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View Full Version : Celtic Sea Lily's Maiden Voyage! (Entry 1)



Ms Piggy
12th February 2004, 04:49
:wacko: I'm up! I'm up! I wanna go back to my nice warm snuggly bed.

Well I'm going as far as Taupo today, I'm just taking S/H 1 the whole way with lotsa stops along the way and I'm meeting up with Ching Ching in Taihape. The forecast is for rain, rain and oh...rain :argh: This will not discourage me though! At the moment here in Wellington it's still & not raining - please weather Gods look down on this fair maiden and grant her dry passage, pretty pleeeeeaaaaase. :sunny:

Just wanted to say "Thanks!" to all the friendly & helpful riders here who have encouraged me & given me lots of good advice for my first big ride. :niceone:

Cheers Sweeties! :hug: Cathy

LB
12th February 2004, 04:51
And the weather's much better than last night. Have a safe journey. Say "hi" to Gentleman Ching for me.

What?
12th February 2004, 05:41
Weird. I used to regularly ride between Thames and Wellington, and it regularly rained on the way home (north). Never on the south trip, mind, just when going north... :shutup:

LB
12th February 2004, 06:26
Spotted: 7.23am, on the Wellington Motorway, near the Tinakori Road exit. There was Celtic Sea Lily, all geared up, heading north. Sky was blue, breeze was light, road mainly dry with a few damp patches here and there.

Matthewt - your ex-tank bag and tail piece looked grand.

Happy travelling CSL!

Big Dog
12th February 2004, 12:00
Good luck. Remmember shiny side up black bit down.

ching_ching
12th February 2004, 17:25
Yo folks, howzits,

Planned to get up at 7:00am... didn't get up till 8:15am. Kicked the cat off my bed (mattress on the floor actually). Rubbed the boogers out of my eyes and commenced with the 'morning' ritual, cher. Can't stuff around. After purging the filth from my body by way of shower, I offer edible substances to my cat that will contribute towards it's overweight condition. No breakkie, running a bit late, besides I need to lose weight more than my cat does.

9:00am I'm garbed up and swing my leg over my ride (freshly 'pledged' last night... she looks shiny, also pre-ride check conducted last night, all fluids, electrics, steering and chain tension and condition, rims and fairings, etc. All good. Hit the road at about 9:15am and head for the BP to pump tyres up to preferred pressure (front 36, back 37.5).

9:30am And I'm off. Light sprinkles in Turangi but slowly disappears about 15kms out. Quite a bit of roadworks happening at the moment not to mention the slightly wet conditions so take it a bit easy (cross winds happening too bro). Don't stop off in Waiouru, straight thru. Follow a couple of Harleys (sounded like) just out of Waiouru all the way to Taihape, they set a nice pace. Me and my baby are feeling good, corners are eaten, cars slowly disappear but keep an eye on the speed, plenty of cars on the road and Mr Plod could be pulling the ole 'wolf in sheeps clothing' buzz.

Approx. 10:25am Get to Taihape and its raining. Don't know exactly where Brown Sugar Cafe is but look to my right when pulling into the main drag and look right again. Like a beacon of safe haven there is the rendezvous point... must be the right place there's 4 Harleys parked out front (4 couples heading down South Island).

Celtic_Sea_Lily hasn't arrived yet, time is about 10:35am and I be hungers brudder. Gee this place looks very 'posh nosh' bro. Look at the menu on the blackboard, can't see what I'm wanting so I ask, "Aww howzit, you got sausages, eggs and chips with toast, Miss? No!" I says, "Oh... can I have number 2 please Miss?" (some kind've cheese mix looking stuff on vogels, bro, cherrrr).

I be chillin', bathing in the afterglow of a good ride then about 15-20mins later Celtic walks in. Introductions exchanged, conversation commences (I talk shit at the best of times). Conversation moves to a subject of grave importance... sickles and sickle gear. Check out her cher giwas, basically just shooting the breeze.

11:30am - 12pm Time to hit the road back up the line. Just raining slightly, decide to top up our tanks in Waiouru. Celtic's bitchin' mobile sets the pace, I'm just riding shotgun. Keep an eye out for cars behind me while Celtic maintains point. Quite a few bikes on the road heading south I wave out but not much waves back. (Cross winds happening again). Get to Waiouru, top up the tanks and I use the little boys room.

