Welly Commute 11/12/06

[Drum]

We Welly commuters bitch and moan when its wet and windy.........how about we celebrate todays great commuting weather! No wind, no rain...great pace.

If you didn't take the long way home today you need to take a long hard look at yourself.

[Trudes]

Yep, days like today make me a little sad that I live so close to work that it's pointless getting the bike out of the garage.

[yungatart]

We Welly commuters bitch and moan when its wet and windy.........how about we celebrate todays great commuting weather! No wind, no rain...great pace.

If you didn't take the long way home today you need to take a long hard look at yourself.

Not like Fridays weather at all then, huh?
You guys in Welly have my respect for the conditions you ride in.
We are surely spoilt in HB

[gijoe1313]

Yep, days like today make me a little sad that I live so close to work that it's pointless getting the bike out of the garage.

Wah! Poor Hornet languishing in the garage! You should take it to work and love it and fuel it up and talk to it and hug it and then go for a long, long ride and let Mr Kendog worry about din-dins! :yes:

Ride I say! Use those horses! Find those vistas and lanes untravelled and pootle about until they have been ridden! :woohoo:

G'wan - you know you want to! :msn-wink:

[Trudes]

Gawd, I wish I could be as passionate about things as you are!! Can I have the name of the prescription?

[RnB Fan]

Took possession of my new bike on Saturday morning and today was my first commute to the city on it. Saw the weather forecast and so hauled my butt out of bed early and started work at 0700. This allowed me to finish at 3.30pm! Mentioned my early finish to Hawkeye and he managed to skive off as well. We started off by going over Brooklyn hill and round the bays and Miramar peninsula, then up the motorway to Haywards and then round the inlet and down the motorway to home (northern suburbs). You were right Mrs KD - it was an awesome day for a commute!!!!!

[apteryx_haasti]

We Welly commuters bitch and moan when its wet and windy.........how about we celebrate todays great commuting weather! No wind, no rain...great pace.

If you didn't take the long way home today you need to take a long hard look at yourself.

Yes, yes, it was a beautiful ride in and out of work today. A pleasure.

Of course, gotta watch those cagers on days like today gawking at the view!

So nice not to have the wind, though....hope it keeps this up!

[Colapop]

It was a filthy day today! First I rode to work in and out of traffic without any mishaps. Then at lunch I had an errand to run downtown (on the bike) and to cap it off I drew the short straw and had to come straight home after work to look after my daughter. It was such a pity that straight home took me up the motorway to Haywards and then every back road including Ohariu valley to Makara home (I live in Karori). It was a filthy day coz there were those of you who didn't ride today and will be absolutely filthy that I did! :Punk:

[Skunk]

I rode today. Had a visitor from Hawkes Bay so couldn't mess about getting home. Used the time to pull the arse end of the bike to bits and start fitting the pack rack.

[gijoe1313]

It was a filthy day today! First I rode to work in and out of traffic without any mishaps. Then at lunch I had an errand to run downtown (on the bike) and to cap it off I drew the short straw and had to come straight home after work to look after my daughter. It was such a pity that straight home took me up the motorway to Haywards and then every back road including Ohariu valley to Makara home (I live in Karori). It was a filthy day coz there were those of you who didn't ride today and will be absolutely filthy that I did! :Punk:

Mein Gott Colapop! Zat is rubbing it in! :lol: How dare you ride like you enjoyed it and meant it! Giving an entirely wrong impression of black leathered up men - I can feel the disdain and arrogance ooze off you, as you worked your gears and manhandled your ride around some joyous twisties! :angry2:

Why, some people might cotton on that these two wheeled contraptions actually be akin to freedom! Can't have that! No sirree bob! I noticed you didn't say safely in there - but with your rep, safely is a relative word :whistle:

I had a nice quiet ride out (twice) today, stopped the bike to help a riding buddy and swapped my ride for his when it conked out and he went to get some parts to fix it. It was good down time to sort out the feelings and thoughts from the rush of events last week...so I know how carthatic you feel! :yes:

Just remember. I have my eye on you laddie boyo! :msn-wink:

[Lissa]

It was a beauti day in the rapa tonight too... took Elvira for a hoon. Went out to the gladstone hill climb and then back again, then out to the gladstone hill climb then back again!! hehe practice makes purrrrrrfect. Then I went around and around the roundabouts... got some laughs from people in cages... felt like a laugh. :)

[Kendog]

let Mr Kendog worry about din-dins! :yes:

It's a done deal.

