LB
4th October 2004, 05:18
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Had a very enjoyable bike related weekend.
Hamish had to work Saturday 9am-12 noon so I came into town with him. Met up with Motoxxx at Wellington Motorcycles - nice to meet you! (how come people always know who I am? Could the Ducati regalia be a bit of a giveaway?)
Also met up with Her_B4 and Marknz at Scooter Centre. Plus several other mates.
I went to Te Papa around 10.30am and went through the "Race for the South Pole" exhibition. It is well worth a visit, well worth the admission of $6.50. Jeez, those poor bastards had it tough. They wanted to use men to haul their sledges instead of dogs because it "proved they were real men". And the clothing they wore - in those terrible weather conditions. And here's me being a woose and having heated grips. Has anyone else been to the exhibition?
Come mid-day it was "down tools" for Hamish, in the car, and race home. Into the bike gear (all laid out ready to save time!) and on the bikes. I'd decided to use the 800 this weekend.
The weather wasn't bad, a bit chilly in the wind. We rode to the top of the hill - Hamish had to gas up at Caltex so I carried on. Saw Bugsplat heading down the hill as I was heading up. Hung around the top for a while, not many bikers out. Headed home around 2.45pm - it was quite cold and the dark clouds were rolling around. Saw VTWIN, Stonechucker and Jazbug heading towards the hill on the U/Hutt motorway.
Sunday dawned fine but overcast, though the forecast was good. Met up with Her B_4 for breakfast at the McCafe in Upper Hutt, then onto Caltex Rimutaka and met up with Karl on his new (old, lovely) Darmah, Craig (SP3 Honda) Bugsplat, Marcus, Smiley. A good ride over the hill, and down the Western side of Lake Wairarapa.
Stopped for coffee at the Fish in Martinborough. The weather was getting slightly warmer by this time, though still overcast. Lots of bikers coming through. Andy, Joe et all on their (mainly) Harleys joined us at the Fish, they had a big group outing.
Then most of our group carried on through Ponatahi, Gladstone, Water Tower Hill, Wainuioru, Lee Pakaraka Road, Gladstone, Longbush, Bell Tea Corner, back to the Fish for more coffee/sustenance. The sky was mainly blue by this stage.
Hamish and a couple of others came back to the top of the hill via the Western Lake road, the rest of us went straight back to the top of the hill and hung around there for ages. Gunner turned up minus et al who was at home doing the lawns (et al: a little hint for summer weekends: Mr Green!!)
Saw Recycled heading north at Kaitoke on his VFR.
Heaps of bikers out and about, caught up with lots of people.
Got home and watched the Qatar GP's.
I am reminded how much I love the 800 - it's a much "sweeter" bike to ride than the 1000. Still heaps of power, but it's not quite as raw as the 1000 and a bit more forgiving. They're both lovely bikes, I love them both.
All in all, a nice lay-back weekend with heaps of riding and good company. What more could a girl want?
Next weekend a trip to Morrinsville is planned, hopefully the weather will be good and we'll take the bikes. I'll take the 1000 as I've only done just over 2,000kms on it and haven't yet done a long trip. Paraparas/National Park/Taumarunui to Eight Mile Junction: here we come!!
Hope I haven't missed anyone out of this story.
.
Had a very enjoyable bike related weekend.
Hamish had to work Saturday 9am-12 noon so I came into town with him. Met up with Motoxxx at Wellington Motorcycles - nice to meet you! (how come people always know who I am? Could the Ducati regalia be a bit of a giveaway?)
Also met up with Her_B4 and Marknz at Scooter Centre. Plus several other mates.
I went to Te Papa around 10.30am and went through the "Race for the South Pole" exhibition. It is well worth a visit, well worth the admission of $6.50. Jeez, those poor bastards had it tough. They wanted to use men to haul their sledges instead of dogs because it "proved they were real men". And the clothing they wore - in those terrible weather conditions. And here's me being a woose and having heated grips. Has anyone else been to the exhibition?
Come mid-day it was "down tools" for Hamish, in the car, and race home. Into the bike gear (all laid out ready to save time!) and on the bikes. I'd decided to use the 800 this weekend.
The weather wasn't bad, a bit chilly in the wind. We rode to the top of the hill - Hamish had to gas up at Caltex so I carried on. Saw Bugsplat heading down the hill as I was heading up. Hung around the top for a while, not many bikers out. Headed home around 2.45pm - it was quite cold and the dark clouds were rolling around. Saw VTWIN, Stonechucker and Jazbug heading towards the hill on the U/Hutt motorway.
Sunday dawned fine but overcast, though the forecast was good. Met up with Her B_4 for breakfast at the McCafe in Upper Hutt, then onto Caltex Rimutaka and met up with Karl on his new (old, lovely) Darmah, Craig (SP3 Honda) Bugsplat, Marcus, Smiley. A good ride over the hill, and down the Western side of Lake Wairarapa.
Stopped for coffee at the Fish in Martinborough. The weather was getting slightly warmer by this time, though still overcast. Lots of bikers coming through. Andy, Joe et all on their (mainly) Harleys joined us at the Fish, they had a big group outing.
Then most of our group carried on through Ponatahi, Gladstone, Water Tower Hill, Wainuioru, Lee Pakaraka Road, Gladstone, Longbush, Bell Tea Corner, back to the Fish for more coffee/sustenance. The sky was mainly blue by this stage.
Hamish and a couple of others came back to the top of the hill via the Western Lake road, the rest of us went straight back to the top of the hill and hung around there for ages. Gunner turned up minus et al who was at home doing the lawns (et al: a little hint for summer weekends: Mr Green!!)
Saw Recycled heading north at Kaitoke on his VFR.
Heaps of bikers out and about, caught up with lots of people.
Got home and watched the Qatar GP's.
I am reminded how much I love the 800 - it's a much "sweeter" bike to ride than the 1000. Still heaps of power, but it's not quite as raw as the 1000 and a bit more forgiving. They're both lovely bikes, I love them both.
All in all, a nice lay-back weekend with heaps of riding and good company. What more could a girl want?
Next weekend a trip to Morrinsville is planned, hopefully the weather will be good and we'll take the bikes. I'll take the 1000 as I've only done just over 2,000kms on it and haven't yet done a long trip. Paraparas/National Park/Taumarunui to Eight Mile Junction: here we come!!
Hope I haven't missed anyone out of this story.
.