Sunday 21 January -Where did you ride and what did you practise?

[Matt]

Went up to the A1GP at Taupo - first time ever I've ridden for more than hour or so straight, and first time I've ridden that far in the dark on the way back! Really good experience (especially with all the Kapiti traffic on the way up on Saturday am!) and I'm now starting to see the attraction in touring...why doesn't the Desert Road have a special speed limit for bikes though

So many good posts, although my pick this week would be Rosie as she made some valid points but especially this one:

...I became a little stressed on Tauranga direct when I was stuck behind a trailer going at about 70. The road is pretty windy, and they were firmly adhered to the centre line, so I didn't feel comfortable passing. We ended up pulling over for a bit, then continued on, and never saw the trailer again.

I always reckon if it feels wrong it usually is, and taking a step-back rather than proving a point at all costs is always the best way forward

Matt

[Hitcher]

Sunday? We rode to the best 12-letter word in Christendom. Whangamomona. What did we practice? East Taranaki saddle riding. Ferkin fantastic! Every biker should do this ride before they die. I have made a mental note to buy an FJR1300. They're simply sublime.

More info here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=42612

[pritch]

On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

I find it encouraging that y'all are thinking about your riding to the extent evident here. Actually I'm not as grumpy as I look and I'd like to make you all winners. Alas I don't think that's the general idea...

So my choice is Riffer not only for doing the practice but for inviting all and sundry along.

By way of encouragement I will award green bling to Rosie, Merv and Barbender.

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.
Nice try Hitcher You can have bling too :-)

[merv]

Thanks, but I'm not sure if I need more encouragement at my age. Mrs is coming on so I'll make sure I pass the encouragement on to her.

[riffer]

From Victoria, Australia, of all places.

Well, they've got their heart in the right place at least regarding safety.

Have a look. Some interesting stuff here.

[BarBender]

I find it encouraging that y'all are thinking about your riding to the extent evident here. Actually I'm not as grumpy as I look and I'd like to make you all winners. Alas I don't think that's the general idea...

So my choice is Riffer not only for doing the practice but for inviting all and sundry along.

By way of encouragement I will award green bling to Rosie, Merv and Barbender.

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.
Nice try Hitcher You can have bling too :-)

Thanks Pritch.

[Hitcher]

My special award for low cunning goes to Hitcher who on noticing that there is a Taranaki selector writes such fulsome praise of our favourite road.

I only speak the truth. Well, apart from the stuff I make up that is.

[Terminated]

If any of you Hutt fellas haven't tried Mangaroa Valley, you need to, as it has just about every bit of road on it and in my opinion, is one of the best learning roads we have.

Both the Mangaroa Hill and Wallaceville Hill are good practice - I often come up through Silverstream - Blue Mountains Road - Whitemans Valley, then do the left to Wallaceville Hill get over to Fergusson Drive then up to Maoribank and over Mangaroa Hill or carry on to SH2 and back through The Plateau to Maymorn and loop back over Mangaroa Hill and down Fergusson Drive over Wallaceville Hill [or do the right coming from Whitemans Valley and go up Maymorn, the Plateau, and loop back to Wallaceville or Mangaroa Hill].

The ride up and down Blue Mountains Road is a good skills test, as are Wallaceville Hill and Mangaroa Hill roads. I would encourage that newbies ride in company initially and certainly take your time. Going up or down Blue Mountains Road I have personally found very rewarding, it can be busy and expect the unexpected on some blind bends at the top. It is a good test going down practising direct throttle control in 2nd or 3rd gear only, trying not to use the brake and using your right hand only and keeping your left hand to just hover above the left grip.

The whole district up there I found a good training ground, but please be mindful out along the narrow country road through Whitemans Valley.

On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

Yes I would be interested in doing a practice up there and a bit of counter steering drill. PM some details Wednesday please.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Steam]

practising: weight inside footpeg, brace with outside leg,

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

[Terminated]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

I will leave the question for a mentor to answer. In the meantime I offer the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-Mo.../dp/0965045013

and

http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Wrist-II.../dp/0965045080

with the subtle reminder that we are not roadracers, and that good guidance from a mentor and riding reviews including professional courses are recommended.

Suffice to say that any benefit with the outside peg will not be the same when referring to a cruiser bike or a sports bike or a street bike, based purely on the ergonomics/riding position.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Terminated]

Thanks to all that have contributed this week. Pritch008 and Matt have each made their choices and I will post the Newbie Training Update tomorrow and also PM Rosie and Riffer.

Congrats Rosie and Riffer I will write up my additional comments in the update tomorrow.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[riffer]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the outside footpeg that's supposed to have more weight on it?

Nicky Hayden mentioned that as an effective technique used by flat track racers, and it appears to have good effect for a rider who backs a bike in to a corner, but I'm dubious as to its efficacy in a road riding situation.

As buckbuckNo1 says, Twist of the Wrist is an essential read. I learnt more from that book than ten years of riding on my own.

[Matt]

...On Wednesday night, Bull and I will be going to the old GM's car park on Alexander Road to practice emergency braking. Would any of you be interested in coming along too?

Would have liked to come to this (never really practiced emergency braking much!) but had to go and buy a new freezer , oh well maybe next time - was that you behind me out of Wellington to Silverstream yesterday??

Matt