Bring on more days like this I say, its almost summer like.

[Sparky Bills]

Weather was perfect!
What more can i say?

Even came home and went for a massive ride on the mountain bike it was so good!

[James Deuce]

The number of cars, vans, and trucks that move over is phenomenal now. The bike boom certainly has some benefits.

I was too knackered to take advantage of the weather tonight, but it looks like it will be like this for the rest of the week. I'm off to the 'rapa on Thursday night if anyone wants to join me for a jaunt.

[gijoe1313]

It's a done deal.

Bring on more days like this I say, its almost summer like.

Shhh! Not too loud! The weather gods might be listening and looking at the Gods of Riding and giving them the :Pokey: I pulled out my Motorcycling Map and I noticed a heck of lot of squiggles in your neck of the woods ... will need to spend some time riding them soon myself! :msn-wink:

And I can't wait to eat dinner on the side of a hill somewhere with the sun basking off the side of my little ol'Hornet, sipping a nice liquid refreshment as I partake in the charms of what Welly can offer!

Absolutely, Positively! :msn-wink:

[Kendog]

Shhh! Not too loud! The weather gods might be listening and looking at the Gods of Riding and giving them the :Pokey: I pulled out my Motorcycling Map and I noticed a heck of lot of squiggles in your neck of the woods ... will need to spend some time riding them soon myself! :msn-wink:

And I can't wait to eat dinner on the side of a hill somewhere with the sun basking off the side of my little ol'Hornet, sipping a nice liquid refreshment as I partake in the charms of what Welly can offer!

Absolutely, Positively! :msn-wink:

Name the time, there is a place here for you to stay :yes:

[Lissa]

Shhh! Not too loud! The weather gods might be listening and looking at the Gods of Riding and giving them the :Pokey: I pulled out my Motorcycling Map and I noticed a heck of lot of squiggles in your neck of the woods ... will need to spend some time riding them soon myself! :msn-wink:

And I can't wait to eat dinner on the side of a hill somewhere with the sun basking off the side of my little ol'Hornet, sipping a nice liquid refreshment as I partake in the charms of what Welly can offer!

Absolutely, Positively! :msn-wink:

Sounds like you have to move down here gijoe!!!!

[quallman1234]

Bloody nice day today indeed :), hopefully its like that tommorow :D, i saw a green kawasaki sports bike ZXR or ZZR i think im not too great with my spotting skills in the hutt yesterday and today was quite surpised hehe...
There were piles of bikers out yesterday it was mint watching em go by!
Sucks for me tho im stuck on my red Specilized Hard Rock Push bike...
Me and my mate did however head up a couple firebreaks and came down at rather large speeds (was quite scary at a couple points!!!, did i mentioned i biked straight into a metal fence? :P and had to repair my derailer :()
Anyways it was very nice weather and lets hope its the same tommorow!

[Pwalo]

It's still good today. And like Jim I've noticed that cars seem to be a bit more aware of bikes (well apart from the chap talking on his cell phone in the BMW this morning).

This summer thing could really catch on.

[judecatmad]

If you didn't take the long way home today you need to take a long hard look at yourself.

*hangs head in shame*

I had to get straight home cos we're in a mad flap trying to get ready to go off on our hols at the weekend (a month in the UK - yay!).

No joy riding for me this week.....

Looks like summer might have finally arrived tho. Good stuff!

[jumma]

Yesterday is one of the reasons why we own bikes. Put my hand up to run as many errands as possible yesterday, any excuse to get on the bike.

More of the same today please:yes:

[McJim]

It's always a beautiful day in Auckland...never colder than -5 degrees, the wind is never stronger than 120mph and whole days go by without rainfall, in short - paradise for a Scotsman.:rofl:

[Grub]

If you didn't take the long way home today you need to take a long hard look at yourself.

I think I have pleased the gods or something. The long way home is the only way home for me ... Paekak Hill Rd with all the wankers going the opposite way to me while trying to peel tyres off their work vehicles.

