the bike to the left. I went up the hill then suddenly another car was tailing me. I was horrified, i pulled to the left and stalled, lucky for that car I wasn't in a car. :nono:

Then I turned left into my street down the hill and then kept going around and around. Man I was seriously stressed out and that was my first lap. Until the saga continues. :scooter:


By all means if you have any concerns about your riding, ask questions and I am sure a mentor or senior experienced rider will be only too happy to touch base with you in the forum or by PM personal message.

I would love to have an mentor or senior help me around and show me places to drive to, help me get to Kb Events :)

I live in west Auckland, atm I am having exams till 15 june, cant wait till after. :Punk:

[Cynos]

This thread has some useful tips on riding on gravel:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24616

I've just started doing a little bit of gravel riding on my road bike. I can putt along in 1st or 2nd without too much hassle, but because of the general geometry of the bike - low narrow handlebars, small front wheel etc it's always going to be a bit of a challenge.

Cheers for that link - I've been using my rear brake a bit more after reading it, and it's awesome, way more stable. Thanks! :)

[Rosie]

Great write-up Big Red!

Take your glasses in to an optometrist and they'll tighten/adjust them for free so they stay put while you are riding.

Good on you for looking for a mentor. Having someone experienced to ride with, and discuss things with really helps.

[BigRed2007]

Thanks Rosie, yeah I will take it into the Optometrist, hope they dont try to sell me another pay of lense lol

:) Yeah its important to have a good mentor :)

[Terminated]

I would love to have an mentor or senior help me around and show me places to drive to, help me get to Kb Events :)

I live in west Auckland, atm I am having exams till 15 june, cant wait till after. :Punk:

Cross posted BigRed2007 request to the General forum and also sent a PM and matter taken up immediately by senior rider in Auckland - thanks Crashe. Appreciated.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Terminated]

The following selections are copied to the Newbie Update Blogg:

There were some interesting posts this week by riders and I crossed posted some to the General forum particularly when riders were asking for some general assistance, and also in the case of a new rider who requested mentor / senior rider assistance. [Rider assistance was acknowledged immediately. Thanks Crashe very much.]

Daza must say it was good to read your post this week too and that you got out on a ride with Bnonn. Keep working on those lines and have a talk to your riding friends up there about counter steering. I really enjoyed learning counter steering, pushing on the ‘inside’ grip of the corner and feeling the bike takes its lean angle and a steady throttle. Delve back into the newbie update blogg and I recall an item about ‘two step vision cornering’ that I did. Approaching the bend everything is set up that is speed is correct and throttle is on constant, entry lines are being set, then first and second vision points identified: first point arrived at and here you look through the corner, the second point is pretty well instinctive you have already selected and now comes the ‘inside’ grip push, your bike leans and throttle is on constant, apex approaching then gradual on throttle through exit.

Cynos and Carbacca congratulations on your selections this week. Next week you will be our selectors. I have got some good feed back in the past from previous Selectors that they found the whole process not only writing up your own ‘where did your ride/practice entry’, but also then being a selector provided very good insight to awareness of their own current riding techniques. So I hope you will enjoy the task at hand next week.

On that note I would like to reiterate that the whole purpose of ‘Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?’ is a rider community generated activity whereby reading the entries by riders young and old from wannabe to newbie and old salt veteran, that each week there is something that has each rider even if momentarily reflecting on in their riding technique.


Heads Up and Enjoy
Selections are at:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=1728&entry=160