Ride the loop for MSAC as part of our first major project

[Blackbird]

We will never have to worry about local authorities changing the overall characteristics of our roads. Unless they can find someone else to pay for it.

Personally, I believe that sweeping loose chips off all repairs, patches, alterations would go a big way towards increasing riding fun and safer roads.

After all, how much would it cost to run a tractor with a road sweep brush mounted, across any finished repairs.( compared to the cost of roadside mowers) All earthmoving co's have them. Should be a mandatory inclusion in any roading contract.

I hope that's the case because in terms of return on investment, I'd say that raising skill levels would offer a far higher return than dicking about with roads. That's why I'm a bit worried about where this first initiative is leading.

The people who maintain the Thames-Coromandel coast road do actually clean up behind them. It's just that their idea of pea-gravel clean-up is still dangerous for motorcyclists. I wrote to the council about contractual requirements last year and didn't even receive the courtesy of a reply.

[avgas]

Quick question.
Who said the roads were broke in the first place?

Also if they start taking corners out of coro like they did the gorge.......there will be blood in the streets. Literally as more hi speed squids slide down the road.

Everything about this initiative rubs me the wrong way.
How about discounts for cheaper riding gear?
Or free track days?

[StoneY]

Quick question.
Who said the roads were broke in the first place?

That was far from a quick question ... you raise 4 different issues each with a lengthy debate possible!



No one is saying the roads broken
But any road can be improved, and I will repeat it is a TEST case.... I take it you all know what a test case is?

And no one is saying take all the corners out either, this is more about looking for poor cambers, roadside obstacles threats that can be mitigated etc

There is not enough money in the fund to re-engineer roads, but we will be able to say 'hey you, local authority, tidy this up please' where we identify stuff that can be improved.

Cheaper riding gear? Put in your proposal but that's one that is unlikely to be treated seriously
If the track days are education related as opposed to 'let me do 200kmh down the back straight to let my testosterone flow' then yes, it would be considered.

Things like seriously slippery surfaces (moss, un necessary water runoffs not drained correctly) that can be improved are the kind of issue to be identified...all this noise about straightening corners out and assisting hi speed squids is not what this project is about at all

[Ocean1]

The people who maintain the Thames-Coromandel coast road do actually clean up behind them. It's just that their idea of pea-gravel clean-up is still dangerous for motorcyclists. I wrote to the council about contractual requirements last year and didn't even receive the courtesy of a reply.

I don't require mathematically perfect parabolic curves and seamless changes in surface COF to get me jollies, but I do insist that the bastards don't build booby traps. If you've been lulled into a false sense of security by half an hour of nice clean predictable roads and you hit some seriously dodgy soft shit right on the apex I think you've got a right to be a bit pissed.

If the roads are uniformly crap, (like on the east cape) I don't have a problem, if it's bad enough I'll take the KTM. It's the thoughtless, unprofessional repairs that represent a genuine danger to us that I believe need to be addressed. In spite of the current trend of blaming riders for everything I reckon a bit of education directed at the councils and roading contractors wouldn't be a bad spend.

[Ocean1]

all this noise about straightening corners out and assisting hi speed squids is not what this project is about at all

Who DOES want the corners gone? 'Cause they spend fucking truckloads on it every year.

The trucks under the load I'm pickin'...

[Smifffy]

In spite of the current trend of blaming riders for everything I reckon a bit of education directed at the councils and roading contractors wouldn't be a bad spend.

It's a trivial step linguistically to go from "Motorcyclists own the options" to "Motorcyclists own the blame".

Question:
Is saying "Hey mr local authority please fix this road" taking ownership of the problem?

[Ocean1]

It's a trivial step linguistically to go from "Motorcyclists own the options" to "Motorcyclists own the blame".

The first is tactful.

Question: Is saying "Hey mr local authority please fix this road" taking ownership of the problem?

Who gives a fuck, what matters is does it work?

The answer is no.

Although with a bit of research into the standards required of road surface quality, layout, signage and repair you could change that approach to "Hey mr local authority, why does this road not meet these here standards?"

Which also wouldn't work, but you'd have the satisfaction of knowing you were technically correct.

[scracha]

Ummm...is there a specific feedback form about the corto I'm missing on the motonz webby site or do I just put summit on their contact us form?

[StoneY]

Ummm...is there a specific feedback form about the corto I'm missing on the motonz webby site or do I just put summit on their contact us form?