Yesterday was a dream. It was SO still I could hear a different tone from the tyres as I rolled onto the side walls - way cool.

There is actually a longer way and I took that last Thursday, the day of the funeral at Akatarawa. I went from P'ram to Waikanae, over the Akatawaras, tooted and waved at the few guys left there ... and nearly lost it in the big S just by the cemetry entrance. All I could think was ... "not HERE, not NOW ... " LOL

I decided that the Akatarawa rd is just too plain dangerous for motorcycles. It is so narrow a bike and a cycle would collide trying to pass each other. Never again. Now if it was "closed" like Paekak used to be .. well ... <g>

Brett

[kadams]

Well I've only just got back on a bike 2 weeks ago havent ridden in many years and now on a 600 a bit scary at first as most of my riding was done on dirt bikes when I was a kid, but with this weather its been great fun. I work in the city and live in Wainui so have a nice 30 - 40 minute ride each way still trying to come to grips with riding in the wind gusts though. If anyone in the hutt would be willing to meet up and pass on some riding in the wind/rain tips that would be great.
But go this weather, now I see why my brother loves riding and racing bikes, wish I'd started sooner myself.

[crazybigal]

today was nice as well! traffic fairly heavy all the way from jville to wellington. i had to split 95% of the way! normally i wouldnt unless it is nearly standstill but i was running late for a meeting. if id taken the car it would have been 45min not 12!

[Hawkeye]

Took possession of my new bike on Saturday morning and today was my first commute to the city on it. Saw the weather forecast and so hauled my butt out of bed early and started work at 0700. This allowed me to finish at 3.30pm! Mentioned my early finish to Hawkeye and he managed to skive off as well. We started off by going over Brooklyn hill and round the bays and Miramar peninsula, then up the motorway to Haywards and then round the inlet and down the motorway to home (northern suburbs). You were right Mrs KD - it was an awesome day for a commute!!!!!

Excuse me. What's this skiving bit!
I was in work early (8:15 ish), only had 20mins lunch and couldn't let you go out by yourself. Not in your condition anyway.
You couldn't see properly because the grin on your face went from ear to ear.
Shame we had to cut the 'commute' short. Your going to have to get some more padding for that seat of yours. I can recommend a good pie shop.
Having to cut the ride short because your butt was hurting!
Harden up.

[riffer]

Hmm. Such lovely weather. I've just been wearing cordura jacket and jeans instead of the full gear.

You didn't look like you were in that much of a hurry yesterday JudeCatMad... :Punk:

Got to rush home tonight to go to eldest boy's school concert so no shenanigans...

besides, I've blown the fork seals on the RF anyway so I won't be doing any fanging until Saturday.

[judecatmad]

You didn't look like you were in that much of a hurry yesterday JudeCatMad... :Punk:


Didn't say I was *rushing* home, only that I couldn't find any decent excuse to take the LONG way home! Especially not as hubby was following about a mile or so behind (slowpoke that he was.....).

I wondered if it was you who waved as you hooned past me! LOL ;)

This week is my last week riding for a month and I'm so annoyed that summer has decided to start just as I have no more weekends for ages!!! :angry2:

[riffer]

I wondered if it was you who waved as you hooned past me! LOL ;)

That wasn't a wave - it was a salute!

And for the record - I wasn't hooning. That was taking it easy. oops. :mellow:

[judecatmad]

That wasn't a wave - it was a salute!

And for the record - I wasn't hooning. That was taking it easy. oops. :mellow:

LOL, just teasing m8 :D

I wish I could dodge traffic even half as easily but the ginny...well...you know....!

[James Deuce]

Don't even go there Jude. I get out of riffer's way myself.

[Drum]

Found this picture while working on some flood protection stuff. It was taken during the Hutt Valley floods of 1976 - its the Hutt Road, taken from the Petone overbridge, and thats the Ulrich Aluminimum building on the left!!

[riffer]

Let's swap bikes. I reckon I could still get through the traffic okay. It's all about countersteering m'dear.

[Colapop]

Oh shit I'm old! :gob: I remember that. We lived in Wainui at the time (No. 3 Wise St). We got a couple of days off school coz the streamm flooded the school and there was crap (literally) floating in it...

