Taming the 'Takas?

[Velox]

I saw a photo on the front page of a Wairarapa newspaper today that was showing a proposed realignment of a section of the Rimutaka Hill Rd. I didn't get to read it because I tucked the paper into the tail of my mate's bike for 'safekeeping' so I could read it later and it subsequently flew out somewhere between Castlepoint and Masterton. It was enough to get me quite worried though because above one of the corners was the trig, which I'm guessing is the one right near the top of the hill. And it looked like that nasty, wide right hander (Wgtn side heading up) with the big run-off was in it. I'm hoping I might have got this all wrong but what have other people heard? Is this all pretty common knowledge already?
I'm disturbed. Very disturbed.

[wari]

YOu can take stuff to fixa dis-turbulance ...

... and I hope you went back and picked upp yurr litter ...

LETs keep NZ grreen in cllean people ...

[wari]

OH yeah ... sorry VElox ...I haven't heard anythink ..and nothin' gitts parst me mate ... nothin' ... ... I love summrr

[Slingshot]

They will probably continue to work on that piece of road until it's dead straight.

I say, build a tunnel through the hill and leave the hill road open only for motorcycles!

[Coyote]

Went up there, didn't know we had to go over gravel. Got bloody stone chips from the cages

[Biff]

I'm disturbed. Very disturbed.

Honda!!! Where are you? Sounds like Velox needs some of psychiatric nursing help and some happy tabs (any spare for me?)

[Hitcher]

They will probably continue to work on that piece of road until it's dead straight.

I say, build a tunnel through the hill and leave the hill road open only for motorcycles!

Amen to that! Wellington's biker community should lay a wreath at the opening ceremony for the Kaitokes' realignment. What a tragic waste of cash. All it will do will be to get people to the Takas or the Upper Hutt traffic lights two minutes quicker. The road as it exists is not dangerous and it is shit hot fun on a bike! Meanwhile, on the other coast, a little girl waits...

[Coyote]

There needs to be more passing lanes on downhill lane on the Upper Hutt side of the hill. I'm constantly getting stuck behind cars that won't go to the side of the road and let me pass, and I have got enough power/skill to overtake them on the corners

[bungbung]

.. I have got enough power/skill to overtake them on the corners

So overtake them on the corners, like everybody else.

[Coyote]

I need to follow some people. Then I might learn something

[riffer]

There needs to be more passing lanes on downhill lane on the Upper Hutt side of the hill. I'm constantly getting stuck behind cars that won't go to the side of the road and let me pass, and I have got enough power/skill to overtake them on the corners

It's a fear thing alarumba. Takes a while to get used to going around them. Just keep doing the hill. Get to know it and you will realise where you can and can't pass.

You have an advantage over those of us with larger and heavier bikes, although you don't realise it yet.

Find some other guys who are going over the hill and join them.

[Coyote]

It's a fear thing alarumba.

Didn't seem to have a problem with fear on the track day

I've definately seen improvement from when I first went out on the road. Roundabouts are quicker to go round when your not afraid of leaning. The KX was a much easier bike to lean on, the CBR is a all new experience for me

[jrandom]

Meanwhile, on the other coast, a little girl waits...

Oh, you're good. Very, very good.

[Slingshot]

There needs to be more passing lanes on downhill lane on the Upper Hutt side of the hill. I'm constantly getting stuck behind cars that won't go to the side of the road and let me pass, and I have got enough power/skill to overtake them on the corners

Passing lanes downhill are generally a bad idea...you get cage drivers (and sometimes bikes) underestimating their acceleration and then having to brake heavily. On the hill, this normally means braking heavily into & around corners which creates all sorts of problems.

There are quite a few places when heading downhill where you can pass, but often it pays to take it easy.

I generally find that the uphill parts are more fun and that's normally where I ride quick, then on the downhill parts I have a bit of a rest.

[Coyote]

I generally find that the uphill parts are more fun and that's normally where I ride quick, then on the downhill parts I have a bit of a rest.

On the uphill parts, the bike screams and I always have to shift down to get more power from the bike