The feedback forms will be available on the day at Thames mate. Pretty sure there will be a spot on the website after the event but not yet. Site is a work in progress but thanks for highlighting that for me to pass on to those in charge of the site

[Smifffy]

Ummm...is there a specific feedback form about the corto I'm missing on the motonz webby site or do I just put summit on their contact us form?

I'm not sure anyone reads submissions to the contact us form.

[StoneY]

I'm not sure anyone reads submissions to the contact us form.

Come on Smifffy........... the sites been live a week dude.

And as we are working hard to get this event done, which was a formal submission not just a general inquiry, it has all our focus this week.

Hope to meet you at Thames if you attend.
Brent

[Smifffy]

Come on Smifffy........... the sites been live a week dude.

And as we are working hard to get this event done, which was a formal submission not just a general inquiry, it has all our focus this week.

Hope to meet you at Thames if you attend.
Brent

I'm working 12 hr nights both Saturday & Sunday, so will defer to fatigue and not ride on the day. When my schedule allows I certainly intend to support such events, it sounds like a good day out.

I have ridden the loop recently, and at leisure, and as stated before my biggest problem with it is oncoming traffic in my lane, on several occasions on a single trip. I'm glad I have better roads to ride.

I'm curious as to why this road was chosen. Did it come from an analysis of the ACC 'statistics'? Was it because it's perceived as a nice road to ride, and would make for good PR, and get people involved? Both are worthy objectives, I just expect that there will be some degree of scientific method applied to these exercises.

If MotoNZ are able to achieve their prime objectives from this exercise what would happen? I.e. what is the desired outcome?

[StoneY]

I'm curious as to why this road was chosen. Did it come from an analysis of the ACC 'statistics'? Was it because it's perceived as a nice road to ride, and would make for good PR, and get people involved? Both are worthy objectives, I just expect that there will be some degree of scientific method applied to these exercises.

If MotoNZ are able to achieve their prime objectives from this exercise what would happen? I.e. what is the desired outcome?

NZTA identified a number of 'black routes' from crash stats, motorcycle black routes that is (no one wants to assume cause at this point tho)
The preferred one to hit first was the Rimutaka Hill.... but pointless with the major roadworks on the go.
Second highest score was this one

Outcome????...Well, it's a test case so we don't truly know yet.
Its an NZTA project we are backing and supporting is all I know at this point mate, so I really cant answer your question here and now on Kiwibiker.

I opened this thread to let you all know the event is happening, with due authority to make the post and invite Kiwibiker's along to take part.

I am on the Project Assessment team not the Comm's team so I loath to say more than I can/should/need to at this point.

Sorry you can't make it, but hopefully a few of the saner KB'ers show up on the day
Be nice to meet some of you there.

[Smifffy]

NZTA identified a number of 'black routes' from crash stats, motorcycle black routes that is (no one wants to assume cause at this point tho)
The preferred one to hit first was the Rimutaka Hill.... but pointless with the major roadworks on the go.
Second highest score was this one

Cool, that helps, thanks. Interesting that the worst routes are closest ones to major centres, perhaps we could correlate accident stats with lattes & hair gel (J/k)

Outcome????...Well, it's a test case so we don't truly know yet.
Its an NZTA project we are backing and supporting is all I know at this point mate, so I really cant answer your question here and now on Kiwibiker.

Given the website states that the money is to be spent wisely and effectively, it seems strange to me that there is no clear objective. How do you know if you have succeeded when you don't know what success looks like? Is this part of an overall strategy, or something that's just a great idea?

I opened this thread to let you all know the event is happening, with due authority to make the post and invite Kiwibiker's along to take part.

Thank you for doing so, again strange that there is no mention of this activity on the MotoNZ website (unless I missed the link?). All it would take is a link, since KB is already hosting the file. I'll go out on a limb and assume that those that signed onto the mailing list received an invite. Who else got invited, what is your target number of riders?

I am on the Project Assessment team not the Comm's team so I loath to say more than I can/should/need to at this point.

Won't it be difficult for your team to assess this project without an objective? For all of these teams, you seem to be the only one on the council talking with actual (and some web wannabe) bikers. I do hope that the comms team will eventually see fit to communicate the results of this with us.

Sorry you can't make it, but hopefully a few of the saner KB'ers show up on the day
Be nice to meet some of you there.

I'm sure most will be saner than I. Have fun and ride safe. I hope the weather is good to y'all, and that you get worthwhile data, that will help to both make the roads safer for us all and thence reduce our levy contributions.

I hope there's enough money in the budget to shout the council members a saussie and a beer each for all of their hard work, good to see them getting out there on their bikes.

[Smifffy]

So who went, and how was it?