Sunday 28 January - Where did you ride and what did you practise?

[Lissa]

Then off to Masterton, through the bypass to Eketahuna, off at the Mangamaire turnoff and through Balance for lunch at the Boots 'n Braces in Woodville.

Retuned via SH2 to Pahiatua where we diverted through Tane & Alfredton to Masterton then on to Martinborough for a Coffee before returning back over the hill. About 420kms all up.

Want to try riding that one day!! Sounds like a good ride KoroJ.

Went for a ride on Saturday... thought it was going to fine up, but with all the cloud we didnt get too wet. Picked up kinje from down my street, then rode to carterton to meet up with elle, and then biggles1 in featherston. Decided as the weather was pretty crappy just to ride to Martinbrough for Lunch... and then went home.

What I practiced was riding in the wet. I am pretty unconfident on my bike on corners when the road is slippery... dont really trust my GN tyres 100% esp since I have read a few threads about them here on KB. Just took it slow and smooth. Practiced watching the road for bad patches.

Monday I went for a short ride with my new smaller helmet... amazing what a difference a right fit makes. Cant believe I had been riding with a helmet way to big for me, and was completely unsafe. Every bump I went over my helmet would move and when going at speed my helmet would push my sunnies into my face... now with the new helmet there is no movement and visiability is 100 times better..... all I can say is, helmet's are very important and so is a good fit!

[merv]

Whats' with the stock GN tyres, do they have that slippery eel feeling when they are wet?

[KoroJ]

Want to try riding that one day!! Sounds like a good ride KoroJ.

It certainly was. I was brought-up in Masterton but I had never been on 3 of the stretches of road before. Not very adventurous I guess.

[Rosie]

well sorry its not sunday .. and as i have today off ... tires are now inflated .. I thought since no one is about .... I would have a wee play with the new toy ..

what did I learn ... (remembering its over 20 yrs since i last road a bike .. & never a road bike)

well I am only doing circles on my back lawn .. through the carport .. (wearing a nice track already)

finding netural from first gear ... trying to find out how many revs i need to take off smoothly without reving her to high or two low & stalling ..

I am much more smoother on right hand circles than left .... must practice left more ... & look where i am going .. focus

getting sore arms .. must remember to use my knees more .. that took a bit of pressure off my arms .. & look where i am going .. focus

also how smoothly can I brake to slow & speed up slightly ....

ohh yeah breaking in new gear .. boots do make it easier to change back to neutral ... had issues finding netural but was being to strong & finding second instead ...

ok break time to take it all in .. but can ya tell i am smiling ... might take her down the cattle race in the week .. good track not too rough

My pick for this week is Chanceyy, for practising the basics and taking the time to get used to her new bike in a controlled environment (ie away from traffic). I spent a lot of time doing this when I first learnt to ride, and it's something I should also be practising at the moment, now I'm back on the bike after a 7 month break.

[chanceyy]

My pick for this week is Chanceyy, for practising the basics and taking the time to get used to her new bike in a controlled environment (ie away from traffic). I spent a lot of time doing this when I first learnt to ride, and it's something I should also be practising at the moment, now I'm back on the bike after a 7 month break.

thanks Rosie .. just got in from practicing tonite .. note being a bit more tired am not as fluid as yesterday .. but its a fab feeling

[riffer]

My focus was to go a little faster than the last time around the same route and make mental notes of hazards along the way. Usual shingle in the road, shingle on a 90 degree left that i eased up before reaching.
Keeping a watchful eye out for cars appearing at the many driveways that adjoin the main road. Made room for evasion by moving into the centre of the road away from driveways.
Practiced countersteering - been tipping in later into corners to really get the lean over going and am slowly getting comfortable with a decent lean on.
Using the bikes engine braking to come down the hill at a consistent speed instead of throttling on and off at will.

I really enjoyed the ride from Murupara to Te Whaiti, the road is really twisty, but the surface is nice, and it's fairly wide. I made a conscious effort to not look at my speedo, just to try and line the corners up nicely, use the throttle smoothly, and try and follow car wheel tracks, rather than riding in the middle of the lane, as I apparently had been doing on Saturday. There was rain forecast on Monday, and the centre of the lane is more likely to be slippery in the rain, so I thought it was an important thing to practise.

Okay, here's my picks.

Both riders have practiced their techniques and have tried to push the envelope a bit.

While it is important to practice techniques and ensure that we cover the basics every time we get out there, I believe that it's also important to push the boundaries to ensure we improve. Not that I advocate anything stupid or dangerous, but I feel it's easy to get complacent and stay in the comfort zone once we think we have the technique down pat - so well done these two riders.

I've thought about the emergency braking practice bull, buckbuckno1 and I tried last week, and I've decided its missing one element - the element of surprise, and I'm wondering how you would integrate that into the practice.

Something to think about.

[Terminated]

I've thought about the emergency braking practice bull, buckbuckno1 and I tried last week, and I've decided its missing one element - the element of surprise, and I'm wondering how you would integrate that into the practice.

Something to think about.

Element of surprise can be introduced by independent person standing down and parallel to braking zone dropping an arm from horizontal or a flag/cloth.

Look forward to next session.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[riffer]

I've got the kids all weekend again (a nice 40th birthday surprise - not supposed to have all of them this weekend), but I'm thinking we need to do something about this emergency braking with the element of surprise thing.

Evenings work best for me. I'd like a few more than just two other guys to turn up this time.

What do you say guys? - give us a time...

[Terminated]

Thanks riffer have sent PM and suggesting Tuesday evenings carpark practice and harbour and bay rides.

This weekly thread is now closed for this week.

Sunday[Date] Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise? will be posted later this week.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[bull]

I'm thinking we need to do something about this emergency braking with the element of surprise thing.

Evenings work best for me. I'd like a few more than just two other guys to turn up this time.

What do you say guys? - give us a time...

Was thinking that maybe 3 riders can stand along the path and you travel at constant speed and between them they decide who will indicate you to brake so could be first , second or third rider. Have the riders about 5m apart.
sound suitable?