Help please. I need a mentor!

[orsem]

Morning glory...or not? Rather grey weather out there, but hey, got in my early morning ride almost free of hassles...left 6.50am and back not long ago, am so STOKED!!! This update may seem trite to the dapper hands at riding, but dude, seriously ecstatic this morning. Beat the loonies, well the majority and had a blatt all about Rewa...two hairy changes but luckily in the vacant parking lot ironically, and managed to correct thankfully, never to repeat dumbness again. To be legal i stuck the L plate on but man, is that a beacon for every dick in a car there is, i tell ya-as time clocked on and more cars hit the road it was like every hoon bag had it in for me and my L plated bike...wasn't going snail pace slow, and wasn't being a tool on the road either, didn't accidentally leave blinker on, so what gives? Could only think they either hated the bike or twas the L plate? That's when i called it a day and made my way home. Have read other postings on here that say the L plate is a curse, like sticking a target on ur back.

Loved the exhilaration of the ride and having clear roads though...

Got my fingers/ toes and eyes crossed for ya Tues ride Orsem, partying in the rain and catching up with some fellow KBs...like the sound of that...nice one.

I know how you feel about the 'L' plate. I had one truckie who constantly drives the road past home and seemed intent on being a dick by tail gating me several times. So in frustration I flicked my pony tail out from my jacket and he pretty quickly backed off...... blonde female with 'L' plate....he soon gave me a wide berth, the look on his face was a classic. It is certainly much better once the L is gone. I can't wait to go for my full in June/July

[helenoftroy]

.... And believe it or not I have even ridden to a bike rally in the rain, partied in the rain,(amazing how you soon warm up after a few beers, even more beers and a few vodkas) and had an absolute ball. Met quite a few KB'rs who provided such wonderful entertainment. Looking forward to catching up with a fair few of them again at the March Hare, then possibly the Brass Monkey

Gotta sinking feeling I might have provided some of that wonderful entertainment orsem-will have to work at an even better show for the Hare!!!!

Great to hear that you guys are getting out there & really enjoying your bikes!tis a great thing!

[Maakz]

Way ta go Kilgh! Envious. Orsem-yeap, wasn't till they came right up and spotted the pink lippy and boob outline that they snapped outtiv it and backed off decent enough. Never thought of doin the hair flick, might try that one. Re L Plate, damned if ya do and damned if ya don't...still contemplating goin sans but considering the new mint status, L plate as a warning device seems prudent for the meantime...keep uz posted on that. Reckon someones gonna hit my rear soon.

[Hellzie]

My day off and it's hosing down again. Will spend the day visualising riding.

So with you on that one!!!!!

[Gibbo89]

Reckon someones gonna hit my rear soon.

Are you still talking about bikes?

[Maakz]

Why Gibbo89, you forum whore! Get outtiv the gutter ow, hehehe...
..lets just say i don't let just anyone tap that..haven't found the dude who can keep up with me yet, being a ball buster and all that. Am focussed on riding bikes...for the moment. I'll be sure to give ya a holla if i feel compelled to do any alternative riding. Wink.

Actually, bawdy joking aside...am absolutely serious about developing my riding skills and so furthering my motorcycling aspirations.

[orsem]

Gotta sinking feeling I might have provided some of that wonderful entertainment orsem-will have to work at an even better show for the Hare!!!!

Great to hear that you guys are getting out there & really enjoying your bikes!tis a great thing!

What went on at the rally, stays at the rally except when talked over with fellow KBrs who experienced it also.
I am so looking forward to the Hare. I have managed to russle up a former workmate who will ride down with me, and he will stop me getting into too much mischief if the vodkas hit home a little too well took a few days to recover from the Magpie. but was well worth it.

[Pro Rider]

Allo allo, me again...am putting out an SOS for help.
Anybody out there willing to mentor a chick rider, very green - who is in serious need of a mentor ? Am out South Auckz ways-Manurewa...

