I need a riding partner + here's a short review about me

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th November 2010, 08:33

Originally Posted by sugilite

My formative road riding days were on the same roads you ride on. ...
As were mine
... and my personal fave (which many hate) The Akatarawas Rd between Upper Hutt and Waikanae. ...

I loved that road too. But I did it at night (usually in the small hours). Lights are always a give away for that vehicle approaching, plus you get to enjoy kicking (ooops - I mean dodging) possums.
Wainui coast road and Whitemans Valley always good for a crack too.

**White trash** · 15th November 2010, 08:39

Akatarawa's are always mint for a challenge, Blue Mountains/Whitemans valley right on my doorstep too. The Makara GP is a good loop for a short ride too.

Lovin the Wellington roads.

**Rych** · 15th November 2010, 10:59

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Is that all? And yep, you have.
Near 38 years, and so do I. The day I stop learning, will be the day I croak.

For sure you will gain a lot of skill and wisdom through long years of riding, but time riding does not equal a skillful rider and very much so with driving(cars).

There are plenty of old drivers/riders with bad habbits, poor vehicle control, still nervous in the corners etc.

World class race riders/drivers are often fairly "young" fella's. It comes down to a lot more than "I've ridden for 40 years so I'm better than you as you have only ridden 5-10years."

I'm not sticking up for the OP as you obviously are not going to be a Rossie in that amount of time, 5,10,40 years gives a general idea of ability but you don't know the training/track time/professional input one rider may have a had compared to the other.

Also not speaking for myself in terms of riding ability as I am still new to the sport, but I would concider myself a much better driver than the majority of drivers with 20-40 years of general public road driving experience.

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th November 2010, 11:18

Originally Posted by Rych

World class race riders/drivers are often fairly "young" fella's.

Yep. So are the troops sent into battle. Being skilled on a bike on a track does not mean they have any road craft...

Originally Posted by Rych

It comes down to a lot more than "I've ridden for 40 years so I'm better than you as you have only ridden 5-10years."

Totally agree. Nor do I proclaim to be a riding god. Far from it. Yet with the years under my belt, I'm bound to have learned something that a shorter term rider hasn't. Of course, that rider might have learned something I haven't. The point is, we never stop learning and just when we think we know it all, something happens to show us we don't.
When we don't know something, we don't know that we don't know it - and the OP is a prime example of that.

**Drew** · 15th November 2010, 13:44

Originally Posted by Ocean1

There are not.

Couple of not-straight bits, but nothing you'd call a corner.

You need to go faster, I promise they tighten up MIGHTY quick.

**sinned** · 15th November 2010, 14:00

Originally Posted by Drew

You need to go faster, I promise they tighten up MIGHTY quick.

Yep - at 200 clicks everything looks like a corner. Oops was he was on a 250?

**Edbear** · 15th November 2010, 14:12

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Yep. So are the troops sent into battle. Being skilled on a bike on a track does not mean they have any road craft...

Totally agree. Nor do I proclaim to be a riding god. Far from it. Yet with the years under my belt, I'm bound to have learned something that a shorter term rider hasn't. Of course, that rider might have learned something I haven't. The point is, we never stop learning and just when we think we know it all, something happens to show us we don't.
When we don't know something, we don't know that we don't know it - and the OP is a prime example of that.

Perzackery! The day we think we know it all is probably going to be the day we die.

I still think about what I'm doing and noting little things I can learn from. I know very well that the reason I've survived 40 years on the roads has as much to do with sheer luck as it has with skill. Sure, I've been able to avoid accidents many times through skill, but I can recall many near-misses that, but for luck, (or whatever you call it), could have been very nasty indeed!

Driving/riding with learning, care and skill, vastly reduces the chances of coming to grief, but we cannot control what others do and cannot be fully alert and aware every second we're out there. Momentary laspses in concentration for whatever reasons are often fatal. Either ours or the other guys.. Then there's hazards unseen such as gravel/oil/something slippery on a corner, an animal jumping the fence on a dark night, etc...

**Emilio** · 15th November 2010, 19:10

Haha everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
I know that something i find fun is easy and boring to some of the more experienced riders and i admit that i have a shit tonne to learn but i want to have fun while i can.

Thanx guys for the constructive critisism, i will definatly tag along on the learner rides etc.

**Ocean1** · 15th November 2010, 19:56

Originally Posted by Drew

You need to go faster, I promise they tighten up MIGHTY quick.

Yeah. I tend to avoid doing that where they're off-camber, with steel posts and wire on the run-offs.

I particularly dislike the left hander heading east above the straight by the sub-station, twice I've drifted both wheels off oil or diesel going into that. Nasty.

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th November 2010, 08:09

Originally Posted by Emilio

...but i want to have fun while i can.

Riding needn't ever stop being fun. But if it does, hang up your helmet.

**Drew** · 17th November 2010, 14:01

Originally Posted by Emilio

Thanx guys for the constructive critisism

I'd have told the non constructive ones to go and get fucked as a post script, but to each their own I suppose.

**rie** · 17th November 2010, 17:53

right, so the involuntary flood of information about the riding histories of everybody aside, has anybody actually made an offer to ride with this guy? I mean, just ride with the guy, not ream him online because he got excited commuting.

dude, I would go for a pootle with you...if I had my bike down here and knew where these crazy wellington roads end up...

**Ratti** · 17th November 2010, 20:19

Just to support Emilio...
God you lot can be a bunch of tossers...get off your prickles and go ride your bikes. For goodness sake, that's the one love we all share here right?????

This lad came out with us on the BRONZ Tuesday Learners ride this week. Yes-he's new to riding. Yes-he has a lot to learn.
He's a nice kid and willing to listen. He rides within his ability and confidence level, and if he's not sure he slows down and rides at his pace.
FFS we all started where this lad is today. give him a break and shame on you for dissing him jsut because you have so convieniently forgotton the buzz when you first started.

Love from Aunti Ratti