Gale force winds forecast tomorrow (Sat 28 Feb)

[mattian]

Ok, heres my situation.
I commute to and from work by bike...... don't have a car. Never did.
I have to go from North Shore to city over the harbour bridge tomorrow and they are forecasting gale force winds, up to 120 ks an hour.

I ride a Kymco Venox 250 (similar to hondas magna) its a very solid bike, with a long wheel base and has always seen me through some heavy winds but, nothing this full on. The last time they forecast 120 k winds up there I caught the bus and, saw a guy crossing on a Hyosung GV 250..... he made it alright.
Would you do it?

[klingon]

Personally, I would do it. I have been over the bridge most weekdays for the past 18 months or so on my Volty, and never had a problem. Even when the signs are all saying "Beware of wind gusts" and they are advising bikes to stay off the bridge.

Here are the precautions I would take:
1) Make sure your bike & tyres are in tip-top condition
2) Don't wear a backpack or clothes that are going to flap or drag - I have found this makes quite a difference to how much wind I catch.
3) Stick to the centre lanes as much as possible (if you must take the clip-ons, stay in the lane closest to the bridge)
4) Stay away from high-sided trucks, vans, trailers, etc. They are much more of a hazard than the wind!
5) Ride with your weight low on the pegs, keep a relaxed grip, lean forward if you need to.
6) Yell "YEEHAA" inside your helmet because it's fantastic fun!

[Blackshear]

I would. Wind blows RIGHT through my imaginative fairings.
Hell. I'll even give it a go tomorrow.
Just be bloody careful man, weave all over the damn place so cars might back off.

[Blackshear]

Personally, I would do it. I have been over the bridge most weekdays for the past 18 months or so on my Volty, and never had a problem. Even when the signs are all saying "Beware of wind gusts" and they are advising bikes to stay off the bridge.

Here are the precautions I would take:
1) Make sure your bike & tyres are in tip-top condition
2) Don't wear a backpack or clothes that are going to flap or drag - I have found this makes quite a difference to how much wind I catch.
3) Stick to the centre lanes as much as possible (if you must take the clip-ons, stay in the lane closest to the bridge)
4) Stay away from high-sided trucks, vans, trailers, etc. They are much more of a hazard than the wind!
5) Ride with your weight low on the pegs, keep a relaxed grip, lean forward if you need to.
6) Yell "YEEHAA" inside your helmet because it's fantastic fun!

I need to spread rep or something. I blame number 6.

[mattian]

Thankyou Klingon and Blackshear ! your vote of confidence has made my mind up. I'm doing it. I agree with all your pointers Klingon...... especially number 6 ! haha, I will be doing that for sure.

[Blackshear]

Thankyou Klingon and Blackshear ! your vote of confidence has made my mind up. I'm doing it. I agree with all your pointers Klingon...... especially number 6 ! haha, I will be doing that for sure.

When ya leaving? :shifty:

[klingon]

When ya leaving? :shifty:

I think we got ourselves a convoy. :shifty:

[mattian]

When ya leaving? :shifty:

7.00am, have to be at work for 7.30am. Want to come with?

[Big Dave]

Take. The. Bus.

HEAVY RAIN AND EASTERLY GALES ALREADY AFFECTING NORTHLAND MOVING ONTO AUCKLAND,COROMANDEL PENINSULA, WAIKATO AND BAY OF PLENTY DURING SATURDAY MORNING.

A deepening low is expected to move southwards over the seas just west of the North Island during Saturday to lie west of Nelson by midnight Saturday. A very strong moist northeast flow already affecting Northland will spread quickly south over New Zealand during Saturday bringing rain to the whole country.This heavy rain warning now covers all of Northland Auckland Waikato Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty. Widespread falls of 100 to 150mm rain in a 24 hour period are expected in these areas with the heaviest falls of 200 to 250 mm possible in eastern hill country of Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, and the Kaimai ranges. Intense rainfall rates of 20 to 30mm per hour at times will bring surface flooding and make driving conditions hazardous. People are also warned to watch for rapidly rising streams and rivers.

A period of severe easterly gales is also expected for parts of Auckland,Waikato near the Kaimai ranges, and about the Firth of Thames during Saturday. Winds of this strength could damage trees,powerlines and insecure roofs, and make driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.

[MadDuck]

Weather has just hit here. Loads of rain and the winds are picking up and I understand it is heading south.

If I was you I would avoid the harbour bridge and head out via the western motorway and Greenhithe. But I am a big chicken harley rider :rolleyes:

[klingon]

Take. The. Bus.

... and make driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.

Oh Big Dave I didn't know you were so sensible. :rolleyes:

Or perhaps it's because you qualify as a high-sided vehicle? :confused:

[Mully]

Fuck. I have to take the RF for a WOF tomorrow. Bollocks.

