Just been on my first ride

**GOONR** · 6th July 2009, 12:12

Well not strictly my first, but it was my first in, what, 20 years!

Loved it

There are some very quiet little back roads round Birkdale / Beachhaven complete with mini roundabout's hill starts etc. Ideal to take it easy, concentrate on your riding and learn essential basic skills before getting out with lots of traffic around.. Boy do I need some (read lots of) practice.

I'm going to try to find a large carpark nearby so I can practise in relative safety.

God it's good to be on two wheels again.

**vifferman** · 6th July 2009, 12:23

Good stuff, Goonr!
The New World carpark is a reasonable size, if you choose a time when it's not too busy. The only challenge is that it's not flat - has a slope at the Eastern end. I sometimes use it to do figure-eights when my tyres need scrubbing in.

**crazyhorse** · 6th July 2009, 12:25

Excellent - good for you - enjoy and stay upright

**GOONR** · 6th July 2009, 12:27

Originally Posted by vifferman

Good stuff, Goonr!
The New World carpark is a reasonable size, if you choose a time when it's not too busy. The only challenge is that it's not flat - has a slope at the Eastern end. I sometimes use it to do figure-eights when my tyres need scrubbing in.

Yeah I thought of that one but I've never seen it empty. Sugar factory on a weekend maybe?

**Tink** · 6th July 2009, 12:39

Good on you!!! I can't wait till I can get on a bike... one that suits my height... I have a car park near me... always empty..

Was in Mt Eden motorcycles on saturday, and the woman in there was extremely helpful... just thought I would plug her, as she is the first person thats gone out their way to give me information on how to get licenced.

**Stirts** · 6th July 2009, 12:47

Originally Posted by GOONR

I'm going to try to find a large carpark nearby so I can practise in relative safety.

God it's good to be on two wheels again.

Get your arse to Albany. On Oteha Valley Road, across the road a bit from the North Harbour Stadium. The car park on the opposite side of the road is still empty and it is huge! Locked off so you have to ride on the footpath to get in, so you don't have to worry about cars etc!!

**GOONR** · 6th July 2009, 12:53

Originally Posted by Stirts

Get your arse to Albany. On Oteha Valley Road, across the road a bit from the North Harbour Stadium. The car park on the opposite side of the road is still empty and it is huge! Locked off so you have to ride on the footpath to get in, so you don't have to worry about cars etc!!

Fantastic! Cheers.

**Duke girl** · 6th July 2009, 16:11

I know how you feel as it was just over 20 yrs for me out of the riders seat and that feeling of being back on a bike and actually riding it was something that I truely missed.
When I first got back on a bike I couldn't get over how quick everything came back to me and after riding for only half an hour I felt like I had never been away from it.
Good on you for getting back into it and I wish you all the best with the many rides you will do.
Safe riding and enjoy.

**CookMySock** · 6th July 2009, 16:22

Originally Posted by Rocketgal68

the woman in there was extremely helpful... just thought I would plug her, as she is the first person thats gone out their way to give me information on how to get licenced.

Pics or it didn't happen!

Steve

**YellowDog** · 6th July 2009, 16:25

"Plug her" means something else where I come from

**GOONR** · 6th July 2009, 16:29

Originally Posted by Duke girl

I know how you feel as it was just over 20 yrs for me out of the riders seat and that feeling of being back on a bike and actually riding it was something that I truely missed.
When I first got back on a bike I couldn't get over how quick everything came back to me and after riding for only half an hour I felt like I had never been away from it.
Good on you for getting back into it and I wish you all the best with the many rides you will do.
Safe riding and enjoy.

Cheers,

Yeah it's funny how stuff comes back, one thing I do know is that I need alot of practise, I am by no means smooth. My gear changes are ok, it's when I come to the slower stuff, like approaching roundabouts etc that I get slightly jerky. I guess that will come back with time.

**toebug** · 6th July 2009, 16:29

Originally Posted by YellowDog

"Plug her" means something else where I come from

I thionk that is what DB is laughing about too.

Was it a short skinny chick?

**Tink** · 6th July 2009, 18:10

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Pics or it didn't happen!

Steve

Originally Posted by YellowDog

"Plug her" means something else where I come from

Sad Sad Sad Boyz

**caseye** · 6th July 2009, 18:55

Arn't they! LOL good on you for getting back in the saddle(yeah I know, it means something else too) after so long. That carpark at Albany isn't bad but if it's raining and your near the warehouse up there duck underneath it's covered and usually near empyt too.