Off to Turangi and Celtic maintains a good pace, traffic is not too bad, no arseholes that I could see. Roll over the loose tarsealing and various other roadworks without incident. Get to Shell Turangi and 1 X coffee for Celtic and 1 X banana milkshake and 1 X chocolate sundae for mois... (yummy... ice cream... mmmmm).

About 20mins later, hit the road for Taupo. Get there without incident and alls good. Manage to find her friend's place, quick intro and a cup of straight tea, talk to Craig (seems a cool guy), praise Celtic for good riding and a good ride, bid farewell then I head back to my hutch in Turangi. Time to let the reins out and my baby responds. Mr Plod's red van down the straight at 5 Mile Bay so I slow down but the rest of the way is just cruising at 130km, average. (Quite a bit of traffic on the roads... what the hell... is there a party at Jacqui Brown's place or what).

Twas a good day peeps. Ride was good, machine was 'ka pai', and got to meet Celtic_Sea_Lily. Take care on your ride to Hamilton tomorrow girl. Rubber down.

the ching

James Deuce
12th February 2004, 18:04
Thanks for the update ching.

Superb write up!

LB
12th February 2004, 18:33
Thanks Ching - agree with Jim2 - a superb write-up indeed. You have set the standard for the rest of us. Well done. Not only are you a gentleman, but you are a gentleman with a literary bent!!

CSL: well done. Keep us posted.

franco
12th February 2004, 18:43
Geez, that kept me goin Ching Ching. Cher bro :Punk: . Good luck Celtic, lookin forward to the next update.

mccool
12th February 2004, 18:47
Chingster, great writing. You should do something for the magazines. Bike Rider Magazine pays 10 cents per word and $10 per photo. And Glenn even printed something I wrote!!

bungbung
12th February 2004, 18:49
Nice work Ching and CSL - bring us more :not:

LB
12th February 2004, 19:04
Chingster, great writing. You should do something for the magazines. Bike Rider Magazine pays 10 cents per word and $10 per photo. And Glenn even printed something I wrote!!
What did you write? I think it's a great mag (cos they sometimes print my stuff too!!)

ching_ching
12th February 2004, 20:20
Thanks Ching - agree with Jim2 - a superb write-up indeed. You have set the standard for the rest of us. Well done. Not only are you a gentleman, but you are a gentleman with a literary bent!!

CSL: well done. Keep us posted.

Hey Lynda, I've been called many things in my life... gentleman is not one of them. I don't know about literary bent... bent in the head, definitely.

But thanks. Glad to help someone who's just starting out.

Rock on:rockon:

Al
12th February 2004, 21:41
Very well written Ching..... you can change your day-job!!!! :2thumbsup

Ms Piggy
13th February 2004, 10:24
Hey All,
I'm in Tirau at the visitors centre & their PC seems to be having a spz so this will just be a short post.

Basically - awesome weather, awesome riding! :sunny:

BIG THANKS to Ching Ching! Sorry bro but it's now offical - you are a gentleman! :yes:

Will post again soon & write something good & proper when I get back to Wellington.

Only 1 wanker today who got right up my tail pipe one part of it but no sweat!

Hot & sunny here - I just gotta get back on that road! :rockon:

LB
13th February 2004, 16:00
Hey All,
I'm in Tirau at the visitors centre & their PC seems to be having a spz so this will just be a short post.

Basically - awesome weather, awesome riding! :sunny:

BIG THANKS to Ching Ching! Sorry bro but it's now offical - you are a gentleman! :yes:

Will post again soon & write something good & proper when I get back to Wellington.

Only 1 wanker today who got right up my tail pipe one part of it but no sweat!

Hot & sunny here - I just gotta get back on that road! :rockon:
Really glad to hear all is going well.

mccool
13th February 2004, 16:27
What did you write? I think it's a great mag (cos they sometimes print my stuff too!!)

Hello Lynda. Yes I've seen a couple of your articles - very good. I wrote a thing about the Brass Monkey Rally for Issue 14, Aug-Sept 03. Theres a picture of me doing an Elvis Presley lipcurl after many Speights.