[Mully]

Or perhaps it's because you qualify as a high-sided vehicle? :confused:

I think BD qualifies a motorcyclist and a high-sided vehicle.

[WuZards-Eugene]

Sounds like fun. Supposed to be having a barbeque tomorrow. Was going to be going to Ocean Beach, but thats been cancelled (for no obvious wet reasons). Looks like its a garage barbeque for me lol. Aaahhh weeeelllllllll. Shit happens.

[Big Dave]

I think BD qualifies a motorcyclist and a high-sided vehicle.

Leave my ego out of it.

[Blackshear]

I think we got ourselves a convoy. :shifty:

Well big Dave has me a little worried, and 7am is a little intense. But why the fuck not?

[Big Dave]

Well big Dave has me a little worried, and 7am is a little intense. But why the fuck not?

Morning looks OK - what time you coming home?

I would probably ride - I'm on a 330kg bike and am a pro. But I would make my decision after inspection of the conditions and be smarter than Darwin.

Mattian is a relative noob from memory and is on a tiddler (no offence mate - just the scheme of things).

Ya know.

It might all be a storm in the met teacup too.

Look in the morning, check the radar, scan the warnings, use your brain.

Prove nothing to no-one.

[Maha]

Take the Bus!!

[mattian]

I am not going to commit to anything on here buddy. Going to wake up and review the state of the wind tomorrow. If its as bad as they say its going to get then, I'm going to err on the side of caution. I can gung-ho with the best of them but, I'm not a moron. If worse comes to worst then I will be bussing it.
Would love to go for a ride in better weather sometime though.

[mattian]

You're absoluteyl right Big Dave and I really appreciate your input. I will definately be sensible about it. I am not suicidal at all ! and, cant think of anything worse than coming to grief in high winds on the bridge. Thats just the height of stupidity.

[Blackshear]

Morning looks OK - what time you coming home?

I would probably ride - I'm on a 330kg bike and am a pro. But I would make my decision after inspection of the conditions and be smarter than Darwin.

Mattian is a relatively noob from memory and is on a tiddler (no offence mate - just the scheme of things).

Ya know.

It might all be a storm in the met teacup too.

Look in the morning, check the radar, scan the warnings, use your brain.

Prove nothing to no-one.

Probably come home at the end of this theoretical 7.30am trip.
I like to think of my bike as a bit of a fatty, 180kg (not sure if wet or dry), but I think you won, Big Dave. If it's pissing down with rain, I'll come to the theoretical meeting spot and say nuh uh.
I'm not too experienced myself, but well. Uhm. :Pokey:


So seriously. Meet up point?

[Elysium]

and make driving hazardous for high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists.
Ok..who here are just going to ignore this warning?...Hands up..

Take. The. Bus.
I think that qualifies as being high sided.

[Blackshear]

You're absoluteyl right Big Dave and I really appreciate your input. I will definately be sensible about it. I am not suicidal at all ! and, cant think of anything worse than coming to grief in high winds on the bridge. Thats just the height of stupidity.

Awww. Well, I'll get a sleep in then if I hear rain.

[Big Dave]

I think tht qualifies as being high sided.

And they would have a set of standards regulating what constitutes a safe crossing of the bridge.

[Blackshear]

Now now ladles and jellyspoons, Big Dave has a very valid point.
120k crosswinds on a high bridge, + water = Kinda iffy.

I just missed out on the last hoo-hah about massive winds.

[klingon]

*Puts Volty in reverse and backs slowly out of the convoy*

Hold on a minute... why would I be out at 7am in the pouring rain when I could be cosy in bed reading the paper and drinking coffee? Anyway I live on the wrong side of the bridge (I work in Glenfield) so I don't qualify for the convoy anyway...

[mattian]

Blackshear. I've decided to take the advice of the more experienced riders here. They have been riding alot longer and know more about this kind of thing. I've ridden in high winds over the bridge before but, 120 ks and hour is whats predicted and geeesus thats windy ! and you want to turn around and go back again !?? haha, I admire your gumption but, have to say a no go at this stage.

[Blackshear]

Blackshear. I've decided to take the advice of the more experienced riders here. They have been riding alot longer and know more about this kind of thing. I've ridden in high winds over the bridge before but, 120 ks and hour is whats predicted and geeesus thats windy ! and you want to turn around and go back again !?? haha, I admire your gumption but, have to say a no go at this stage.

Ha ha, that's ok man.
Feel kinda relieved now :baby:
Damn spontaneous organisations.

[klingon]

...Wind blows RIGHT through my imaginative fairings...



...I would probably ride - I'm on a 330kg bike ...

