steelphoenix

So... First big ride today! I came down to Tauranga to visit my parents, planning on heading back up tomorrow.

Started pretty early, around 8am (would have been later, but I woke up at 7 and couldn't get back to sleep). Unlike the weather forecast had predicted, it was cloudy and spitting lightly. After a hearty breakfast, I put on all my thermals and rain gear (remembering Toto, galewolf, and Gremlin's advice), and off down the Southern Motorway!

The ride was fairly non-descript - it's State Highway 1, what is there to say? Thanks to all the layers, it was fine up until I hit the Bombays and it actually started raining, at which point it became a bit chilly around the edges, but nothing terrible. Turned off onto State Highway 2. I paused at Maramarua to gas up, and hid under the forecourt at the Mobil for a few minutes to dry and warm up a bit. I was still waterproof at this stage.

The leg down to Matamata (State Highway 2, then 27) was when it started getting interesting. The rain was coming in gusts, and the bike was sometimes shifted around on the road a bit - nothing too drastic, but enough to be unnerving occasionally. Also, just as I hit State Highway 27, I got stuck in the middle of a convoy behind a bus - so all those lovely sweeps through the rolling hills were somewhat spoiled by being stuck at 70kph most of the time - which is the Learner limit... ehehe... Eventually managed to overtake, behind a Ford Falcon (who, by the way, was obviously aware of my presence).

Spent a good amount of time on the way down to Matamata admiring the scenery - mostly green, grey, and cows - and the, erm, delightfully agricultural bouquet of scents.

The nice long straights were a good opportunity to open up a bit, and I spent most of the way cruising at 110kph. Made the discovery that alternating between full racing-position tucked in behind the fairings and sitting up at full stretch was the most comfortable way to ride - tucking in behind fairings being warmer and easier to control on straights (that being what fairings are for, duh!), while sitting up allowed better visibility and easier control on corners.

It was on this leg (the longest of the three, at approximately an hour and a quarter as opposed to the other two 45-minute legs) that stuff started leaking. My gloves, fantastic and comfortable though they are, are neither winter gloves, nor waterproof. I started feeling a bit damp around the edges, and could feel the water starting to seep into my leathers.

Feeling somewhat less than charitable towards the gods of the weather, I stopped at Matamata at the very nice Robert Harris cafe. They had a convenient overhang beside their store, where I parked the bike, and went inside. Disrobing of all my layers - some of which were now somewhat damp - was not the easiest thing, and I provided entertainment for the cafe's patrons. They had good coffee and delicious food - I had a mince savoury which was more like a small pie, and a 'Lemon Delight' - lemon meringue pie in slice format! Omnomnom.

Duly warmed up, and seeing that the weather was clearing a bit, I carried on my way, fortified and feeling positive.

The ride up the Kaimais was fun - lovely sweeping bends, and double lanes all the way up meant I didn't get stuck behind anyone! Woohoo! It was awesome - thanks Wanpo for that recommendation!

Unfortunately, at the top it got a bit misty... and then as I started coming down the other side, the weather gods decided 'Enough of this!' and dumped what seemed like the entire sky on me. So the trip down to Poripori Road was in drenchingly-bad rain. Water started coming in the top of my boots, my hands were now coated in a thin sheen of water, and I started squelching slightly every time I shifted on the seat. Visibility was shocking, and I had to keep wiping away the water off my visor. Thankfully, it eased a little as I went on to Poripori Road and down to my parents' place - during which I didn't see any other vehicles! Thank goodness for small country roads.

Arrived at my parents' place more or less soaked to the skin on legs and lower arms, but still mostly warm; my torso and head were at all times warm and dry. My WRC anorak did a fantastic job, only letting in a little bit of water on my arms. My backside complained a little on the way into Matamata, but it was much better than expected.

Things that went well:
- Planning the journey first was a very good move - it allowed anticipation and pacing myself.
- Wearing thermals was essential, and I'm glad I did it!
- Riding early in the day was good, it meant I had the requisite alertness and energy.

Lessons learned:
- Waterproof gloves, pants (that go over boots), and a fully waterproof overjacket are REQUIRED.
- Buses are a pain in the ass if you get stuck behind them.
- Weather forecasts are probably going to be wrong.
- Remember to bring another pair of shoes...

I feel massively accomplished - possibly much more than is justified! - but I'm happy with my first 'big ride'! Another tomorrow!