LB
14th February 2004, 08:12
Hello Lynda. Yes I've seen a couple of your articles - very good. I wrote a thing about the Brass Monkey Rally for Issue 14, Aug-Sept 03. Theres a picture of me doing an Elvis Presley lipcurl after many Speights.
Hey McCool - a great article!! I've just re-read it. One of my mates has done 12 Brasses (apart from that he's a really lovely guy - must have a slight brain disorder that kicks in annually round early June I think.....). I have registered to go to two and chickened out, though when I was young and silly I went to 7 Cold Kiwis.

Must get to meet you one day!

Draco
14th February 2004, 21:47
Hot & sunny here - I just gotta get back on that road! :rockon:

Hey Celtic glad 2 hear your now officially one of us antisocial bikers having embarked on your maiden voyage, On Ya!!
Hope you haven't had too much of :buggerd: or :Police: or :cold: and plenty of fun :scooter:
Look forward to the tale when your home safe.

moko
16th February 2004, 04:51
I went to Turangi year before last,left Hamilton and got soaked through within 10 minutes,up to Rotorua then headed to Taupo.Sat in some burger place there with all my wet gear spread all over the place,still hammering down.No problem as being a Brit it was what passes for a pleasant summer`s day here.Plan was to loop around Lake Taupo but by the time I got to Turangi it was getting worse and worse so I figured better to head back where I at least knew the road,turned around in the Army museum car-park.Desert Road was awesome and I`d love to head down that way again some time only a bit of sunshine would be nice!
I had a CB250 a few years back,you wont go far wrong with one of those.

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 15:10
Hey Celtic glad 2 hear your now officially one of us antisocial bikers having embarked on your maiden voyage, On Ya!!
Hope you haven't had too much of :buggerd: or :Police: or :cold: and plenty of fun :scooter:
Look forward to the tale when your home safe.

Hey Draco,

Not sure about the antisocial bit but, only one :buggerd: so far & he backed off, lots of :Police:, a little :cold: but all off it has been fun!!! :2thumbsup

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 15:27
Well I'm actually in Murupara today but, I shall try & start at the beginning.

Set off from Wgtn feeling really good about things. There had been a HUGE storm the night before & I was a little worried that it may not let up but, it was clear & calm just a little damp on the roads.

So after gearing up & checking tyres etc I was off. I saw lots of bikes when I was heading out of Wgtn (comuters I think). The traffic was not too bad between Wgtn & Levin, no flooding either (which had been reported). So after a dissapointing cup of caffiene at Levin McD's (nothing else was open!) at about 8.30am I was off to Bulls.

Again no complications, traffic steady. I was able to keep up a good pace on the Bitchin' Mobile (well for me it was!) around 100-110kms/hr. To be honest I had thought I would be in Levin much sooner but I hadn't really thought about all the small towns you pass through. All good though. I arrived in Bulls about 9.40am & stopped to fuel up at the Mobile. I saw another rider and his female passenger stopped there for fuel, I said "Hello" but I was a bit shy to engage them in conversation seeing as they were on a big Harley road bike (I think) & I was on my little 250 girl. At this point I was getting a little worried that Sir Ching Ching would have been waiting a while for me at Taihape.

Off I zoomed to the Brown Sugar for lunch & a chat with Ching Ching. I saw quite a few big bikes but also mostly BIG snobs - not waving back. Hmpf! Fine!

Arrived in Taihape with a little bit of moisture on my visor but nothing really bad. Parked up by Ching Ching's mighty stead & went in to say "Gidday" and get me some lunch. I must say I was surprised that Brown Sugar don't do the traditional bacon & eggs feed! Sorry matey!! So after a bit of a rest & a chat we were off.

Btw - my first bug splat was between Levin & Bulls. Eeewwwww!!

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 15:48
I decided to break it up a bit b/c it's much easier to read smaller chunks of writing.

I still can't get over how great the weather had been for me! :sunny:

Ching Ching did such a good job of covering this part of the ride I won't blather on too much. Suffice it to say that I was so great having Ching riding shot gun, looking in my mirror & seeing him there was quite a comfort & whenever we stopped for road works there were lots of encouraging words - thanks matey!! :niceone:

There were quite a few road works on this part of the journey. We stopped in Waiouru for fuel and then onto the Desert Road where there were the road works. Patches of gravel & new chip, all good stuff though & the traffic seems to be really sensible too. I got a little nervous on ther sharp bends on the Desert Road but Ching reckons I did ok.