You see this is interesting. My Volty is what BD calls a "tiddler" but it's a naked tiddler. And I have never had even the whiff of trouble when riding in side winds. I think stability in side winds probably has more to do with the wind whistling through the middle of a naked bike than the overall weight of the bike (or bike + rider).

[Squiggles]

Its the gusts that'll cause the problems, chanelling past other objects and intensifying... you have to be very onto it to ride in high winds

[Blackshear]

You see this is interesting. My Volty is what BD calls a "tiddler" but it's a naked tiddler. And I have never had even the whiff of trouble when riding in side winds. I think stability in side winds probably has more to do with the wind whistling through the middle of a naked bike than the overall weight of the bike (or bike + rider).

Exactly this.
The only other bike I've ridden was a CBR 250RR, and apart from feeling far twitchier up front, it caught a fair bit of wind. Maybe it was the wind that made it twitchy.
Anyway it was shit, overheated in 5 minutes, and had a scary wobble inside the engine after 8,000rpm.

Anyway x2, yes.


?????

[Big Dave]

Actually - once it's up to 120 it doesn't make a whole lot of difference what you are on. It's just miserable.

The equation would factor mass relative to surface area and drag coefficient for the potential to alter the vector.

Or heavy arse need more puff.

Is there a physicist who could express it properly hyar?

[Paul in NZ]

Look - it's not all about you OK - I want to go fishing on my yak in the morning :crybaby:

FFS - take the bus - it won't kill you (as long as you don't touch the hand rails)

[rainman]

I'm on a relatively heavy bike, wouldn't count myself a pro but I'm not a noob, and I would not ride tomorrow. And I have ridden in previous high wind/gusty conditions, including on my GN.

Of course the main reason is I have a dodgy back tyre, and the next reason is I have no need to go anywhere, but this does look like a shitty storm. I've turned the trampoline over and everything.

If you do decide to go out I'll add a #7 to Klingon's list: watch the speed.

[nallac]

Ok..who here are just going to ignore this warning?...Hands up..

Me,
i'll be riding to work tomorrow mornin.
But won't be going over the bridge cause its about 70ks outa my way..

[Brett]

Yeah it wouldn't / hasn't really stopped me before. i went out in one storm a few years back that is the worst I can remember...had to duck as a real estate agents sign came like a frizbee and glanced off teh top of my lid, then about 30 seconds later, a green recycling bin tried to attack my wheels. It was pretty hectic and I wouldn't recommend anyone fairly new to riding tries it. That said, if you know your bike and are confident you can handle being blown around and what not, go for it.
As for me, I will be taking the car where I have to go tomorrow. Not interested in rain, it makes me damp.

[Ixion]

7.00am, have to be at work for 7.30am. Want to come with?

Are you mad? Have you totally lost your senses. You'll die.


Nobody can survive being out at 7:30 am. The world at that ungodly hour is incomaptible with human existence. There is no air, it's all still asleep.

No, actually I'm not a morning person. How did you guess?

[Dean]

I loved it riding in the heavy rain on a gn with dodgy tyres, (ching ching brand). Whenever i would pick up a bit of speed around corners i could feel the rear start to slide out, and man does it feel good partly drifting-nearly high siding.Good days try it if you have got the balls, or not.

[MaxB]

Has anyone mentioned going round the long way and avoiding the bridge? Sure it may take longer but there is more shelter and at least you will probably get to work in 1 piece.

Seriously, don't do anything you feel is unsafe. I may ride tomorrow but I will poke my snout out the door and assess the situation beforehand. Any probs. and I will take the car.

BTW the wind will not be your biggest issue on Saturday. It will be the heavy rain, slippery surfaces, no visibility and moron car drivers that go into a blind panic at the first sign of a storm.

[MadDuck]

Has anyone mentioned going round the long way and avoiding the bridge? Sure it may take longer but there is more shelter and at least you will probably get to work in 1 piece.

Refer to post #10. Cant you people read?

[retro asian]

Be careful if you see trees bent over from the wind...
Riding in those conditions is how I found out a 250cc is light enough to be pushed fully sideways on a slippery wet road! Surprised the heck outta me, but didn't knock me off luckily...

[Blackshear]

Yeah screw that, raining already.

ENJOY YOUR SLEEP IN, EVERYONE!
Ah how I've missed the soothing sounds of rain...

[Dean]

ENJOY YOUR SLEEP IN, EVERYONE!
Ah how I've missed the soothing sounds of rain...


Yea i got to admit there is nothing better than the sound of the rain, its soothing. Finaly i will sleep tonight, it would be better if the rain gets a bit more heavy and some thunder.

