Hello from afar (Ajarn Michael)

[Ajarn Michael]

I have been registered here for a while, but never even visited. It is time I introduced myself.

I have been working in Phuket, Thailand for the past 8 years. My job here has been hugely satisfying, but I feel it is close to time to move on. I reckon on returning to Aotearoa late in 2012, if not before.

I started riding a Honda CT90 back in the '60s, on my parents' King Country farm. I got my full motorcycle licence less than a month after I turned 15; you could do that back then!

I have always owned or had access to a motorcycle, and reckon to have done over 400,000 km now, in about 15 countries. I have been lucky to enjoy some great rides.... and also lucky to have had no significant accidents.

Having ridden bikes from 50cc to 1,000cc, I feel a quarter litre is enough for my needs. I am pleased to see manufacturers taking more interest in the class of late.

there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist

[Ajarn Michael]

Wow, over 45 years a motorcyclist and I have just become an L-plate rider.

there are old motorcyclists and bold motorcyclists,
but you seldom meet an old bold motorcyclist

[rachprice]

Hi!!

Wow what Countries?

[hayd3n]

Wow, over 45 years a motorcyclist and I have just become an L-plate rider.

its changes as you post comments and threads

[Ajarn Michael]

Hi!!

Wow what Countries?

Godzone , of course.

In Asia I have ridden in Thailand (worked here about 12 of the last 30 years), Malaysia, and Laos.

I also worked in England seasonally through the 90's. I bought a 1981 Honda CB250RS, which I really enjoyed. It cost £500 and looked its age, but had been maintained properly. 48,000 miles when I bought it; 74,000 miles when it was stolen a few years later.

July was a month between jobs, so it was time for touring. I'd load up with camping gear bungied on the back, and a couple of changes of clothes and stuff in a bag on the tank, and head off to meander the byways and highways of Ireland (no highways there; loved it), other parts of UK, or Europe.

In Europe you can ride in several countries in one day, often without even knowing that you had crossed a border. Of course, you need a left hand drive motorcycle there.

I was did a bit work in Belgium on occasion. On a day off I took a ride and found myself in Holland..... Heard a hell of a racket, so sought it out, then spent the afternoon at a tractor pulling competition there. I've never seen anything like it. Some had several V8 motors linked together, and there were a couple with jet turbine engines. It was a petrol head's delight.

Swiss, Italian and French Alps, you can cross borders several times a day.

For me, it sure as hell beat those Top Deck bus tours.

That being said, there is plenty of good riding to be had in NZ, as good as I have had anywhere, and great places to explore.