It was all pretty plain riding really. No rain a little wind and the my little girl was going really good. Had a few minor problems with her not going into neutral. The only whinge I have so far is cars (here we go!!) that drive at speeds of up to 120kms so I can't pass them and then down as slow as 80kms on places I can't pass them. Throttle up, throttle down, throttle up...I guess if that's my only complaint then it's all good.

We stopped again in Turangi for a coffee for me & thick shake & chocolate sundae for Ching.

Back on the road - sweet as! Arrived in Taupo where I was staying the night, so I got to get all my riding gears off & have a well deseved cuppa, farewelled Ching & settled for the night.

My mate here in Murupara has just arrived home so I'll post the rest of my journey later. :scooter:

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 18:25
Well having just watched telly for the 1st time in several days I have discovered that it's possibly going to be impossible to actually get home tomorrow, so I've decided to travel back on Wednesday - hopefully the weather will be ok.

Can anyone in the know PM me with weather reports in their area.

Cheers :sunny:

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 22:49
Lovely clear & sunny morning on Friday. I left Taupo at around 9.30am after fueling up.

Wow! What a great ride! Nice stretch of road - pretty simple really. As mentioned previously, I had a guy tailgate me briefly but then back right off :finger: between Taupo & Tirau.

I stopped in Tirau for coffee at a little place called Poppy's cafe (in honour of my 4 legged, tail wagging baby I had to leave in Wgtn). I actually hadn't realised how short a distance it was from Taupo to Hamilton. All good ridng again, a few road works & a few cops but none of it was a problem.

I arrived in Hamilton at my friends place around 12.30pm to a warm greeting & a cold beer - excellent! :)

Oh yeah, my friend took me to 3 bike shops in Hamilton - lovely stuff! Yum, yum, yum! :love: He & I were both amazed to discover that the bike shop that sold Harleys also sold Harley accessories. Yeah so what, you may say. Well among them was none other than Ken (as in Barbie's boyfriend) Harley rider! And none other than 3 different types! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I didn't see a Bitchin' Biker Barbie though.

Ms Piggy
16th February 2004, 23:19
Well no rain but a lot of dark cloud this morning (Monday) and it had been raining the night before in Hamilton. Wet roads but clear & not a lot of traffic today.

After fueling up I left Hamilton around 11.30am and had a nice easy ride with no problems, I actually had a :Police: behind me for quite a distance one part of my ride. He was parked on the other side of the road just out of Cambridge & I knew he was coming up b/c a cage driver had flashed his lights. He turned around when a line of cars & I went past. I'm sure he was directly behind me one part of it too and followed me through to Tirau. I rode at 100 kms & even passed a truck one part of it with my 'L' plate flapping happily in the breeze! Go figure!!

I stopped again at Poppy's Cafe and this time had lunch, while I was in there a guy had a chat to me who rides a Yahmaha 1200 ?? sorry I'm just learning so not too hot on bike make & models yet. He was really encouraging too. He & his partner weren't riding that day but he had a chat to me about my gear, where I was headed etc, etc.

After lunch I headed off to Rotorua, I hadn't been that way before. On the way up (which I didn't mention in my previous posts) I had ridden entirely up SHW 1. So this time I went down SHW 5 from just after Tirau through to Rotorua. It is a really pretty stretch of HW, lots of trees & some nice windey bits that would have been a lot more fun if I hadn't got stuck behind a cage driver who drove at 80kms/hr the whole way & who I couldn't pass. I didn't strike them immediately but man did it make it frustrating, it wasn't even like they had the excuse of driving an old dunga of a car. So I just had to take a deep breath & enjoy the scenery!

I arrived in Rotorua at around 1.30pm and stopped for fuel and had a bit of a stretch, although my butt hadn't gone numb at all. :)

On the road again and my destination is Murupara. The wind on this next part of the journey was the most challenging so far, I also encountered a lot of big rigs, logging trucks etc. Sometimes the trucks wouldn't effect me at all & other times when they drove past going the other way I would get a quite a gust after they had passed. The worst cross winds were form the turn off onto SHW 38 until I reached Murupara. It was also the only stretch of road where I had no other traffic behind or in front of me - except for 2 large tractors on 2 separate occasions.

