Newbie's first 300+km ride and track day

[bosslady]

That about sums it up. Weeks riding ... not months ... or years. Experience gained on the track in controlled situations ... is still experience in bike handling. And you can relate it to on road riding.
Knowing what you still need to learn ... is as important as ever. Days spent on the track teaches you plenty about what stage your abilities are.

The longer rides will seem easier now ... don't rush it. Don't try to memorise your whole route ... just in stages. Then check the map ... and continue.

So what will be the next milestone then ... ???

Very true.

Next milestone I dont know, I'll run out of them eventually lol

[FJRider]

Next milestone I dont know, I'll run out of them eventually lol

Maybe .... A two day ride. Overnighting ...

[FJRider]

... I'll run out of them eventually lol

You'll always be able to think up the next one. My last milestone was 1635 km's in one 24 hour period. I must be due for another one ... mmmm

[bosslady]

I should point out in case it's not clear, that I rode down on Thursday, had dinner and a good nights sleep, went to the track day on Friday and trailered my bike back up with my flatmates van straight after. If I was going to ride back up I'd have done it the following morning after a sleep but I had to be back for family commitments. I'd totally do the same trip again, wind, rain, getting lost, getting wet, plus the trucks and all (minus the smell of farm animal shit). I was never scared, didn't think I could afford to be, little nervous leaving Auckland but then the nervousness subsided not too long after and for safety I stopped briefly a few times to text someone where i was in case something happened to me at least theyd know the general vicinity to look for my body LOL. I rode at my own pace which yes for the most part was 100kmh but took my time on corners, especially with the rain and wet roads so that I wouldn't panic. I was courteous and let people pass me when they wanted to and when I had to I overtook trucks and cars on the open road too. All in all an experience I would absolutely repeat.

[bosslady]

You'll always be able to think up the next one. My last milestone was 1635 km's in one 24 hour period. I must be due for another one ... mmmm

have you ever ridden to Auckland? that's probably a stupid question?

[bluninja]

As stupid as ...have you ever got lost in Hamilton? LOL

BTW I don't think I've crossed the Harbour bridge on my bike...maybe that should be a challenge for me in the future

My challenge this year is to learn to ride (and be conpetent/confident) on gravel.....maybe even try doing some adventure riding on my wee strom.

[FJRider]

have you ever ridden to Auckland? that's probably a stupid question?

Not a stupid question ... I have actually. AND ... I did get lost in Hamilton (Go figure ... eh .. !!!)

And I've ridden over the bridge TWICE.

[bosslady]

As stupid as ...have you ever got lost in Hamilton? LOL

BTW I don't think I've crossed the Harbour bridge on my bike...maybe that should be a challenge for me in the future

My challenge this year is to learn to ride (and be conpetent/confident) on gravel.....maybe even try doing some adventure riding on my wee strom.

I just don't know how I got lost I'm not sure but I think it was between gordonton and Cambridge, I must have missed a sign and went into Hamilton from there.

Harbour bridge? if you're anything like me you'll be like... was that it? I think we psych ourselves up about it more then we should but I admit if it were a really windy day I might 're think my route.

Gravel! that reminds me I didn't slow down enough for some road works, total gravel, lesson learnt... it's bloody scary hitting it at like 50kmh fark... slowed right down, think the ambulance trailing me was waiting for something to do lol. You're brave... I think gravel confidence is something for me to work towards but maybe later... hah

[FJRider]

.... All in all an experience I would absolutely repeat.

Yep ... you have the affliction ... that is ... you are a Biker chick. Often ... some rides you won't want to repeat. But over a lifetime .. they often are. Either similar roads, or similar conditions. Sometimes bad ... sometimes bloody terrible. These rides can be a sort of benchmark ... either better or worse than "That" ride. You will compare them ... That's what you (we) do.

[Subike]

Gravel! that reminds me I didn't slow down enough for some road works, total gravel, lesson learnt... it's bloody scary hitting it at like 50kmh fark... slowed right down, think the ambulance trailing me was waiting for something to do lol. You're brave... I think gravel confidence is something for me to work towards but maybe later... hah

never be afraid of gravel, dont slow down tooo much, relax your grip on the bars and look where you want to go, NOT at the gravel on the road, Allow the bars to twitch slightly as they traverse the stones, your bike, will continue in a straight line. all you have to do is keep your balance, your cool, and relax.


