The Mentor: Sat/Sunday 24-25th March - Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?

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Thanks goes to Lissa who will continue the newbie training update thread in memory of our mentor Uncle B.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=46672


This weekend the whole KB community is asked to get in and post a few short lines of 'where did you ride and what did you practise?'. Humour and photographs are welcomed, however please keep in mind the general spirit is to enlighten us all on your riding practice. By all means ask questions about your riding and technique etc, and i am sure a mentor or senior experienced rider will be only too happy to touch base with you in the forum or by PM personal message.

Sunday evening both Lissa and I will chose an entry each from this thread and this will be copied across to Lissa's weekly update The Mentor - Newbie Training Update.

Heads Up and Enjoy

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Sunday 25th March: I very much enjoyed the ride over the Rimutaka Hill RH. Ten days or so ago on the way back from Carterton I had a 'dream' ride up from Featherston. Well today was no different...

The ride over to Martinborough had some traffic on the RH, and as you do you are conscious of bikes behind you etc. Well if this is any measure on the journey up: safely passing numerous cars my lines, throttle control, and minimal use of the front brake, I maintained a good pace, with only one bike passing me, and still 10 plus bikes behind me.

On the way back from Martinborough I was behind nzcruzer on his 750 Shadow and whereas I was looking way ahead of him for the riding conditions environmental and hazards, I was also aware of his riding lines [without target fixating on his number plate]. I was very very pleased with my riding, and like the previous week, back from Carterton, the flow was very good indeed. I found I was altering occasionally my lines to 'see' what he was doing and yes there was some good feedback there for me.

We all ride our own ride, occasionally it is good to 'experiment' and follow another riders lines - but as I said look ahead and ensure the conditions are giving you the right safety margins.

For newbie riders seek out a mentor and discuss riding lines.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Rosie]

On Saturday I decided to go for a fairly solid ride (for me anyway). I went to Ohope for lunch, via a fairly scenic route. It was the first time I've been on a fairly long out and about ride by myself. Clint keeps muttering about going around East Cape one weekend, and I'd like to practise a few longer rides before then.

The plan for the day was to concentrate on checking my mirrors frequently and being aware of what is going on around me, and frequent, smooth gear changes.

I went out along SH 33 to Paengaroa, and along the coast (SH 2) to Whakatane. Fuelled up in Whakatane and continued on to Ohope for lunch at the Surfside café. Nice Panini and banana smoothie. It was a nice sunny day, but not too hot, I could sit outside in my cordura trousers without incinerating. From Ohope I continued on around Ohiwa harbour and met up with SH 30 and started to head for home, via Kawerau.

Riding over the Rotomas was fantastic. I caught up to a line of cars behind someone towing a boat, so I pulled over, let them get ahead of me, and then zoomed after them again. I worked on keeping the bike in the powerband, and being consciously aware of what I'm doing around corners - braking, turning in, looking where I want to go, accelerating away from the apex etc.
Cruising around the lakes I was having far too much fun to go straight home, so I popped in to lake Okataina for a little look. The Okataina rd is 7km of narrow, windy, 2 laned seal through native bush. The road surface is less than ideal and some roadworks have left a bit of gravel over the road, but it was still a fun little ride. There are no speed recommendation signs, so it's good practise judging my speed coming into unfamiliar corners, and expecting people towing boats wider than their lane to come around the corner at any time.

From Okataina I scooted home. Around 270km all up. My delicate posterior was a little sore, even though I remembered to shift my weight around on straight sections of road. Going to a BBQ and spending several hours sitting on a friend's deck on Saturday night probably didn't help either.

On Sunday morning I decided that the Rotomas needed to be ridden again. Clint is moving to Kawerau soon, so I went to Kawerau under the guise of doing a little coffee reconnaissance. I saw heaps of bikes on the way there and back, and was feeling sociable, so I got some practise waving at people. I got to Kawerau and the café and the bakery were both closed. So, uncaffeinated, and with my oil light coming on intermittently (must remember to check my oil tank after a long-ish ride) I headed home again. Didn't get stuck behind any traffic on the Rotomas this time, but the oil light was making me feel a little nervous, so the pace was a bit cruisier than Saturday. There was still a reasonable amount of oil in the tank when I got home, but I topped it up straight away. And I'll remember to check it more often in future.

It was a good weekend's riding, I haven't been out much recently, and haven't been on many longer trips by myself, so it was really beneficial. And gave me the little boost in confidence I needed to go and book my restricted test. Next Wednesday at 8.30am.

[chanceyy]

excerpts from the other thread & my observations

What more can a person ask for .. perfect weather, ( & I mean perfect!!!!!! ) bikes all running well (thank you Rob Horowhenua Motor cycles, for getting mine up & running in time) & fantastic friends who are great company.

My day started off with a quick trip to Wellington, so had to be up at 5.30am .. but driving down & seeing how the day was panning out, I was getting more & more excited. On the way home I started texting the other crew ..but gutted they had all washed their bikes & poor lil betsy was gonna be the only one dirty … ( 86gsxr kindly pointed out to me that she will not be that dirty .. how could she since she not been on the road much .. hmmmmmm good point).

