Wgtn Motorcyclists - Helston Road

**nudemetalz** · 8th February 2006, 10:55

Greetings,

I've just come out of a Road Resurfacing meeting here at WCC and they asked if there's any difference for motorcyclists using Helston Road. I said I hadn't heard anything more nor had I rode around there but I said I would on the way home and report back tomorrow.

Anyone here offer any new opinions on it?

**Pwalo** · 8th February 2006, 11:21

Can't comment a lot as I tend to avoid going to J'ville along Helston on the bike. Feels safer to go over Stewart Drive.

I rode my son's SR250 along Helston a couple of weeks ago and it was marginally better than when the tar snakes were new, but you'd want to be bloody cautious now that it's wet. But the problem isn't just the re sealing, the road itself is very uneven and some of the changes in road level are on corners (as I'm sure you know).

Newlands Road is very nice at the moment. Top job.

**Kendog** · 8th February 2006, 11:42

Originally Posted by Pwalo

Can't comment a lot as I tend to avoid going to J'ville along Helston on the bike. Feels safer to go over Stewart Drive.

I rode my son's SR250 along Helston a couple of weeks ago and it was marginally better than when the tar snakes were new, but you'd want to be bloody cautious now that it's wet. But the problem isn't just the re sealing, the road itself is very uneven and some of the changes in road level are on corners (as I'm sure you know).

Newlands Road is very nice at the moment. Top job.

I have not ridden on Helston rd either but I totally agree with the following:
'tar snakes' - hate them
Newlands road - wish they were all like this

**mikey** · 8th February 2006, 11:50

tell them to leave the road alone. they fuck things worse. an leave gravel or sand an shit everywhere. an cut holes in it. an make delays. all for a marginally better surfface. save there money. or take it to manfield an do the corner after pit lane straight. that needs fukn work. priorities!

**Skunk** · 8th February 2006, 13:31

I'll have a look next time I go to J'ville (take the long way)...

**nudemetalz** · 8th February 2006, 14:01

Thanks for the feedback, Peoples. I'll ride along it tonight and give some feedback to the Surfacing guys and the contractor as required.

I normally avoid it and use Stewart Drive myself.

**RnB Fan** · 8th February 2006, 14:02

If it was dry I'd have a look for you tonight. But it's not so maybe tomorrow!

**Slingshot** · 8th February 2006, 17:50

I'll have a look tomorrow.

Have you got contacts that can fix up pot holes?
Cause there's a big dirty one on the corner of Woodridge & Kentwood Drive.

Also, I love the new surface of Newlands road but am a little annoyed at some of the markings:
At the roundabout by the Challenge, there's a big triangle painted on the ground, it's near impossible not to ride over it if you're going straight through this roundabout.

The other part is heading toward the city by the BP, with all of the pot holes and the fire markings on the road, it makes it difficult to pick a safe line through it.

**nudemetalz** · 8th February 2006, 18:17

I do indeed.

I'll print out your statements and take them to work tomorrow to show the Engineers.

I concur about the safe line. You really have to go quietly down there.

**sedge** · 8th February 2006, 18:30

Tell them to put more bike parks in Grey and Mercer Sts... Coz that's what we'd really like instead of a stupid fountain full of cigarette butts from all the stinking smokers.

Have you seen how many bikes try to park in Grey st ? If I'm not in by 07:30 it's tough shit, never mind all the people who park up the pavement and next to the bank. Damnit, I'm important I demand my own bike park

Bikers should be encouraged, we reduce congestion and pollution in the city.

And to whomever owns that ghey red scooter that can never park properly... the fountain is big, your scooter is small.

Ah... As to Helston st, I don't even know where it is sorry

Sedge.

**Drum** · 8th February 2006, 18:40

I'm really impressed that your collagues even give a damn about bikers. Maybe there is still hope

**nudemetalz** · 8th February 2006, 19:24

Originally Posted by sedge

Tell them to put more bike parks in Grey and Mercer Sts... Coz that's what we'd really like instead of a stupid fountain full of cigarette butts from all the stinking smokers.

Have you seen how many bikes try to park in Grey st ? If I'm not in by 07:30 it's tough shit, never mind all the people who park up the pavement and next to the bank. Damnit, I'm important I demand my own bike park

Bikers should be encouraged, we reduce congestion and pollution in the city.

And to whomever owns that ghey red scooter that can never park properly... the fountain is big, your scooter is small.

Ah... As to Helston st, I don't even know where it is sorry

Sedge.

Helston Street is up just behind J'Ville and has excessive crack-sealing aka "tar-snakes". Get's damn slippery.

As for bike park in Grey Street, you wanna try parking a big long ZX-10 there in the mornings. I actually "relocate" the scooters if they take up unreasonable room, 'cause I got a bigger bike !!!!

Bike parks are out of the scope of Roading & Traffic unfortunately but I do talk to "other people" trying to see if more will be done.
An alternative is to park in James Smith carpark building. It's free (you just ride around the barriers) and park by the Spiral. I park there if it's windy, as completely protected from the elements.

As for WCC giving a damn, they do listen to what people have to say (well our division does).

**Skunk** · 8th February 2006, 21:56

Had a looky at Helston Rd: nice bit of asphalt at the top (Newlands end), not as good as Newlands Road (bumpier) but OK, and the rest is still crap. Utter crap. Bumpy, tar snake city, crap. There is no 'safe' line as the entire road is still tar snakes.

What's supposed to have been done?

**Pwalo** · 9th February 2006, 07:47

[QUOTE=Skunk]Had a looky at Helston Rd: nice bit of asphalt at the top (Newlands end), not as good as Newlands Road (bumpier) but OK, and the rest is still crap. Utter crap. Bumpy, tar snake city, crap. There is no 'safe' line as the entire road is still tar snakes.

You're exactly right Mr Skunk. With the tar snakes and the 'steps' in the road suface you can't pick a safe line, which is somewhat crucial as it's such a lovely, twisty piece of road.

How did the test go last night? It was a bit wet!