Chch Wednesday Evening Cruises - 2008

[onearmedbandit]

HUH... the 1st right hander on the west side from the Kiwi??? ya joking its a very simple corner, smooth, positive camber and wide (often light shingle hard into the amco but you shouldnt be anywere near that)

That same simple corner that took my arm? The one with the bumpy entrance and negative camber? Yeah I know the one quite well. Taken it many-a-times since the accident, never had a problem since, but there ya go, even the most simplest easy corner can be a killer.

[Spuds1234]

Having finally made it to one of these rides I made some observations and have quite a few suggestions for further rides particularly for younger riders wanting to learn, the location of the departure point, and a couple of other points that should be considered in the future

Post up the advise mate. Most of us will probably listen so long as you dont go and insult everyone when you go about giving advice online.

It was a pleasure to meet you last night. Im glad you got the Kat up and running. Still cant get over the fact that you sold it

[Mr Triple]

Well I had a good old time as always. A little blat over the hill to godley house and a little natter, my kind of night very eazy to please

I would of like to have gone over to Port Levy, but the time everyone went it was getting abit late for me as I had to get up for work at 4am

Had a good run over Gebbies pass with T.W.R and home to Rangiora with no GB to ride home with

Sorry to hear about your mishap Dave

See you all next week if I don't have to work late

[dangerous]

That same simple corner that took my arm? The one with the bumpy entrance and negative camber? Yeah I know the one quite well. Taken it many-a-times since the accident, never had a problem since, but there ya go, even the most simplest easy corner can be a killer.

agreed, but the corner is beter now (positive camber) maybe its cos I have done it more times than I have played with myself... and believe me thats a farking lot
i also bet you were hoofing it Dave may or may not have been to.

Post up the advise mate. Most of us will probably listen so long as you dont go and insult everyone when you go about giving advice online.

I dont insult mate, people take it that way dosnt bother me if they do shows the ones with or with out balls, hell I give my self arseholes to ya know look at above post... just admited Im a wanker

[Deviant Esq]

I didn't see Dave's wee off as I'd been caught behind a car (and helenoftroy's inventive overtake maneuver... ), but from what he described to us afterwards (I pulled up as the bike was being lifted back up again... for the 2nd time that night... ) it sounded like a combination of:

1. "Fuck it's dark. Can't see shit, where's this corner go, FUCK-GRAVEL-ARMCO-SHIT*CRUNCH* .... ow."
2. "Ooh, Armco, so shiny and seductive, must... resist... must... *CRUNCH* .... ow."

Something like that anyhow.

Anyway, when Spuds came back up the hill to see what the fuss was about, we then had access to a phillips head screwdriver, so we took the belly fairing off the FXR so the front wheel wouldn't rub, and I rode it back up the hill to the carpark at the top. The wheel rubbed badly on the front mudguard and I had to steer well to the left to get it to ride straight - but at least it's now got good right hand lock for those nasty right-handers, eh Dave - but other than that it rode alright.

Damage? Bent forks, R/H mirror smashed off, right footpeg broken off, small dent in the tank, and a larger dent and scraping on the can... but other than that and the obvious front end issue (bike must've hit one of the armco support posts), the damage was mainly superficial.

Damage to rider: Bruised hip, bruised ego, nasty taste in mouth. Other than that he seemed fine... or no worse than usual anyway...

Good on that man: To Transalper, who came back up the hill in his van, complete with ramp, meters of tie-downs and clamps, and a sympathetic nature. Well done.

Good night overall I thought. Don't worry about the wee bin Dave, that's a mistake that could happen to anyone, especially in the middle of the night. All we ask is that you learn from it and are a better rider for it.

[T.W.R]

We've debated that one at length and just ended up staying where we are

We're welcome to suggestions on how to make the rides better though

Debate it as much as you like, but having spent 2yrs going past there to the CPIT at all times of the day I've seen plenty of accidents there.
With it being a departure point for the W.N.R which as you state in the 1st post of this thread "an opportunity for newer riders to gain experience from the not so new riders", it's an intimidating place to get in & out of for an inexperienced rider; even I had an argument with a bus & had to concede and do a lap around the block to get in there (Bus stop right at the access). Even when we left, finding gaps in the traffic meant the group was broken up before the ride had even started. Moorehouse Ave is a busy place at the best of times & early evening is as bad as any with cages wanting to get home etc from work tired at the end of the day.

