Im Back safe (sort of) from gravel!

[Wasp]

I went camping out white rock, see here.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=21988&page=2

So im back and heres my report:

The ride out to martinborough was great and i even manage to get the bike over far enough that my left foot touched the road.

The gravel was alright but not great. the road has been sealed now out to Tutukuri (or whatever) so i only had about 30 kms of gravel to ride.

The way out there was alright, doing about 50 kms average speed with only one whoopsies. going uphill around a right hand turn i moved out of the left wheel rut and towards the middle of the road, the rear tire slid out to the left. i put my right foot down catching the bike and preventing it from falling. i spent the next 10 minutes walking off the resulting cramp and flooding of the carbs.

While out there i didnt ride the bike except when i took it down to the river (creek because of dry weather) to wash the bike. all went well untill i took it up the river and out onto the top paddock where i was stupid enough to put on a bit of speed resulting in noticing the drop before going onto the road at the last minute, locking the front wheel and dropping the bike on its left side on the grass. Broke the left indicator cover (orange bit), cracked the plastic surround, bent the left foot peg back to normal (end was bent fowards) and bent the gear level in.

I took the ride back on the gravel (this morning) ALOT slower i.e 20-40 kms without any problems. However once i got off the gravel I speed up alot and missed a turnoff which resulted in me missing martinborough altogether and ending up in featherston a bit too low for comfort on fuel. gassed up and headed home over the takas taking it easy.

SO do i think gravel was a peice of cake? No!
Was it worth taking the bike? I did wish at times that i hadnt brought it.
Do i reccommend gravel riding? No, i was scared shitless at times.

[madboy]

SO do i think gravel was a peice of cake? No!
Was it worth taking the bike? I did wish at times that i hadnt brought it.
Do i reccommend gravel riding? No, i was scared shitless at times.

Can't say I've ever tried it myself, but I'm glad that you're back and in one piece. I imagine it would be very different on a bike suited to gravel.

[sunhuntin]

sounds like an interesting time! nothing wrong with going a different way to what you expected, though with bent and broken bits, i guess its not a good thing, lol.

havent had much experience on gravel as a solo rider, but from what ive had i havent liked all that much.

[ZorsT]

The last time I went camping, there was about 10km of gravel to get there.
I had been riding for 3 months at that stage, and when I found the gravel, I was scared. I was very scared.

I remembered something someone here (I think it may have been Motu) had written about riding on gravel. Once I relaxed my upper body, I found I felt lots safer. after about 3 trips along that road, I was able to keep up with my mates in their cars

[Colapop]

Jeez they've sealed it that far in??
All in all I'd say you're wiser for the experience (gravel riding) and it'll give you an idea of what to expect before it happens - hopefully making riding safer for you.

[merv]

Good on ya. Being a gravel man myself I am disappointed to hear it is sealed that far now. I really used to enjoy that road when it wasn't sealed as far as the windmills are (about 10+ years ago) so maybe one day I might not even need a dirt bike.

[inlinefour]

Im not surprised that you did not enjoy the gravel. I'd not once consider taking the CBR down a gravel road. However on the TT, I go looking for the stuff, nothing quite like it on a trail bike with decient knobblies on it.

[Jantar]

.... after about 3 trips along that road, I was able to keep up with my mates in their cars

Keep up with cars? After you get a bit more gravel experience it'll be the cars that have trouble keeping up with you. Our driveway is 1 km of gravel, with two tightish corners and a couple of gentle sweepers. I travel it at 50 kmh in the 4WD and at 70 kmh on the GS1200. Gravel riding is fun. Just relax your body, weight your pegs and let the rear end wander around a bit.

[cowpoos]

SO do i think gravel was a peice of cake? No!
Was it worth taking the bike? I did wish at times that i hadnt brought it.
Do i reccommend gravel riding? No, i was scared shitless at times.

Pifft....bloody townies...harden up...scared of every thing

[zadok]

So you're not doing the Dakar next year!?

[oldrider]

Hey, you did OK. You have been where you felt a little apprehensive about going and you have come home in one piece.
You are that much more experienced now. Success! Well done that man. Where to next? Cheers John.

PS: Did you dicky with your tyre pressures are did you just leave them up tight for the road?

[Goblin]

Good onya for giving it a go! My last house was up a twisty gravel road and the driveway was steep in places....I loved it! Getting my bike to hang out sideways exiting corners is so much fun Only problem was my rear tyres were always square(and my bike was always dirty). Rode home one night after a few too many and forgot there was stock in the driveway paddock and had to turn around and go up the neighbors driveway...90 degree left then 90 degree right onto the steepest part and the cows had loosened all the gravel. Going a little too quick I nearly overshot the turn and grabbed the front brake and skidded backwards with the front locked up... BUT kept it upright!!
Dont be afraid of gravel....gravel is your friend.There's lots of fun to be had on gravel roads!

[Wasp]

PS: Did you dicky with your tyre pressures are did you just leave them up tight for the road?

nope didnt play with the tires, i took my gauge though and they were on 36 front and 42 rear before i left and before i left to go back tehy where 34 front and 39 rear.

had a full tank of fuel too thank god or i'd have run out on my detour.