[riffer]

Don't even go there Jude. I get out of riffer's way myself.




I have no idea what you are talking about. :shutup:

[riffer]

Oh shit I'm old! :gob: I remember that. We lived in Wainui at the time (No. 3 Wise St). We got a couple of days off school coz the streamm flooded the school and there was crap (literally) floating in it...

I remember that too. We were in 6 Holborn Drive, Stokes Valley. The main road got flooded, and when the weather dried up and got hot the dairy had to give away all their iceblocks!!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

I got my CB400 running tonight and was going to take it in for a WOF tomorrow and put some rego on it. Because it hasnt run for a while I took it out for a "warm up" out Halswell, black tulip, wheatsheaf and home.

great except the blummin rear indicators have decided not to go. so no WOF for the old girl tomorrow.... and I cant even look at the wiring (joy!!) till thursday.

the 400 still does an indicated 150kph though... and it was still winding up...

cool runnings.....!

[apteryx_haasti]

Well I've only just got back on a bike 2 weeks ago havent ridden in many years and now on a 600 ... still trying to come to grips with riding in the wind gusts though. If anyone in the hutt would be willing to meet up and pass on some riding in the wind/rain tips that would be great. ...

Hey, welcome along! I commute to town from Eastbourne every day and at first (newbie rider, just had my bike since may) I found the wind quite daunting. But I found a lot of helpful advice on here, in particular this thread:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30616&highlight=likes+the+wind

I do find it heaps easier to ride in the wind through places I ride a lot (e.g. Petone foreshore) because you get so that you can [usually] predict where the gust will come from and then you can be ready...

Having said that, I found the wind last night to be very gusty and hard to ride in because it seemed to be coming from a strange direction or it was doing something weird....

I've also found that having my tires too inflated makes the bike harder to handle in the wind. The GN 250 manual recommends 25/29 front/back pressures, WMCC recommends 29/32 for NZ roads - WMCC pressure makes for a smoother ride, but the manual recommended pressure is much more stable in the wind. At least that's the way it seems. Dunno why that would be the case - amount of contact points with the road or something with the lower pressure *puts on girl clothes and looks pretty*

[quallman1234]

Hey, welcome along! I commute to town from Eastbourne every day and at first (newbie rider, just had my bike since may) I found the wind quite daunting. But I found a lot of helpful advice on here, in particular this thread:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=30616&highlight=likes+the+wind

I do find it heaps easier to ride in the wind through places I ride a lot (e.g. Petone foreshore) because you get so that you can [usually] predict where the gust will come from and then you can be ready...

Having said that, I found the wind last night to be very gusty and hard to ride in because it seemed to be coming from a strange direction or it was doing something weird....

I've also found that having my tires too inflated makes the bike harder to handle in the wind. The GN 250 manual recommends 25/29 front/back pressures, WMCC recommends 29/32 for NZ roads - WMCC pressure makes for a smoother ride, but the manual recommended pressure is much more stable in the wind. At least that's the way it seems. Dunno why that would be the case - amount of contact points with the road or something with the lower pressure *puts on girl clothes and looks pretty*

Less pressure in the tyre's means theres more surface area of the tyre along the road, hence more drag hence more grip.
I think :P

[apteryx_haasti]

Bump ----

*sings*
Oh what a beautiful morning
Oh what a beautiful daaaayyyy

What a great way to get to work. I love you, motorbike....

[judecatmad]

Let's swap bikes. I reckon I could still get through the traffic okay. It's all about countersteering m'dear.

It's not the countersteering, it's the acceleration to get into and out of small gaps safely - got no oomph!

And if you put me on a bigger and faster bike I'll probably need new trousers cos I have no idea what real acceleration feels like :rofl:

[magicfairy]

I second that, I ride in from Miramar, and today was one of those days when the roads were empty, the bike and I felt "right", and I could have just kept on riding (past work and over the Takas) so easily..

[James Deuce]

Brilliant ride this morning.

[riffer]

It's not the countersteering, it's the acceleration to get into and out of small gaps safely - got no oomph!

You're probably right - to a certain degree. When I first started commuting into town around 20 years ago I had a GP125, which had about the same horsepower as your GN250. I learnt how to get through the traffic on that sucker.

