yungatart
23rd April 2006, 18:42
The decision was made on Thursday-after much deliiberation- to ride to carterton on Saturday, catch up with Jim2 and family, and stay with my sons on Saturday night returning to the Bay on Sunday.
I have never ridden more than about 180 ks in a single day and am not known for my stamina in the saddle.... so to attempt 250 was a big thing for me, especially when I have to repeat the whole thing the next day to get home. I know that is not much more than a warm up to the ride for some of you peeps out there, but trust me, for me it was a huge undertaking!
Plan A was to be on the road about 9 on Sat morning - dicky battery put paid to that. After sourcing a new battery via phone, there is one in Hastings that will fit so put old dead battery back in and - wouldn't you know it, the bloody thing fired up, but decided to get the new one anyway as this one has been causing a bit of trouble. Battery duly installed after the obligatory hassles and we gas up and head down HW2 at 11am- oh well, only two hours later than planned, so far so good! We decided to do the easiest road, no sense pushing my limits too far.
MSTRS pulls over at Waipuk, thinking that maybe I would need a ciggy stop-told you I lacked stamina! Actually I was fine but since I had stopped why not? Next stop "Boots and Braces" in Woodville, a great lunch stop-they make HUGE burgers, I have to confess that I was definitely ready for some food, coffee and a rest. 45 mins later and we were back on the road, only to stop again at Pahiatua to do my helmet up. Sheesh!
I had a great ride from Woodville- the weather was perfect and bugger all traffic- most of which I actually managed to pass- much to MSTRS' surprise!! - and my own I might add! I ran into reserve down on to the flat just after Mt Bruce -205ks- so refilled at Masterton and carried on to Carterton, yay, a hot shower, coffee and a ciggy or two.
Met up with Jim2 and his lovely wife for tea - thanks guys for a great evening.
Planned to meet up for coffee with some of the Welly crew today, but had some family stuff to do and as I hadn't slept too well last night I wanted to be able to take my time riding home. Sorry we missed you guys, maybe next time.
Left Carterton about 11, was quite a blustery wind, I found it rather challenging at times. MSTRS stopped and gave me some pointers and we headed off again. Boots and Braces for lunch again, quite a few bikes in there today. After a decent feed and coffee and a longish stop off we went.
I caught a glimpse of G4Eva's rear end as he raced past us just north of Woodville, a wave and he was gone - obviously a busy boy...
Fuel stop at Dannevirke and decided to take HW50, less traffic but more challenging. Called in to Team Cudby's house for coffee and a much needed stop, I was really feeling tired at this point - only 70 ks to go...
I got through the twisty bits but felt like I wasn't doing so well, so pulled over to the side to "refocus" MSTRS says-"What! You're doing fine!" Wow, that was a real boost to my confidence! I suffered from hayfever for the last 20 ks, not to mention the suicidal bugs, plastering themselves all over my visor.
I pulled in to the driveway, feeling really pleased with myself- I was home! 500 k's - a HUGE ride for me! I learned heaps, loved every minute of it and am a better rider than when I left home yesterday! All good - can't wait to do it again - but not just now - I need a wine and a rest!
Thanks Mstrs - it must have been a boring ride for you,you're a real gentleman!
I have never ridden more than about 180 ks in a single day and am not known for my stamina in the saddle.... so to attempt 250 was a big thing for me, especially when I have to repeat the whole thing the next day to get home. I know that is not much more than a warm up to the ride for some of you peeps out there, but trust me, for me it was a huge undertaking!
Plan A was to be on the road about 9 on Sat morning - dicky battery put paid to that. After sourcing a new battery via phone, there is one in Hastings that will fit so put old dead battery back in and - wouldn't you know it, the bloody thing fired up, but decided to get the new one anyway as this one has been causing a bit of trouble. Battery duly installed after the obligatory hassles and we gas up and head down HW2 at 11am- oh well, only two hours later than planned, so far so good! We decided to do the easiest road, no sense pushing my limits too far.
MSTRS pulls over at Waipuk, thinking that maybe I would need a ciggy stop-told you I lacked stamina! Actually I was fine but since I had stopped why not? Next stop "Boots and Braces" in Woodville, a great lunch stop-they make HUGE burgers, I have to confess that I was definitely ready for some food, coffee and a rest. 45 mins later and we were back on the road, only to stop again at Pahiatua to do my helmet up. Sheesh!
I had a great ride from Woodville- the weather was perfect and bugger all traffic- most of which I actually managed to pass- much to MSTRS' surprise!! - and my own I might add! I ran into reserve down on to the flat just after Mt Bruce -205ks- so refilled at Masterton and carried on to Carterton, yay, a hot shower, coffee and a ciggy or two.
Met up with Jim2 and his lovely wife for tea - thanks guys for a great evening.
Planned to meet up for coffee with some of the Welly crew today, but had some family stuff to do and as I hadn't slept too well last night I wanted to be able to take my time riding home. Sorry we missed you guys, maybe next time.
Left Carterton about 11, was quite a blustery wind, I found it rather challenging at times. MSTRS stopped and gave me some pointers and we headed off again. Boots and Braces for lunch again, quite a few bikes in there today. After a decent feed and coffee and a longish stop off we went.
I caught a glimpse of G4Eva's rear end as he raced past us just north of Woodville, a wave and he was gone - obviously a busy boy...
Fuel stop at Dannevirke and decided to take HW50, less traffic but more challenging. Called in to Team Cudby's house for coffee and a much needed stop, I was really feeling tired at this point - only 70 ks to go...
I got through the twisty bits but felt like I wasn't doing so well, so pulled over to the side to "refocus" MSTRS says-"What! You're doing fine!" Wow, that was a real boost to my confidence! I suffered from hayfever for the last 20 ks, not to mention the suicidal bugs, plastering themselves all over my visor.
I pulled in to the driveway, feeling really pleased with myself- I was home! 500 k's - a HUGE ride for me! I learned heaps, loved every minute of it and am a better rider than when I left home yesterday! All good - can't wait to do it again - but not just now - I need a wine and a rest!
Thanks Mstrs - it must have been a boring ride for you,you're a real gentleman!