Newbie's first 300+km ride and track day

[bosslady]

Newbies first 300km+ solo ride and track day and f*ck me am I tired... Rode from Auckland to Taupo yesterday. Left the shore about 3pm, arrived about 8.30pm... Wasted about 45 minutes back tracking multiple times cause I got lost trying to get to Cambridge... most angry at myself... note to self, look at the map I've been given or the GPS on my phone before leaving and don't rely on road signs... haha. Unfortunately it was either wind, rain, or both but mostly rain about 70-80% of the way down and I haven't really ridden in the rain before, guess I have now eh. Learnt how to handle myself better when big ass freaking trucks barrel past me, heaps of them on the open road it seems... will update my blog with all the things I learnt but I had my first track day with Grashopper today too! first two sessions I hated the other three were really good, starting to build confidence with cornering which is what I wanted but bloody hell that Ginny is slow and so was I, basically a snail on the track, oh well haha. Would totally recommend a track day, the linesmen (or women...) are very supportive! A break is in order for me now before my next "milestone". Yawwwwwwwn nuh night other newbies!

[Zamiam]

Well done. Love the way you are training yourself/doing the right thing 10 out of 10

[bosslady]

Well done. Love the way you are training yourself/doing the right thing 10 out of 10

Doing the right thing is debatable... lol. But thankyou

[Hitcher]

Is "f*ck" the same thing as "fuck"?

[bosslady]

Is "f*ck" the same thing as "fuck"?

it sure is... sometimes I feel like being a lady and *'s make it all possible...

[Subike]

Bloody good on you girl, the lessons you learnt to day will fare you well in the future, bloody good on you.

[bluninja]

Well done....just one thing...I thought it was only blokes that won't ask for directions when they get lost

[actungbaby]

Newbies first 300km+ solo ride and track day and f*ck me am I tired... Rode from Auckland to Taupo yesterday. Left the shore about 3pm, arrived about 8.30pm... Wasted about 45 minutes back tracking multiple times cause I got lost trying to get to Cambridge... most angry at myself...

Well the sign posting is rubbish in hamilton its almost if they want you to flip a coin

Evertime i go through there it seems like take diffrent path.

The track day sounds fun i want go look at one on sunday

[meteor]

You can bypass Hamilton by going thru Gordonton, bit zig zaggy but saves about 10 minutes and it's well signposted.
Plus you bypass Hamilton and that's worth it anyway!

[wasiler]

Would you say that track day will make you a better rider on the street?

[Tricia1000]

So do you still reckon that Taupo/Hampton Downs is totally do-able on a small bike?
It isn't always the kms that get a bit much, but like you experience, the wind and the rain, and the big trucks can all take a heavy toll. Plus, it would be assumed that absolute newbies might be going to to the course to learn about how to deal with State Highway traffic/Motorways etc.
Good on you for taking on such a big trek..
Well done.
Tricia1000
RoADA (Dip)
Consultant to NZTA

Taken from rider training days: Bosslady quoted: "she mentioned the bridge and also Hampton downs. Bridge not a biggy nor is Hampton downs if you've been riding a few months. Anyway there would be nothing stopping someone from riding down the night before, stay at a backpackers, ride to course in morning, back packers again at night then ride back in the morning. Tiring, but achievable with a few stops there and back to rest and 're fuel. Totally inconvenient but an adventure eh!

Oh and I know were taupo is, lol going down next week"

Newbies first 300km+ solo ride and track day and f*ck me am I tired... Rode from Auckland to Taupo yesterday. Left the shore about 3pm, arrived about 8.30pm... Wasted about 45 minutes back tracking multiple times cause I got lost trying to get to Cambridge... most angry at myself... note to self, look at the map I've been given or the GPS on my phone before leaving and don't rely on road signs... haha. Unfortunately it was either wind, rain, or both but mostly rain about 70-80% of the way down and I haven't really ridden in the rain before, guess I have now eh. Learnt how to handle myself better when big ass freaking trucks barrel past me, heaps of them on the open road it seems... will update my blog with all the things I learnt but I had my first track day with Grashopper today too! first two sessions I hated the other three were really good, starting to build confidence with cornering which is what I wanted but bloody hell that Ginny is slow and so was I, basically a snail on the track, oh well haha. Would totally recommend a track day, the linesmen (or women...) are very supportive! A break is in order for me now before my next "milestone". Yawwwwwwwn nuh night other newbies!

[unstuck]

Good on ya girl, way to go.

[bosslady]

Well done....just one thing...I thought it was only blokes that won't ask for directions when they get lost

it's bad enough I have a big L plate on my bIke, like I'm going to admit I'm a retard too? lol

Would you say that track day will make you a better rider on the street?

Hmm I'm not sure I'd totally agree with that statement. Kind of yes, kind of no? I didn't go to make myself a better rider on the street. I wanted to know how far I could take my bike in a controlled environment I.e. if I had to, how fast I could take a corner, how far my bike can lean etc., I don't want to "practice" that on the road I might hurt myself or even worse. Of course I didn't reach the bikes limitation or even mine, but I'm probably a little better off confidence wise and knowing my bike can go a little further then I thought and it was marvellous practice for "looking where you go". I just didn't want to get to a "real life" situation and panic (which I can do) because I didn't know how far my bike could go etc.

So do you still reckon that Taupo/Hampton Downs is totally do-able on a small bike?
It isn't always the kms that get a bit much, but like you experience, the wind and the rain, and the big trucks can all take a heavy toll. Plus, it would be assumed that absolute newbies might be going to to the course to learn about how to deal with State Highway traffic/Motorways etc.
Good on you for taking on such a big trek..

Yes I absolutely do, although I haven't seen more then what any spectator can at Hampton downs so maybe that track is harder, I don't know but Taupo was ok for me. Strangely enough I wasn't that tired after the Auckland to Taupo trip, my backside was sore but that was about it. But the track day took a lot of concentration and thought for me and that's what made me tired. And I don't really know 're. the course you're talking about, what makes an absolute newbie? I've been riding just over 4 weeks now a lot of people would still consider me a total newbie, I just think I'm a newbie. I'm no super woman, I'm far from awesome and I have. heaps to learn but I really make an effort to get time on the saddle, pretty much mostly all solo.

[nakedsv]

Good job on the track day and taking a good highway ride, sounds like it was a bloody good experience, doing a track day is next on my list after the chateau to plateau next weekend.

[FJRider]

... I've been riding just over 4 weeks now a lot of people would still consider me a total newbie, I just think I'm a newbie. I'm no super woman, I'm far from awesome and I have. heaps to learn but I really make an effort to get time on the saddle, pretty much mostly all solo.

That about sums it up. Weeks riding ... not months ... or years. Experience gained on the track in controlled situations ... is still experience in bike handling. And you can relate it to on road riding.
Knowing what you still need to learn ... is as important as ever. Days spent on the track teaches you plenty about what stage your abilities are.

The longer rides will seem easier now ... don't rush it. Don't try to memorise your whole route ... just in stages. Then check the map ... and continue.

So what will be the next milestone then ... ???