Regular learner rider cruise - Christchurch

[Subike]

Maybe you guys should think.
Why do the regular Wednesday night KB rides only run during daylight saving ?
Safety, no other reason really.
Grit, ice, wet roads, Diesel spills, fogged up cage windows, wind gusts , all are very prevalent around banks peninsula over the winter season.
Yes it is safe to ride those roads with experience, caution and at a speed that reflects the conditions.
As a solo rider aware of the conditions.
But to ride as a group, learners , small light road bikes, sorry guys, that's a sure fired recipe for disaster.

I ponderd upon joining you all, then seriously thought, no way.
I dont want to be the one calling the helichopper pulling your 250 out of the bush, knocking on your families front door with sad news.

Guys, please think long and hard about group riding hills at this time of the year.

[brp]

Like that route in summer on a weekday, find too many cages etc in weekend to have decent blast.

To fuel the winter hunger what about joining canterbury motorcycle club and racing round Ruapuna ? - Two years ago
some KB'ers were doing club practice for $25 , got to race round decent amount of times.

[Fast Eddie]

lol or if you live in dunedin now and there is just ice and grit everywhere your thankful that u rode the port hills all year round when u lived in chch

if u go up there aware that there is ice n grit you'll learn how to muscle the bike through it.. can only help u for future sticky or slippery situations I recon.

I don't fall off that much eh (touch wood.. about to go out now and its mighty slipper out)

[Subike]

lol or if you live in dunedin now and there is just ice and grit everywhere your thankful that u rode the port hills all year round when u lived in chch

if u go up there aware that there is ice n grit you'll learn how to muscle the bike through it.. can only help u for future sticky or slippery situations I recon.

I don't fall off that much eh (touch wood.. about to go out now and its mighty slipper out)

Hey Eddie, I understand you to the max,
Riding year round, regardless of the conditions, sure does give you the learn.
I myself ride Banks Peninsula as often as possible. and yup dealing with the conditions is a big part of the enjoyment.
Ride those hills in summer with a group can be a great time, when you know the others enough to feel comfortable having them around you.
This suggested ride, differs, it is not experienced riders, but learners, as a group, riding in less than preferable conditions at best, in winter.
They would be better doing it solo, or if as a group thing, 5 min apart, thus riding inside their ability.
The summit road on a Sunday , in the middle of winter, is a very pleasant ride indeed
especially after a good mornings frost

[yoyo 2wheels]

god i wouldnt even be riding a bike at all if i listen to what every one said.....
i wouldnt of gone to the brass monkey if i was worried about all the laughing i had to put up with....
we all have to learn some where....
even when it does go all tits up i still have a big stupid grin on my face...

[brp]

People only saying cause they give a shit.

[Cochise4]

I'm keen for the ride but not so keen for the hills in winter so would a ride out to Little River and back (via Halswell) for a coffee be a better idea?

[SMOKEU]

I'm keen for the ride but not so keen for the hills in winter so would a ride out to Little River and back (via Halswell) for a coffee be a better idea?

That sounds like a sensible idea.

[Asher]

I will be coming into town through the hills so i could help decide on the morning if we are asking for trouble taking that route.

[torican]

I will be coming into town through the hills so i could help decide on the morning if we are asking for trouble taking that route.

Thanks Asher - Might take you up on this.... Whilst I appreciate and understand the concerns of the more experienced riders offering safety advice, my intention of listing this event was to give newer riders a chance at social runs but given the space to ride at a pace that suits them best instead of pushing beyond there individual limits just to keep up.

I'm all for minimizing risk to ensure I can get home in one piece to see my kids but at the same time I ride with the knowledge that things can seriously go wrong in a big way.

Im happy either way.. weather this week has been a bit dismal thus far... How bout we take a vote on the day?

[yoyo 2wheels]

iv just been for a ticky tour over that way, tricky, gritty, wet, some of those corners havnt seen sun for a few months, i had no problems, but any learners that has only done couple thousand k's i fully wouldnt recomend it!!

[Cochise4]

I had to go over Gebbies Pass for work today and I think i'll give the hills a miss this Sunday. It wasn't too bad but enough grit etc still on the road that I will pass. I might still turn up at 11:30 tho to at least meet people.

[gloplg]

Thanks Asher - Might take you up on this.... Whilst I appreciate and understand the concerns of the more experienced riders offering safety advice, my intention of listing this event was to give newer riders a chance at social runs but given the space to ride at a pace that suits them best instead of pushing beyond there individual limits just to keep up.

I'm all for minimizing risk to ensure I can get home in one piece to see my kids but at the same time I ride with the knowledge that things can seriously go wrong in a big way.

Im happy either way.. weather this week has been a bit dismal thus far... How bout we take a vote on the day?

As has been said, the people advising caution care about you newby riders. None of us want to see any of our motorcyclist/s hurt. However without the odd "butt clenching" moments nobody (particularly me) learns anything. The old one about experience being gained five seconds after it's needed still holds true.

You guys ride wherever you want to, but ride carefully. The Summit Road is a great teacher. If you concentrate on the 10 to 100 metres of road ahead of you and ride within your skills/experience you will have a good ride. Tight twisty roads teach cornering skills and isn't conning a bike along a tight winding road where "motorcycling heaven" starts.

Have a good ride wherever you go. I will be envious of you while I am working.

And don't forget Wednesday Night Maintenance Evening, 4th July 6pm Wofman's place Gloucester Motors, Gloucester/Fitzgerald. See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[neels]

Just been for a drive along the summit road from sign of the kiwi to sign of the bellbird today, pretty much the whole way is covered in grit. I wouldn't be taking my bike up there for a ride just for fun, it was bad enough going around corners in the car.

[Transalper]

....pretty much the whole way is covered in grit. I wouldn't be taking my bike up there for a ride just for fun.....

...DRZ man !! Enjoy the challenge, I would be... and drop down Worsleys too.

I know, I know, sometimes you just want a nice relaxing ride and ice n grit isn't that.

Had half an eye on this ride but now I might be doing the River/beach ride from Leithfield to Waipara mentioned in the Adventure Forum (but should be in the 'off road forum' this Sunday instead.

Have a nice time and take care what ever you decide. Hoping to see some more blue sky out... fingers crossed.