North Auckland Street Skills - NASS

**Maha** · 3rd December 2014, 17:34

Originally Posted by Juniper

People seem to have this misconception that any road is learner friendly if done slow enough. But as a learner I can tell you that is not true. My first 25 scared the bejesus out of me and I grandmaed it around it.

You can learn to corner properly on a laned road that's big enough for you and another car coming the other way. Peak and Old North are perfectly fine with their 35's and 45's well posted and wide enough to cater for cars coming the opposite direction.

No misconception, of all the learner rides that I have done over the years, very little thought was ever put on the 'learner friendly' road rating, just turn up and do it. In fact, after any tighter stuff, most would say ''fucking loved that, is there any more''?... the difference being, that I (or any other experienced rider with us) would spell out the route prior. It probably comes down one question, Do you feel that you are competent enough to be leading a group of learners without the presence of experienced riders?
Seeing that you have only just got your restricted, it is probably the safer bet to use roads that you personally are comfortable with riding solo, not as a pillion.

**buggerit** · 3rd December 2014, 17:35

Originally Posted by Juniper

And just my damn luck I'm still hanging round watching people spit wine.

Fire alarm

**nzspokes** · 3rd December 2014, 18:03

Originally Posted by Juniper

Have you seen the 30km part of ridge road? There is no staying wide as the 2 way road Is the same width as a single western motorway lane.

I do not think it an appropriate road for the level of riders that NASS often attracts. As in people riding less than a month.
As I have already said there are other roads with suitably tight corners that are safer for a learning environment.

Yes. I have ridden this road twice as a L plater. One on a ACC course and one I think with one of Maha and Mom's rides. I cannot remember it exactly but that also means I had no trouble with it.

I must pop out that way and give it a go sometime soon. Good excuse for a blat.

**nzspokes** · 3rd December 2014, 18:12

Originally Posted by Maha

No misconception, of all the learner rides that I have done over the years, very little thought was ever put on the 'learner friendly' road rating, just turn up and do it. In fact, after any tighter stuff, most would say ''fucking loved that, is there any more''?... the difference being, that I (or any other experienced rider with us) would spell out the route prior. It probably comes down one question, Do you feel that you are competent enough to be leading a group of learners without the presence of experienced riders?
Seeing that you have only just got your restricted, it is probably the safer bet to use roads that you personally are comfortable with riding solo, not as a pillion.

Agreed. I remember one ride ending up a gravel road. Two ways to look at it. One shit this is scary, the other is well I have to know how to do this so lets get on with it.

I remember the time somebody didnt enjoy some advice that a certain trainer gave on the ride to the Cape. I saw it as a learning chance and took as much advise as i could which helped me a lot. All about attitude.

You encounter difficult roads and slippery surfaces on any road at any time. Be this on a L plater ride or just popping down to the shops.

**Maha** · 3rd December 2014, 19:32

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Agreed. I remember one ride ending up a gravel road. Two ways to look at it. One shit this is scary, the other is well I have to know how to do this so lets get on with it.

I remember the time somebody didnt enjoy some advice that a certain trainer gave on the ride to the Cape. I saw it as a learning chance and took as much advise as i could which helped me a lot. All about attitude.

You encounter difficult roads and slippery surfaces on any road at any time. Be this on a L plater ride or just popping down to the shops.

Yip, all part of the learning Rob, 2nd year we had terrible rain heading back to camp from Kohukohu. Metal road in part through that Peria area. Attitude/confidence and competence with those leading and those around you, rubs off. All who rode that day had a blast, though dirty and wet by the end.

**Big Dog** · 3rd December 2014, 21:56

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Yes. I have ridden this road twice as a L plater. One on a ACC course and one I think with one of Maha and Mom's rides. I cannot remember it exactly but that also means I had no trouble with it.

I must pop out that way and give it a go sometime soon. Good excuse for a blat.

Not quite the same given:
A, you told me before you started road riding you rode off road for many years.
B, you clearly felt confident to attack those roads under those conditions.
C, you come across the sort that would give anything a punt no matter the risk before you back down.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**nzspokes** · 4th December 2014, 05:25

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Not quite the same given:
A, you told me before you started road riding you rode off road for many years.
B, you clearly felt confident to attack those roads under those conditions.
C, you come across the sort that would give anything a punt no matter the risk before you back down.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

A, Wrong. I rode a trail bike in my late teens. I rode Mountain Bikes for many years.

B, Wrong. I was not confident riding over gravel on a bike packed high with tenting gear etc.

C, Wrong. I calculate risk to see if something is worth a shot.

Remember people have to know how to ride in all conditions, not just the ideal.

**W0LF** · 4th December 2014, 08:07

As a new rider I am very keen in getting along to one of these rides, however I generally work Wednesday nights. Do these ever occur at other days/times?

**angle** · 4th December 2014, 09:29

It was a respectable turn out yesterday with a few new faces (welcome to NASS, Braden), a good ride and an even better pub session. It was also great to see the 'Busa' in her battle glory again. Looking forward to next Wednesday already.

Originally Posted by W0LF

As a new rider I am very keen in getting along to one of these rides, however I generally work Wednesday nights. Do these ever occur at other days/times?

SASS runs on Tuesdays.

**p.dath** · 4th December 2014, 10:22

Originally Posted by W0LF

As a new rider I am very keen in getting along to one of these rides, however I generally work Wednesday nights. Do these ever occur at other days/times?

Check out SASS.

**TheDemonLord** · 4th December 2014, 11:57

Was a fun ride last night - good weather, good times

**Big Dog** · 4th December 2014, 12:08

Originally Posted by nzspokes

A, Wrong. I rode a trail bike in my late teens. I rode Mountain Bikes for many years.

B, Wrong. I was not confident riding over gravel on a bike packed high with tenting gear etc.

C, Wrong. I calculate risk to see if something is worth a shot.

Remember people have to know how to ride in all conditions, not just the ideal.

A, then you are either a poor communicator or you overstated this experience. Either case a gravel road should not have presented a threat, the load may have.

B, so you think routinely educating people by putting them in scenarios they don't feel equipped to deal with is okay? You don't think that it is irresponsible to introduce people to risks they are not properly equipped to evaluate?

C, how can you expect someone to make that judgement with insufficient information to make an informed decision and in the same breath say you make a calculated decision? By postulating that you calculate the risk you suggest both you have adequate information to make the choice and you would be prepared to turn back if it was beyond your current abilities. Yet you imply that others would be weak for making the same call.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

**nzspokes** · 4th December 2014, 12:32

Im going to bow out of this thread out of respect for PDath and others that run NASS. All the best and I will pop along sometime soon.

**Big Dog** · 4th December 2014, 12:41

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Im going to bow out of this thread out of respect for PDath and others that run NASS. All the best and I will pop along sometime soon.

I don't get it. How is it disrespectful to discuss openly concerns for how learners are treated an what is expected if riders?

EOD it is up to PDath and co how they lead a ride and where to.

How other riders treat learners ( or even more experienced members ) has a huge impact on the health and welfare of this community.

I am quite sure if PDath felt I was being disrespectful in this regard he would have no issue asking me to drop it via either a post or a PM.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.