Motorcyclists Ride Forever Training

COMMERCIAL REPORT

Thanks to Wayne McCrone for hosting the May Commercial Noggin at his place, much appreciated.

The Commercial Noggin is still a work in progress for June, it will be 3rd Wednesday of the month as usual on 16 June, location to be advised. Once I’ve worked out what’s happening I’ll let as many know as possible, so if you haven’t heard from me give me a call. NEIL SHASKEY

Commercial Convenor

Congratulations to Ian and Barbara Fraser, who won the Best British Car prize at the recent annual Ashburton Plains Rotary Classic and Vintage Rally for their newly restored Riley Elf. Well done!

motorcycle section AGM

9 June, 7.30pm, The Barn

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME NEW BLOOD TO GIVE US A REV UP - COME ALONG AND JOIN THE FUN

VINTAGE REPORT

Well I’m sure that all of you Irishman entrants are in the final throws of getting the car prepared for an interesting and challenging rally this year. For many of us this involves clearing the car of the accumulated junk, charging the battery, pumping up the tyres and a quick grease around on the way to get a WOF.

A big thanks to the organisers and on the day supporters of this event. Irishman Rally is one of the branches biggest calendar rallies and well supported with drivers and cars travelling from all over New Zealand.

For those that aren’t using your cars over the winter months, now is a good time to winterise them for storage.

Safe Winter Motoring MIKE MILNE

Vintage Convenor

VCC riders at the Island heading out for the ride

VCC Motorcyclists Ride Forever Training Day

Words Peter Barnett and Photos Ornsby Motorcycle Training

On Saturday 8 May a group of VCC members on club eligible motorcycles completed Ride Forever Gold training. This eight hour course does not teach people to ride, but is based on giving experienced riders tools to continue riding on the road for life.

The Ride Forever training has been running since 2014 and is an ACC initiative to help reduce accidents and injuries involving motorcyclists. Recent statistics indicate those who have done the course are 27% less likely to have an accident. Some club members had done the course previously, but this was the first time it had been promoted through the VCC.

Dan Ornsby and Clive Chapman from Ornsby Motorcycle Training ran the course for us. They have been providing training for 10 years and offer a number of rider training courses including road and track based training. Details of their courses are found at:

https://motorcycletraining.co.nz/

Our day started at the clubrooms with a presentation and discussion covering rider gear, road position, cornering, and braking, before we all headed out for a day ride. We were split into two groups each with an instructor and given radios and ear pieces so the instructor could give advice as he took turns at following each of us.

First stop was Waikuku for lunch at the Collective Café, then through Sefton and back roads to the Waipara truck weighing station to use their sealed area for low speed turns and practising emergency stops. The instructor chose Kurt’s Puch motorcycle to demonstrate emergency braking before we all lined up for several practice runs. It was interesting to see the stopping distance shorten and increased control when the proper techniques are applied. The day warmed up nicely and the rest of the afternoon included a run through Weka Pass and Scargill Valley to Greta Valley. A major part of the training was Active Observation which puts you in a position on the road with the most room should you need to react, whether that is gravel or a pot hole, a vehicle in the other lane, or someone pulling out from an intersection. This also meant riding in a position to maximise the chance of being seen.

The instructor demonstrating the technique for emergency braking on Kurt’s Puch.

Lee Alsop and Triumph Paul Ainsworth’s Norton Commando

Trainers checking out Kurt’s Puch

Receiving instruction.

Everyone on the course enjoyed the day and got something out of the course. In my case it was thinking about things that had not previously occurred to me. Two of our riders had over 60 years riding experience each and both said they learnt something from the day. Anything that keeps us riding safely for longer has to be a good thing.

The Club hopes to run another course in Spring. If you would like to be contacted please put your name on a contact list and we can let you know once we have a suitable group together (Minimum 6 and maximum 12). If you want to be notified drop an email to Peter Barnett on barnetthome@xtra.co.nz

The Ride Forever website has information on the courses offered plus free on line coaching modules that can be completed at anytime. Go to their site at:

https://www.rideforever.co.nz/

Lunch at the office cafe, Waikuku. Photo Lee Alsop.