Virago
18th September 2005, 10:30
Yesterday a large number of the Otago KB members got together for an organised ride. For many of us (myself included), it was our first meeting of fellow KB'ers, with lots of introductions and handshakes during the day.
After a wet and stormy night, the day dawned cool and mainly clear, with dry roads giving the promise of a good ride.
We arranged the first meet-up point for 11.00am, allowing plenty of time for VOTING. The Hollow Man (with MsHM), myself (with Mrs V), Phaedrus, and Campbellluke, met at BP Southern and then headed south to Milton. We stopped at the turn-of to Central Otago to pick up Scumdog, who rode through from Balclutha to join us.
Unfortunately at this stage we lost Campbellluke, who had stopped at Milton for gas, and had then missed the turn off, continuing south. Luckily he realised his mistake fairly quickly and found us again. Regrouped, we headed for Lawrence, trying to ignore the blue-black clouds on the horizon ahead of us.
The ride through the Manuka Gorge is a delighful series of twisties and hills, slowed down a little by the rain that finally caught up with us.
We arrived in Lawrence ahead of schedule, and just ahead of Jantar, who rode down from Alexandra to join us. A delightful (and very filling) lunch at "The Lemon Tree" was next on the agenda.
With all six bikes now together, we headed south via Tuapeka. This was a new road for many of us, and it proved to be a delightful mix of twisties, with the main hazard being the occasion patch of "rural deposit". The road follows the Clutha River south to Balclutha, which is Scumdog country. Scumdog lead us to his place, for a social gathering.
Unfortunately we lost Campbellluke again, he had ridden ahead of the main group and had missed the turn-off to Scumdog's place. After waiting for about 45 minutes for him to turn up, I remembered I had gotten everyone to write their cellphone numbers in a notebook, so we managed to track him down. (Sorry for the the delay Luke!)
A delightful afternoon at Scumdog's followed, with conducted tours of his very interesting garages. Scumdog and CB put on a lovely barbeque tea for us, and we avoided the cold outside while watching motorcycle drag-racing videos.
With an eye on the weather, Jantar headed off about 6ish for the lonely ride up to Alexandra, while the Dunedin KBer's headed for home soon after. With the southerly weather change in full force, Mrs V and I were glad to be home after the one-hour ride from Balclutha.
A great day, despite the weather, and we've agreed that this will be the first of many organised rides in Otago.
Our thanks again to Scumdog and CB, for hosting us at Chez Scumdog.
After a wet and stormy night, the day dawned cool and mainly clear, with dry roads giving the promise of a good ride.
We arranged the first meet-up point for 11.00am, allowing plenty of time for VOTING. The Hollow Man (with MsHM), myself (with Mrs V), Phaedrus, and Campbellluke, met at BP Southern and then headed south to Milton. We stopped at the turn-of to Central Otago to pick up Scumdog, who rode through from Balclutha to join us.
Unfortunately at this stage we lost Campbellluke, who had stopped at Milton for gas, and had then missed the turn off, continuing south. Luckily he realised his mistake fairly quickly and found us again. Regrouped, we headed for Lawrence, trying to ignore the blue-black clouds on the horizon ahead of us.
The ride through the Manuka Gorge is a delighful series of twisties and hills, slowed down a little by the rain that finally caught up with us.
We arrived in Lawrence ahead of schedule, and just ahead of Jantar, who rode down from Alexandra to join us. A delightful (and very filling) lunch at "The Lemon Tree" was next on the agenda.
With all six bikes now together, we headed south via Tuapeka. This was a new road for many of us, and it proved to be a delightful mix of twisties, with the main hazard being the occasion patch of "rural deposit". The road follows the Clutha River south to Balclutha, which is Scumdog country. Scumdog lead us to his place, for a social gathering.
Unfortunately we lost Campbellluke again, he had ridden ahead of the main group and had missed the turn-off to Scumdog's place. After waiting for about 45 minutes for him to turn up, I remembered I had gotten everyone to write their cellphone numbers in a notebook, so we managed to track him down. (Sorry for the the delay Luke!)
A delightful afternoon at Scumdog's followed, with conducted tours of his very interesting garages. Scumdog and CB put on a lovely barbeque tea for us, and we avoided the cold outside while watching motorcycle drag-racing videos.
With an eye on the weather, Jantar headed off about 6ish for the lonely ride up to Alexandra, while the Dunedin KBer's headed for home soon after. With the southerly weather change in full force, Mrs V and I were glad to be home after the one-hour ride from Balclutha.
A great day, despite the weather, and we've agreed that this will be the first of many organised rides in Otago.
Our thanks again to Scumdog and CB, for hosting us at Chez Scumdog.