Motorcycling and An Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Looking back at the previous entry talking about coming off the GN250 in the carpark and then reading the following entry below here, I can recall the hurt pride in damaging the bike albeit only superficial damage. For the remainder of that month, August, I can now (2009) get in touch with my determined efforts as they were then, to try and redeem myself in my own eyes. Around this time I started to broaden my wings so to speak and challenged myself to 'exploring' the Wairarapa district and at the same time make a concerted effort in my riding technique.

As At 18August 2006

Personal Messages - PM's are welcomed.

Total Distance 4472km [since 12 May]

Up and over the Rimutaka Hill last Sunday, down to the twin bridges and back, was very enjoyable - the focus of this ride was very much on finding smooth lines and throttle control. Unlike, say 4 weeks ago when I would be bouncing the throttle up and down so to speak and trying to find a 'smooth' roll on roll off, as well as braking a lot before bends this time I looked at things a little differently. Perhaps we look for a 'buzz' by going a little quicker, yet we have all the time in the world to enjoy the ride and practise and improve our new found thrill of motorcycle riding. This was the case over the last few trips up and down the Rimutaka Hill, particularly going down the Featherston side I have found a good rhythm and I could sense the feedback with the bike and keeping the suspension pretty even but going for a little 40/60 front/rear mix with the suspension.

A Crack At A Little Longer Ride
[I planned on a 4-5hr riding day, stopping off in Martinborough, Masterton, and Featherston]
Wednesday: I was keen to go over to Martinborough and then explore the option of taking the back roads to and from Masterton. Thanks to the lady at the local BP garage in Martinborough she gave me "Escape Planner 2006 - Wairarapa New Zealand's Capital Country" and pointed out on the map two routes: 1) Take the road out of Martinborough to Hinakura, and then take the turn off to left to Longbush and carry on up to Masterton. 2)On the way back return along the same route but then take turn off to Gladstone and Ponatahi and return through Martinborough to Featherston and back over the Rimutaka Hill. From Stokes Valley it was a good 220km return ride. My speed was kept constantly around the 70km and never exceed 80km at any time. I maintained a completely relaxed attitude and had quite a few opportunities reviewing riding elements as they presented themselves eg. throttle control and suspension approaching bends and safety margins, road damage from flooding, washout repairs, roaming stock including sheep down the road. All in all a successful day, and the timing was right to venture out further a field.

Friday
An afternoon ride in review: I went back up through Whitemans Valley and back the same route, then down to the harbour and out to Eastbourne. Though the wind picked up a bit this afternoon, I was nevertheless very pleased to have covered some of my 'extended training grounds [routes]' and similarly like the write up just above about being smoother and taking my time, that is exactly what I discovered yet again out on this journey this afternoon. Generally speaking I feel that the bike is maintaining an 'even keel' without too much pitching forward and back, and gear shifting is smoother, while 3rd gear has been very useful for rolling on and off the throttle, it has a good range and I have found this very useful.

[Post "Off" Update: The rear tail light cover is replaced as is the lefthand handlebar grip. This week I purchased the chrome housing cover for the speedometer and will fit this weekend.]

Golf November Zero Two Five Zero is a good learner bike and it is three months today since I took the bike out for its first ride. Approaching 4,500km and riding purely for recreation has been a pleasure.

25 August 2006
Total Distance 4854km [since 12 May]

Riding Focus:
This week I looked at two items from Keith Codes book 'A Twist Of The Wrist II"

Two-Step Vision:
To paraphrase -
1. Identify your turn-point well before you get there, perhaps even before you brake.
2. Just before arriving at our turn-point look into the turn to see where the bike should go.

In a nutshell - (1) WHERE TO TURN and (2) WHERE TO GO AFTER and here is the most important point BEFORE YOU HAVE DONE THEM.

The second thing was about Steering - in particular 'Pivot Steering' here using the outside peg as my pivot point while I apply pressure to the bars. There is good discussion about reducing weight on the seat, gyro effect, and weight closer to centre of mass....

Both the Two Step Vision and Pivot Steering are items I will raise with my mentor when we are out again shortly for a review.

Meanwhile this past week saw rides to:
1. Rimutakas
2. Makara and up to Paekakariki back over the hill then across Haywards to Stokes Valley
3. Whitemans Valley
4. Wainuiomata and Eastbourne
5. Normandale, Korokoro and Petone

I found the two step vision technique to be quite good and to trust my peripheral vision, just before arriving at my turn point I turn my head toward the turn and proceed trusting that I will turn shortly afterwards. In short looking to where I want to go and then counter steering to head in that direction. It sounds logical and in practice I found it very good. Heads Up find a nice quiet stretch of road with a few sweeping curves.

Meanwhile the pivot steering seems a little strange at first but I did find a degree of comfort and confidence eg sweeping left curve - pivot on right peg and sweeping right curve, pivot on left peg. Bear in mind I am riding a GN and not a sports bike, and with the sports bike I believe this technique is quite effective, though I did feel comfortable with this pivot practice.

The highlight ride this week was the Makara run from Karori back to Johnsonville, a good run with winding roads that are blind in places so be careful and take it easy. From Mana up SH1 then back over the Paekakariki Hill was sheer delight, a blue dome day in the region and views clear across Cooks Strait.

Personal Messages - PM's are welcomed.