I arrived in Murupara at around 2.30pm and headed off to Murupara School where my friend is a teacher. It was quite cute really, all these little kids in her class were in awe of me in my riding gear and a couple of them escorted me back to my bike so they could have a look - like a good biker I gave them lots of encouragement to learn to ride.

It was certainly a lot colder today than I had felt it before but, all in all another good ride. As far as I can tell from the news SHW 1 is still closed at Bulls & so is the HW round Wanganui. I couldn't get into the Transit N.Z website to check the roads so I may have an extra days holiday in the metropolis of Murupara.

Milky
17th February 2004, 00:12
I rode at 100 kms & even passed a truck one part of it

just be glad u aint on my lil CB125, for it wouldn't accomplish anything remotely like that.. i went the long way down to whangamata on that and had the same problems as u but worse, considering it tops out at 120ish, and has absolutely no power above 100ks, compared to pretty much no power everywhere else in the rev range :p

Gotta hate those peeps who drive at 120 along the straights and then decide to slow down to 60-70 thru the fast corners... u just have to sit tight and enjoy the scenery as u say :)

glad u seem to be having fun, despite the awful weather predicted... keep getting out there and ride safe ;)

LB
17th February 2004, 04:42
Hi there Celtic. You're going great guns!!!! Wgtn weather is not the best today, but I think tomorrow it's supposed to be a bit better. Try to watch the tv weather tonight (for what it's worth, sometimes they cock it up big time).

You could always think about coming back through Napier if SH1 is still closed.

Ms Piggy
17th February 2004, 07:30
Hi there Celtic. You're going great guns!!!! Wgtn weather is not the best today, but I think tomorrow it's supposed to be a bit better. Try to watch the tv weather tonight (for what it's worth, sometimes they cock it up big time).

You could always think about coming back through Napier if SH1 is still closed.

Thanks Lynda. I've decided to stay in Murupara today (great chance to catch up with my mate) and ride back tomorrow.

Lets hope those weather Gods have mercy on me like they have so far on the journey. :D

riffer
17th February 2004, 07:31
Yikes... today is supposed to be the good one :thud:

Tomorrow is going to be the shocker in the Welly region .. according to Morning Report this morning.

Let's hope you still got the bug when you get back lily...

Ms Piggy
17th February 2004, 07:44
Yikes... today is supposed to be the good one :thud:

Tomorrow is going to be the shocker in the Welly region .. according to Morning Report this morning.

Let's hope you still got the bug when you get back lily...

Hmmmmmmm...well I guess I just have to hope they have it as wrong as they did last week. :sly: It was supposed to be crap all the way up & in Hamilton as well and the weather was all good. I was expecting rain all the way up so I guess I can't get away absolutely "scot free".

mccool
17th February 2004, 19:55
Epic first voyage Ms Lily! Now that you mention it I remember being well spooked by those hairpins in the Desert Rd when i first came on them. And I already had several years experience in Europe under my belt by then.

I'm also impressed with your patience to chill at 80kph when there is no room to go around. More novices would make it into their 30s if they did that.

What say ye KiwiBikers, is the Ms Sea Lily a true adventurer or what?

Slim
17th February 2004, 20:10
What say ye KiwiBikers, is the Ms Sea Lily a true adventurer or what?
Absolutely!!! :niceone:

Good luck for the trip tomorrow.

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 06:27
Well on the road again today and it appears that according to Tansit NZ I'll just have to divert off SHW 1 at onto SHW 3 Bulls via Sanson to Palmerston North and then onto SHW 57 via Shannon, although it sounds like the roads are still pretty dodgey.

This will definitely be an adventure! :sweatdrop

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 16:27
I'm baaaaaaack and in serious need of a beer! Will post later :beer:

James Deuce
18th February 2004, 17:50
I'm baaaaaaack and in serious need of a beer! Will post later :beer:


LOL!

Excellent and well done!

mangell6
18th February 2004, 18:18
ten hours from one post to the next, not bad Celtic_Sea_lily most people wait until the following day. When is your next trip??

Now that you have acheived a short jaunt, interested in a decent ride in October???

Mike

Big Dog
18th February 2004, 18:28
LOL!