[Grahameeboy]

I am having a BBQ today....mainly family but if you fancy popping in - 46 Kiwi Road, Devomport, around 3

[Swoop]

My Volty is what BD calls a "tiddler" but it's a naked tiddler.
It might be adviseable to keep "naked tiddler's" away from catholic preists' then...:lol:
Temptation and all that...:buggerd:

[Big Dave]

Bit of a fizzer?
Damp - no tempest hyar.

[newbould]

Actually - once it's up to 120 it doesn't make a whole lot of difference what you are on. It's just miserable.

The equation would factor mass relative to surface area and drag coefficient for the potential to alter the vector.

Or heavy arse need more puff.

Is there a physicist who could express it properly hyar?

Not a phisicist and only ridden 11 mths - 10,000k but the scorp seems to have autopilot in sidewinds. I think the theory is the wind hits the front wheel and blows it front downwind - ie countersteering away from the wind direction - this tips the bike over up wind and turns it back to the line you want. Still the scariest part of starting out riding imho (apart from tin top crazies but that's another story) All that I have written is probalbvy garbage as sooon as you put on a fairing.

[Big Dave]

All that I have written is probalbvy garbage as sooon as you put on a fairing.

Fairings make side winds worse - plain surface area.

[scumdog]

O'cast and threatening to drizzle (maybe) and calm-as here in the frozen southern wasteland:devil2:

[Bonez]

Normal zepher here. 37kph plus and the neigbours lean too iron is flapping.

[slofox]

Blowing like forty bastards in Hammertron - horizontal rain as well...

[Ixion]

Showers and breezy here in D'orkland. No probs.

[Bonez]

Showers and breezy here in D'orkland. No probs.Seems bad off to the right a bit though.http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?alias=allnzrainradar
Pissing down here now. Big drops and lots of it.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Man, who's bored on here? :D

Stopped raining here and the humidity is getting up. Bollocks to this, I'm going to saddle up. Not sure where to go though..

[Bonez]

Man, who's bored on here? :D

Stopped raining here and the humidity is getting up. Bollocks to this, I'm going to saddle up. Not sure where to go though..Google Maps is your freind.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Feeling sociable. Figuring if I prod enough people someone will be around so I can ride over and <s>annoy them</s> spend quality time.

[mattian]

UPDATE !
Yes, I caught the bus. Wind was incredible at the top of the bridge this morning! I think I made the right decision. Signs were flashing "60" for the speed limit and, the bus driver was struggling with the wheel at the top of the bridge. Would have been fine if it was Northerly, or Southerly. Just those side wind gusts are trecherous.

[klingon]

UPDATE !
Yes, I caught the bus. Wind was incredible at the top of the bridge this morning! I think I made the right decision. Signs were flashing "60" for the speed limit and, the bus driver was struggling with the wheel at the top of the bridge. Would have been fine if it was Northerly, or Southerly. Just those side wind gusts are trecherous.

Excellent. Glad you made it. I stayed inside all day as planned, although it really just seemed like another muggy, drizzly day out there. :zzzz:

Glad you found some wind on top of the bridge to make your bus ride worthwhile, though.

[Tubbsy]

Anyone going riding tomorrow? Was taking the G/F on her bike up to Orewa today...or was supposed to be, for practice. The high winds stopped that. S'posed to be better tomorrow though.

Just wondering on the general consensus

[musicman]

I didn't check the weather and so missed the warnings, and had work at 5am to 9:30am. Rode the 650 over the bridge at 5am, rode around the city on a CT110 for 4 hours, then rode the 650 back over the bridge at 9:30. The ride home was definitely worse in terms of wind.

However there was more traffic at 9:30 so the speed was a much more sedate 110km/h over the bridge.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Anyone going riding tomorrow? Was taking the G/F on her bike up to Orewa today...or was supposed to be, for practice. The high winds stopped that. S'posed to be better tomorrow though.

Just wondering on the general consensus
see my thread in Meetings & Events dude..

[portokiwi]

Wind was fun in the morning then nothing....... What happened????

[mattian]

I didn't check the weather and so missed the warnings, and had work at 5am to 9:30am. Rode the 650 over the bridge at 5am, rode around the city on a CT110 for 4 hours, then rode the 650 back over the bridge at 9:30. The ride home was definitely worse in terms of wind.

However there was more traffic at 9:30 so the speed was a much more sedate 110km/h over the bridge.

Say what!!?? make me look like a pansy why don't ya? :laugh:
however, in all fairness, your 650 is probably much more sturdy in the wind than my "piddley 250" :scooter:

[Weta]

hope u made it ok, wasn't as bad as forecast in the end was it? some good advice here, centre lanes def. better, big trucks are OK shields if theyre on the right side. I find its good to stay on the gas when its real windy (grew up in Wairarapa commute over Rimutakas) so when a gust comes powering into it gives a little more control.