[judecatmad]

Brilliant ride this morning.


I second that! So nice to see that summer has arrived.....finally!

Now, who thinks it will still be like this at the weekend ?! LOL

[Drum]

Wellington, you sure are beautiful this morning.

Let us not mention the Lada that pushed me out of my lane this morning. Your punishment shall be driving a Lada.:mellow:

[riffer]

Brilliant ride this morning.




Wasn't it though? No wind, bugger all cars. Damn shame it's payday tomorrow (monthly pay) and I can't fill the tank and go for a lovely ride at lunchtime.

[Clockwork]

:sunny: Magic :rockon: ...... felt this urge to pop a wheelie:gob: ...... (but I can't :o ) and there was way too much traffic anyway.:doh:

[Hawkeye]

I've not made it out the door yet. I'm looking at this brilliant weather and thinking to myself - maybe work isn't the best option today....:innocent:

[Pwalo]

It's still nice, and I'm still stuck in front of my PC. Hope tomorrow is good. Day off, oil change for the car and bike, and that means I'll need to go for a quick blat to check everythings all ok.

[apteryx_haasti]

I second that! So nice to see that summer has arrived.....finally!

Now, who thinks it will still be like this at the weekend ?! LOL

Bite your tongue JCM!

And it won't be like this where you're going....ah ha ha ha!

(don't worry folks, it's the UK)

[ceebie13]

Yeah...sod's effin' law innit? Great day for it and the CB is sitting in the garage...still without a seat! Should be here later today though. yay!

[jumma]

I just feel sorry for my relatives. Christmas presents this year are going to be home-made as I've spent all my money on petrol this week. Done about 250kms since Monday and work is only 2km from home:niceone:

[Drum]

I just feel sorry for my relatives. Christmas presents this year are going to be home-made as I've spent all my money on petrol this week. Done about 250kms since Monday and work is only 2km from home:niceone:


Ha Ha. Framed pictures of the Bandit for everyone!

I see your silver bandito parked under the trees - you dont work in the laser tag place do you?

[jumma]

Ha Ha. Framed pictures of the Bandit for everyone!

I see your silver bandito parked under the trees - you dont work in the laser tag place do you?

Close, at the camera store next door, so you're almost spot on - framed photos of me and the bandit for grandma etc.

[apteryx_haasti]

Ah, I don't like to repeat myself, but WOWZA! What a great morning.

Of course, the rest of the country will know what's up when we're all extremely quiet over the weekend.

(http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=wellington)

[James Deuce]

Brilliant ride this morning. Left at 6:14 and got to work at 7:14.

[Drum]

Sweeeeeeeet.

[Dodger]

Great ride in today for my first day back at work this week :)
I left home around 9ish so there was stuff all traffic. :yes:

[flyingscotsman]

Why is it that, the minute the Mr Wind goes away and Mr Sun comes out, my f@#king bike is in garage getting sorted ??:angry:

[kadams]

Great ride in today for my first day back at work this week :)
I left home around 9ish so there was stuff all traffic. :yes:


Lucky me I dont start work till 9 45 so I leave home about 9 15 every day and cruise in. With the great weather this week its been fantastic and I'm even finding that the 5pm traffic on the way home isn't really slowing me down now either. :scooter: :rockon:

[Drum]

Lucky me I dont start work till 9 45 so I leave home about 9 15 every day and cruise in. With the great weather this week its been fantastic and I'm even finding that the 5pm traffic on the way home isn't really slowing me down now either. :scooter: :rockon:

9:45 start? You must be a politician!

I've already financially supported half of a small coffee growing nation's populace by then!

[kadams]

9:45 start? You must be a politician!

I've already financially supported half of a small coffee growing nation's populace by then!

Hell no to politician, I'm a salesman. 9 45 - 5pm with an hour for lunch.

[Drum]

Hell no to politician, I'm a salesman. 9 45 - 5pm with an hour for lunch.

Are you implying that salesmen are more reputable than pollies??:lol:

[James Deuce]

They are. They're honestly trying to steal your money.

[kadams]

Are you implying that salesmen are more reputable than pollies??:lol:

Hell yeah, I've never told as many lies as those politicians do when they're trying to get votes.:yes: