Cresting

**Maha** · 13th December 2012, 12:04

Originally Posted by slofox

I've ridden that road a few times. Don't usually brake but then I never blast over the top of a hill sight unseen either. I just keep the speed at a point where I can stop if I have to.

And that is how its done!

**Zedder** · 13th December 2012, 12:07

Originally Posted by chasio

+1.
There was a forested, dipping, twisting road from where we lived to the main road (beautiful road). My step-dad told me to teach myself to drive it comfortably without needing to brake. It was a great learning experience.

But I believe the best bit of roadcraft advice I have ever taken on board was to match speed with vision.

That was from the Porsche Driver's Handbook (which is the closest I have ever got Stuttgart's finest) which was written by a couple of UK Police Driver Training dudes. The beauty of this advice is that it works just about everywhere. On congested city streets. When there are gaps in traffic obscured by big trucks. On bends. And the book specifically tells you to treat a crest as a vertical bend.

So I'd be up on the pegs to gain vision if needed but then at the moderate speed I ride, I wouldn't be at risk of being blown off the back!

Great post, the reference to treating a crest as a vertical bend is very good.

**Maha** · 13th December 2012, 12:11

This one here is a beauty...(scroll right) http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=260+...Wv-SSdo1Mrb39Q
No arrow to show which way the road goes, most would button off and rightfully so.
Btw, road goes to the left...

**Coolz** · 13th December 2012, 12:29

Maybe the rider was a local and had a moment on that bit of road before. Could have braked to give you the heads up to slow down a bit.

**Usarka** · 13th December 2012, 12:50

Has anyone seen a falcon crest?

**Maha** · 13th December 2012, 13:06

Originally Posted by Coolz

Maybe the rider was a local and had a moment on that bit of road before. Could have braked to give you the heads up to slow down a bit.

From Memory (it was a few years ago) a group of us left from Papakura enroute to Morrinsville, he was at the start so guessing he was from the Akl area.

Originally Posted by Usarka

Has anyone seen a falcon crest?

Not recently, but I have had a red wine of late (first one since....ever ago)

**ducatilover** · 13th December 2012, 13:08

So I assumed you passed said slow rider?
I'd pop the clutch and flip my favourite bike all over the road there. Would be bloody fun

**scumdog** · 13th December 2012, 16:21

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

I would not know which way the road went over the crest - there are no road signs on that stretch which tells me it probably goes straight - or so straight as it doesn't matter -.

Unless some yokel oik though it would be 'fun' to run over the signs in his Hi-Lux...

**caspernz** · 13th December 2012, 18:08

Cruisy enough bit of road....so yep I'd ride past an uphill braker at the first opportunity...

Might even mumble "get on with it, or get out of the way" in the process...

**FJRider** · 13th December 2012, 19:56

Originally Posted by Maha

This one here is a beauty...(scroll right) http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=260+...Wv-SSdo1Mrb39Q
No arrow to show which way the road goes, most would button off and rightfully so.
Btw, road goes to the left...

Which way the road goes ... is less of an issue than the entrance of the house within 50 meters of that crest.

Any property entrance way ... be it into a house, or farm paddock ... has the risk of a slow vehicle exiting it.

In your first post ... Google maps showed a number of houses on that straight road. And in that initial pic ... how many houses could YOU see... ???

**Maha** · 13th December 2012, 20:06

Originally Posted by FJRider

Which way the road goes ... is less of an issue than the entrance of the house within 50 meters of that crest.

Any property entrance way ... be it into a house, or farm paddock ... has the risk of a slow vehicle exiting it.

In your first post ... Google maps showed a number of houses on that straight road. And in that initial pic ... how many houses could YOU see... ???

No arguement re driveways...that goes without saying on any back road, or indeed, any road for that matter.
On a straight flat bit of country road a few weeks ago, I could see a car to my left, driving at pace, down a long driveway towards the road..
As I got closer, I slowed a tad, all the while keeping an eye on said vehicle, driver (upon exiting) finally saw me and locked the rear wheels...but I had it covered, as those behind me will concur.

So the ''suprise element'' is exactly that, how one handles it at time, can sway the outcome.

**madandy** · 13th December 2012, 20:33

Across this part of the Waikato is my preferred route between Auckland n Tauranga.
Always ride/ drive these roads with brakes overed and at a relaxed pace. Tractors hurt!

**FJRider** · 13th December 2012, 20:35

Originally Posted by Maha

So the ''suprise element'' is exactly that, how one handles it at time, can sway the outcome.

Perhaps the rider you were following ... was handling it the way that suited him.

Perhaps he had been surprised once already on that road ... some time before ...