Going to break the 1000km mark tomorrow

[GPXchick]

STOKED. Motorways, roundabouts, and cbd auckland. All under my belt and my confidence lifted greatly. Still look like abit of a lemon turning completely right on the panmure roundabout in peak hour, Cages coming at you from all directions, and people in the inside lane deciding to cross over to exit 2 exits earlier then intended in said lane to begin with. I had a lovely mouthful at a lady in a Suzuki Vitara, I was in the middle of the lane, vissy vest stopped at the lights and she just decided to come over into my lane with out looking. Thank the bike gods there was no traffic coming up my inside as i had to shoot forward and left to avoid being completely Smacked off my boy. She wouldn't look at me and wound up the window like i wasnt there!!!!!!! UGH And for the record i am blind in my right eye and saw all this happening in the split second i had to react. So alot of my fears have been put to rest and i just wanna ride keepin my RUBBER SIDE DOWN and enjoy this fine fine weather AK has blessed us with this weekend. (my weeekend is Sun/Mon/Tue) So tomorrow i will count over from the 983 kms i have done in the last 12 days to the 1K mark. Learner pro me. Loving my new lifestyle, loving commuting to work in the cbd and getting the FREE parking. Using Grafton Bridge and not having to go round the long way with the cages.

I think when i finally bought my Proper riding gear last week my confidence has risen and allowed me to find some potential in my abilities.

So This coming weekend dependant on the weather North Shore watch out Because here i come.

OMG who ever made the 70 KMPH rule on the motorway must of had a deathwish. I admit it straight up i push 80 to feel safe, cars are totally uneducated in the fact that Legally you can only drive 70 and tooot and get real close overtaking you, to make a point. I don't want to speed or lose my licence however as a biker community we need to change this law. Surely the powers that be can see this is a Hazardous speed on a motorway and this should be increased to a minimum of 80/85.

Ok so theres my newbie rant the good, the bad and the the ugly. No drops, no spills a couple of idiot cages and almost my 1000 k's. 12 days down the rest of my life to go. Live to ride Ride to live.

[trailblazer]

good to see you are enjoying your new lifestyle. You just have to have the attitude that everyone is out there to get you when your out on the road and it will make you more alert and help you keep your rubber side down. I never followed the 70kph rule while riding on the open road as I never felt safe doing so so just do what feels right and safe. that rule is meant to be on the chopping block so lets see how that goes. Keep safe out there and im sure you will enjoy many more days in the beautiful weather our country is blessed with.

[Old Steve]

Couple of suggestions:

Ride in the weekend with a club, have someone experienced following you who will give you advice on how you ride. I ride with Ulysees and I reckon I owe my life to the usual tail-end-charlie. He'd come up when we stopped and quietly give me advice. I'll pass some of this on, stay away from the white lines, they get slippery when wet, slow before a corner, lean over more, aim for the apex (about 2/3 to 3/4 the way thru), look at the vanishing point, power on out of the corner.

Do a 'RideSafe' course. The ACC organise them. It won't get you any reduction in your Restricted license time but it might save your life. Apparently the AA defensive driver course is very limited for motorcyclists, hardly a mention of us except that we're 'mobile hazards'.

Oh, and ride as much as you can, get the kms up - you're off to a good start.

[kasper]

Question are you going to come on the Sunday westpac ride?

[The Everlasting]

Great your enjoying riding your bike,I also never followed the 70km/h,I suggest maybe just travel at a 100 if your comfortable with it,as that rule is going to be dropped in the future.

[GPXchick]

Question are you going to come on the Sunday westpac ride?

I would like too But i have to work Being a Chef weekends are a rare commodity to me. I usually get sundays off however i also run my own catering company and have a wedding shower this sunday

I will definitely be trying to get to the next big group ride

[Timmeh:P]

I ride with Hellzie... I believe you met today. (Enjoy Twist of the Wrist by the way)

My advice, ignore the 70k rule. It is dangerous!

Ride with someone with experience. Get them to follow you, so they can help out with technique, and also follow them on the open road, this helps with line choice and breaking points etc.

You will find Twist of the Wrist explains cornering and reference points really well.

Also make sure you keep practising low speed manoeuvring.... it is invaluable around town!!!

If you feel the need to rack up even more KM's you are welcome to ride with Hellzie and myself.

Enjoy!

[Hellzie]

I ride with Hellzie... I believe you met today. (Enjoy Twist of the Wrist by the way)

My advice, ignore the 70k rule. It is dangerous!

Ride with someone with experience. Get them to follow you, so they can help out with technique, and also follow them on the open road, this helps with line choice and breaking points etc.

You will find Twist of the Wrist explains cornering and reference points really well.

Also make sure you keep practising low speed manoeuvring.... it is invaluable around town!!!

If you feel the need to rack up even more KM's you are welcome to ride with Hellzie and myself.

Enjoy!

Hellz yea!!! Come join us, we're on the North Shore.

[GPXchick]

How are you guys placed next sunday 12/3/11, Weather dependant of course. I'm keen; i'm sure my husband woould love to tag along too he is also a learner, however 5 weeks on me and also a truck driver by trade so has this natural uncanny instinct on the road and he can drive anything with wheels, so biking came alot more natural to him.

So let me know if your keen. Hellzie has my number and i check in on here. Happy riding everyone

[GPXchick]

I ride with Hellzie... I believe you met today. (Enjoy Twist of the Wrist by the way)

My advice, ignore the 70k rule. It is dangerous!

Ride with someone with experience. Get them to follow you, so they can help out with technique, and also follow them on the open road, this helps with line choice and breaking points etc.

You will find Twist of the Wrist explains cornering and reference points really well.

Also make sure you keep practising low speed manoeuvring.... it is invaluable around town!!!

If you feel the need to rack up even more KM's you are welcome to ride with Hellzie and myself.

Enjoy!

Hi i really enjoy the low speed stuff, i like the challenge and concentration compared to just blating around everywhere. After waching ride like a pro I have gained alot of knowledge from practising my clutch control and back brake. This allows me to virtually stop still with both feet up for seconds......at lights i like this. I stop of course and am very careful, but i like his technique as an example.

OO had an interesting moment today too. I ran out of gas in my main tank and has to switch to reserve. Now i did this on purpose ( finally remembered when filling the other day to reset the counter) to see what km's i can do to a tank. I got 358 kms before switching to reserve. Cost me $28 STOKED. Coming ffrom the SS and spending 130 plus a week on gas. WHY did i ever drive a car!?!?!?!?!?!?

[ducatilover]

Great stuff, great choice in first bike too! Keep it safe

[Hellzie]

How are you guys placed next sunday 12/3/11, Weather dependant of course. I'm keen; i'm sure my husband woould love to tag along too he is also a learner, however 5 weeks on me and also a truck driver by trade so has this natural uncanny instinct on the road and he can drive anything with wheels, so biking came alot more natural to him.

So let me know if your keen. Hellzie has my number and i check in on here. Happy riding everyone

That sounds great GPXchick, I will txt you closer to the time.

I watched the first part of the Ride like a Pro dvd - now I'm super keen to go try it all out! I was actually doing a lot of those exercises last weekend (before seeing the dvd) but didn't quite do them right (i.e. looking up...) so will be interesting to try them out again now that I've seen the dvd.