Rimutaka Hill first time!

[judecatmad]

Just did the hill for the first time today - what a gorgeous day for it! Getting practice in for next weekend.....

A_H came with me and almost ran into me a few times I was going so slow around some of the corners.......I'm really BAAAD at corners, REALLY bad! A bit nervous about next week given how slow I do go at times...

The run back over the hill was definitely better than the run there - lots more confidence on the way back!

BIIIIG apologies to the guy who had to go around me just after the hill on the trip back over. Really sorry I didn't move over for you - I was totally lost in my own thoughts ('didn't die after all', 'those corners were better coming back', 'ooh look, bugs on my visor'....that sort of thing). A very bad thing to do, getting lost in your thoughts whilst pootling along at 100! Really sorry m8, whoever you were!

[Wasp]

BIIIIG apologies to the guy who had to go around me just after the hill on the trip back over. Really sorry I didn't move over for you - I was totally lost in my own thoughts

Yes it is bad to be lost in your own thoughts BUT it is the person behind you who has the responsibility to pass you safely - he probably thought nothing of it.

Dont worry too much about slow speeds into and through corners on the takas, it comes with practice - there have been many times that i've suddenly realised ive been going too fast for a corner and slammed on the anchors and almost stopped completly. (just mind the car behind you).

I'm off up the takas now

[Genesismatrix]

dont be too concerned about taking that hill slow, I have seen alot of people nearly over the barriers going to fast on that commute

[Beemer]

I remember my first time over the hill and I bet I was just as slow - if not slower! It's a lot of fun once you get a bit more confidence, but you did the right thing in going at your own pace. I'm sure the motorcyclists overtaking you realised you were new to the hill so I doubt he even gave it a second thought when he passed you.

Don't get too lost in your own thoughts though!

Well done!

[Highlander]

As someone had on their signiture at one stage: Better to go into corners too slow and come out fast than go in too fast and not come out at all.

Confidence will come - go do it again.

[apteryx_haasti]

Just did the hill for the first time today - what a gorgeous day for it! Getting practice in for next weekend.....

A_H came with me and almost ran into me a few times I was going so slow around some of the corners....

I wasn't actually anywhere near running into you! Plus, way better to take it at a slower pace rather than a "Oh crap, that's too fast (KAPOW!)" kinda pace.

A thoroughly enjoyable day - feel like going back out there...but I am SUPPOSED to be prepping my fence for painting...

Excellent for a ride over the Takas (my first time as well) and then just for good measure we went all the way to Martinborough and back.

Anyone want to come over and scrub my fence while I go for a ride?

A_H

[Kendog]

Well done, keep practicing and don't worry about how slow you think you are, if someone wants to go faster, then they can pass you, and if they can't, they shouldn't be trying to. Just concentrate on you and it's all sweet.
Mrs KD.

[jumma]

Good on ya JCM. My first time was only my second outing on a bike so I was probably going just as slow. Been over a couple more times now and it just gets better. I'm so jealous, right now I'm stuck at work and when I get home I've got to replace my chain so any thoughts of riding the hill today are out the window.

[madmal64]

Good stuff. Dont worry about the speed "stuff" It will all come together in time.
Ride your pace, your lines and keep your mind on what you are doing., not what the others around you are.
I went over last weekend for the 1st time in about 8 weeks and I felt really rusty. I found that not riding for a while had defintely slowed my pace down a lot but I just rode my own ride.
I would alway rather be last than never arrive.
Looking forward to next weekend, should be a great turnout.

[Lord Derosso]

Golden rule with the Takas...

Just think about what YOU are doing and dont feel you have to go faster because some big bad machine is up your ass. And dont under estimate those bloody corners, they tend to have a strange way of fooling even the most experienced riders tackling the Takas for the first time. I dont ride that gorge to see how fast I can do it, I have always ridden it to make sure I get over to the other side. No glory in crashing at any time let alone risking going over the edge. Its bloody dangerous if you don't concentrate. I have come so close to canning off several times in the last 25 years and its mainly due to going too fast into the corners as they can come on you very very quickly. Good on you for achieving this and enjoy it again over summer. I shall be getting some Taka work in over summer too.

[judecatmad]

Yes it is bad to be lost in your own thoughts BUT it is the person behind you who has the responsibility to pass you safely - he probably thought nothing of it.

Hmmm, I doubt it - it was a straight he was trying to pass me on (we'd come off the hill by this point) and I gather he was sitting right behind me for a wee while just waiting for me to move over.

He did pass me safely in the end, I just felt really bad when I realised he was there. Was pretty bad manners on my part - not intentional but that's kinda hard to explain to someone who's just passed you and carried on their merry way

Had a great ride tho - was great to have someone to go over the hill with. A_H's cornering is SOOOO much better than mine! I need lots more practice! I'm definitely a Roman road girl!

Ah well, off to the pub now to watch the rugby

[apteryx_haasti]

A_H's cornering is SOOOO much better than mine!

Oh stop it, you're embarrassing me!

JCM, like I said - I think the only difference is that I have to ride around the Eastbourne bays every day, and you have a fairly straight shot to work.

Hmmm...perhaps you should move to Eastbourne?

Or (easier) we can just go over the Takas heaps more times!

YEAH!

[merv]

Have fun on next week's ride while I'm suffering being on holiday.

Good to hear you both lost your 'takas virginity now there'll be no stopping you.

[sunhuntin]

Hmmm, I doubt it - it was a straight he was trying to pass me on (we'd come off the hill by this point) and I gather he was sitting right behind me for a wee while just waiting for me to move over.

He did pass me safely in the end, I just felt really bad when I realised he was there. Was pretty bad manners on my part - not intentional but that's kinda hard to explain to someone who's just passed you and carried on their merry way

Had a great ride tho - was great to have someone to go over the hill with. A_H's cornering is SOOOO much better than mine! I need lots more practice! I'm definitely a Roman road girl!

Ah well, off to the pub now to watch the rugby

dont worry about that....not good that you didnt know he was there, but if he got past, thats fine. a good lesson for patience.
when i get stuck behind a slower vehicle on the open road, i adjust my speed and hang back. with trucks, i leave a few car lengths [if i cant see their mirror, they cant see me.]
ive actually got to the point where i wont move over for cars on the open road...had so many overtake dangerously that i just dont bother trying to help them anymore. again...a good lesson in patience for them. i usually ride at or above the speed limit...that should be plenty fast enough.
havent done the takas yet, but will get there one day....

[James Deuce]

Yes it is bad to be lost in your own thoughts BUT it is the person behind you who has the responsibility to pass you safely - he probably thought nothing of it.

It is NOT the responsibility of the passer solely. On the race track it is. On the road we all share YOU have the responsibility of knowing what is going on around you at ALL times. If you are holding traffic up, pull over at the earliest and safest opportunity.

That is one of the selfish attitudes displayed by most NZ drivers that contributes to the generally unsafe driving/riding environment of NZ roads. You do not have the RIGHT to deny other road users use of the road.

A large number of KBers need to learn that they share the road with other road users, that it is a privilege, and that it is impolite to impose their selfish mindset on other people.