Hi, why dont you come along the next Pro Rider training day at Pukekohe on Sun Mar 20th, its for riders of all levels including you on an L plate. This is where we will help you learn the right techniques, theres no racing or speed focus, its about developing good riding skills. You will also get one on one time during the day with the coaches.... and I know you will be able to come away with a really good solid foundation for your riding.. Click here for details
Love to you have along...Karel

[DEATH_INC.]

Hi, why dont you come along the next Pro Rider training day at Pukekohe on Sun Mar 20th

This is a bloody good idea, no traffic and stuff to worry about, you can concentrate entirely on your riding, and have a coach that knows what they're looking for.

[Maakz]

Hey yáll, yeap-will have a squizz and try lock it down for the track ride. I need all the help i can get, so very interested.

[Dutchee]

I've been riding 12 years, with about 6 of them on the road now (offroad only initially). I've been to two of the ProRider days and am a huge fan.

Unfortunately, the date was changed and the new date really doesn't work for me (Puke), but I'm thinking the Taupo one might be a goer, but need to think it through still.

The last one I did was at Puke in November. I had a few rides with some of the women I met there, and need to keep doing that, but the xmas time is always hectic and it's fallen by the wayside a bit. I am still thinking about things that were said on the day, and while I still have my strengths and weaknesses, know that the weaknesses are being improved on (not at the level I want to be, by a long shot).

The level of the riders varies, both courses I've been to there's been people with L plates on and more experienced riders. It's definitely something you should try to get to. It is a lot of money in some ways, but it'll help you get more enjoyment out of your bike/riding and become safer on the road.

There's a discussion in the general forum about the California school and someone commented that it's an investment and well worth the money, if not more. Karel's course is also cheap, really.

Oh, after you've been and you comment about what you liked and what you didn't like - PM me, and I'll tell you that we're all the same about it. I won't say what as don't want your brain saying "this is the bit everyone hated", it's such an important part of the day, getting to know your bike.

I will tell you though, that if they do it - my favourite part of the day was riding one lap around Puke with one hand on the bar (throttle of course), not being allowed to touch the clutch. That totally freaked me out going into it, but it was an amazing feeling and a huge amount of fun.
Anyway, better go, but if at all possible, go do it, you'll love it and get a lot out of it.

[orsem]

I am booked in for the Pro Rider course at Ruapuna in March, can't wait. Hope it will get my skills up to scratch and give me a kick in the backside to aim for my full over winter. Then once I shift south, there will be Mainland courses at Levels to attend.

[GPXchick]

Mt wellington Newbie here, us chicks are taking over the learners title ahy. Im still just cruisin around the block Panama road if you know it. I finally have a day off tomorrow Thurs 17th, Will be out there going ROUND AND ROUND up and down, Stopping at all give ways to get the practice. I'm keen to keep in touch and ride sometime, I'm a chef and work some crazy hours most of the time mon and tues off. Still green as to venture beyond the block, however just riding in general is helping build my confidence more and more.
p.s those bloody buses always in a rush ahy?

[Maakz]

Heya, GPX...yeap there sure does seem to be quite a contingent of newb chicas at the learners stage. Cool bananas, means ivé got lots of ears to bounce things off and trade totally embarassing stories. So how'd it go on Thurs? Gees, haven't had much ride time, works been a real buzz kill. Oh def keep in touch on here, lol, maybe when we've found our feet and have built up competency and confidence, we can have a go at a ride around somewhere...with mentors in tow of course. Ohhhh chef, cooking skills, way cool. I have none whatsoever, but make up for it in my ability to trade in smack and generate mirth with my idiotic newb behaviour! Fricken buses and people movers, be they vans, station wagons or my pet peeve, gawddam SUV mofos. Anyhow, guess tis part of the learning curve. Am currently trying to get my hands on one of them orange led light vests, don't care if i look like a dork with orange bling, cos i intend to be a seen dork-thereby increasing my chances of staying in one piece and alive. Hope ya get the weekend to ride.

M

[kilgh]

The work thing...arghhh. Doing overnights. And every night I'm all "yeah, get home from work and get a quick practice in", and then get home and all I can think of is sleep! Two more shifts!