First timer in CHC

[JacksDad]

I finally convinced the wife that to beat the petrol prices I should get a bike, a perfectly sound argument and if this is a mid life crisis I am only going to live till 60.
So with a fresh learners licence I picked up my new bike today, a 2007 Suzuki VL250. I didn't have to ride far but it was 5 o'clock traffic and I was pooing myself thinking that nobody in cars would see me.
I did make it safe home, said hi to her indoors and back out on the bike again. Feeling more confident already. Can't wait till the weekend so I can do a few k's.
Its not all about saving petrol.

[phoenixgtr]

Good on ya. It's addictive this biking thing...

[CB ARGH]

Weekend time!

Hope ya have a ball mate.

[AllanB]

Good for you. I hope you got some good gear to ride in as well.

Take it easy and if you venture anywhere near the port hills keep a keen eye out for grit on the road at this time of year.

Oh and keep out of the snow this afternoon!

[niero]

Good on ya mate. Go to Port Hills, its an awesome riding track. I am always keen on meeting new chch bikers so if u want some company dont be a stranger!

[Biggles2000]

Good on you. Watch out for gravel on the summit road, its covered at the moment.

[duckonin]

You will live longer than sixty, now you have a bike, as they keep you young at heart....Take care, use good gear and enjoy....

[mrchips]

good on ya, it's addictive stuff alright.

[Mikkel]

Good on ya for getting on 2 wheels

While the Summit Road and the Port Hills are nice road I'd advice not to head that way until you feel pretty confident on your bike, there are lots of nasties on the road - especially this time of year.

Go to Cashmere or Mt. Pleasant and get used to riding up-and downhill. Make sure you are comfortable stopping and starting both going up and down and that you are used to cornering both up-and downhill before even contemplating heading into the hills out of town.

When you feel comfortable with this I'd suggest going to Sumner, over Evans Pass, through Lyttleton and along the bays toward Diamond Harbour and then come back the same way - back to Chch either through the tunnel or back over Evans. If you are contemplating Dyers Pass you ought to ask Biggles2000 first to make sure it isn't covered in grit...

Have fun and be safe

[chubby]

I'm with Mikkel on this one and can't reinforce his statement enough. At your stage leave the summit and port hills till summer.

Along with the routes he has described I'd also add Halswell to the Blue Nun (previously the Black Tulip) then over Gebbies to the Wheat Chief and then either/and Diamond Harbour, back through Lyttleton and maybe Sumner.

Ride the route as the weather dictates, there is no rush to climb every moutain eh.

Ride safe and be safe.

[Mikkel]

Along with the routes he has described I'd also add Halswell to the Blue Nun (previously the Black Tulip) then over Gebbies to the Wheat Chief and then either/and Diamond Harbour, back through Lyttleton and maybe Sumner.

You mean the Old Tai Tapu road? That is a indeed a good place to go out and try on >70 km/h (if you should feel such a need ). As a general rule I'd stay away from well traveled roads with a 100 km/h speed limit until I'd gotten confident with that speed on less trafficked roads.
The sensation of speed when starting out on a motorcycle can cloud your mind IMHO - you don't need the added distractions of other traffic.

I wouldn't advice Gebbies Pass yet though. There could be grit up there and the road is slightly dodgy too.

[chubby]

Duh-oh, I forgot about the 70kmh and yes its a fast run out there but the old tai tapu run is a good one. Maybe better leaving a run to Lill river and Blue Nun till summer as well.

Do they grit Gebbies? Its a nice wee run but if they do then avoid it from now till winter unless you like an adrenalin rush. I see they shut the summit road on Sunday at the turn off from Gebbies. Thats an indication of its danger to me.

ok forget my run till summer and when your on your full.

[Mikkel]

Duh-oh, I forgot about the 70kmh and yes its a fast run out there but the old tai tapu run is a good one. Maybe better leaving a run to Lill river and Blue Nun till summer as well.

The beauty of the Old Tai Tapu road is that it's mostly 70 or 80 km/h speed limit along there. You only have to go about 1 km in 100 km/h zone coming out of Halswell before the turn-off - and it still has some nice corners to practice on.

But the trip to Little River is fine as soon as you are comfortable with travelling at 100 km/h.

Do they grit Gebbies? Its a nice wee run but if they do then avoid it from now till winter unless you like an adrenalin rush. I see they shut the summit road on Sunday at the turn off from Gebbies. Thats an indication of its danger to me.

ok forget my run till summer and when your on your full.

Nah, just wait until Summer and your confident - license has nothing to do with that