Bike coming tomorrow!!

[Monamie]

CBF250-special deal $4995 new (06 model).

Problem number 1-it's raining. Easily solved-I will wait for a fine day but can sit in the garage and start it
Number 2-I live on a short gravel road and I have just bought a road bike.
Apart from going slow and easy, no sudden turns, apply the brakes gently and when my knees start shaking too much-get off and push it over the stones-what else do you do when gravel riding?

M

[Rosie]

CBF250-special deal $4995 new (06 model).

Problem number 1-it's raining. Easily solved-I will wait for a fine day but can sit in the garage and start it
Number 2-I live on a short gravel road and I have just bought a road bike.
Apart from going slow and easy, no sudden turns, apply the brakes gently and when my knees start shaking too much-get off and push it over the stones-what else do you do when gravel riding?

M

There are some useful threads on riding on gravel:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ts+bike+gravel
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ts+bike+gravel
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ts+bike+gravel

Personally, I'd be a bit nervous about stopping and pushing it, especially if you aren't used to pushing a bike around.

How long is the gravel stretch? What is the terrain and the surface like?
If it's only a km or so of fairly flat/gently undulating gravel road, then if you pootle along in first or second and avoid the deep bits of gravel, you should be ok.

[u4ea]

hmm well a bigger step up from the other bike you were considering!Well done chicky!Gravel roads dont tickle my fancy..make sure you've got good rubber on and stay at a slower speed I rekon.Keep your line and stay off the cambar...

[deanohit]

Yea, just go slow in about second gear (smoother than first) and keep ya fingers on the clutch and a foot on the rear brake. Should be sweet.

[Terminated]

Congratulations on the new bike.

Fingers off front brake lever.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[vifferman]

Congratulations on the new bike!

As with anything else, the gravel thing is just a matter of confidence and experience. If you're apprehensive about it, then you need to just keep at it until you're not, starting off slowly, and building up speed. (Speed is good, as it helps the bike to float over the gravel, and the gyroscopic forces from the wheels rotating give the bike stability).

Firstly, never brake hard with the front brake, and never use it when you're turning. For a start, stick to using only the back brake on the gravel.
Avoid the deeper bits of gravel - keep to the bits where it's been swept off by other vehicles' wheeltracks.

Try to relax - holding the bars with the NoobieGripOfDeath is not conducive to good riding. By the same token, don't panic if the bike wanders a little, as it will tend to when riding over deep gravel or large-sized stones. As long as it's going in the right direction, a little variation doesn't matter.

While dangling your feet loses some control via pressure on the footpegs, if you think you may need to dab a foot down for reassurance, then an already dangling leg is going to upset the bike less than suddenly stamping one down. But once you get used to the gravel, keep your feet up (apart from maybe sticking your inside leg out and forward as you powerslide through the turns, LOL).

You're probably more likely to drop the bike pushing it than riding it, and pushing it doesn't help develop skills, just bulging leg muscles. Just be brave, say, "I am a biker, not a pusher!" and ride.

[Terminated]

Yea, just go slow in about second gear (smoother than first) and keep ya fingers on the clutch and a foot on the rear brake. Should be sweet.

Spot on.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Monamie]

I won't really be pushing it-it's just that once you start you are kind of committed to keep going eh!
Was wondering about the front brake-could be a hazzard and cause a skid on gravel if you didn't have your front wheel straight so makes sense-will use the back brake.
I chose the CBF250 because it had a better arm position for me, it is very balanced and the setup of all the controls felt better than the other one I was looking at. Also reading about all you ppl going on fab' rides made me think I had better have something that can keep up all I'll be left in the dust somewhere.
Thanks-will keep you posted.

[86GSXR]

Congrats on your new bike Sounds like a nice machine and a great price too. Yep, some good advice above, take it easy on that gravel until you're used to it. Try not to get caught on the slope or camber if there is one. Damp gravels better than dry gravel too, so a bit of rain has its advantages. There's plenty of us around to flood you with tips and advice too, so check out this thread and any others to do with the Manawatu lol.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55645

[dogsnbikes]

thats awesome newz about the bike

time will give you confidence all good advice and remember look where you are going not at front wheel

[cowboyz]

fantastic. Just like the night before christmas isnt it?

[Lteejay]

How exciting, I bet the minutes seem like hours.

[Monamie]

fantastic. Just like the night before christmas isnt it?

Yes!! And I have been a good girl-they are going to give me a lock too.
If you see a crazy lady riding forwards and pushing back her bike in a 3 car garage at midnight tomorrow.....it's me!!!
I know I won't sleep tonight.My kids think I'm nuts.

M

[tri boy]

Great purchase.
Kanny is learning to ride on a gravel drive. (average gravel with wheel tracks from cars).
Just take your time, try to stay off the front brake until you are confident, relax, try and ride in the car tyre tracks (generally smoother), and remember, you can always pull the clutch in, and stop if it gets a bit busy.
You'll be fine.

[yod]

the NoobieGripOfDeath....

haha....nice...

but he's dead right - the bike may have a tendency to want to move around a little by itself on the gravel....keep control but don't fight it, just chug along gently and smoothly