kwick

Just wanted to say thank you for all the feedback, over my last couple posts, and for pushing me to take the course at VISC. No regrets whatsoever, and feeling prepared to ride now. Recently purchased an 06 fz6 and looking forward to riding with some of you sometime.

Perhaps some recommendations on interesting routes to take while i perfect my skills ?

Chris

FrostyFire

Since the road test is all about traffic ability (not the fastest time down the donkey trail,) I suggest you do a lot of city riding. Practice everything they tell you you'll be tested on on the class 6 road test.

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*ƃuıɔɐɹ ʎuunq ǝʞɐɔuɐd*

buttman

Practice staying under the speed limit, it's really tough.

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Captain Slow

Here's my 2c..

Best suggestion for down islanders, ride all over the Saanich Peninsula, there's lots of roads (which are not the usual playground of stupid traffic). Gives some highway, some goat trail, and everything in between, and not as crazy for traffic pressure where a lot of the favored roads start/end out. There are also very technical routes like Humpback/Finlayson Arm that are a minefield of surprises that are great for technical learning in tight conditions, that are better left till comfortable on all 'normal roads' from a 'I have no clue how much experience/skill you have beyond you can legally ride' suggestion.

As a general 'learning' recommendation stick ~1hr max range away from home as a plan for afternoon/evening adventures and take breaks to stretch/relax and check out stuff, that way if something happens odds are you have cell reception and a means of assistance, if needed and also if you end up getting burnt out you can still generally safely get home after a coffee break to revive body/mind (If you find you've tired your brain/body out, DON'T keep riding, hit up some kind of snack and rehydration, and sit for at least 15 mins, especially if you're feeling the heat. Otherwise you're senses and reactions will be greatly compromised and whats a few min break compared to blowing a corner and ending up shiny side down.

I wouldn't suggest doing longer more involved eg Tofino/Gold River/The Renfrew Loop until you're at least comfortable riding relaxed in most road conditions 'stress free', and have some saddle time that you don't tire your body/mind out. The loop for instance can be very technical, has increased threats of rough roads, gravel, logging trucks, all of which can drain an inexperienced rider down from tension and stress.



Also good way to find places to play, go out to bike night.

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Aka: Wolfnadrid

New name, same great aftertaste, and still as slow as ever!

Gimp

Just another new rider's input on this. If you're going to go to vic bike night, don't go on the big group rides. ask a couple of the people there to take you out on the roads outside of the big group.

The big group tends to push harder than you want to be going as a new rider, while going with just a couple people will be more likely to go at YOUR pace, and will be a lot more helpful.

buttman

+1

VBN is pretty sketchy for a new rider. IF there's a separate noob ride, then you're golden, but there isn't always one unless someone goes out of their way to make it happen.

LBN (Langford on Thursdays) tends to be smaller and more reserved. Probably a better BN for new riders. Even still, I don't really recommend going to bike nights at all unless you're pretty comfortable. New riders have a habit of getting caught up in the fun of a big group and getting out of their comfort zones (I did a few times, fortunately never had to learn a hard lesson).

If you want someone to take you out for a spin and show you some nice routes, that's easy, just make a specific post in the "I'm Going Riding" forum with a time and a place to meet and you can probably get someone to come along. Just add a note to the post asking people to reply if they are going to come so you don't go down there and end up alone.

I would be happy to take you out and show you some of the fun roads sometime if you want. In fact I'm around all weekend without too many commitments, so PM me if you want and we can set up a little ride.

If you're looking for prep for the road test, then that's a different ball of wax. You'll want to stick to urban areas, within a radius of the ICBC centre and be aware of all the school zones etc and really keep an eye on your speed etc.

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