Longest ride so far

**varminter** · 1st September 2008, 19:39

Went for a ride from Rotorua to Kawerau at the weekend. Longest so far. No great attractions in Kawerau but a whole heap of bends round lake Rotoiti and over the Rotoma's. Sometimes it was all good and the bike just flowed round the bends but then I'd get all tensed up, I'll keep taking the vallium.

I find 70 good, 80 ok, 90 bit of a worry, but 100 feels like the wheels are off the ground, I suppose I'll get used to it, I can't guess what 150 feels like. Got home (feeling a bit knackered) and found the stretch hooks on the rear rack hanging down the side of the bike...duh. Lucky they didn't catch in the rear wheel or chain. Couple of months to go before my restricted and I'm already looking for a bigger bike. Oh yes, I actually overtook a car, he was only doing 80 or so, do I get a badge or something??

**Blackshear** · 1st September 2008, 20:01

Originally Posted by varminter

Oh yes, I actually overtook a car, he was only doing 80 or so, do I get a badge or something??

You get my respect!

**TKDSKIP** · 1st September 2008, 20:04

Its a great piece of road, especially from Kawerau up to the top of the Rotomas. Got to be careful not to be cop bait past the lakes.
Keep doing that road and your skills will improve heaps.

**Hinny** · 1st September 2008, 20:26

Watch out for the ice grit.
Potentially more dangerous than fuzz.
Especially in your shorts.

**McDuck** · 1st September 2008, 20:40

Another good road once you have gone from kawerau over the hill you turn right at the edge of the first lake. Then follow that road for about 40kms and you end up at matata. A nice country road. Watch for slight gravel and the unexpectedness of country roads. If you like i can take you over for the first time this time next month (maby)

**CookMySock** · 1st September 2008, 20:42

congrats !! Yep watch out on the rotomas, sometimes theres diesel spills and slippery sandy shit everywhere. When you are really getn the hang of it, go toward taupo, then to murupara, then down to te teko. Its a nice clear road with nothing and no one on it. Just miles and miles of clear space. Watch out for cows crossing this time of year.

Theres always a stopover point down our way too, and couple of other learner riders here.

Steve - Edgecumbe

**Hitcher** · 1st September 2008, 20:53

The only way to learn how to ride is to get out and ride, on as many different roads and weather conditions as possible. People who ride the same circuit in fine weather when the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars are not extending themselves and therefore unlikely to learn anything about themselves or their bikes.

And the Rotomas seriously rock. They are one of my favourite stretches of Kiwi twisties.

**Jerry74** · 1st September 2008, 21:06

Good to hear you had a nice ride, keep it up

**KoroJ** · 1st September 2008, 22:08

Good one. Rotomas today......Grand Challenge in October!

**Blossom** · 1st September 2008, 22:15

Nice to hear that someone else has similar experiences to myself.
I am slowly getting used to 100k but boy does it hurt my forarms after an hour or so. lol

**blairh** · 1st September 2008, 22:15

Originally Posted by varminter

I find 70 good, 80 ok, 90 bit of a worry, but 100 feels like the wheels are off the ground, I suppose I'll get used to it, I can't guess what 150 feels like.

I know exactly what you mean - went on the motorway here for the first time over the weekend, it's mental!! Especially when the wind starts to pick up

**Slyer** · 1st September 2008, 22:59

You have motorways down there? Who'da thunk it?

**Griffin** · 2nd September 2008, 00:07

Originally Posted by varminter

I actually overtook a car, he was only doing 80 or so, do I get a badge or something??

Yes - there is an 'overtaking cars on a GN250 merit badge' but you have to fill in triplicate application forms and provide video evidence of the feat itself along with proof of identity, proof of GN250 ownership, proof of licence held and proof of a university degree in womens studies. Once you have all of the above post it in to the GN250 appreciation and admiration club of NZ and they will send you the cloth and official coloured threads to sew your own design up with and then it can be formally presented to you at a function held at your dinner table by your cousins parents sister.

Congrats on the acheivement

**Slyer** · 2nd September 2008, 00:09

Go the GN though!

**<Rhino>** · 3rd September 2008, 14:34

Awsome dude. Sounds like a nice bit of road to ride however I have no idea where that is! I think the speed thing is normal, I was the same. It dosn't take long till your going 100 and you get the urge to push that little bit more, I dont have to worry about that though my (no cred) bike wont go that fast....

Still....a few months in and I'm already thinking of what I would like to step up too next year.