Bass
21st January 2009, 08:02
On fine summer days, instead of the car, I sometimes use the Trumpy to get to work. The DR, with its light front end, upright seating and wide bars is much more nimble and still has enough grunt to allow me to place myself where I want to go. So it is by far the better commuter, but the knobblies last no time at all on the seal (about 2800 km for the rear). Hence, I use the Triumph.
Some days, it's interesting what you see.
This morning, coming up the hill from Takanini to Manurewa, as we passed under the Alfriston Road overbridge, I glanced into the Honda people carrier to my left. Now, I usually see at least one person per trip, texting while driving, but the petite Asian lady driving the Honda wins the trophy. Her left hand was holding the steering wheel and also a bowl of cornflakes and milk with a spoon resting in it.
Now there's manual dexterity for you!
Calmly having her breakfast on the way to work.
Not unusual I grant you, but cornflakes????
About 300 meters further on, a GSXXR with a loud exhaust rolls down the Manurewa on ramp. Now I'm not a fan of loud exhausts on the street, despite a lengthy racing background. I've just never seen the point, but I have to admit this one sounded sweet. The bike was piloted by a lass with a superb arse, wearing a pink helmet, a riding jacket, some nicely tailored work trousers and some VERY pointy-toed stiletto-heeled boots. She overtook me and creating her own lane, moved away from me up the motorway.
I offer no opinion on the need to lane split when the traffic is moving at or near 100 kph. Personally, I don't do it.
I also offer no opinion on her choice of riding clothing, but I wondered what she thought about it when she got a bit distracted about 4 cars in front of me and had to dodge hard to avoid smearing herself across the left rear corner of a brown Mitsubishi.
Good countersteering skills but! In fact, skills wise, pretty competent generally I thought - not that I am any great judge.
Just to reinforce any misgivings I may have had, I drew up alongside her at the lights at the top of the Highbrook offramp, so she had gained nothing in terms of time. We exchanged the obligatory biker nods and the thought went through my mind that she was strikingly attractive and I hoped nothing bad interfered with her riding.
Pretty average commute really.
Some days, it's interesting what you see.
This morning, coming up the hill from Takanini to Manurewa, as we passed under the Alfriston Road overbridge, I glanced into the Honda people carrier to my left. Now, I usually see at least one person per trip, texting while driving, but the petite Asian lady driving the Honda wins the trophy. Her left hand was holding the steering wheel and also a bowl of cornflakes and milk with a spoon resting in it.
Now there's manual dexterity for you!
Calmly having her breakfast on the way to work.
Not unusual I grant you, but cornflakes????
About 300 meters further on, a GSXXR with a loud exhaust rolls down the Manurewa on ramp. Now I'm not a fan of loud exhausts on the street, despite a lengthy racing background. I've just never seen the point, but I have to admit this one sounded sweet. The bike was piloted by a lass with a superb arse, wearing a pink helmet, a riding jacket, some nicely tailored work trousers and some VERY pointy-toed stiletto-heeled boots. She overtook me and creating her own lane, moved away from me up the motorway.
I offer no opinion on the need to lane split when the traffic is moving at or near 100 kph. Personally, I don't do it.
I also offer no opinion on her choice of riding clothing, but I wondered what she thought about it when she got a bit distracted about 4 cars in front of me and had to dodge hard to avoid smearing herself across the left rear corner of a brown Mitsubishi.
Good countersteering skills but! In fact, skills wise, pretty competent generally I thought - not that I am any great judge.
Just to reinforce any misgivings I may have had, I drew up alongside her at the lights at the top of the Highbrook offramp, so she had gained nothing in terms of time. We exchanged the obligatory biker nods and the thought went through my mind that she was strikingly attractive and I hoped nothing bad interfered with her riding.
Pretty average commute really.