There are plenty of easily found landmarks etc around the outskirts of ChCh to use as launching platforms for the W.N.R with easier access & depature, rides north of the city could use the 'PEG', rides to the west could use the 'Yaldy', rides south could use the 'Rolly Inn', rides heading around the Pennisula could use the Princess Margret Hospital carpark; all of these are easily located, have less traffic congestion to deal with, and once departing on a ride mean less battling through main city thoroughfares

Suggestions - bring it on please T.W.R

I totally stuffed up an uphill overtaking manouvere(sorry Deviant) and will be on a new bike soon.

I need all the help I can get,specially with my young one now riding with me.

wasn't there to see, but can only surmise what happened so wont speculate a remedy

share? i wanna know so i don't make a dick of myself when i come along

Stay tuned, I'm just warming up As the only listed Mentor in the district prior to the "Mentoring Revamp" I'll voice a couple of things with a bit of diplomacy and if it gets infracted or similar, it only shows a lacking on whoevers behalf

They wont listen Man (a couple of the not so younger ones will tho) nearly every time I try and sugest, comment, change things they go crying to the mods and I get my ase kicked for suposidly going off topic (fuking rot) Its not worth the trouble they no best.

It's all in the application as per above though

Post up the advise mate. Most of us will probably listen so long as you dont go and insult everyone when you go about giving advice online.

It was a pleasure to meet you last night. Im glad you got the Kat up and running. Still cant get over the fact that you sold it

Ha I don't bite, but if someone is childish enough to start online they better have a good memory.

It was good to finally catch up with you lols it's just an ESG not a Kat but I've still got it stored here at my place at the moment
Though for W.N.Rs it or the GPZ would be far more suitable for getting in amongst the bunch to see whats going on etc, the old ZXR is an anti social shithouse for gentle paced rides

I'll be back, with more

[cruza]

Yeah twilight riding can be deceptive, reduced vision ,headlight doesn't pick up surroundings clearly as its not dark enough, and the speed probably hasn't been reduced to night time levels. Good that there is no major injuries,bikes can always be replaced

[T.W.R]

Well I've said what I had to say about the departure point and it should be considered, with the existing place basically being central city (within the 4 avenues).

Younger & less experienced riders


As per my last post, the location of departure is a daunting area for a newb. At the pre-departure gathering it should be asked if there are people wanting a bit of advice or their riding monitored, not just a " OK here's where we're going & blah blah will be the 1st regroup point" if some people do want as per above then a senior rider or riders should be allocated to rally said group together & take the reigns and find out what the younger or less experienced are seeking to learn then depart to said destination as a group separate from the so called faster group as per this comment "We will cater for whoever turns up on the night and if we have a reasonably large group we will try to split it into two with a "faster" group and a "cruisier" group both heading for the same destination."
Doesn't matter if there's only one, three, or five or more; the option should be there and offered.


Pack mentality reigned supreme getting through town and around the bays, thats just a ride and nothing is learnt from that apart from proxemics (and what 1 person is comfortable with another isn't). Around tighter roads as per the harbour bays there's always going to be a pulse effect happening within the group with bunching then spreading over & over so a bit of thought should be placed on spacing, I admit I found myself constantly having to readjust my lines because of faster entry/exit speeds than the bike I was following and this had a flow on effect to the bike behind me and so forth.

Irregular use of indicators or lack of was interesting to see

Attempts to use the full amount of road(allocated lane) & then some by Magazine Bay, Sandy Bay etc prior to Governor's Bay was a laugh(not!) it's basically considered urban area & 50km/h zone not the open road or race track there isn't need to be cutting apex's or 'finding the line'. On the open road sections there are plenty of places to do that safely, but why bother in a 50km area.

