How do I start learning?

**aimee** · 27th November 2012, 08:53

Hi all

I'm a newbie rider based in Wellington, and I'm keen to get to grips with being able to ride offroad, because:
a) it'll improve my road riding
b) it looks like fun
c) the kinda trips i'm wanting to do in a year plus's time might well require my being able to ride on bad, third world country roads :P

SO! Where do I start? I've had a look and can't seem to see anyone in this region doing lessons or, if they might, one seems to need one's own bike. I was hoping to be able to give it a try for a time or two before buying (another) bike...

Thanks!

Posted this over in the offroad thread, too... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...start-learning

**Shewolf** · 27th November 2012, 09:03

welcome aimee! The lads will be along soon to offer help getting you into mischief. But don't worry, they'll be there to help you get out of it too.

Your bike will go anywhere, just point it at some gravel and have fun, take photos and make us envious... hope to meet you on a ride sometime!

**aimee** · 27th November 2012, 09:45

Originally Posted by Shewolf

welcome aimee! The lads will be along soon to offer help getting you into mischief. But don't worry, they'll be there to help you get out of it too.

Your bike will go anywhere, just point it at some gravel and have fun, take photos and make us envious... hope to meet you on a ride sometime!

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

As to photos - will do. So far, it's just been onroad, and they're at mymotocyclette.tumblr.com

Hope to meet you too sometime

**Shewolf** · 27th November 2012, 09:55

Originally Posted by aimee

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

sure thing! I've got a friend who started out on a GN and took it all over the South Island gravel. Its a good start, if I was closer I'd lend you my Honda AX-1 250cc with dual purpose tyres- it's great little learner. Will be selling soon. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

**aimee** · 27th November 2012, 11:29

Originally Posted by Shewolf

sure thing! I've got a friend who started out on a GN and took it all over the South Island gravel. Its a good start, if I was closer I'd lend you my Honda AX-1 250cc with dual purpose tyres- it's great little learner. Will be selling soon. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

Oooooooh, sounds fantastic

**Rosie** · 27th November 2012, 13:19

Originally Posted by aimee

Thanks Shewolf! And you mean my Gini? Really?

As to photos - will do. So far, it's just been onroad, and they're at mymotocyclette.tumblr.com

Hope to meet you too sometime

You can ride anything on gravel... it's just that some bikes are better at it than others.

This is how I started adventure riding

For more off road stuff you'd need the right bike, but doing a bit of gravel riding on the GN will get you underway.

**Shewolf** · 27th November 2012, 14:22

cool write up and pics over on tumblr

**aimee** · 27th November 2012, 15:26

Originally Posted by Shewolf

cool write up and pics over on tumblr

Cheers! Finally got round to documenting First Injury, too :P

**aimee** · 27th November 2012, 15:26

Originally Posted by Rosie

You can ride anything on gravel... it's just that some bikes are better at it than others.

This is how I started adventure riding

For more off road stuff you'd need the right bike, but doing a bit of gravel riding on the GN will get you underway.

Hehe. Thinking knobblies and Red Rocks :P

**Crasherfromwayback** · 27th November 2012, 15:33

Originally Posted by aimee

Hehe. Thinking knobblies and Red Rocks :P

Yeah you'll be needing them for that. The sand round there is very deep and soft. Need a really wide knobbly spacing, and when taking off get in as high a gear as soon as poss to avoid simply sitting there digging a hole. Need to get it up on the plane as it were.

**dino3310** · 27th November 2012, 17:55

Originally Posted by Shewolf

. There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

your the coolest chick on KB shewolf

**Shewolf** · 27th November 2012, 18:42

Originally Posted by Shewolf

There's an XR with my name on it somewhere!

Originally Posted by dino3310

your the coolest chick on KB shewolf

come to think of it they all have my name on them, someones just scratched off the leading 'R'

**dino3310** · 27th November 2012, 19:21

just clicked

RHONDA

**aimee** · 28th November 2012, 15:13

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Yeah you'll be needing them for that. The sand round there is very deep and soft. Need a really wide knobbly spacing, and when taking off get in as high a gear as soon as poss to avoid simply sitting there digging a hole. Need to get it up on the plane as it were.

This is going to be HILARIOUS :P