Places to take child learner to ride in AK

**meteor** · 10th April 2008, 16:31

Hi all. Live in South East Auckland and looking for a place to take an 11 yr old beginner to learn to ride... clutching, braking etc... general stuff and for me, also a novice, to follow him around and also to 'run in' the new bikes. Big flat grass area would be good. Don't want to get in the way of 'serious riders' at MX tracks or put off my youngster with overly complicated terrain... or fall off in front of him and look like a d$%k. Can anyone help?

**dammad1** · 10th April 2008, 16:51

Thunderx has a good kids track at the top of the farm, you can drive to the top and be out of the way of everyone else

**Reckless** · 10th April 2008, 22:13

When my kids where just learners, started at 12 and 17, KX85 and Cr125. I went around East Tamaki and found a spot round the back where they were excavating for the commercial subdivisions. Out of site of the main roads etc. After a couple of Saturdays I went and asked company doing the work if I could teach the kids to ride there as Thunder X is bloody miles away and they said OK. Its pretty obvious if your teaching your kids to ride and not ripping up the joint. Should be OK if you find a quiet spot and ask permission for a few Saturday or Sunday afternoons. And you keep it to yourself. They only need to go round and round till they get there confidence up and the gears etc worked out. Then you can do Thunder X, the Mr motorcycles rides, or the Waitemata club Family days, they are good they have kids loops etc. The sandpit at woodhill is a good atmosphere but my youngest didn't like learning in the sand.

Dammad is on the button! The Thunder X top paddock is good and you could do a loop of the A or B track yourself at the same time. But its an hours drive and 20 bucks odd per bike. $15 for 85cc and under I think?

And then there's Pukekohe Motorcycle club at Harrisville from 12 -3 on a Sat they have a kids track.

Most of the events are posted here. Warning, the Off road forum is the only sane place on Kiwi Biker the other threads can get a bit ??????

Others might have more Ideas as well. Good to CYA!

**Voltaire** · 14th April 2008, 19:30

I took my son down to the grassy car park next to Waikaraka Park.
Tought him the basics in a few hours over a couple of Sunday mornings, then did two of the brilliant MR Family Trail rides.
Tip: get a few orange cones to ride around and no one will bother you.
I know what you mean about the 'serious riders' they make it look so easy.
I fall of regularly so so do lots of others.

have fun

**krad_nz** · 14th April 2008, 19:45

On Sunday afternoon I saw a bike being lifted into the back of van around the East Tamaki end of the new Highbrook Drive highway. We were on our way back home from the Mr Motorcycles trail ride.

It looks like a really good place to learn and I'm sure as long as you were taking it easy no one would really mind. Might see if the girl friend would be keen to have a go around there.

Actually, any chance it was you?

**Rupe** · 14th April 2008, 19:48

Woodhill shouldn't be so soft after the rain. And it has lots of quiet loops out of the way to practice/learn on. Most people seem to learn up there, and definatly has a more family feel to it than some other places.

Or just go for a trundle round a comercial construction site out of the way.

**meteor** · 15th April 2008, 07:53

Hi all, thanks for all the ideas. Voltaire, son played soccer at Waikaraka Park the other day so had a good look around then... promising, Krad NZ, no me at Highbrook Drive although not living far from there will have a look at that too. Reckless, all good info so cheers for that, will keep Jan up to date with our prgress. I've had my son's, daughter and wife on the bikes up and down the driveway (with cones) around in the cul de sac and on the local reserve. I'm suprised how fast they've picked it up. Looks like I'll be heading off to Thunder X, Woodhill and the Mr Motorcycle rides way faster than I thought. Thanks again all.

**CookMySock** · 15th April 2008, 09:49

Originally Posted by meteor

[....] soccer at Waikaraka Park the other day so had a good look around then...

We do the same here for total newbs at the local grassy playground. Right over the road from the cop shop too, and no one gave a shite. The local kids and parents came and had a nosey and asked questions. Mind you, these were very quiet road bikes, not rappy two strokes.

DB

**FROSTY:Me** · 15th April 2008, 10:02

Did the same thing with my kids at a local park.

**Waxxa** · 15th April 2008, 17:01

I started learning to ride when I was 12 and it was the training ground of Muriwai beach and forests. Having an off-road learning background I feel is one of the best any rider can have. The amount of times I fell off to just hop back on, no damage to the bike were numerous to say the least.

I know Muriwai is a long way from home but you cant get a better training ground. Fantastic to see your son is keen on riding and that you are proactive in his learning and enjoyment.

**Rupe** · 15th April 2008, 22:05

Originally Posted by Waxxa

I know Muriwai is a long way from home but you cant get a better training ground.

Last time I rode at Muriwai I was chased down the beach by a 4x4 police car with the lights and sirens going. I was told that as my dirt bike had no
WOF or rego so I'd be charged in the future.

Go to a to a bit of grass out of the way as mentioned above, and then woodhill once they're a bit more confident.

**cheese** · 16th April 2008, 07:20

Man you were lucky to not get done Rupert. They are hammering people for that now.

**meteor** · 16th April 2008, 09:03

Beaches are actually defined as roads under the law and after that crash up north (90 mile beach I think?) when those two teenage girls were hit, killing one, and that 4x4 car full of Asians rolling I bet there was some pressure on the police to pay some attention to the beaches. Dirt bikes that dont need a wof or rego could be quite costly in fines if ridden on the road. Thats why I'm going to be very careful where I take my kids. Aunty Helen (Clarke) needs to put some money in the piggy bank for her impending retirement!!!

**oldguy** · 16th April 2008, 12:42

There seams to be a lot of us with kids, maybe a good idea, to have a kids day out, somewhere like thunder X, thou Ive never been their, but from all accounts
I hear its good, or woodhill.
Be a good get together, chance to meet and greet, and time to spend with your kids.
Kids love riding with other kids. also helps when they watch other of the same ability.

**Rupe** · 16th April 2008, 17:25

Originally Posted by cheese

Man you were lucky to not get done Rupert. They are hammering people for that now.

Yeah was around december sometime, but I can see where the problem is.

There was a family with young kids sitting near the entrance/exit that kept nearly getting hit. A couple of blokart things that turn suddenly and you can't hear, loads of 4x4, bikes/quads for africa, and angry looking fisherman. Everyone was racing each other and turning without looking, dangerous place thats not worth riding anymore.

Anyway back on with the thread, Oldguy, Thunder X has a good kids loop thats out of the way and it's cheaper than most.