Excellent and well done!
True that My first epic did not end so well :not:

Well done, and hears to many more successful journeys. :niceone:

ching_ching
18th February 2004, 19:51
You Celtic,

I'm chillin' listening to rockin' islander music, moving my ass in my seat to the beat. Am glad you made it back to headquarters.

If ever you need the company through this part of the wilderness again just lettuce know.

Two thumbs up girl:2thumbsup:

ching_ching

Hitcher
18th February 2004, 20:30
Celtic Sea Lily -- be warned that this touring around the countryside is HIGHLY addictive... Not to mention about the best possible fun you can have with ALL YOUR CLOTHES ON!!

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 22:21
Home sweet home! What a downer! :disapint: I'd rather be on the road! :D You are so right Hitcher!!

Well there was no beer to found so I am still completely sober and thought I best get this down before I forget all the highlights. This was the final leg of my adventure, which was from Murupara to Wellington.

The biggest highlight was that the Gods once again smiled upon me and there was no rain! A few spots but nothing to even really call rain! That Celtic blessing that Celticno6 sent me must have worked a treat.

I left Murupara around 8am with grey skies but not as windy as the previous day. I took a short cut from Murupara to Taupo that I had driven in a car a few times, along Gouldies Road, off SHW 38. There is a little bit of it is gravel but mostly sealed so no worries. I've never actually driven the main route so I'm not sure how much time (if any) it actually cuts off. A few windey bits but no hassels & not a lot of traffic either.

I arrived in Taupo just after 9am and stopped for a coffee & warm up as it was colder than it had been before, fuelled up as well and carried on my merry way. All pretty uneventful really, again not a lot of traffic apart from getting stuck behind a big truck just after Hallets Bay on the lake front, the truck driver actually stopped on a couple of the really sharp bends, I didn't manage to pass him until just before Turangi and then I stopped for another short break before heading onto the Desert Road. It was pretty slow on there b/c of the road works mainly and it got a little windy in places, I was behind a truck on most of the really sharp turns so had no choice but to go slooooow.

I must say that as a novice rider it was good for me to ride a long distance when it's (a little bit) colder - it made me realise that when I do long roads trips in the winter I'll need lots more layers! Yes! There will be more roads trips!! I wasn't too cold today though.

Through to Taihape for lunch (at that posh place again :p) and a bit of an extended rest. Left there at around 12.40pm after more fuel. Off again! I guess b/c of all the stormy weather that is why there was virtually no traffic on the roads apart from trucks - what a pity! NOT!! HA! A few trucks to pass and a car, actually later on the car passed me again and blasted off up the HW at a great rate of knots - go figure?? From Taihape onwards I could see some evidence of the flooding - a few slips, toppled over trees, low lying areas that had obviously been flooded, looked like there were a few abandonned vehicles as well.

Straight through Bulls this time without stopping and onto Levin. I had actually thought that I would have to go via Palmerston North but SHW 1 was open.

After the turn off at Sanson it was the windiest it had been on my journey so far. :confused: I was getting blown around a little bit & had to keep bracing myself when trucks passed going in the opposite direction. It lasted like that until around Foxton, after that it was still blowy but just not as constant. Just after Foxton there is that quite long bridge, the river running under it was really high, really swift & muddy brown, the width of the river was the length of the bridge. Wow! Scarey stuff!

Finally arrived in Levin feeling a bit battered but excited that I had made it that far!! Stopped for an O.J & a savoury & to rest my butt which had been aching a little by this point Fuelled up again & headed out of Levin on my final stretch at around 2.45pm. One of the customers at the Service Station in Levin asked about my jacket & if it was water proof - yes it is I replied but I haven't struck any rain! He & the guy behind the counter were amazed! In fact I even saw blue skies & sunshine just out of Taihape!

The last leg of the journey unfortunately was well blighted with traffic! Bummer! In fact a guy in a sheep truck, with 2 full trailers, decided at Paekakariki that it would be a great idea to pull out from the BP on the LHS across the road into the North bound lane in front of a line of traffic that included me! I was 2nd in line and the driver in front was (thankfully) travelling slow so we were able to stop completely to allow this arsehole to get into the traffic!! Twist Trucking will be getting a phone call from moi! :mad: Apart from that the traffic was great.

