Gremlin's Tall Stories

Missed last week’s one, so wanted to go on this one, as I wanted to catch up with Toto, get some zip ties off him and talk about theTT2000.

Left work a little later than I was planning at 6pm and threaded my way through traffic into the city arriving shortly before 6.30pm, so not too late. Toto and the others shouted at me as I arrived, to avoid a pole when reversing… but everything was well in hand… can’t miss it and it’s not like it’s moving around aye? I believe some do like reversing into them though

GiJoe arrived and considered riding straight on when he saw me, but gave in and parked up. The usual banter, no Suzukis in sight, and even better, every bike was a Honda. Toto and I on CB900s, Wanpo on his crotch rocket, Interceptor on his VFR, baffa on the littler VTR, GiJoe on his Predator with Cathy on the back and even Zeocen, on his CB600.

Awesome decision making to decide where we should go… north, ok, fine, south ending at Carls Jr, no wait, we’ll go north. Zeocen needed gas uh… now, so went to Stanley street before jumping on the motorway out west. Zeocen piked out, so I don’t even know why we went and got gas for him? Interceptor sounded like he was off as well, but it only turned out to be a nasty trick to get the role of TEC, which I’d already jumped for (you gotta race to the back to get the role with this lot).

Out to Westgate, the motorway junction changing quite dramatically since I’d last been there (ages). Wanpo led, taking in some back roads and later admitting he wasn’t completely sure where he was, but it came out where he wanted to be. Up Old North, more detours, through Helensville then the usual route up to Wellsford, stopping at Kaukapakapa along the way. Several reached into their bags and luggage for a top, I reached in for the rain pants. Top was fine, but my legs were cold in draggins. Toto saw Wanpo being “tough” and decided not to put gear on, freezing his ass off on the way north. Nothing to see at the lookout so we carried straight on. Wellsford was time for some to gas up, and there had been talk of continuing north as people felt like, yet suddenly everyone liked the idea of the place on the left, as you go past the gas station.

Known for their pizzas it made the choice simple, almost everyone ordering them. I had a large Mustang, which was essentially a meat pizza and it was delicious. Couldn’t even finish it so took a piece home in a doggy box. Toto and I had a good chat, talking about the TT, as he'd only read the basic stuff, and none of the flyer details.

From there, GiJoe made some deluded decision to let me lead, under some scrambled excuse, so I led back down 16, then Old North, stopping just after Old North and before Westgate. We said our goodbyes and I used the new bit of road to link onto the NW motorway.

Dropped into the city to check the company mail box (was a bad idea to try on Friday night, with traffic and temporary bus stops meaning there was nowhere to park) and then home. The ever faithful hornet ticked over 96,000km so it’s due for a service, but I’m hoping some parts from the USA will arrive soon, as there is an air filter in there for the Hornet.