22-28 May: Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practice?

[Panther]

yesterday i practiced riding down my rich uncles long straight sealed driveway at 140 mph in third on the back wheel when the wind caught my open visor, but i found it in the driveway garden, all good.

[Rosie]

Gravel road section
This really scares me at times, and I was wondering about perhaps getting a slightly knobblier tyre for the front wheel - but in saying that, the other 50km is road, and so I'd imagine I'd have less grip on tarmac and more wear. Can anyone provide advice on possible solutions?

This thread has some useful tips on riding on gravel:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24616

I've just started doing a little bit of gravel riding on my road bike. I can putt along in 1st or 2nd without too much hassle, but because of the general geometry of the bike - low narrow handlebars, small front wheel etc it's always going to be a bit of a challenge.

[Daza]

Its that time again to pick two entries. So this time round i pick
Cynos and Carbacca.

Cynos

I did my usual workday commute from North Loburn to Christchurch and back. It's about 53km one way. To be honest, it was more of a ride than I would've liked to take on so early, but my getting a motorcycle involved fulfilling my wife's wish of moving to the country, ah compromise. I still get to buy a rifle as well.

Sounds like you kind of were thrown in the deep end of the learning pool, with a long route that has all kinds roads including gravel. No doubt this will help you be a better rider overall. Also having to commute everyday, you will be getting more confident each day, not to mention getting to know your commute route really well.

Things I learnt
Well, when I dropped my bike I learnt that I really need to control that panic reflex to hit the brakes - the moment I'd seen the oncoming ute, I squeezed the front brake without thinking, which was precisely the wrong thing to do.

Panic reflex is something we all newbie riders are always aware of, especially approaching corners or busy intersections. I think it also helps to be aware of how tense your body can get, and to loosen up accordingly.

Carbacca:

i went out/attempted to have a ride around the block last weekend, but was not too successful as i was far too tense and didnt have anyone to point out the minor but oh-so-important fiddyly little bits (will elaborate later)

Welcome to the learning to ride club!

Have you done a Basic Handling Course yet? I would of thought they would of
filled you in on those "fiddyly little bits".

It may seem unfamiliar at first but you will quickly with practice find it all comes together, and then fine tune your new skills. Sometimes you have your off days too or you get too tense and feel like you aren't progressing.
Keep it up and take your time at your own pace.

[Terminated]

Many thanks Daza for your selections this evening.

I have just got out of bed to check the thread and going straight back, you all guessed it BuckBuckNo1 has the dreaded bug since last Saturday [and that excellent riding weather over the weekend shhhh]. Doctor yesterday and a few more days in bed.

Will get write up done in a few days.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Drew]

yesterday i practiced riding down my rich uncles long straight sealed driveway at 140 mph in third on the back wheel when the wind caught my open visor, but i found it in the driveway garden, all good.

Do you know Kerry Dukey by any chance?

I think you two would be able to talk for hours about this type of shit.

[cowpoos]

Do you know Kerry Dukey by any chance?

I think you two would be able to talk for hours about this type of shit.

I thought you were kerry dukie bro!! I could have sworn Drew was your alter ego???

[Drew]

I cleaned and detailed my bike, though I haven't finished detailing the engine and wheels. I broke my toothbrush and it was my last one, so I'll have to go to the $2 Shop tomorrow and get some more.

Must be a good one in the bathroom bro, the kids dont enjoy cleaning thier teeth anyway.

[ZeroIndex]

On the 24th, me and Sidewinder rode down to Taupo via Old Taupo Rd (which is quite nice and windy). Slept in Taupo at a mate's place. 25th, went to Taupo racetrack and took part in the trackday. Was totally awesome, and the amount of stuff you learn (really simple stuff that you wouldn't normally think of)... loads of fun and good learning experience those trackdays are... I would highly recommend them to anyone who is starting to get there with riding...

[Drew]

I thought you were kerry dukie bro!! I could have sworn Drew was your alter ego???

SSHHHH, I didn't want people to know.

[BigRed2007]

'Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?'

Hello, My name is Sean aka BigRed. I learnt to ride around the hilly roads of West Auckland. It was the toughest ride around the block.

