Sunday 17th December - Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?

**Terminated** · 16th December 2006, 22:10

This is a regular weekly thread and invites the Kiwibiker community to participate in a manner that may provide a good insight to how we approach our riding. Each week two members within the community will each select an entry posted to this thread, and the posts will be copied to BuckBuck's Update - Newbie Training.

The spirit and intent of these weekly posts is to remind us all, and in particular 'newbies', that there is no room for complacency when riding: endeavour to hone your riding skill each time you go for that Sunday ride and review those safety strategies - no matter how fundamental they may appear to be.

It is not intended to curtail posting any humour associated with your Sunday ride, and if you have pictures of your ride, by all means please share. Enjoy your ride be relaxed but focussed.

This week the selectors are: Mrs Kendog and gijoe1313. They have been invited to make their selections by Monday Evening 18th December.

Heads Up and Enjoy Your Ride

**boomer** · 16th December 2006, 22:43

Took a trip to Raglan today with 4 mates, the kids didn't have swimmin and were off to parties, so i had a free saturday.

Met the boys at BP Papakura @ 10 and we headed off at ridge rd down 22 to NgawaaarriaaaH or somewhere like that. steady pace, plenty of gravel. nice blue skies and warm. turned right and headed to Raglan.

Now.. here's my learning. STOP following so CLOSELY Duncan. I've been in the habbit of finding someone with a good pace and following, far too close i now realise.

i've often asked the 3 people i do it to if they minded, and thev'e all said no. I know when i was learning a mate use to do it to me and i'd punch him, his response...stop looking in the mirrors and ride your own ride. WELL thats true and i've got better for it.. looking ahead that is.

But today, following closely behind the k6 thou whos behind 2 cars, the car upfront decides to take a right hand turn .. last minute.. like ya do. Well... all hell broke loose, brake lights.. brake lights.. Stomping on the rear and squeezing the shit out of the front; My back end gets all out of shape. Well, we're all good, fortunately.

so.. moral(sp?) of this story.. STOP DOING IT DUNCAN!

other than that, the hill over to and back from Raglan was mint and the bike cranked over. Lanky legs Logan scraping his knees... the bitch !

Nice bike Logan.

lesson learnt! something i SHOULD have known better in the first place.

**Toaster** · 16th December 2006, 22:47

I'm riding SH16/Rodney district area early Sunday a.m. Maybe see you early birds out there too?

**NordieBoy** · 17th December 2006, 06:53

My Sunday ride was on Thursday.
Went through the Maungatapu Track from Pelorus to Nelson.

Lessons learned?
#1 Stay on top of the bike more in gravel corners.
#2 Go faster you pussy!

**Steam** · 17th December 2006, 10:13

I tested the limits of my braking traction around the neighbourhood.
I'd tootle along at 50kph, then stomp on the brakes to practise emergency braking and see how hard I could push it before the brakes locked or the wheels lost grip.

I also tried just using the front or back, which was interesting. I had to learn how to adjust my rear brake, as there was too much play.

The tyres made some nice squealing noises as they reached the edge of their traction limits, and I also laid down a couple of black marks as the tyres lost it and began skidding.

It was a very interesting hour or so, and I learned bikes don't stop as well as cars. I also realised if a car pulls out in front of me, using emergency braking only will end up in me hitting it. I'd need to swerve or something instead.

**Chisanga** · 17th December 2006, 11:24

I went out around Howick and Cockle Bay for the first proper ride of my bike. Felt my confidence increasingly rapidly as I managed to get the gears to change sort of like they should. Still the occasional over-rev etc. but I can definately feel good progress happening.

Practised a few emergency stops... this needs much more practise I feel as I need to stop revving as I am braking hard.

All round though had a good time... stalled only once - at the main intersection at Botany Downs - may have just been trying too hard 'cause of all the cars around but I made a quick recovery and away.

Took the bike through some Baby Twisties (Point View Drive for those that know East Auckland) and was happy again with leaning into the corners.

Trying to do everything smoothly as the bike is new and i'm still scrubbing in the tyres. Experimenting with the right rev ranges for gear change - again trying to take it easy as still running in the engine.

What else - finally found a semi-decent spot for the L-Plate (With McJim's advice) and the help of some sticky tape and pulled into my garage with 99kms on my new bike and myself dripping sweat under the riding suit.

Must practice emergency stops and hill starts and gear changes and everything else but a very successful day... might go out again later if the weather stays nice.

Safe riding all.

**nadroj** · 17th December 2006, 13:15

Came up from the Naki yesterday for a work doo in Hamilton last night. Decided to cruise out to Raglan for a look before heading home. Saw groups at TeKuiti and Piopio and it got a little damper the further south I came.

