Popped my Auckland Rush Hour Motorway Cherry

**McJim** · 30th August 2006, 08:45

This won't be a big deal to those that do it all the time but for the past 4 months I've been commuting from Howick to Ponsonby on my bike. I've been using side streets and the Cycle lane in Great South road but the commute was actually taking longer than my cage on the Southern Motorway.

This morning I had enough confidence and went on the Southern motorway - it was actually a lot calmer than I though. Didn't break the conditions of the L licence either (couldn't get above 70!) I chose not to Lane Split moving traffic but when it was stationary I slipped through until it was moving again.

Felt a whole lot safer then riding through Auckland coz everyone is going in the same direction.

**Lil_Byte** · 30th August 2006, 08:56

Well done.

I used to do Botany Downs to Rosebank Road every day - southern then Western. It could be a mission somne days.

I find Dunedin much easier to cope with

**Cookie** · 30th August 2006, 08:56

Well done!

I avoided the motorway for at least 4 months as well. Going home I have to go through that bit at the top of the Northwestern motorway where traffic merges in the centre lane.

I still avoid it if I have a "bad feeling in my bones".

Good call on the lane splitting. I can't bring myself to do it. Every lane change is a chance for an accident and cages scare the sh!t out of me even when I am clearly visable in a proper lane.

**Squeak the Rat** · 30th August 2006, 09:23

Good work McJim. Continue to take things slowly and be vigil on the motorway. Situational awareness is a must and always have a what-if plan in your head - eg "what if that person changes lane suddenly?"

You'll find that even "legal" lane changes and very low speed splits will still take some time off your car commute, and your saving money and enjoying it!

And Cookie - good on ya for listening to the sixth sense stuff. That's sort of thing keeps you alive.

**aff-man** · 30th August 2006, 10:00

good work. Just watch out for them pesky boys in blue when splitting. They like to sit on the bridges and look for ya. That being said if you're taking it slow then a lot of them don't mind.

good work on the motorway though. My first time scared the bejezus out of me but after I got over all the shit people had told me I found it easier than the ride from the motorway to howick.

**McJim** · 30th August 2006, 10:09

I have to thank M1CRO for my first 2 wheeled motorway experience ever a few weeks ago (very early on a Sunday morning) - he provided great support which gave me confidence.

For other Noobs I strongly recommend getting a Mentor and I recommend the RRRS course run by BRONZ members.

Only reason I did the motorway now is coz I don't think about steering/braking/gear changes - it's all automatic now so I can concentrate on awareness 100% - I wouldn't suggest all noobs should have a blast on the motorway until they are so comfortable with the controls on their bike that they can give the motorway users the attention they need to.

**sAsLEX** · 30th August 2006, 11:02

Originally Posted by aff-man

good work. Just watch out for them pesky boys in blue when splitting. They like to sit on the bridges and look for ya. That being said if you're taking it slow then a lot of them don't mind.

yet to catch me and I dont sit around in traffic ever.

Split past cops legally/slowly/safely and they dont care, its not like they can chase you, even with red and blues going emergency vehicles are slower than your average splitter in heavyish traffic

**gijoe1313** · 30th August 2006, 13:33

Nice one! I didn't go on the motorway system till about 4 weeks into my riding! And I made sure it wasn't on the busy periods - like you I only did it when I was comfortable with my gear changing and braking. No good trying to fiddle with that when you're in fast moving traffic!

I definitely need to practice my emergency braking/slow speed U-turns, but need to find a nice quiet area with plenty of room for me to do so!

Keep up the good work and ride safe!

**XR250 Si** · 30th August 2006, 14:07

Good on you Big McJim.

This is one of the things that I'm feeling the most nervous about.

**McJim** · 30th August 2006, 14:12

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

Nice one! I didn't go on the motorway system till about 4 weeks into my riding! And I made sure it wasn't on the busy periods - like you I only did it when I was comfortable with my gear changing and braking. No good trying to fiddle with that when you're in fast moving traffic!

I definitely need to practice my emergency braking/slow speed U-turns, but need to find a nice quiet area with plenty of room for me to do so!

Keep up the good work and ride safe!

Enrol on the RRRS - more usefeul information about emergency stops you will not find anywhere else. Trust me best $45 I ever spent!