Cliffhanger

**koba** · 22nd December 2009, 06:06

Originally Posted by wbks

How many people are at the hillclimb usually?

It seems to be growing each year, there is also food, live music, camping and a cheap bar...

There is generally around 40 competitors, spectators come and go and can be spread about the place to it is really hard to tell.

Bring a few mates and you are sure of a good time.

**Quasi** · 22nd December 2009, 06:42

You should go and ride the road one fine day before the clifhanger to get an idea of what its like. its a gorgeous ride through there and if you keep on following the road around, it loops in at the back of Masterton.

A lot of the corners were resealed last week so still loose chip around, but its all well marked.

**Deano** · 22nd December 2009, 11:13

Originally Posted by Quasi

A lot of the corners were resealed last week so still loose chip around, but its all well marked.

Awesome - it should be nicely cleared by March.

The website is due for upgrading so they may be working on it now.

March 20/21 is the confirmed dates for 2010.

Entries will be limited - last time there were 45 bikes on the practice/fun day on Saturday, which was too many IMO.

Search "Jay Lawrence Cliffhanger" on you tube for the fastest run so far.

Promotional fliers are currently being drafted and will be out soon after xmas.

**Number One** · 22nd December 2009, 14:04

Originally Posted by wbks

well I saw someone on a duc did a 15 min lap so as long as I beat that it should be sweet lol

I seriously doubt that time was a true one. I noobed it last year and my worst time was 3mins somthing.

Bloody good weekend this one...in fact might be worth repairing the squid suit for!

**wbks** · 22nd December 2009, 14:45

Originally Posted by Number One

I seriously doubt that time was a true one. I noobed it last year and my worst time was 3mins somthing.

Bloody good weekend this one...in fact might be worth repairing the squid suit for!

Crash or broken bike = leg propulsion half way up the hill?

**wharfy** · 22nd December 2009, 15:17

If you have a bit of time to spare read some race reports from this years event.
The link below is to my report (a bit of shameless self promotion )

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=94954

**wbks** · 22nd December 2009, 15:34

Good read, thanks. I might have to put some money down on some trackdays before I even try giving 100% on the new bike, moments like you had must be a lot worse out on the road, and a hard landing off a bucket (crazy I know lol) is bad enough for me. So would taking a ride down that way to spend a day memorising the track would be good? Wouldn't that make you used to staying inside the left lane? Nice bike, btw

**Clivoris** · 22nd December 2009, 16:23

Originally Posted by wbks

So would taking a ride down that way to spend a day memorising the track would be good? Wouldn't that make you used to staying inside the left lane? Nice bike, btw

It all depends on how seriously you want to take it. It wouldn't hurt to do a few rides up and down to start memorising it, but it is all so different when being timed that you will still be on a steep learning curve. Unless you are close for another reason I wouldn't bother. Just do the saturday and treat it like the learning experience it is, don't expect too much from yourself and have fun. By Sunday you may be feeling like pushing harder and really try to carve the times down. If not, it's no big deal and you come back for the second helping.
Mind you, you could be one of those instantly fast bastards that I can only gawp at in amazement. I know you will still have fun either way.

**JayRacer37** · 22nd December 2009, 16:35

Originally Posted by Clivoris

Noobs welcome mate. We've all had to pop that cherry. The Hillclimb is a totally seperate event to the sprints. Held at a different venue with a different purpose.
The Hillclimb is a timed trial up an awesome hill. Looks mega dangerous on paper but in reality, most of us ride well within our limits and it's a huge thrill to compete against yourself and try to cut the time down. The rally on the saturday was a great laugh last year too with great food and an excellent band. I'm bringing the family to the next one.

Yeah, it's an awesome family meeting, Dad and I love doing it. Far more fun and less stress than nationals, and a totally different feeeling.

Originally Posted by wbks

Wow... That guy is going nuts! Is his bike just a rocket or are those rises in the road bigger than they look? I watched the andrew stroud r6 lap and I swear he wasn't popping the front up all the time like that. Love the sliding into the corners a bit wobbly, looks fun. I love the way skidmark has to say that he passed him also lmao

Nah that bike was a 2008 ZX-6R, in NZ 600 Sports Prod spec - about 115HP at the wheel. Most of the crests are where your lifting (the throttle), but because that was quite quick I was steering the bike on the throttle and not rolling it, hence the wheel lifting, but it looks and feels cool!

Originally Posted by wbks

Good read, thanks. I might have to put some money down on some trackdays before I even try giving 100% on the new bike, moments like you had must be a lot worse out on the road, and a hard landing off a bucket (crazy I know lol) is bad enough for me. So would taking a ride down that way to spend a day memorising the track would be good? Wouldn't that make you used to staying inside the left lane? Nice bike, btw

Originally Posted by Clivoris

It all depends on how seriously you want to take it. It wouldn't hurt to do a few rides up and down to start memorising it, but it is all so different when being timed that you will still be on a steep learning curve. Unless you are close for another reason I wouldn't bother. Just do the saturday and treat it like the learning experience it is, don't expect too much from yourself and have fun. By Sunday you may be feeling like pushing harder and really try to carve the times down. If not, it's no big deal and you come back for the second helping.
Mind you, you could be one of those instantly fast bastards that I can only gawp at in amazement. I know you will still have fun either way.

Nah, you are better off watching a video (IMO) than going out on an open road. It will all feel different when you go 100% and use both lanes. I almost had a spill there cos I was on a slow(ish...) road ride but forgot that I was only using one lane and went at something a bit fast...you go almost twice as fast with twice the road!

It's an awesome event to go to for the first time as it isn't a race...well, you don't race in a group, so you are just focusing on your riding.

Jay

**Number One** · 22nd December 2009, 16:56

Originally Posted by JayRacer37

you don't race in a group, so you are just focusing on your riding.

That's a big part of the beauty of it I reckon...and you don't have to be one of the fastest bastards out there to appreciate it either. When else do you get the opportunity to legally go as fast as you want on a real road having only your own riding and the road ahead to concentrate on + someone times you so and in a wee bit you get to do it all again and try to go faster than that last run. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa lovely

**wbks** · 22nd December 2009, 17:14

Sounds better the more I hear about it. What kind of speeds are you getting through that vid?

**JayRacer37** · 22nd December 2009, 17:24

Geared for about 265k wheel speed, so maybe 250 road speed in a few spots. Top of the first hill is fast, and same with the straight after the cliffhanger corner.

**wbks** · 22nd December 2009, 17:28

Originally Posted by JayRacer37

Geared for about 265k wheel speed, so maybe 250 road speed in a few spots. Top of the first hill is fast, and same with the straight after the cliffhanger corner.

I reckon I might not quite make it that far... "CliffHanger corner"?

**Str8 Jacket** · 22nd December 2009, 17:29

It is AWESOME, WICKED FUN! The thing to remember is that you're out there on your own with a limited amount of spectators so only you really know how fast you are going. The things to remember are:

you dont *have* to keep twisting that throttle if you're riding out of your comfort zone
start slow, get faster
you're only a noob once
once you've done it, you'll be hooked
it IS only a road!

All things said, I wont be riding in it this year I will be helping Dina out. It really is going be a blast this year. Don't miss out!!

**wbks** · 22nd December 2009, 17:34

Originally Posted by Number One

I seriously doubt that time was a true one. I noobed it last year and my worst time was 3mins somthing.

Bloody good weekend this one...in fact might be worth repairing the squid suit for!

On what bike?

btw Jay, at 1:53 do you actually pop the front up on the downhill left hander?