You're never too old to learn
It was a gorgeous Saturday morning in the Rapa, so three novice riders (myself, Cath and Chris) decide to do a wee ride around Western Lake, finishing at that place of eye watering sights in Martinborough, for the usual coffee and gossip. Whilst there we end up chatting to Corey and Kerry – who got coerced into giving us novices some training on lines and other riding things on the Gladdy loop.
Well – what can one say. Kerry (the suspension King) and Corey were the most awesome teachers. Starting with walking us through the first big left hander, then showing us how we were doing it (wrong) then showing us how we SHOULD be doing it.
We split into two groups – me with Kerry, and Cath and Chris with Corey. Those guys represent all the good things about the riding community. Instead of having a racing good time on the Gladdy, they spent their day riding at slow speeds, helping some riders who were in need of some good sound advice. Cath went from a complete scared and nervous newbie, to riding the most amazing lines, with confidence and knowledge, through her ride. To understanding counter steering, looking through the corners – all the stuff we tend take for granted. Chris realised that his days of riding dirt bikes bear no resemblance to the riding he is now doing on a sport bike. And that he must change his ways, and will. He says his male ego took a complete hammering from the pie men, what they have told him leaves him fighting everything he has known, but he is going to practise, practise, practise until what he has been shown comes naturally. And me - I know so much stuff in my head, not very good at putting it in to practise, but to follow behind a rider like Kerry, put my trust in him, ride where he rides, see where I am doing it wrong, see how I need to ride to do it smooth and safe, it’s been a revelation.
So now I am concentrating on riding slower but using that time to think about where my bike is on the road. This is allowing me to ride so much smoother and with that will come extra speed, but more importantly extra safety. And that is the one thing they kept emphasising – smooth equals safe.
Today (Sunday) was another gorgeous day in the Rapa, so I met up with some Welly mates, had another wonderful ride round the Lakes and through to Gladstone, where about 50 fellow riders where also celebrating the return of summer (pic 1), practised everything Kerry and Corey had shown. I felt 100% more comfortable on my bike. And then as the afternoon was still calling out for a ride Cath, Chris and I did the windmill road – sheer heaven for any rider.
Kerry Duke will be holding woman’s 2 day training session at Taupo sometime soon – if anyone interested PM me and I will forward his details. No matter our riding ability – when someone who knows what they are talking about offers help and advise, we all benefit it we heed. Safe riding friends
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