I began by warming up my baby. I brought her out, and polished her. I was very nervous so I had my little brother watch my bike as I went into the house to change. I came out and then prayed quickly so that I had a safe ride. I then rode the bike up in first gear to the start of the road. Then it died as i forgot to pull in the clutch.

Then I set up myself up ready for the road, turned my head and watched for any cars. Then off i went, around the first tight bend, already in the first few seconds of my ride I got nervous and my glasses started dropping as it was loose. I then reached my first intersection, down hill sloping to the left.... with a huge tight turn to the left. I did the corner at 20 kms and as soon as i pulled out into the straight I was being tailed by a white van. I had to pull over and let it pass. I got my breath back. Then i started again. Down the a hill, up the next , then down again and squeeze between two parked cars on either side of the road.

Then i came up to my next left, wouldn't you imagine a steep uphill turn to the left. I stalled the first time, then got myself up to it. I pulled the throttle and almost went into the opposite lane into another car but lucky i pulled the bike to the left. I went up the hill then suddenly another car was tailing me. I was horrified, i pulled to the left and stalled, lucky for that car I wasn't in a car.

Then I turned left into my street down the hill and then kept going around and around. Man I was seriously stressed out and that was my first lap. Until the saga continues.


By all means if you have any concerns about your riding, ask questions 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.

I would love to have an mentor or senior help me around and show me places to drive to, help me get to Kb Events

I live in west Auckland, atm I am having exams till 15 june, cant wait till after.

[Cynos]

This thread has some useful tips on riding on gravel:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24616

I've just started doing a little bit of gravel riding on my road bike. I can putt along in 1st or 2nd without too much hassle, but because of the general geometry of the bike - low narrow handlebars, small front wheel etc it's always going to be a bit of a challenge.

Cheers for that link - I've been using my rear brake a bit more after reading it, and it's awesome, way more stable. Thanks!

[Rosie]

Great write-up Big Red!

Take your glasses in to an optometrist and they'll tighten/adjust them for free so they stay put while you are riding.

Good on you for looking for a mentor. Having someone experienced to ride with, and discuss things with really helps.

[BigRed2007]

Thanks Rosie, yeah I will take it into the Optometrist, hope they dont try to sell me another pay of lense lol

Yeah its important to have a good mentor

[Terminated]

I would love to have an mentor or senior help me around and show me places to drive to, help me get to Kb Events

I live in west Auckland, atm I am having exams till 15 june, cant wait till after.

Cross posted BigRed2007 request to the General forum and also sent a PM and matter taken up immediately by senior rider in Auckland - thanks Crashe. Appreciated.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Terminated]

The following selections are copied to the Newbie Update Blogg:

There were some interesting posts this week by riders and I crossed posted some to the General forum particularly when riders were asking for some general assistance, and also in the case of a new rider who requested mentor / senior rider assistance. [Rider assistance was acknowledged immediately. Thanks Crashe very much.]

Daza must say it was good to read your post this week too and that you got out on a ride with Bnonn. Keep working on those lines and have a talk to your riding friends up there about counter steering. I really enjoyed learning counter steering, pushing on the ‘inside’ grip of the corner and feeling the bike takes its lean angle and a steady throttle. Delve back into the newbie update blogg and I recall an item about ‘two step vision cornering’ that I did. Approaching the bend everything is set up that is speed is correct and throttle is on constant, entry lines are being set, then first and second vision points identified: first point arrived at and here you look through the corner, the second point is pretty well instinctive you have already selected and now comes the ‘inside’ grip push, your bike leans and throttle is on constant, apex approaching then gradual on throttle through exit.

Cynos and Carbacca congratulations on your selections this week. Next week you will be our selectors. I have got some good feed back in the past from previous Selectors that they found the whole process not only writing up your own ‘where did your ride/practice entry’, but also then being a selector provided very good insight to awareness of their own current riding techniques. So I hope you will enjoy the task at hand next week.

On that note I would like to reiterate that the whole purpose of ‘Where Did You Ride and What Did You Practise?’ is a rider community generated activity whereby reading the entries by riders young and old from wannabe to newbie and old salt veteran, that each week there is something that has each rider even if momentarily reflecting on in their riding technique.


Heads Up and Enjoy
Selections are at:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...1728&entry=160