Trev will be along within a few posts to expand this, I am sure

[bosslady]

never be afraid of gravel, dont slow down tooo much, relax your grip on the bars and look where you want to go, NOT at the gravel on the road, Allow the bars to twitch slightly as they traverse the stones, your bike, will continue in a straight line. all you have to do is keep your balance, your cool, and relax.


Trev will be along within a few posts to expand this, I am sure

I was going 100kmh saw the sign, approached it at maybe 70-80kmh even though it said 30kmh. Saw the gravel ahead so by the time I hit it I was going at least 40-50kmh. I shouldn't have ignored the sign but the two sets of "road works" preceding that one there was effing nothing there! so I assumed it would be the case again and ignored it FAIL, I could have wiped out, hurt myself and ruined my "adventure". I think once I hit the gravel for a bit I probably was going 30kmh or slightly more. I wonder if I looked ahead or looked at the gravel... I can't remember truth be told but just remember that the lack of grip was seriously unnerving and I didn't expect it to feel like that.

[bluninja]

I just don't know how I got lost I'm not sure but I think it was between gordonton and Cambridge, I must have missed a sign and went into Hamilton from there.

I got lost in Hamilton the other week. My satnav said Westfield shopping was over the bridge. Looked at the route then rode and found myself in Hell (s Pizzas). Tried again and wanted to send me back to where I'd started. Looked on the web and saw it was at Chartwell...satnav was sending me back to the centre of town. As I lifted my head to put on my helmet I saw a road sign marked Chartwell...so I ignored satnav directions and went straight to the place. Then got lost on the way out! I got lost there trying to find the Yamaha dealer in Hamilton....seems everyone else did as it's now closed down.

At least in the Naki there's a big mountain and if you are lost you can look at the mountain and work out where you.....except when it's raining or clouday...in fact most of the time

[FJRider]

.... all you have to do is keep your balance, your cool, and relax.


Trev will be along within a few posts to expand this, I am sure

Those three are the one's to remember. The rest is experience.

Expansion just confuses.

[arcane12]

I got lost in Hamilton the other week. My satnav said Westfield shopping was over the bridge. Looked at the route then rode and found myself in Hell (s Pizzas). Tried again and wanted to send me back to where I'd started. Looked on the web and saw it was at Chartwell...satnav was sending me back to the centre of town. As I lifted my head to put on my helmet I saw a road sign marked Chartwell...so I ignored satnav directions and went straight to the place. Then got lost on the way out! I got lost there trying to find the Yamaha dealer in Hamilton....seems everyone else did as it's now closed down.

At least in the Naki there's a big mountain and if you are lost you can look at the mountain and work out where you.....except when it's raining or clouday...in fact most of the time

You can see some mountains - and when you get to know them, they are helpful! The river is another good one - if you come to a bridge and your destination in not on the other side, you know you've missed a turn!

Bosslady: Sounds like you were taking SH 1B. There is are bits where it crosses other roads, or splits off from the 'main' road that can confuse. Depending on where you came in you could have missed the turn off after Gordonton, or perhaps where it crosses morrinsville road.

I'm glad you enjoyed the training. I really want to go to one, but find around 200 KM's is my limit sitting on the bike (300km round trip, plus the track time) Next Hampton Downs and I'm in. I did a local training course, and I found it great to be able to practice unfamiliar techniques (emergency braking) under controlled conditions, with someone to tell me what I could do better

[caseye]

Well done bosslady, it's never easy hopping on a bike and heading off for far away places on your own, without the time in and experience that only comes from "doing it"
To have completed a full on Taupo track day as well, well that's just bloody awesome.
Good moving trailering back under the circumstances, no sense in doing too much at once.
Have enjoyed reading your posts, reminds me we must get on and get some more track time, the wife and I both, Hampden Downs was her first a year or so ago.