The absoulte worst part of my whole ride was getting from town (after coming off the MW) to my place in Newtown! There was so much traffic! Arrrrgggghhh! I wanted to turn around & head back out on the Highway!!

The only other odd thing I struck was other riders not waving :bye: Ching Ching and I struck it on our ride up too. I would say that I passed (going North) maybe 40 riders and around 4 of them waved back, What's with that? Oh well who cares - I don't want to start a debate.

So a HUGELY successful ride for me, that has ensure I will forever be addicted to riding bikes!!

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me & offered me some good advice. :hug:

Maybe one day I can shout you all a beer...just not all at once ok! :apint:

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 22:27
You Celtic,

I'm chillin' listening to rockin' islander music, moving my ass in my seat to the beat. Am glad you made it back to headquarters.

If ever you need the company through this part of the wilderness again just lettuce know.

Two thumbs up girl:2thumbsup:

ching_ching

Well I'm listening to a few Celtic tunes myself & relaxing my bones.

Right back at ya Chingsta - if you ever cruise down to Wellywood look me up matey! :niceone:

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 22:31
ten hours from one post to the next, not bad Celtic_Sea_lily most people wait until the following day. When is your next trip??

Now that you have acheived a short jaunt, interested in a decent ride in October???

Mike

Next trip...not sure b/c I start back at Uni on Monday. So funds & free time will be at a premium :(

Do tell me more about October though! :)

Ms Piggy
18th February 2004, 22:33
True that My first epic did not end so well :not:

Wot happened? You can PM the story of it's a repeat.

LB
19th February 2004, 05:05
Good to hear you're back safe and sound Celtic!! You've done well. And I'm pleased you're addicted!

matthewt
19th February 2004, 09:57
Do tell me more about October though! :)

He's probably referring to the 1000 mile run in Mid October. You basically end up riding for 20+ hours non-stop. Sounds like hell but it's actually a lot of fun.

mangell6
20th February 2004, 10:23
Do tell me more about October though!

Yes Mathew is correct October is when a bunch of people meet in Turangi, decide on a 1000mile trip and then those who have paid the money ride non-stop until the trip is complete.

Check out the www.rustynuts.co.nz website or search the KB web site for RustyNuts.

Mike

Ms Piggy
20th February 2004, 11:17
Yes Mathew is correct October is when a bunch of people meet in Turangi, decide on a 1000mile trip and then those who have paid the money ride non-stop until the trip is complete.

Check out the www.rustynuts.co.nz website or search the KB web site for RustyNuts.

Mike

Yeah Matthew sent me the link - sounds like a butt punishing ride! :buggerd: Might be just what the Doctor ordered as I'll have exams a few weeks later.

Another mate has also mentioned to me about the Guzzi Rally - open to all riders, not sure of any other details yet though.

figjam
20th February 2004, 12:08
He's probably referring to the 1000 mile run in Mid October. You basically end up riding for 20+ hours non-stop. Sounds like hell but it's actually a lot of fun.

Ha, ha. Amazing how time dulls the memory. Matthew and I finished pretty close together. You should have seen the glazed expressions/thousand yard stare.

It is an experience though, that's why it's called "The Grand Challenge". I've been doing them since 99. Two guys have done every one (17).

matthewt
20th February 2004, 15:15
Ha, ha. Amazing how time dulls the memory. Matthew and I finished pretty close together. You should have seen the glazed expressions/thousand yard stare.

Yes, I seem to recall lying down on the grass soon after the finish and sleeping for a few hours while the other bikes came in ;)

I did manage to ride home later that day which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Kickaha
20th February 2004, 17:08
Two guys have done every one (17).

When I did it in 92 one Ducati F1 rider was towed the last 160 odd km by another nutter on a 1100 Katana at speeds of up to 180kmh just so he could finish as he had done every one up till then,him and his mate on a RZ500 seemed to consider it a race.

Draco
21st February 2004, 08:22
Well i can see that goofy grin from here. Well done Celtic! So i guess we'll see you at Cold Kiwi then???

Ms Piggy
21st February 2004, 08:58
Well i can see that goofy grin from here. Well done Celtic! So i guess we'll see you at Cold Kiwi then???

Thanks Draco - ooopss is the grin that BIG! :done:

Ok, ok...so wot is Cold Kiwi? Another riding event I guess, tell me more!! :yes: