gijoe1313's Blogs

Back again? Most excellent, I do so enjoy your company my fine person! After all, we fellow filthy biker scum must stick together!

Well, the traffic through to Otorohanga was slow, trucks were many, cars cagily driving to the conditions. I stopped there to refuel up and also stretch some bits – it has been a while since I have pootled, and a little thought popped up that the preddy is not as comfortable as my honourable Big Ol’Hornet. I would be trying to find that “sweet spot” as my ride progressed. With DONOR (who seemed to be ground control) txtd, the ride was recommenced.

Out to Taumarunui, roads were still washed with heaven’s bounty, but the Preddy started to show some of the talent beneath it’s skin (at this stage, it had not informed me of it’s sex nor name yet) the rain did not ease up until I got into the township, I met my fave station man at the BP, a fellow motorcycler – he and some of his co-workers are accustomed to me turning up at all odd hours to refuel my motorbike(s). A quick natter and update again to DONOR saw me on my way again. This quick natter was sprinkled with references to the Cold Kiwi and mad nutters gathering there – I am a mad nutter, but I’m not crazy enough to do a Cold Kiwi! I was merely passing through to Wellywood.

Now so far dear reader, I presume you will be thinking “but gijoe1313 – this is very much of the usual mendacity of ride reports you witter on about! Where is this tale that DONOR has prompted us to be regaled with? I am dismayed! I feel cheapened that my expectations has been tickled and yet no satisfaction has been forthcoming! The cheek of it!”

With no fanfare, nor trumpeting of great climaxes, not even a drum roll to extol the reporting of events to come – I shall begin my recollection. For me, to date, in my own humble riding experiences, this has been my most epic pootle yet.

From the township of Taumarunui, a warning from Bob, that most elegiac of BP service attendants was volunteered “watch out mate, it seems the weather will go to shite”. With a carefree swing of my leg over the rackless rear of the preddy (only Gremlin shall know that smug in-joke reference), I advanced my throttle to cruising-through-town-without-the-popo-giving-me-a-government-donation speed.

Halfway between where I left the BP towards the most excellent carrot capital of NZ, Ohakune – the weather cleared! Huzzah! No more rain! Huzzah! Only now the weather was redolent with the gifts of a winter wonderland! Snow! Hail! Ice! Woo hoo! The first inkling of my encounter was with light puffs of angel’s snot, lightly dusting my visor and making lovely patterns in my headlight (which by the way is most excellent, high beam even 25Xbetterer!)

Well, this was a new one on me! The way it settled on the road should have been disturbing, but as those who know me well, mere details like this are like a red flag to a bull – just keep on riding!

Now collect your wits, take a small moment to ponder the inequities of life where it seems there is never enough time in a day to ride as much as one would like ... before continuing on!