Riding!

After the distractions of Christmas, then changing bike, three weekends ago was getting the new bike, putting the Givi items on it, then two weekends the weather was terrible, so I caught up on my blogs.

This long weekend just past was finally a proper opportunity to get out and clock up some km on the BMW. This started perfectly on Saturday working all day… wait… that wasn’t the plan. I had to baby sit a server through some issues so did some catch up on blog posts. ...

I think the week of 10-14 January is one of the slowest on record. After two painful days, it felt like Thursday. I wanted the week over as fast as possible, yet there were not enough hours to get everything done at work, that needed doing.

If I wasn’t working, I was thinking about the new bike. If I wasn’t thinking about the bike I was finding cool pics on the internet or looking at parts (if anyone reads this… let it be a warning to you… its expensive and addictive, regardless of ...

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Some people make New Year’s Resolutions. Some just promise to do better. Others make changes because it’s the New Year. For some, it’s the needed impetus to do something they have been waiting for the opportunity to do.

Normally for me… it’s normally just another day, and time to remember to change the dates on cheques, file names etc. A couple of weeks after that, clients come back from holidays, all hell breaks loose, and the break is a distant memory.

This year, ...

As Toto and I did last year in 2009, we decided to do a little tour again this year. After a fantastic experience at Wanganui, we knew it would be on the list again. The tour follows a basic format. Leave Christmas Day, in Wanganui for Boxing Day, and then spend a few days covering some of the country. Last year was 1 day to Mahia (just south of Gisborne) and then a 2nd day back to Auckland via the East Cape, so only 4 days in total.

This year, we would aim for a week, so within a ...

Yes... imagine that. A long ride is required for work purposes. Ride there, do the work, come back. Awful. I struggled with this dilemma for an entire... mmm half second or so.

The only issue was that it was Wellington where the work needed doing. Haste was required, so I couldn't exactly say the East Cape was on the way to Wellington. A, the boss is a biker himself. B, he's well aware of all the riding I do, and the distances I clock up. So there was no way in hell he'd ...

Saturday 20th November is the third Saturday of the month, and accordingly, Botany Honda’s monthly ride. Pitching up at 1445, not a rider to be seen. A quick check with Richard and it appears it’s him and I. In that case, he can wait, so I head over to the gas station to get some gas.
Upon returning, there is now a big group of bikes waiting… excellent, the trick of leaving and them thinking it’s safe has worked. The plan would be perfect if I was leading them to their demise, but alas, that’s ...

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Saturday morning of the 13th of November rolls around. Up late as usual, I sort a few chores, once again not leaving at my planned time of about 10am. Midday and I’m finally cleaning visors and gearing up. 12.30pm and I’m fully fuelled and getting the hell out of Auckland.

The intention today is for approximately 1000km, starting with SH22 and going through New Plymouth, Wanganui and then the Paraparas north through Te Kuiti and back to SH1 at Ngaruwahia.

Exiting the ...

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Thursday was the final day of "leave", but no work was required. While the alarm went off at 0800, I didn't crawl out of bed until 0845, a good 12.5 hours sleep. Damn, I felt great, not a cloud in the sky, it was going to be a great day.

Careful not to waste any of it, I sought out the Turangi bakery for a late breakfast / early lunch. Chicken and vegetable pie, filled roll of avocado, chicken and relish, and an enormous piece of carrot cake at a bargain price, I wobbled out of Turangi ...

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