[chanceyy]

Debate it as much as you like, but having spent 2yrs going past there to the CPIT at all times of the day I've seen plenty of accidents there.
With it being a departure point for the W.N.R which as you state in the 1st post of this thread "an opportunity for newer riders to gain experience from the not so new riders", it's an intimidating place to get in & out of for an inexperienced rider; even I had an argument with a bus & had to concede and do a lap around the block to get in there (Bus stop right at the access). Even when we left, finding gaps in the traffic meant the group was broken up before the ride had even started. Moorehouse Ave is a busy place at the best of times & early evening is as bad as any with cages wanting to get home etc from work tired at the end of the day.

There are plenty of easily found landmarks etc around the outskirts of ChCh to use as launching platforms for the W.N.R with easier access & depature, rides north of the city could use the 'PEG', rides to the west could use the 'Yaldy', rides south could use the 'Rolly Inn', rides heading around the Pennisula could use the Princess Margret Hospital carpark; all of these are easily located, have less traffic congestion to deal with, and once departing on a ride mean less battling through main city thoroughfares


nice & clear reasoning there

Stay tuned, I'm just warming up As the only listed Mentor in the district prior to the "Mentoring Revamp" I'll voice a couple of things with a bit of diplomacy and if it gets infracted or similar, it only shows a lacking on whoevers behalf
oh I am watching as well :lol .. only warming up huh ..


It's all in the application as per above though

hmm I remember a comment like that


I'll be back, with more

liked the next post too .. but can only bling once (see above comments in blue)

[Dave-]

having spent most of today thinking over it

was it that left hand fork seal? I have a shot one and that'd reduce cornering right? but I'd compensated for that, can you? I mean, I'm learning here is it fair to say that you can ride on a stuffed fork seal and ride safely so long as you take it easy, which I feel I was doing in this case.

perhaps I wasn't turning properly, I dont think I had my shoulder relaxed, I didn't have my weight over, I didn't lean, I guess it was just bad technique, but I'd been riding with proper technique all evening, why not all of a sudden? perhaps the fork seal?

I'd hate to blame the bike, I always think of riding as 90% rider 10% bike (or near abouts) so it'd seem a cop out on my own ability to diagnose a problem and ride properly with the problem?

I havent inspected that seal or the bike yet either, probably wont get to till sundayish...even then.

[dangerous]

having spent most of today thinking over it

was it that left hand fork seal? I have a shot one and that'd reduce cornering right? but I'd compensated for that, can you? I mean, I'm learning here is it fair to say that you can ride on a stuffed fork seal and ride safely so long as you take it easy, which I feel I was doing in this case.

perhaps I wasn't turning properly, I dont think I had my shoulder relaxed, I didn't have my weight over, I didn't lean, I guess it was just bad technique, but I'd been riding with proper technique all evening, why not all of a sudden? perhaps the fork seal?

I'd hate to blame the bike, I always think of riding as 90% rider 10% bike (or near abouts) so it'd seem a cop out on my own ability to diagnose a problem and ride properly with the problem?

I havent inspected that seal or the bike yet either, probably wont get to till sundayish...even then.

mate.. it's NOT the fork seal I race 3 bikes with fucked seals (cos im to scottish to fix em) tell ya what.. if you want Ill follow you for a circite (gebies, kiwi, halswell) by then i can tell you what 'I' think needs improving... lets do this befor the RS is returned aye?

[200BUSA]

Did you have anything to drink while on your ride?Was your head clear?Alcohol reduces reaction time.If you didnt have anything to drink then you maybe right about your fork seal.

[dangerous]

Did you have anything to drink while on your ride?Was your head clear?Alcohol reduces reaction time.If you didnt have anything to drink then you maybe right about your fork seal.

What do you reckon, I asked the same... pic cut from earler post on the night.

[200BUSA]

OK i dont drink myself and i dont mind anyone else drinking but i dont think riding and drinking go together - i think the Wed rides are a good thing for riders meeting and learning.

[merv]

As for Dyers Pass you guys are lucky its not 30+ years ago when I was down there when it was open road speed limit whereas now its speed restricted and you guys wouldn't speed and break the law eh so no-one should really have a problem with those corners now.