Since everyone else was gassed up decided to flick into town & gas mine up before we started, so leaving my house wide open .. off I toodle, came home & u4ea & dogs had arrived … two mins later 86gsxr rocked up as well .. after making sure that all the alcohol was cooling down nicely in the fridge & a couple of smokes later .. (I am toooooo pure to smoke of course .. & Betsy makes up for it LOL). A ride plan was beginning to form.

Now this was going to be my first experienced with some twisties at road speed, every other time I have ridden its always been straight roads with the odd corner in it .. & the lil country road opposite my place can not be taken at speed, & riding on the road is soooooooooooo different than riding at Manfield as now we have traffic coming in opposite directions .. & I sure dunna wanna get hit .. so I was a wee bit nervous.

Now I know the boys wanted to play so they could travel off into the distance & u4ea hung back with me ..Thanks honey… Coming into Shannon & the boys were in front of a foodstuff truck, the sharp right hand bend on the main street was coming up fast .. but here I thought I could scoot past before getting to that bend only prob was 86gsxr thought us girls were miles behind … & since he never checks his mirror did not realise that I had speed on .. had to break hard to take the corner .. & was trying to squeeze in beside him LOL …

Once we got outta Shannon & the first set of twisties just past Opiki turn off loomed .. the boys already a wee bit ahead .. hmmm well I backed off on the speed & down shifted .. & kinda got through it ok … from Shannon to out of Ashurst I tried to get bike into top gear but could not get enough revs to put her into top without making the clutch basket really noisy ..

All through this section of road I keep thinking focus, look through the corner & just got comfy with leaning a wee bit .. still backed off the corners though …

Thanks dogs & 86gsxr for waiting for us … mind you they said it was only a few mins before we rocked up .. (whewwwwwwwwwwwww seriously did not want to wreck anyones riding fun)

Out the back of Ashurst & I was a wee bit naughty .. Dogs was out the back .. & I was taking a wee corner .. I changed my riding line .. Opps & realised I caught a glimpse of yellow near me .. some evasive action by dogs & some good breaks on the Trumpy stopped us having a wee kiss of bikes, & riders .. sorry mate

From this point on I was starting to get more confident & it helped with the less traffic as well, turned off towards Cheltenham & this is where I was in my element nice straight roads & finally had enough speed to hit that elusive top gear .. we pretty much stayed together as a group towards Fielding, then back roads outwards Bulls .. after having a lot of pace on & just backed off when a friendly cop came into view .. but by this time we were doing respectable speeds.

A well deserved break at Bulls Café & some fab Lattes (so the others mentioned & after partaking in several bowls) & wedges, we discussed the ride so far … since I still have no speedo (just as well methinks) u4ea advised some of the speeds that I was doing .. & that was at least twice as fast as I am legally allowed to do .. about 140-150 woo hoooo it sure was a rush …

After the café we rocked out to Tangimoana & to the beach .. well after the adrenaline had worn off at the café ( & the early start to the day) I was feeling very tired, so backed off the pace quite a bit .. the others rode off into the sunset but that did not worry me cause I knew they would be ahead somewhere …. The only thing that concerned me was the asshole in a truck that sat about 2 feet off my back wheel .. but I did not pick up my pace & he was not interested in passing me so guess it was the equalviant of a mexican standoff.

Then we back tracked .. out to state highway one .. along the straights they hooked across to Himitangi Block Road .. back to Shannon .. (time to take care of horses) .. back to my place, just on dusk .. apparent speed since I was leading .. bout 130ks .. what a difference from the start of the day ..

the whole day was a huge learning curve, first kinda group ride & to be more aware of where everyone is .. esp those trying to pass me, how to deal with twisties both ones you can see through & those you can't. Then there is the total fun factor but keeping in mind total concentration ...

the sunday ride as per below

Discussed the thought of a wee ride to clear away any lingering parts of a hangover that may be around .. I was esp keen to do the wee twisties outta Shannon again ..just to see if my lines had improved from the previous day.

U4ea begged off (was not the hangover or lack of sleep, right girl!!!! ) so was left to me, dogs & 86 … since the boys were also quite happy to have a wee trek rather than a full on blat the course was decided only 69 ks so would only be a quick jaunt ..

With dogs taking the lead, me piggie in the middle & 86 bringing up the rear & checking out how my lines were looking off we set.. this time no issues bout hitting that elusive top gear .. but downshifted once to get through the twisties .. & talk about smiling …. Sighsss AWESOME… I hit the lead after the first set of twisties .. with both boys bringing up the rear .. (at least Betsy refrained from choking them with her smoke)

Had a quick fast blat through the back road between Tokomaru & Opiki the nice sweeper over the bridge wooo hoooo link across to longburn road .. down to himitangi block road again .. a wee twisty at the end caught me out .. shook my head .. grrrrr stopped at the corner & asked the boys can we attack that one again .. .. much better a second time ..

Stopped at u4ea’s get on the bike girl the lattes are calling again .. & ended the afternoon at the café in Shannon watching the world go by, and the opportunity to absorb the information & discuss in details parts of the ride, the more experienced riders thoughts of how you ride .. thats important cause you can not see yourself ..


It was the kinda weekend memories are made of

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Rosie and Chanceyy well what can I say, you two are packing in some very interesting weekend riding.

In both your posts there is something for everybody to dwell on. Also I must say it does make us think about the whole motorbike riding environment we have here in NZ.

Heads Up and Enjoy