Learner Ride - Sunday 30th November

[motorbyclist]

well i hate to say this, but the ride will have to be postponed until sunday the 30th of November

I've just cleaned my bike so bugger riding in the rain!

So, it's come to my attention that we haven't had any decent learner rides in a while. Even the carpark days are getting few and far between.

So, first Sunday after exams I'll be running a lazy session through some quiet roads, likely north or northwest of Auckland. Will be L plate friendly, suitable for a first group ride (not your first ride on the road, but a first ride on the open road in a group). So if you've gotten the hang of commuting on your toy but haven't yet gone on an actual ride, here's a good chance to do so without getting into trouble.

L plates welcome, L plate pace

There is no fast group, though i expect there to be another concurrent ride ahead of us. We'll catch up for lunch/to survey the damage.


Meet on Symonds street bike parking, outside the engineering main entrances at about 10am, leave at 10:30(ish). We will stop by shell westgate to pick up northerners/westies and proceed to stop at the BP just before kumeu for gas. This will be the only gas stop.

At BP kumeu I'll give the usual briefing/protips and make sure we all know the route and the rules.

suggest a route! (think learner friendly and good for learning) see route below

Will be the usual pre-ride inspection (perv) of all machines & riders - so tighten those chains! (possible fix it day Saturday)
Gear is a must. Helmet, jacket & gloves all compulsory.

We will take the motorway to get out of Auckland, so expect to do 80kph as to safely avoid holding up traffic on a Sunday morning.

THE PLAN:

Meet on Symonds street bike parking, outside the engineering main entrances at about 10am, leave at 10:30(ish). We will stop by shell westgate to pick up northerners/westies and proceed to stop at the BP just before kumeu for gas. This will be the only gas stop.

At BP kumeu I'll give the usual briefing/protips and make sure we all know the route and the rules.

We should leave there at 11 or just a bit past. From there we head north up sh16 and stop in parakai to stretch our legs etc for a few minutes. Then we continue along into the twisties.

We will next stop at Shelly Beach for lunch. The cafe there does fish&chips and knows we're coming. Nice spot by the beach.

We leave there "when we do" and head north. Next stop is a lookout about 1km before the road turns to gravel. It is on a typical corner a biker will crash on (I nearly have!), so we can take that opportunity to look at why this is and what to do if we don't know it's there. This is a key skill in riding, and you don't want to learn it the hard way.

Then we head back south. We will stop on the way down at a rest area to again stretch/break before continuing to Parakai. From there we will decide if we go home back down sh16 or go through helensville and/or riverhead etc etc

The breaks are planned for location and timing so the learners can ask any questions and/or heed any advice. I can also give warnings of what lies ahead

So quit arguing!

map link here, and attached

we will NOT be riding on gravel at any stage

[Slyer]

There! Fixit day sounds good.

[Qkchk:Me]

If your passing through Westgate, I might tag along to provide a bit of Mentoring (provided Im available that day as well)

[motorbyclist]

yeah, will leave fix it up to squiggles to organise until my shed "upgrade" has finished

needs moar concrete!

If your passing through Westgate, I might tag along to provide a bit of Mentoring (provided Im available that day as well)

cheers!

[PirateJafa]

Yeah, I think I might rock along.

Good excuse to waste some non-replenishable fossil fuels if nothing else.

[TOTO]

sounds like a good idea.

[BANZAI]

If we going that way then howbout Riverhead? gonna take about half hour or so to complete. Then find empty carpark somewhere to practice slow riding.

Or do river head, little break, head back to westgate, go to Epsom campus or Unitec todo car park practice.

[Ragingrob]

I'll be keen to help out

Got a 21st the night before though so we wont know till the day.

[Ragingrob]

I reckon we could try that way again where we heading up north west and ran into 5k of gravel, that should all be done, and was a nicely paced non-technical piece of road.

[Blakomen]

I'm 9000% keen, but just need to know if the date is fixed, cause if it is I need to get leave from work-

[Squiggles]

And people wonder why i dont organise these rides.... ITS BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING MORE THAN A WEEK OUT, LET ALONE A MONTH!!!!!

[Ragingrob]

And people why i dont organise these rides.... ITS BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING MORE THAN A WEEK OUT, LET ALONE A MONTH!!!!!

Mate, you don't even know what you're doing in the present!

[motorbyclist]

If we going that way then howbout Riverhead? gonna take about half hour or so to complete. Then find empty carpark somewhere to practice slow riding.

yeah was thinking riverhead or south head

just gotta tie in lunch somehow

could end up in a carpark in henderson or albany or somewhere in the city if you wish and time allows

might change westgate shell to silverdale autobahn

I'm 9000% keen, but just need to know if the date is fixed, cause if it is I need to get leave from work-

it's pretty much fixed unless something serious comes up

personal time management fail

i'm the same, but i am at least capable of booking a day and then telling everyone else "no, i'm busy that day"

so, fix it on saturday?

wanna add a poll asking who is coming (ie learner attending and experienced attending) so i can plan the lunch stop/route accordingly?

[Squiggles]

i'm the same, but i am at least capable of booking a day and then telling everyone else "no, i'm busy that day"

Sure sure, didnt you not turn up for the last one you organised?

[PirateJafa]

And people wonder why i dont organise these rides.... ITS BECAUSE I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING MORE THAN A WEEK OUT, LET ALONE A MONTH!!!!!

Don't you have a secretar... oh wait.