First day on my bike to work....

[kazza_nz_05]

Well I rode the scorpio to work for the first time this morning. Left home at about 6.15am, nice and calm and light out. Along the motorway I went from Taita all the way into Wellington. Not much traffic on the rad which was good. Travelled at about 80km. Saw my first policeman aswell since riding my bike too. Awesome ride in. Took the same amount in time to get to work as it would if I had taken the car. Bit more busier on the way home at about 3.45pm, liitle bit more windy aswell but not too bad. Did notice arms get quite sore riding all that way. Also may invest in some warmer gloves, hands get a wee bit numb..

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Well I rode the scorpio to work for the first time this morning. Left home at about 6.15am, nice and calm and light out. Along the motorway I went from Taita all the way into Wellington. Not much traffic on the rad which was good. Travelled at about 80km. Saw my first policeman aswell since riding my bike too. Awesome ride in. Took the same amount in time to get to work as it would if I had taken the car. Bit more busier on the way home at about 3.45pm, liitle bit more windy aswell but not too bad. Did notice arms get quite sore riding all that way. Also may invest in some warmer gloves, hands get a wee bit numb..

First off congrates for just doing it... It does come down to practise practise practise, and the speed will pick up as you learn the bike and your skills get better.

The sore arms will pass as you get use to the position and the bike, and your rides get longer and longer (my partner had the same problem when she started riding)

Gloves are important, warm hands = how comfortable you are... how comfortable = relaxing and enjoyment. You can get glove inners to help or heated hand grips or the new gloves or all three... depends how much riding you do in the cold...

Relax, (again my partner), said after being told all the time that it is important to relax, found that in her first rain and wet road riding... so called forcing herself to relax, (a bit of an oxymoron) meaditation breathing, saying toself "Relax"... found that it did help which was good... We stopped and she still have a smile on her face.

Have fun with the ride, ride safe

[Nasty]

Well done mate .. ain't it great ... its a lot of fun riding those roads ... especially the first time

[Maha]

Onya Kazza..now thats out of the way, there'll be no stopping ya. On the numb hands?.... maybe the gloves, if so, its an easy fix. Could be also that you maybe gripping to tight? thats an easy fix too, dont grip so tight!... I think it maybe your grip tho' cos you mentioned your arms tier, so be awear and relax as Nighthawk mentioned....

[Bullitt]

Congratulations

Youll be nearly riding at the same time as a guy I work with whos also a member on here. He lives in Taita and starts work at 7 so wont be far behind.

Rides a red Suzuki Savage

[Grub]

Did notice arms get quite sore riding all that way.

LOL ... that would be the "Newbies Death Grip" then. It might be why your hands were getting cold too. The grip was cutting off your circulation. Well done that girl! It's a great sense of achievement isn't it ... thanks for sharing.

That's a good early time to travel because there's less gridlock. Gridlock temps you to lane split and I'm never comfy with that if I can help it ... I just know some dumbass will try and lane-change and try to take me out.

[Mystery]

Congratulations Kazza, sounds like your first ride to work went really well! Summers on its way so hopefully the cold hands wont be an issue for too much longer!

[EJK]

Congratulations! Keep up the good work on your Scorpio lol
Let's show those two-cylinder'ed 250cc bikers what us almighty Scorpios can do! lol

[deanohit]

Is a great feeling the first time you do a trip on busy roads and surviving aye. Good on ya, I was fine all the way down the north island and then had the death-grip on once I started coming onto the Welly motorway. You gonna be a regular commuter once the hands are sorted or not?

[FROSTY:Me]

One suggestion on the "death grip" front--whenever you stop at the lights take your hands off the bars and give your arms a bit of a shake.
Theother thing to check on is that your handlebar controls are set up for you. Too big a reach or too high/low adjustment can make things uncomfortable

[marioc]

Awesome I would rate my first ride to work right up there with some of the best shit ever to happen to me ,such as first bj etc

[Rosie]

Go Kazza!
I bought some thin polypropylene gloves from Kathmandu to wear under my winter gloves when it gets really cold. Wriggling your fingers periodically also helps to keep numbness at bay.

[sweetp]

Hey Kazza, I am so proud of you!! That is fantastic, first couple of times are always the hardest so it is going to get easier from here.

If you do want to lane split it is easier to follow someone till you get your confidence up (if they can get through the gap then you must be able to as well!). But as Grub said it does come with some risks. I would be happy to meet up with you one morning / afternoon and be the lead bike.

Well done again

J

[kazza_nz_05]

Hey Everyone. Well rode to work again. We are definitely being blessed with beautiful mornings here in Welly. Was an awesome ride in. Got a few red lights so made the opportunity to give my arms a rest. Bit more windy after work today though, kept my speed up abit so that i didn't get blown off. Quite freaky, so not used to the wind, all I can say is you don't feel it when you drive a car. Good practice.

[bull]

Great effort on riding to work yesterday and today. I planned with a mentor to ride in during a weekend to get me happy with the road and traffic lights along the way etc prior to taking my bike to work. Alas i never got that opportunity but thought id take the plunge alone anyway. And have ridden everyday since (apart from the real heavy rain days).

Just enjoy the ride and youll find your speed will get higher and youll also loosen up your arms. The wind is always good at Aotea Quay offramp in Welly, i have been buffeted a few times and at first it was unpleasant. alot of the posts on here will advise that the best thing to do is to relax the arms this way the wind pushing the body doesnt affect the steering input. Ive found that i grip the tank with my thighs harder and this in turn relaxes the arms.

If youre after gloves you may want to check out Quasi's Gear hes in Welly tomorrow.