**Patch** · 17th December 2006, 14:34

What a blast! Nailed every corner with such finesse, gave every honda luffin fag the learn, I even managed to impress myself - well just a little. Can't wait for the shop to open in the morning, I think I'll buy an extra set of sliders as they just don't last long enough anymore. Might as well grab a spare set of pegs as well, don't think the current ones are gonna last much longer.

Gotta love these back country roads, no coppas, nothing but fresh air an the next adrenline rush from powerslidin' the moss covered corner, wheelin' on the exit an hittin the rev limiter in every gear. What a blast!!

Pity its only a dream, as I sit here, struggling to type with one hand, remembering my friends - some old some new, wondering what they maybe upto, praying that they are keeping safe out there, so I can ride with them again when I am able too. Please remember to be safe, and to all the idiots out there, crashing ain't cool. It bloody hurts, I was lucky. It really sucks not being able to do a hell of alot, bloody mission trying to scratch my snoze with the wrong hand

let alone trying to tie my own shoelaces.

Moral of the story: Don't be a bloody Idiot, save it for the track.

Take care out there, Merry Xmas blah blah an watch out for that phat Honda wigglin' ass out there

**SpankMe** · 17th December 2006, 14:35

To the local pie shop and back.

**Bonez** · 17th December 2006, 14:43

Pushed the bikes out of the shed. Cleaned the shed. It rained. Pushed them back in again. Did the CDMTCI toy run yesterday so I guess that was my sudo Sunday ride.

Moral of this-Never clean the shed, because it causes water to fall from the sky.........

**vamr** · 17th December 2006, 14:52

Scrubbed the bejesus out of the front sprocket, chain and wheels, went for a 50k blat to get some heat into the forestated and let the engine breath. Lubed, topped up with 2t... just another day.

**Colapop** · 17th December 2006, 15:03

I practiced moaning like a bitch! I got so sunburned yesterday that I can't walk today. My legs are swollen and can't be touched. I feel like I've been beaten with a Kanji stick. So what did I learn? I learned not to be a dumbarse, and apply copious amounts of sunscreen.

What has this got to do with biking? Not everyone rides with the full compliment of gear. So for those of you that don't fully cover up - wear sunscreen! It's almost as important as your helmet and you'll certainly notice the difference the next day - as I have!

**Hitcher** · 17th December 2006, 15:11

Mrs H's and my Sunday ride was yesterday, Saturday.

We went to Taihape and back, because we needed some clothes from the country clothing shop and also fancied an Exchange Cafe coffee and brownie.

It was blowing a gale and quite gloomy in Wellington, but the wind started to drop from Levin and the cloud burned off between Bulls and Hunterville. Yes, gentle readers, we went up via SH1. The traffic was tolerable most of the way and we behaved ourselves at a reasonably sedate 110kmh (apart from the occasional overtaking manoeuver).

The return journey was via Vinegar Hill, Palmerston North and the backroad past Massey.

The traffic on our return was well behaved until the last stretch down the motorway from Mana to Ngauranga. Fuck there are some idiots who drive cars who have absolutely no fucking idea at all. I am surprised that more bikers do not meet their demise at the hands of kindy mums in SUVs.

Anyway, the bikes ran well, and I'm really enjoying my new screen.

What did we learn? Never trust a car that is being driven by somebody wearing a hat.

**enigma51** · 17th December 2006, 15:28

Originally Posted by boomer

Took a trip to Raglan today with 4 mates, the kids didn't have swimmin and were off to parties, so i had a free saturday.

Met the boys at BP Papakura @ 10 and we headed off at ridge rd down 22 to NgawaaarriaaaH or somewhere like that. steady pace, plenty of gravel. nice blue skies and warm. turned right and headed to Raglan.

Now.. here's my learning. STOP following so CLOSELY Duncan. I've been in the habbit of finding someone with a good pace and following, far too close i now realise.

i've often asked the 3 people i do it to if they minded, and thev'e all said no. I know when i was learning a mate use to do it to me and i'd punch him, his response...stop looking in the mirrors and ride your own ride. WELL thats true and i've got better for it.. looking ahead that is.

But today, following closely behind the k6 thou whos behind 2 cars, the car upfront decides to take a right hand turn .. last minute.. like ya do. Well... all hell broke loose, brake lights.. brake lights.. Stomping on the rear and squeezing the shit out of the front; My back end gets all out of shape. Well, we're all good, fortunately.

so.. moral(sp?) of this story.. STOP DOING IT DUNCAN!

other than that, the hill over to and back from Raglan was mint and the bike cranked over. Lanky legs Logan scraping his knees... the bitch !

Nice bike Logan.

lesson learnt! something i SHOULD have known better in the first place.

Moral of the story concentrate! Thanks for the ride ie show up its was nice having a bit of a play over the hill