Wellington Ride - Sunday 2 October

**riffer** · 2nd October 2005, 18:50

Wow - what a great day's riding!

I'm at home now having finished dinner, the body's completely worn out - a bit of lactic acid overdose I reckon and the bloody sugars are a bit low but it's all worth it.

Some great roads and the weather was just right. I was in the "medium" group, led by Jim2. A non-eventful moderate speed ride over the Rimutakas, then turn at Featherston to go down past the lake, then the east-west road (where the sprints are held) and up to Martinborough for a great lunch at the Pukemanu Pub.

After that, the Gladstone-Watertower Road. If you've never done the Watertower Road, do yourself a favour and get down here. A great test for any rider at whatever speed you ride, and it has some of the best hillside sweepers I've ever ridden and a great downhill ride. A couple of seconds of quiet reflection as we went past the corner just before Gladstone where Sam died, and on to Masterton. On the straight between the two hills I found out what the RF was capable of, and a quick stop for gas (11.18 litres for 170km - not too bad fuel consumption at all!) then a neat quiet road that Jim2 knew about to get us through the Wairarapa, then back over the takas - just at the wrong time of day. By that stage I'd completely given up on the whole medium speed thing and the cars were just getting irritating - in fact one tried to take out Jim2 and nearly succeeded...

But we got back safe, tired and happy and with a whole lot less rubber on the tyres than when we started.

When's that next ride fellas?

**SPman** · 2nd October 2005, 19:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

The barbarians of the bitumen have nearly completely destroyed my beloved Kaitokes. (Sobs uncontrollably, in an Anton Oliver manner)

Or blubs shamelessly...there last week - I saw what you mean.......

**riffer** · 2nd October 2005, 19:26

RIP the Kaitokes.

They're gone ...

at least there's no speed camera there yet - but give it time.

**skelstar** · 2nd October 2005, 19:30

Was a good ride today. Gave it a bit of a nudge going up the Hill at the rear end of the medium group and ended up having a good run (car-wise). Was good to talk to a few people at the pub (had plenty of time thats for sure). Headed out to Gladstone/Masterton with VTWIN, Velox, BL, Dafe, Sparky etc. Have to say am getting sick of trying to catch up to the big boys

. Sp thanks to Dafe for hanging at the back. A quick gas up and a decision to head straight home. A good nudge up the hill on the way home (hope I didnt hold you guys up back there!) and got home dry. Ears ringing.

Thanks Mr Shot!

**Sparky Mark** · 2nd October 2005, 19:41

Originally Posted by madmal64

Cheers mate for organising the ride today. Bloody well done!

It was my 1st KB ride and what a great bunch of folks I met today. Just got home myself after a couple of quiet ones at the Sand Bar with some folks I meet today.
Thanks again and I hope to catch up with all of you again somewhere, sometime.

Hear hear!! Nice one and thanks a lot. Had a cracking time and really good to meet some great people. (Thanks Sean for coming over this morning!)

Had a fantastic ride - apart from a slightly hairy moment early on..

Anyway, first time on those roads, new bike to me, and first ride with KB'rs.

The day was just great.

CHEERS!

**Estrella** · 2nd October 2005, 19:51

Originally Posted by old farts

Great day out, did the scenic route round the lake following Sels 1 .It was nice to have lunch and put faces to those names we see regularly on the site. Hope to catch up with some of you again.

Hey Old Farts

Nice to meet you both. I had a great day that was finished off beautifully by pulling into my driveway just as the rain started! Look forward to seeing the photo of the mighty purple Maurader soon.

Thanks Slingshot and all those involved in organising this ride.

C

**Uncle B** · 2nd October 2005, 20:08

Well done Slingshot for getting everybody out togeather.
Nice new wheels dude.
After a bit of mooching about at the pub a few of us were itching to put some miles down so we headed off out the back of MBorough.
Bad Lieutenant had a vid cam taped to his bike so that promoted a bit of the hooligan to come out.......sorry Skelstar, you'll just have to go and get that 900

.
Good to see so many new and familiar faces. Great to see StoneChucker out for a socialise. And Str8 Jacket to show us all that she is still alive

and talking.

Hope to see you all out and about this summer for some more fun rides.

**skelstar** · 2nd October 2005, 20:11

Originally Posted by VTWIN

...sorry Skelstar, you'll just have to go and get that 900

.

It seems I will to keep up with you criminals

**ajturbo** · 2nd October 2005, 20:20

ok ok rub it in

i went home and sulked even more..

**kiwisfly** · 2nd October 2005, 20:53

Thanks Slingshot for your time & efforts into bringing together a great day!
Same as MadMal64 & Sparky Marky twas my first time out on a KB run so was feeling quite virginal but you guys created a great feel among ther group. Roll on the next one!

**limbimtimwim** · 2nd October 2005, 20:54

Originally Posted by skelstar

Have to say am getting sick of trying to catch up to the big boys

.

Just shift down two gears and say a prayer to the god of mechanical sympathy like I do. Ask the god that if the piston flies out, it won't castrate you on it's way into orbit.

But yeah, ya'll still end up waiting for me...

**skelstar** · 2nd October 2005, 21:02

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Just shift down two gears and say a prayer to the god of mechanical sympathy like I do. Ask the god that if the piston flies out, it won't castrate you on it's way into orbit.
But yeah, ya'll still end up waiting for me...

Yeah at 140km/h my bikes doing about 10,000RPM (pr at least 9.5), redline is at 11,500RPM. Its pushing it a bit. My mechanic said the bike was geared too long. Yeah right!

**SPman** · 2nd October 2005, 21:04

Originally Posted by VTWIN

...Great to see StoneChucker out for a socialise.

How is SC - we havent heard much lately..

**limbimtimwim** · 2nd October 2005, 21:06

Originally Posted by skelstar

Yeah at 140km/h my bikes doing about 10,000RPM (pr at least 9.5), redline is at 11,500RPM. Its pushing it a bit. My mechanic said the bike was geared too long. Yeah right!

You're revving out?!? I have the opposite problem.

Let's swap rear cogs.

Ohh.. That sounds dirty and I don't know why..